Jonathan Bailey responded to rumours linking him to the iconic tux of James Bond during an awkward exchange with Scott Mills on BBC Radio 2.
Speculation about the forthcoming movie has been heating up in recent weeks with film-lovers desperate to discover who will be following in the footsteps of Daniel Craig.
He relinquished his ‘license to kill’ with the 2021 film No Time To Die, which also proved to be the last masterminded by Bond producer of 30 years Barbara Broccoli after Amazon took over ‘creative control’ of the franchise.
Having spent a reported $1billion on sealing the deal, the company are said to be fast-tracking the new movie with Hollywood producers David Heyman and Amy Pascal hired to bring in the new era of Bond.
They’re likely to want to put their own spin on 007, with Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey, 37, said to be one of the names in the running.
Jonathan Bailey, 37, responded to rumours linking him to the iconic tux of James Bond during an awkward exchange with Scott Mills on BBC radio 2
Daniel Craig, 57, relinquished his ‘license to kill’ with the 2021 film No Time To Die after a five film stint as 007
And during an appearance on Scott Mills’s BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show on Tuesday, Jonathan was asked about the possibilty of him becoming Bond.
Pressed by Scott about the rumours, the 37-year-old responded: ‘That’s an amazingly flattering ask. I mean, it would be hard to say no.’
While Bailey stopped short of confirming anything official, he teased: ‘I don’t know, I really honestly… I mean it would be hard to say no.’
The actor then joked with Scott: ‘I could imagine you as James Blonde,’ to which the host replied: ‘Well swerved!’
‘I know that it’s going to be exciting whatever they do,’ Bailey then affirmed.
It came after the Brit – who played the starring role in Bridgerton – was tipped for the part of 007 by Harris Dickinson, 28, who had been a bookies’ favourite.
Harris had been in attendance at a BFI event in Cannes last month when he was asked who he thought would be the best Bond with the questioner saying that he was their ‘second choice’ for the role.
‘Jonathan Bailey is your first choice, so lets go with that,’ said Harris. ‘That sounds like a good idea.’
Bridgerton star Bailey admitted it ‘would be hard to say no’ if he was offered the part in the forthcoming movie
Jonathan has impressed while playing the starring role in Bridgerton, a character called Anthony Bridgerton
Both Bailey and Dickinson are however pipped at the top of bookies’ odds lists by a number of household names.
The current bookies’ favourite to become the next Bond is none other than the Divergent series star Theo James, 40, who is currently 6/4.
The Brit has previously impressed while playing rogue, morally ambiguous characters somewhat similar to Bond in both The White Lotus and and Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen.
But James has played down speculation linking him to the part, telling The Guardian last year that it ‘probably wouldn’t be me’.
While she was planning the new Bond movie, Barbara Broccoli’s favourite was thought to be The Divergent star Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 34.
He momentarily moved down bookies’ lists after Amazon’s purchase of the franchise, but recently soared back up them after signing a deal with Omega, the official watch provider of Bond.
He was also endorsed by former 007 PIerce Brosnan, 72, during an appearance on The Jonathan Ross show last month.
‘I think he (Aaron) would make a very fine Bond,’ Brosnan said.
Fans have been eagerly waiting to find out who Craig’s replacement will be, with speculation heating up in recent weeks
‘He was actually in one of the movies I made called The Greatest. This young man we cast as The Greatest.
‘He was so impressive then. He just had this charisma, he had this presence… he would be so good. But there’s many men on the list, I’m sure.’
Second favourite to become the latest actor ‘with a license to kill’ however, according to Ladbrokes, is Superman star Henry Cavill (3/1), ahead of Aaron in third (7/2).
While Coral’s list of candidates comes in as Theo James at 6/4, Henry Cavill (3/1), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (7/2), James Norton (6/1) and Jack Lowden (12/1).
After Daniel Craig’s James Bond died at the end of No Time To Die, speculation has been rife as to how the next film will begin.
As The Daily Mail reported, the plan is for the new Bond to be a ‘straight up’ reboot.
There is reportedly set to be no explanation of how the special agent is still alive, no multiverse of Bonds and no attempt to go back to the 1960s for a vintage Bond.
Amazon bosses are currently said to be considering locations in which to set the much-anticipated new film, which experts predicted is likely to be released at the end of next year or in 2027.
The current bookies’ favourite to become the next Bond is none other than The Divergent series star Theo James, 40
Superman actor Henry Cavill, 42, had soared to the top of the odds list but has now been pipped by Theo
While Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 34, sent fans into a frenzy after signing a deal with Omega, the official watch providers of James Bond
Due to a filming ban being imposed in Central London next year, new locations are reportedly being considered – with Liverpool a frontrunner, according to The Sun.
An insider told the publication: ‘This will no doubt irk Bond purists who already fear Amazon taking over the 007 franchise may lead to them making big changes.
‘But Liverpool is a well-known alternative to London for film-makers.
‘It has appeared in everything from The Batman to Captain America and Harry Potter movies, doubling up as international cities.’
The source added that it doesn’t necessarily mean the story will be set in Liverpool – though eagle-eyed Merseysiders will no doubt spot their city centre in the background.
MailOnline contacted Amazon for comment about the possibility of Liverpool being the setting for the next Bond.
