Austin Butler Clears the Air on James Bond Role

Austin Butler has confirmed that he will not be playing James Bond in the next film.

The Caught Stealing actor has worked with Denis Villeneuve on the Dune movies and said he loves the idea of teaming up with the director again. But he believes the famous spy role should go to a British actor.

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 role in the film, joking, “Villain? That would be alright! I’d do that.”

At this stage, very little is known about the 26th Bond movie, including its title and who will star. Daniel Craig’s final outing as the superspy, No Time To Die, came out in 2021.

Since then, fans have speculated endlessly about who will wear the tuxedo next. Many British actors are being considered, such as Tom Holland and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, while a few Americans, including Glen Powell and Butler, have also been mentioned.

The franchise is going through major changes behind the scenes. Longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have stepped aside, and Amazon now has full creative control over the project.

The next film will be produced by David Heyman and Amy Pascal, who previously worked with Holland on the Spider-Man films and also produced Casino Royale.

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

Like Butler, Glen Powell has also ruled himself out of playing 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, the next James Bond remains a mystery. Both Butler and Powell have made it clear that they believe the role should remain authentically British, leaving fans to wonder who will take over the iconic spy in the years to come.

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