Next James Bond: Netflix The Gentlemen star rules himself out of running to play next 007: ‘I can’t do it’

The race to replace Daniel Craig has lost one Hollywood star from the running despite earning plaudits in new Netflix series, The Gentlemen.

James Bond fans are still awaiting official confirmation on who will step into 007’s tux next after cold water was poured on reports Aaron Taylor-Johnson had been formally offered the role.

The Kick-Ass and Bullet Train star still remains in pole position to bag the part but it hasn’t stopped rumours and pleas from fans for other stars to be given a shot.

As the long wait continues, the likes of Damson Idris, Henry Cavill and James Norton have all been tipped to replace Craig – as has The Gentlemen star Theo James.

And while James has publicly addressed the possibility of taking over the part before, downplaying his chances, one of his co-stars from the Netflix drama has decided to rule himself out.

While it may have been a long shot anyway, The Gentlemen co-star Vinnie Jones, 59, has dismissed any slim chance that he’d fancy it.

“I can’t do it. I can’t f**king tie a tie or a dickie bow so that’d be me out I’d have to get one of those pre-stick-on ones. A clip on tie,” he recently joked discussing the role.

He added to Metro: “I did get best-dressed man in 2002 though. I think I missed the boat. Put a bit of timber on since then.”

Jones stopped short of endorsing James for the role of Bond in the interview but did put his name forward for a different kind of part in the spy franchise.

“‘I think there was interest quite a while ago on me to be one of the villains,” he confessed. “I don’t think it was the right time then, but it’s becoming the right time now.

“So I’d never rule it out, I think I’d be a good James Bond villain.”

James was quizzed on whether he’d want the role earlier this year but admitted to The Guardian that he feels “better” actors are out there.

He told the publication back in March: “Everyone’s interested in (playing Bond) because it’s a big part of British cultural identity, but that probably wouldn’t be me.

“I do think there are better people for that job. And, honestly, it would be terrifying: if you do that, there’s no going back.

“You’re opening Pandora’s box there. You have got to be willing to live a very different life and have a different life for your family. And that would be pretty tricky.”

James may not have the next Bond film on the horizon but his work diary does have plenty of jobs to keep him busy.

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The White Lotus star will lead the psychological horror film The Monkey in 2025, a film based on the work of Stephen King.

He’s also currently working on the upcoming thriller Fuze alongside fellow Bond frontrunner Taylor-Johnson and Avatar star Sam Worthington.