Austin Butler is out promoting the new Darren Aronofsky movie “Caught Stealing,” and the subject of nabbing a role in Denis Villeneuve‘s “Bond 26” reboot at Amazon MGM Studios came up during a recent interview in the United Kingdom with the on-the-rise actor.
While the host on Hits Radio directly asked Butler about being considered for the James Bond role and speaking with Villeneuve about that, Butler rejected the idea of Americans being considered for 007, calling it “sacrilegious,” but was open to the idea of playing a villain in the event spy pic.
“No calls as far as that goes. Would I play James Bond? I don’t think that would be a good idea…because I’m American. I could do an accent, but I think it would be kind of sacrilegious. Those movies meant so much to me. I think it’s gotta be somebody who is from your home country.”
“A villain? That would be alright…I’d do that,” Butler quipped when asked about his desire to play a villain after dismissing the idea of playing the next 007.
Of course, Villeneuve and Butler previously worked together on “Dune: Part Two,” where he played Paul’s deadly cousin and rival, Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen.
There had been previous rumblings that Butler had been wanted for Michael Mann‘s “Heat 2“ at Warner Bros., but we’re still waiting on that confirmation, as he also has other projects in the works, like the mobster thriller “City On Fire“ that has Matt Ross (“Captain Fantastic”) attached to direct and is produced by David Heymen (hand picked by Amazon to co-produce “Bond 26” with Amy Pascal).
Given his connections to both Villeneuve and Heyman, would can’t rule out a supporting role in “Bond 26.” Having Butler involved as someone like the new Felix Leiter (C.I.A. Agent and Bond’s American counterpart) could be a twist on a smaller part after Leiter has traditionally been played by older actors (Oscar-winner Jeffrey Wright inhabiting that supporting role in the Daniel Craig era). Then again, he seems open to the idea of playing a baddie and has proven he’s able to get into that mindset.
You can watch that brief clip between Butler and Hits Radio below. Also, “Caught Stealing” hits theaters on August 29.
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