Pierce Brosnan in 2024; Brosnan as James Bond in 1999.Photo:Darren Gerrish/WireImage for Ralph Lauren; Keith Hamshere/Getty

Pierce Brosnan

Darren Gerrish/WireImage for Ralph Lauren; Keith Hamshere/Getty

Pierce Brosnanis sharing his top requirement for the nextJames Bond.

The former Bond star, 71, said it was a “given” that the next actor to portray the iconic movie character must be British in a new interview with the U.K. newspaperThe Telegraph.

Brosnan played Bond from 1995 to 2002 before English actorDaniel Craigtook over the role in the British spy franchise in 2006. Craig, 57, appeared for the last time as the character in 2021.

Daniel Craig, who played Bond from 2006 to 2021, pictured here in 2022.Karwai Tang/WireImage

Daniel Craig attends a photocall for “60 Years of James Bond” on November 23, 2022 in London, England.

Karwai Tang/WireImage

On Feb. 20, it wasannouncedthatAmazon MGM Studios would be taking over creative controlof Bond projects in a new joint venture with longtime Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.

Brosnan said the new direction for the long-running franchise took “great courage” from producers Broccoli and Wilson, adding that it was “the right decision.”

“In this world that is moving so fast now, at the speed of light, [the takeover] does come with a certain lament,” he toldThe Telegraph. “I thought it was coming for some time I guess, but I think it was the right decision for Barbara and Michael.”

“It takes great courage for them to let go. They will still have a say in matters. I hope that [Amazon] handles the work and the character with dignity and imagination and respect,” Brosnan added.

Speaking of his time playing Bond, he said, “I’m very proud to have been part of the history and the legacy of Bond and the movies that I made with Barbara and Michael. That we moved the needle, that we brought it back to life.”

Pierce Brosnan as Bond in ‘GoldenEye’ from 1995.Keith Hamshere/Getty

Irish actor Pierce Brosnan as 007, driving a Cagiva motorcycle for the opening scene of the James Bond film ‘GoldenEye’, 1995.

Keith Hamshere/Getty

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Brosnan said in a recent interview that he’d love to return as Bond one day.

“Of course, how could I not be interested?” he toldGQ. “But it’s a delicate situation now. I think it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie, really. I think so. It’s a rather romantic notion and idea, but I think everything changes, everything falls apart.”

“I think that it’s best left to another man, really,” he added. “Fresh blood.”

source: people.com