IsHenry Goldingshaken, stirred, or simply saying what every potential Bond has secretly thought? TheCrazy Rich Asiansstar and longtime fan-favorite for the role of James Bond may have just dashed hopes with one very candid answer. Speaking exclusively with People at theOld Guard 2premiere in Los Angeles on June 25,Henry Golding, 38, admitted that the idea of donning the tux and taking on the iconic role of 007 might not be the dream gig people think it is.
“I think that’s every actor’s kind of nightmare,” Golding said bluntly, referring to the pressure of following in the footsteps of Bond greats likeSean Connery,Pierce Brosnan, and most recently,Daniel Craig. It’s a striking admission from someone whose name has regularly topped fan polls as a next-gen Bond contender. But for Golding, it’s less about the glamour and more about the crushing weight of expectations.
“Why can’t they bring out more agents or more 00’s? I think that would be so much more fun, because there just isn’t the restraints and the expectation.”
He’s not wrong. SinceIan Flemingintroduced James Bond in 1953’sCasino Royale, the role has becomeone of the most tightly scrutinized in Hollywood. With six actors having officially played the superspy — from Connery to Craig — every new casting stirs feverish debate, franchise pressure, and intense tabloid speculation. Still, Golding isn’t totally ruling it out. He’s just honest about the stakes.
“Maybe I’m just a p*ssy. I don’t know. But I think I would love it so much more if there wasn’t that overhanging cultural pressure.”
What Do We Know About the Next James Bond Movie?
Denis Villeneuve, one of Hollywood’s biggest and best known directors, will be taking on the next Bond movie for a new era. This marks the first Bond film underAmazon MGM’s full creative control, after they reportedly paid $1 billion to assume stewardship, whileAmy PascalandDavid Heymanwill produce, replacing longtime producersBarbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, though they remain co-owners of the franchise. A lifelong James Bond fan, Villeneuve called taking on the role “a massive responsibility” and promised to honor the iconic legacy while opening the door to new missions.
No official release date yet, but production is poised to begin in2026, aiming for a2027–2028theatrical debut, afterVilleneuve finishes shootingDune: Messiah.Stay tuned to Collider for more updates on James Bond.
