Barry Keoghan Prefers Villain Role in James Bond Franchise

Barry Keoghan, the acclaimed actor known for his roles in Saltburn, The Banshees of Inisherin, and the upcoming Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, has expressed a preference for playing a villain in the James Bond series rather than taking on the iconic 007 role itself.

Not a Fit for Bond, Says Keoghan

Addressing speculation about potentially replacing Daniel Craig as James Bond, Keoghan stated in an interview with Radio Times, “It’s nice to see your name go up there, but I don’t think I fit the criteria for James Bond.” He further elaborated that the role carries “a lot of weight and pressure.”

A Villainous Appeal

Instead of embodying the suave secret agent, Keoghan revealed his desire to portray a Bond villain. “I’d rather come in and do the villain. The man teasing Bond, that’s more me,” he explained to Radio Times. RTÉ reports.

The Next Chapter of 007

The search for the next James Bond continues following Daniel Craig’s final appearance in 2021’s No Time To Die. Other actors frequently mentioned as potential candidates include Jacob Elordi, Cillian Murphy, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Callum Turner. The Independent notes the ongoing speculation surrounding the coveted role.

Creative Shift Behind the Scenes

The upcoming Bond film will be directed by Denis Villeneuve, known for his work on Dune, Prisoners, and Blade Runner 2049. The script will be penned by Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders. This new installment marks a significant shift for the franchise, as Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson have handed over creative control to Amazon as part of a substantial deal. The National highlights this major overhaul.