Is Henry Golding shaken, stirred, or simply saying what every potential Bond has secretly thought? The Crazy Rich Asians star and longtime fan-favorite for the role of James Bond may have just dashed hopes with one very candid answer. Speaking exclusively with People at the Old Guard 2 premiere in Los Angeles on June 25, Henry Golding, 38, admitted that the idea of donning the tux and taking on the iconic role of 007 might not be the dream gig people think it is.
“I think that’s every actor’s kind of nightmare,” Golding said bluntly, referring to the pressure of following in the footsteps of Bond greats like Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan, and most recently, Daniel Craig. It’s a striking admission from someone whose name has regularly topped fan polls as a next-gen Bond contender. But for Golding, it’s less about the glamour and more about the crushing weight of expectations.
“Why can’t they bring out more agents or more 00’s? I think that would be so much more fun, because there just isn’t the restraints and the expectation.”
He’s not wrong. Since Ian Fleming introduced James Bond in 1953’s Casino Royale, the role has become one of the most tightly scrutinized in Hollywood. With six actors having officially played the superspy — from Connery to Craig — every new casting stirs feverish debate, franchise pressure, and intense tabloid speculation. Still, Golding isn’t totally ruling it out. He’s just honest about the stakes.
“Maybe I’m just a p*ssy. I don’t know. But I think I would love it so much more if there wasn’t that overhanging cultural pressure.”
What Do We Know About the Next James Bond Movie?
Denis Villeneuve, one of Hollywood’s biggest and best known directors, will be taking on the next Bond movie for a new era. This marks the first Bond film under Amazon MGM’s full creative control, after they reportedly paid $1 billion to assume stewardship, while Amy Pascal and David Heyman will produce, replacing longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, though they remain co-owners of the franchise. A lifelong James Bond fan, Villeneuve called taking on the role “a massive responsibility” and promised to honor the iconic legacy while opening the door to new missions.
No official release date yet, but production is poised to begin in 2026, aiming for a 2027–2028 theatrical debut, after Villeneuve finishes shooting Dune: Messiah. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates on James Bond.
Source: People