Taron Egerton Admits He’s ‘Too Messy’ to Take on James Bond Role
Taron Egerton publicly ruled himself out of contention for the next James Bond during a recent Collider interview.
Kai Montgomery here, your grumpy guru rolling my eyes so hard I might sprain something. Let’s break down why this “Rocketman” star thinks the 007 torch is too spotless for his messy habits.
In a chat with Collider, the 35-year-old British actor confessed he wouldn’t make a “good choice” to follow Daniel Craig’s footsteps. “I think I’m too messy for that,” Egerton said, adding that Bond’s precision gadgets and tuxedoed charm would be wasted on someone who barely keeps his own sock drawer in order. He went on to praise Craig’s tenure and insisted, “there are so many cool, younger actors who would be great for it.”
Before you start drafting your protest tweets, the “Kingsman” alum clarified that passing on 007 doesn’t mean he’s shunning big-screen action forever. He admitted he’s currently chasing projects that speak to his creative core, though he suspects that phase won’t last indefinitely. “James Bond is quite an undertaking,” Egerton noted. “It kind of consumes your life, a role like that.” He also pointed out that, as far as he knows, he hasn’t even been asked to audition.
If Egerton’s relief at dodging Bond’s bullet surprises you, you’re not alone. Earlier this year, People magazine quoted “Crazy Rich Asians” star Henry Golding admitting that even the idea of playing Bond feels like “every actor’s kind of nightmare.” Golding explained that the cultural weight and fan expectations make the assignment more of a burden than a thrill.
Meanwhile, Amazon MGM Studios has swept in to claim creative control of the franchise, appointing “Dune” director Denis Villeneuve to helm their first post-Craig installment. Villeneuve, a self-proclaimed die-hard Bond fan, promised to “honor the tradition” and pave the way for “many new missions to come,” according to his public statement with The Telegraph.
As the rumor mill chugs into overtime, names like Henry Cavill, Harris Dickinson, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Idris Elba keep floating around as potential 007s. Even Pierce Brosnan, the suave agent from the “Die Another Day” era, weighed in via The Telegraph, insisting that the next Bond must be British and commending producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson for entrusting the franchise’s future to Amazon MGM.
Let’s be frank: the Bond mantle isn’t just another gig. It demands relentless training, globe-trotting press tours, and a life where martini choices are tweeted in real time. Egerton’s decision to sidestep that pressure cooker might just be the wisest career move yet.
There you have it. Egerton’s messy confession, Golding’s resistance, Villeneuve’s vision, and a lineup of hopefuls waiting in the wings. Stay tuned to see who will emerge as the next 007, because I’m not clearing my schedule for any more messy declarations tonight.
And that, dear reader, is why we can’t have nice things.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and Collider, People magazine, The Telegraph, New York Post
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
