License to kill revoked? Damian Lewis reveals he’s had ‘no contact’ with James Bond bosses over the role despite being a favourite to take over from Daniel Craig
By Jj Nattrass For Mailonline – Daily Mail – May 5, 2016
But Damian Lewis has revealed that despite being one of the public’s favoured thespians to play the British secret agent, he’s had no contact with studio executives regarding the films.
Speaking to Shortlist about his future prospects, the 44-year-old Homeland star revealed even though he’d be excited to be in the running for Bond he’s not actively pursuing the iconic role.
When asked if his role as an MI6 agent in new spy-thriller Our Kind Of Traitor was a public audition for the role, Damian revealed that Bond was the furthest thing from his mind while he was playing Hector.
Pressed on the topic of Bond, the actor explained that as far as he was concerned the role wasn’t about impressing 007 bosses, saying: ‘Not on my part, no.’
However, he did explain that it would be ‘exciting’ to be the new incarnation of Ian Fleming’s famous spy. Talking about the prospect of being offered the job, Damian conceeded it would be a thrill to carry a license to kill.
‘Well, it would be very exciting,’ he admitted. ‘But, you know actors never lose the excitement of being offered any job. It’s always exciting when you get the phone call.
However he also explained that he thought there was a ‘slight hysteria’ attached to the role.
And though Damian may be keeping coy surrounding whether he’ll chuck his hat into the ring if Daniel, 48, decides to retire from the role – he admitted his wife, Helen McCrory is keen for him to get the gig.
In a recent interview on ITV’s Lorraine, the 47-year-old Peaky Blinders star explained she’d love her husband to take on the role, as she’s keen to play Bond’s boss, M.
Speaking to Lorraine Kelly, she said: ‘I’ve been asked in my last interview if I want to play Bond. I want M. I want to play M.’
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