Tom Hiddleston Makes Case for James Bond Role: ‘I Would Not Take It Lightly’

Tom Hiddleston is the latest actor to express interest in playing James Bond in the next series of 007 movies, saying “it would be an extraordinary opportunity.”

“I’m a huge fan of the series,” Hiddleston told the Sunday Times. “We all went to see ‘Spectre’ when we were shooting ‘Skull Island’ in Hawaii. I simply love the theme tune, the tropes and the mythology. I love the whole thing. If it ever came knocking, it would be an extraordinary opportunity.”

The actor added, “And I’m very aware of the physicality of the job. I would not take it lightly.”

In October, most recent 007 Daniel Craig told TimeOut London that, “I’d rather break this glass and slash my wrists,” rather than do another James Bond movie. However, he later clarified those comments, saying he was open to reprising the role and that at the time of the comments he was just worn out.

While many fans are hoping to see Elba take on the role of the famous spy in the next installments, James Bond author Anthony Horowitz said that the British actor was “too street” to play the iconic role.

“For me, Idris Elba is a bit too rough to play the part,” he said in September. “It’s not a color issue. I think he is probably a bit too ‘street’ for Bond.”

He later apologized for his comments.

Hiddleston will be seen next as Hank Williams in “I Saw the Light,” which opens on March 25. He will also star in “Kong: Skull Island” and “Thor: Ragnarok.”