Taron Egerton Finally Addresses James Bond Rumors: ‘It Kind of Consumes Your Life’

Well, it looks like there’s one down and six to go. Taron Egerton has officially spoken up about the rumors surrounding him becoming the next James Bond. In the never-ending casting carousel of “Who Will Be the Next James Bond?,” one fan favorite has officially taken himself out of the race. Egerton, the charming Welsh actor known for playing Elton John in “Rocketman” and suiting up as Eggsy in “Kingsman: The Secret Service,” is officially bowing out. Gracefully, but firmly, of course.

“I don’t think I’m a good choice for it. I think I’m too messy for that,” Egerton said in a candid new interview with Collider. “I really love James Bond and particularly Daniel Craig’s tenure. But I think I wouldn’t be good at it, and I think there’s so many cool, younger actors who would be great for it. I think it would be wasted on me, probably.”

If there’s one thing the 35-year-old actor isn’t doing, it’s pretending he’s ready to save the world with a silenced pistol and a dry martini. Sorry, ladies, this one is a no.

On to the next. 

Taron Egerton Says Thanks, But No Martini

Despite fan enthusiasm, especially after his suave, gadget-filled role in the “Kingsman” franchise, it turns out the actor actually has no interest in trading Eggsy’s orange tux for Bond’s tuxedo. And it’s not just a matter of being overlooked; it’s just a preference. Which is weird since we just saw him in a sort of action film with Sofia Carson for Netflix. 

“James Bond is quite an undertaking,” he added. “As far as I’m aware, nobody’s asking me to do it. But also, it’s possibly not quite the thing that would make me happiest. I do think it’s a big old undertaking; it kind of consumes your life, a role like that.”

The actor also admitted he’s in a different stage of his career, which, of course, we understand. It’s one driven more by creative passion than legacy-building blockbusters. How can we forget his performance in “Black Bird” for Apple TV+?

“I think I’m at a period in my life where I’ve been following the things that speak to me on a creative level a little bit more,” he explained. “But I’m sure I won’t feel that way forever.”

In short, he’s not chasing Bond; he’s chasing fulfillment and the chance to be seen playing different characters in different genres. And that means more John-level artistry and fewer MI6 assignments.

Egerton’s Already Proved His Range

Egerton’s spy credentials aren’t hypothetical. He literally broke into Hollywood by playing a rough-around-the-edges street kid turned elite secret agent in “Kingsman: The Secret Service” (2014) and “The Golden Circle” (2017). With slick moves, spy gadgets, and world-saving missions, the role was practically an homage to Bond, with a tongue-in-cheek twist.

But it was “Rocketman” (2019) that earned Egerton serious critical acclaim and a Golden Globe win for his transformative portrayal of John. What made it even more special is that he didn’t just act; he sang, danced, and bled heart into the role.

So while he might have the action chops, he’s got nothing left to prove! And apparently, no desire to strap himself to a multi-movie franchise that could eclipse everything else.

And Egerton isn’t the only one wary of the Bond behemoth. Actor Henry Golding also recently called the 007 gig “every actor’s kind of nightmare,” pointing to the immense cultural pressure that comes with the legacy. Even Daniel Craig, yes, Bond himself from 2006 to 2021, acknowledged the emotional toll it took on his family and well-being.

Still, Craig had some advice for his successor, saying, “Grab it and make it your own.”

So, Who Will Be the Next Bond?

Well, long story short, we don’t know. But Denis Villeneuve is officially signed on to direct the next Bond installment. So yes, expectations are sky-high, especially for his work in “Dune.” 

Villeneuve, who’s a self-proclaimed “die-hard Bond fan,” said in a statement, “To me, he’s sacred territory. I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come.”

As for who’ll be suiting up next? The speculation mill is still running very, very hot. Names like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Idris Elba, Regé-Jean Page, Richard Madden, and Cillian Murphy are still floating around.

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