As the race to replace Daniel Craig heats up ahead of the next James Bond film, long rumoured star Cillian Murphy may have just received his biggest boost yet.
Murphy is one of a select few actors who’ve been tipped for the role ever since Craig announced his departure, with the Peaky Blinders star facing competition from the likes of Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James, and Damson Idris, among others.
The Succession star is soon returning to the world of Bond in the second series of Amazon’s hit show, 007: Road To A Million.
Ahead of his comeback as The Controller, Cox delved into his hopes for the future of the franchise, and Murphy was the only man who entered his thinking.
“Well, I’m not scanning the papers every day going, ‘Goodness, what’s the latest?’” Cox admitted.
“Sean Connery was fantastic, as were Roger Moore, Pierce [Brosnan] and Daniel [Craig], and the next Bond will probably be equally good and have a unique individuality of his own – or her own, if it’s a woman.
Cillian Murphy is in the running for the role of 007
|
PA“There’s so much up for grabs in terms of redefining Bond and how you can bring him up to date.
“It’s only natural that it goes through changes because we start off young and end up old.
“Is Cillian Murphy being recommended?” Cox added to Radio Times. “I think that would be interesting.
“I like Cillian. He’s very real, he’s got no c**p about him,” he signed off.
LATEST JAMES BOND NEWS:
007: Road To A Million’s Brian Cox has endorsed Murphy
|
AMAZON
Cox isn’t the only familiar face from the world of Bond who’s backed the Oppenheimer star for the part.
Former 007 leading man Pierce Brosnan previously told the BBC: “Cillian would do a magnificent job as D on His Majesty’s Secret Service.”
However, Murphy himself has previously downplayed the rumours. At the Oscar Wilde Awards in Los Angeles earlier this year, he said he was “a bit old for that” when asked if he’d like the role.
While the leading role may not be a possibility in his mind, the arrival of Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight as a writer on the next film has led to speculation that a villain role may lie ahead instead.
Cillian Murphy won an Oscar for his leading role in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer | PA
James Leyfield of Gambling.com explained: “Knight is best known for creating and executive producing BBC crime thriller Peaky Blinders, which is led by one of the best actors in the business – Cillian Murphy.
“So, it’s no surprise to see the Tommy Shelby star emerge as the new 11/10 favourite to portray a male Bond villain in the next suave spy motion picture. Murphy has knocked Jared Leto off the top spot in the market.
“Following Cillian’s emergence, the Suicide Squad star’s price has increased from 5/4 to 11/8.”
Before fans discover the identity of the next actor to play 007, Cox will return for another stint as The Controller.
007: Road To A Million’s Brian Cox will return for season 2
|
AMAZON
Discussing the role, he told Radio Times: “You have to be careful, because there could be a sadistic thing about watching people constantly fail.
“‘They got it wrong, oh, good’” I don’t go in for that, and as the Controller, all I’m concerned about is that the right two people win.
“It’s about the human dilemma of choice: do I go this way or that way? That’s what provides the drama and entertainment.”
