Brit acting legend admits he wants to play James Bond saying ‘the world’s gone crazy’ if Amazon casts a US star for 007
A BRITISH screen legend has thrown his name into the ring to be the next James Bond.
Fans of the franchise were stunned last month when it was revealed Amazon MGM Studios has taken over creative control of the spy franchise.
PADaniel Craig’s Bond successor is yet to be revealed[/caption]
talkSPORTRay Winstone wouldn’t mind a crack at playing the British spy[/caption]
Among the rumours flying around is that the Scottish-born spy could be played by an American in future instalments, which hasn’t gone down well with this old school film geezer.
Appearing on talkSPORT today, Ray Winstone, 68, was asked if he would consider playing Bond.
He said: “I’d actually like to play Bond, you know? Get him down to earth, get him a bit gritty.”
But he had some choice words about the secret agent getting some US sheen, saying: “The world’s gone crazy.”
Ray is currently enjoying the good life in Sicily ahead of filming series two of Netflix‘s The Gentlemen.
The actor plays tough gangland boss Bobby Glass, who runs his drug empire from behind bars where he gets very special privileges.
He said: “I drove down here the other day, took three days, but it was a nice ride and I’m just chilling out.
“I’m getting myself fit. I come down here to sort myself out and detox and all that sort of stuff.
“I’ve lost a lot of weight… I’m getting ready for The Gentlemen.” Start that end of April, start of May, hence the beard and all that.
“I think my wife’s going to come out in a couple of weeks, but I’ve just come out really, just to get fit, leave the booze alone, eat good food and just mentally get myself straight ready for work. I’ve got a busy year hopefully, so you’ve really got to be on it.”
Last year Aaron Taylor-Johnson looked dead set to become the new 007 though he has yet to be officially confirmed.
James Norton, Stuart Martin and Paul Mescal are other names in the frame to land the coveted role.
There is a combination of fresh excitement and concern around the franchise after billionaire Jeff Bezos’ firm was handed the creative rights.
Long-running Bond producers Barbara Broccoli, 64, and Michael G Wilson, 83, announced they will step down to make way for the deal.
AlamyRay in classic British flick Sexy Beast[/caption]
EPABarbara Broccoli has stepped down from having creative control over the franchise[/caption]
They had made the films with their company EON Productions, based at Pinewood Studios, Slough.
Amazon bought Bond’s parent studio MGM in 2022.
But Ms Broccoli had previously branded the firm “f***ing idiots” and refused to green-light the next film with the involvement of Amazon MGM Studios, currently based in California.
The movies are famed for their array of Bond girls including Halle Berry, Ana de Armas, Ursula Andress and Barbara Bach and super villains such as Blofeld,
And while Ms Broccoli and Mr Wilson will still have co-ownership over the brand, it will be down to Amazon to direct the direction of the blockbuster franchise.
But fans fear the move could be the franchise’s downfall, pointing to Star Wars’ perceived demise after Disney bought it from Lucasfilm.
Timeline of James Bond actors
Over the years there have been seven actors who have played 007.
The first ever James Bond film was in 1962, and this is who has played the lead role over the years:
Sean Connery – The late star was the first ever actor to play Bond, and reprised the role for seven movies.
George Lazenby – The star only played Bond once, but was the youngest actor to ever play the spy.
Roger Moore – The late movie star spent 12 years making seven films in the famous franchise.
Timothy Dalton – The smooth actor took over from Roger Moore and appeared in The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill.
Pierce Brosnan – The handsome star played Bond for four movies from 1995 to 2002.
Daniel Craig – The British star was the first blonde James Bond and the sixth actor to win the role in 2005.
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