Matthew Goode on the James Bond Role
Matthew Goode recently opened up about why he didn’t become the next James Bond. The 47-year-old British actor clarified that he never actually auditioned for the role.
In an episode of the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast, he shared, “I didn’t audition. I went in and met Barbara [Broccoli].” It seems that the meeting wasn’t exactly a typical audition experience for him.
Barbara Broccoli, who is 65, and her brother Michael G. Wilson, 83, have produced the Bond films for years. However, they handed creative control of the franchise to Amazon MGM studios for a reported billion dollars earlier this year.
Goode reflected on his meeting, mentioning, “She is such a gorgeous, lovely person, but I think I might not have captured what the moment needed.” He indicated that Broccoli seemed ready to move on by the end of their discussion, noting, “By the end of the interview, she was like, ‘mhmm. Next.’ I really wanted to make it dark.” It sounds like there was a disconnect between his vision and what they were looking for.
Goode, who starred in “Year of Jumping,” understood that he might not have had what they needed. He acknowledged that Daniel Craig, who portrayed Bond from 2006 to 2021, brought a darker edge to the character than his predecessors. “In the end, you know,” he said, “What they got was Daniel Craig.” Notably, he’s set to appear as DCI Carl Morck in the upcoming Netflix thriller series “Dept. Q.”
James Bond, a character originally created by Ian Fleming in 1953, first graced the big screen with Sean Connery in “Dr. No” in 1962. Later, Pierce Brosnan brought a certain charm to the role through four films between 1995 and 2002. Other actors who’ve donned the tux include David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, and Timothy Dalton.
Following Craig’s final outing in “No Time To Die,” speculation has surged over who will be the next 007. Today, Amazon MGM Studios announced that Denis Villeneuve would be directing the next film.
The 57-year-old filmmaker expressed his admiration for the franchise, stating, “I’m a fan of stubborn Bonds. To me, he’s a sacred territory.” Villeneuve emphasized that he respects the franchise’s legacy and is excited about paving the way for future stories.
Mike Hopkins, head of Amazon MGM Studios, remarked, “James Bond is in the hands of one of today’s greatest filmmakers.” Meanwhile, Amy Pascal, who was instrumental in bringing Craig into the franchise, continues to lead the project’s direction.
Recently, at Cannes, Harrison Dickinson addressed rumors he might be in the running for the role of Bond, while Jonathan Bailey was mentioned as the top choice for the character.
Other stars have weighed in as well. Denise Richards, who played Dr. Christmas Jones alongside Brosnan in the 1999 film “The World Is Not Enough,” expressed her belief that she could take on the role, joking about her husband’s enthusiasm for the idea.
As the conversation around the next Bond continues, Pierce Brosnan remarked that it’s a given the next actor should be British. He also mentioned that trusting Amazon with the franchise would require a lot of courage, adding, “I hope they treat the work and characters with dignity, imagination, and respect.” It’s clear there’s a lot riding on the future of the series—one that has captivated audiences for decades.
