Pierce Brosnan has backed Callum Turner as the next James Bond.
The fifth actor to play the spy said his one-time on-screen son was “so strong”, but described all the leading candidates as actors he admired.
Speaking to Vanity Fair about the mounting Bond-casting speculation, Brosnan, 73, said: “All the men who are on the list now are actors I admire.
“Callum Turner is someone I’ve worked with, and he’s so strong. They all have a voice and a physique, and a presence on film. They all have longevity as actors, all of these young men.”
The pair worked together on the 2017 film The Only Living Boy in New York, in which Turner played Brosnan’s son in the coming-of-age drama. Turner has subsequently appeared in hits such as Masters of the Air and The Capture.
Brosnan, who starred as 007 in four films from 1995 to 2002, said of the speculation that he was “just an audience member now”.
“I’m just the man in the street who is eager to see who is going to play this epic role of cinematic history,” he added.
He made the comments as the shortlist to be the next Bond narrowed down to four actors, including Turner, Slow Horses star Jack Lowden, The Crown’s Josh O’Connor and one more – unknown – name.
The final screen tests are said to have taken place for the role, which has been vacant since the departure of Daniel Craig in No Time to Die five years ago.
There remains no timeline for the decision to be made by Amazon MGM Studios, Bond’s new co-proprietors, but most in the know believe it will be announced by the end of the year.
Speaking about Denis Villeneuve’s vision as director for the franchise, Brosnan simply said: “I think we are going to be blown away.
“[Villeneuve] is such an iconoclastic director. His work is visionary, and his stealth and imagination of camera work and storytelling is so visceral and sensuous. It’s going to be truly magnificent.”
The GoldenEye and Die Another Day star previously told The Telegraph it was a “given” that Craig’s successor in the role should be British, adding that he “lamented” the takeover by the American studio from longtime 007 custodians Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson.
“It takes great courage for them to let go. They will still have a say in matters. I hope that [Amazon] handles the work and the character with dignity and imagination and respect,” he said.
Earlier this week, Lowden claimed in a new interview that James Bond speculation is flung at any young actor “in a suit”.
Speaking to British GQ, the 36-year-old said the rumours about him taking on the mantle from Craig had been “all very flattering”, but he refused to “add to the noise”.
He and Turner have emerged as the two favourites for the job of taking the British spy, based on Ian Fleming’s novels, into the next generation.
The Slow Horses star said: “As a young male actor, generally, the minute you’re not playing a zany artist type, the minute you’re in a suit, people fling it at you.”
Asked for his advice to the next actor who takes on the enormous role, Brosnan said: “Whoever plays the role, I wish him the very best of life and strength and courage.
“You know, it’s hard to tell who it would be, but I eagerly await to hear the news and the celebration of the next James Bond.”