Bill Skarsgård Would Consider a James Bond Villain Role

Skarsgård said he is becoming more selective about playing villains, after taking on characters including Pennywise in the It films, Count Orlok in Nosferatu and Vincent Bisset de Gramont, the Marquis featured in the fourth John Wick installment. He would want a new role to feel distinct from what he has done before, and said he feels “spent” by some villain parts.

The Swedish actor joked that he was not contacted about playing James Bond and wondered whether his nationality had counted against him. He said he was not interested in committing to play 007 for a decade or more, but would consider a one-off villain role, pointing to Mads Mikkelsen’s and Javier Bardem’s turns in the franchise as examples.

Skarsgård said he does not actively seek out a particular kind of role, and instead waits to feel drawn to a project. He added that he is willing to take long breaks rather than risk becoming jaded by work that does not compel him.

Casting for the next Bond is ongoing ahead of Denis Villeneuve’s film. Callum Turner, Jack Lowden, Josh O’Connor and Robert Pattinson have reportedly screen-tested, while Nicholas Hoult has also emerged as a possible contender. Skarsgård stars in Peter Berg’s The Mosquito Bowl, which is in theaters and is scheduled to arrive on Netflix on November 25.