BAFTA-winning English actor George MacKay has stated he does not wish to play James Bond but is keen to portray a villain in the franchise. In an interview with Variety, MacKay said: “I quite like the idea of a villain — maybe a one and done, chew the scenery a bit, come be part of it, get the best scenes and then get killed!”
MacKay's Career and Bond Ambitions
MacKay, who won a BAFTA Scotland award and has multiple nominations, is known for period dramas like war film 1917 and LGBTQIA rights story Pride. He will soon appear in the adaptation of Sense and Sensibility as Edward Ferrars, opposite Daisy Edgar-Jones. Despite often being tipped as a future James Bond, MacKay has expressed a preference for villain roles previously played by Javier Bardem, Christoph Waltz, and Mads Mikkelsen.
Next Bond Film Details
The upcoming Bond film is produced by Amazon MGM Studios, with Denis Villeneuve (director of Dune) directing and Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders) writing. The plot reportedly focuses on AI threats to security. Amazon confirmed auditions for the new Bond have begun, stating: “The search for the next James Bond is underway. While we don’t plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we’re excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right.”
Other Candidates for Bond
Favorites for the role include Callum Turner, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jacob Elordi, and Tom Holland. Holland, recently married to Zendaya, told Esquire: “I think if you were lucky enough to get that job, like, who am I to turn my nose up at the most iconic British character in modern cinema?” He also noted his professional relationship with producer Amy Pascal, who worked with him on Spider-Man, saying he wants to be “respectful” and not “overstep.” Daniel Craig last played Bond from 2006's Casino Royale to 2021's No Time To Die.
