Jason Statham, a prominent actor often associated with thrilling action characters, politely turned down the opportunity to portray a notorious antagonist in the James Bond series. Surprisingly, he revealed his aspiration to embody the legendary and suave persona of James Bond himself.
Is there any actor who doesn’t want to appear in James Bond films? Whether it’s as a hero or villain, being in a Bond film is a significant achievement that enhances an actor’s reputation. However, there is one actor who specifically doesn’t want to portray a certain character in a Bond film, and that actor is none other than Jason Statham. It’s not because he hasn’t played a similar role before in any film. For those who are familiar with his villainous role, he did portray one in the Fast & Furious franchise.
Jasoп Statham, known for his incredible performances in action movies, has successfully captivated audiences over the past two decades. However, there seems to be a puzzling reason why he has chosen not to portray a villain in one of the most iconic and renowned franchises in cinematic history – James Bond.
Le Chiffre in Casino Royale
Jason Statham wasn’t very eager to portray a villain in a James Bond film, despite already having played one (Deckard Shaw) in Furious 7. When asked about taking on the role of a Bond villain in an interview with The Guardian, the actor hesitantly responded, “Um… I don’t know if I want to do that. That’s not my thing. I’d rather play the other guy.”
It is evident that being a villain in a Bond movie is not something that interests Statham, although he did not provide a specific reason for his reluctance. However, he did express that he would “absolutely” love to play the character of James Bond someday. The Hollywood star also acknowledged that Daniel Craig was a “great Bond,” but mentioned that if he were to assume the role, he would approach it in a completely different manner.
Jason Statham Desired to Portray James Bond
Daniel Craig as James Bond
In the interview, Statham expressed his desire to take on the iconic role of James Bond. When asked if he could do it, he replied with a resounding yes. He also acknowledged that Daniel Craig has done a great job as Bond. Statham believes that he could bring something different to the character, stating that it would be a unique portrayal if he were to take on the role. While Craig was set to play Bond in the upcoming film Spectre, Statham is not bothered by the fact that he hasn’t been featured in the Bond franchise. He has had successful roles in other well-known franchises such as Fast & Furious, The Expendables, Crank, The Transporter, and many more.