James Bond: Cillian Murphy & Barry Keoghan Have Very Different Responses to 007 Question

Would Cillian Murphy and Barry Keoghan join the James Bond franchise? The Irish actors gave different responses to a question about 007.

What did Cillian Murphy & Barry Keoghan say about the new James Bond movie?

While speaking to Extra TV, Murphy and Keoghan were asked if they wanted to be in the new Bond movie. Murphy and Keoghan are familiar with James Bond 26‘s screenwriter, Steven Knight, who penned Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man.

When asked if he would rather play 007 or the villain, Keoghan opted for the latter.

“I don’t think I’d play Bond. It’s such a role that requires, you know, certain things,” Keogan said. “I don’t think I’d play James Bond himself, but I’d like to come in and do the villain. Just saying.”

“That’s a headline right there,” Murphy said before laughing with Keoghan.

When asked if he would be in the next Bond movie, Murphy said, “I’m kind of busy.”

James Bond 26 is currently in development. It marks the first Bond movie under Amazon MGM Studios’ creative control. Denis Villeneuve will direct from a screenplay by Knight. Producers include Amy Pascal and David Heyman.

Casting for the next actor to play Bond is underway. Rumored candidates include Jacob Elordi, Tom Holland, and Callum Turner. Bond 26’s filming start date will likely be toward the end of 2026 or the beginning of 2027. If that holds, expect a 2028 release date.

As for Murphy and Keoghan, the pair is promoting their latest endeavor, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man. The movie is a continuation of Peaky Blinders, the long-running show created by Knight. In the movie, Murphy reprises his role as Thomas Shelby, the famous gangster who led the Birmingham-based gang, the Peaky Blinders. Keoghan plays Erasmus “Duke” Shelby, Thomas’ illegitimate son.

Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is now playing in select cinemas. It will then premiere on Netflix on March 20, 2026.

Source: Comingsoon.net