Jason Statham Would Love to Play James Bond, Says His 007 Would Be “Very, Very Different”

Jason Statham thinks he could absolutely play James Bond — and he would absolutely love to do it.

In an interview with The Guardian, the Spy star was asked whether he would like to be considered for the next man to follow Daniel Craig in playing 007. “Could I do it? Abso-f—ing-lutely,” said Statham rather enthusiastically, adding: “Would I do it? Abso-f—ing-lutely.”

Statham said that Craig was a “great Bond” but that if he were to play the role, he would take a vastly different approach, moving away from the somewhat elitist roots of the character. “Yeah, I’d make a decent Bond. … But it’d be very, very different if I did it,” said Statham.

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Statham would, however, rule out playing a Bond villain — despite his successful turn as the antagonist in Furious 7. “I don’t know if I wanna do that. That’s not my thing. I’d rather play the other guy,” he said.

Craig is scheduled to play the British superspy in the upcoming Spectre, directed by Skyfall‘s Sam Mendes, and is believed to be contracted to one more Bond film thereafter. Speculation in the British press has begun in earnest regarding who will replace Craig as Bond, with strong rumors attaching themselves to Idris Elba, although the Thor actor distanced himself from the role, saying, “If there was ever any chance of me getting Bond, it’s gone.”

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