Austin Butler Opens Up About Playing the Next James Bond

Austin Butler has made it clear that he won’t be taking on the role of James Bond. The Caught Stealing star has worked with Denis Villeneuve on the Dune films, and while he loves the idea of teaming up with the director again, he thinks the iconic spy role should go to a Brit.

Speaking to Sam Thompson on the Hits Radio Breakfast Show, Butler said, “I love that man but no calls as far as James Bond goes but I don’t think that would be a good idea [for me to play Bond], I’m an American, I can do an accent but that would be kind of sacrilegious.”

He added that he would be open to another part in the film, joking, “Villain? That would be alright! I’d do that.”

At this point, there’s very little information about the next Bond movie, including the title and who will star in it. Daniel Craig’s final outing as 007, No Time To Die, came out in 2021, and since then, there has been endless speculation about who will wear the tuxedo next. While many British actors are rumored, a few Americans have been mentioned, including Glen Powell and Butler.

The franchise is also going through big changes behind the scenes. Longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have stepped aside, giving Amazon full creative control. The next film will be produced by David Heyman and Amy Pascal. Pascal has worked with Tom Holland on the Spider-Man movies and also produced Casino Royale.

Denis Villeneuve, known for Dune and Prisoners, is set to direct, and Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders, is writing the script. With this new team in place, fans are eagerly guessing what direction the next Bond movie will take.

Like Butler, Glen Powell has also ruled himself out for the role. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Powell said, “I’m Texan. A Texan should not play James Bond. My family and I joke around, I can play Jimmy Bond, but I should not be playing James Bond. Get an authentic Brit for that job. That’s who belongs in that tuxedo.”

For now, fans will have to wait to see who will be the next actor to take on one of the most famous roles in cinema, but both Butler and Powell have made it clear that they believe James Bond should remain authentically British.

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