Taron Egerton

Taron Egerton Says NO To Playing James Bond: 'I Don't Think I'm The Right Choice'

Home / Entertainment / Taron Egerton Says NO To Playing James Bond: 'I Don't Think I'm The Right Choice'

By Favour Adegoke on March 21, 2023 at 12:00 AM EDT

Actor Taron Egerton's name has been linked to replacing Daniel Craig as James Bond ever since he starred in the action film "Kingsman: The Secret Service."

Following Craig's departure from the role, those rumors have been further fueled by fans eager to see him take on the part of the iconic spy agent.

However, Egerton has distanced himself from the role several times and has recently pointed out that he is not the right choice.

He had previously shared in an interview that other actors would be a better fit and that he has yet to talk with the showrunners.

Keep on reading to learn more.

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'I've Always Struggled With My Weight'

2020 British Academy Film and Television Awards
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Egerton has seemingly shut down any possibility of playing James Bond despite speculations that he could be the next actor to embody the role last played by Daniel Craig.

Speaking with The Telegraph in a recent interview, the actor shared that he doesn't think he is the "right choice" to play the iconic part, citing how the role requires a consistent body structure.

Egerton said about the role, per Insider"I don't think I'm the right choice for it. You have to be consistently statuesque to be that guy. And that's something that I am still striving for. I've always struggled with my weight."

He also seemed dissatisfied with how the part required a long-term commitment from whoever is picked, adding that franchise co-producer Barbara Broccoli has previously indicated as much.

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The "Robin Hood" star said, "[its] a bit like being a brand ambassador as well as being an actor. And that could be really fun in microcosm, but I'm sure I read that Barbara Broccoli said that it's a 15-year commitment."

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Taron Egerton Thinks There Are Better Candidates

BAFTA LA TV Tea Party in Los Angeles
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On multiple occasions, the "Sing" star has also shown his disinterest in becoming the next 007, even though he has starred in roles with a similar spy theme, such as "Kingsman: The Secret Service."

One such was his interview with Total Film magazine earlier in the month, where he even hinted that the showrunners might have already gotten someone.

At the time, the "Rocketman" actor backed his claim by revealing that he is yet to meet or have any discussions with the showrunners.

He said, per Games Radar, "I've just never been one of the guys that they're looking at. I just don't think I'm the right person for that. I think there's much, much, much better candidates for that role than me. "

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However, he is open to appearing in other roles in the film, as he confirmed that he would be "a very willing audience member" due to his love for the franchise.

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'James Bond' Showrunners Have Yet To Choose A Replacement

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Apart from Egerton, lovers of the spy franchise have speculated that Idris Elba would also be a perfect fit. However, just like his colleague, Elba has since shut down those speculations during his appearance on an episode of HBO's "The Shop."

"I don't think that playing Bond will satisfy some of my personal goals," Elba said at the time, per Insider." "It will definitely satisfy the will of a nation, I'm not going to lie. Every corner of the world I go...they always go, 'Bond.' And I feel it is beyond me at this juncture."

While there has been no confirmation as to whom the role will ultimately be assigned, seeing a female play the part is not in the works.

"He can be of any color, but he is male," showrunner Broccoli said in a 2020 interview with Variety. "I'm not particularly interested in taking a male character and having a woman play it."

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Taron Egerton's Next Features

Elton John in great spirits at the Rocketman press call in Cannes
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In the meantime, Egerton has had his schedule filled with multiple filming commitments. He recently finished filming a new Netflix movie, "Carry On," which also stars Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy Award winner Jason Bateman.

The actor also rounded up his press commitment for the Apple TV Plus crime drama, "Black Bird. "In the six-episode miniseries, he played the role of an embattled man facing drug and weapons charges that carried a 10-year prison sentence without parole.

Egerton's latest move for the streaming platform, "Tetris," is set to debut on March 31. Directed by Jon S. Baird, the actor stars in the film as Henk Rogers, showing the businessman's role in bringing the world-renowned game to existence.

Also among the cast are Toby Jones as Robert Stein, Nikita Yefremov as Alexey Pajitnov, Roger Allam as Robert Maxwell, and Anthony Boyle as Kevin Maxwell.

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