JAMES BOND will be getting a makeover after the release of No Time To Die, with a new actor stepping in to take the place of outgoing Daniel Craig. But one candidate has now announced he doesn’t want the job.
James Bond fans are eagerly awaiting confirmation as to who will replace Daniel Craig as 007 but theres one actor whos ruled himself out. Back in 2015, Damien Lewis was the bookies favourite to be named the next Bond, dominating the race ahead of the likes of Idris Elba, Henry Cavill and Tom Hardy. At the time, William Hill had him priced as short as 6/4 to get the role.
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Now, however, the Homeland star doesnt even want the coveted part.
In a recent interview with GQ, Lewis said the furore surrounding rumours he could take over had “subsided”.
“And I dont want to play James Bond anymore,” he announced.
“If someone had asked me 10 years ago, that might have been a different matter. But I dont have that sort of ambition now.”
Lewis went on to explain why the part wasnt suited to him at this point in his career, insisting he didnt fancy the long, gruelling shooting schedules involved in the ambitious action movies.
“I dont want to go travelling off around the world for eight months of the year and play one character for the next 10 years,” he told the publication.
“And I think Id be the oldest new James Bond cast, maybe after Roger Moore,” he noted. “Or maybe even older than Roger Moore.
“So, you know, I dont think its a problem. I dont think its something I have to think about.”
In fact, Moore was 45 when he was first cast in Live and Let Die in 1973 and Lewis is now 49.
Lewis did admit his name being a former frontrunner for the job was “exciting” several years ago, but insisted its “not going to happen”.
In recent times, Lewis has drifted down the list when it comes to the bookies favourites to play Bond and is now priced at 20/1 by Ladbrokes.
Happy Valley and McMafia star James Norton is the current frontrunner in pole position at 2/1 to replace Craig.
Hot on his heels is Outlanders Sam Heughan, priced at 3/1, while Tom Hiddleston is still in the running on 5/1.
Hardy, whose name has long been bandied about when it comes to the 007 job, is also a contender at 5/1.
Poldark actor Aidan Turner and Bodyguard star Richard Madden are both priced at 6/1.
Craig previously announced he was “done” with Bond after the last film Spectre.
Back in 2015 he said he would “rather slash [his] wrists” than reprise the role for a fifth time.
However, a juicy plot proposed by executive producer Barbara Broccoli roped him back in for one final outing.
The Bond stalwart will make his last appearance as the iconic spy in No Time To Die later this year.
The movies release was delayed by seven months due to the coronavirus crisis.
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READ MORE FROM SOURCE: https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/1276850/James-Bond-actors-new-Damien-Lewis-interview
