Cillian Murphy would make a “magnificent” James Bond, according to former Bond star Pierce Brosnan.
The two Irish actors yesterday kicked off a weekend of Oscar celebration in Hollywood at the annual Oscar Wilde Awards.
Hosted by filmmaker JJ Abrams and the US-Ireland Alliance, the annual awards aim to strengthen the bonds between Ireland and the US.
Daniel Craig playing James Bond in No Time To Die.Pierce Brosnan was the man of the moment at the event, picking up an award for his “rich and extensive career in front of the camera and behind the scenes as a producer”.
Speaking on the ‘Green Carpet’ on his way into the event, he was asked whether Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy could follow in his footsteps as James Bond.
“I think Cillian would do a magnificent job as James Bond,” he said before quipping: “On His Majesty’s Secret Service”.
Reports in the UK this week have tipped Murphy to take on the role; however, when asked if he would be interested, the Cork man said he hadn’t heard anything about it.
Cillian Murphy talking to the press at the 2024 Oscar Wilde Awards in Los Angeles, 07-03-24. Image: Conor Duffy/Sipa USAMurphy is up for the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of US theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan's historical epic.
Speaking to Newstalk last night, he said he never expected the film to be as successful as it has been.
"The thing that always strikes me is when people come and say they've seen the film four and five and six times,” he said.
"That's kind of phenomenal - young and old, boys and girls - it's amazing."
Should he win, Murphy will become the first Irish-born person to claim the coveted prize.
Separately, Irish co-production ‘Poor Things’ is up for 11 Oscars – including Best Picture, Best Director for Yorgos Lanthimos, Best Actress for Emma Stone and Best Supporting Actor for Mark Ruffalo.
