Pierce Brosnan slams the McGregor snub and leaves the door open for James Bond return

09-Sep-2005 • Casino Royale

The fifth James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan has branded the producers of the iconic 007 movies "stupid" for dismissing Ewan McGregor as too short for the coveted role.

The 52-year-old, who made his debut as the superspy in 1995's "GoldenEye", was controversially "axed" from the role earlier this year and speculation over the identity of his successor has been rife ever since.

But Brosnan was amazed to learn the charismatic McGregor is not being considered for upcoming movie "Casino Royale" simply because, at 1.77 metres (5 feet 10 inches) tall, he stands four centimetres (1.5 inches) shy of the minimum Bond measurement.

Brosnan, who is a towering 1.8 metres (6 feet 1 inch), fumes, "It's ridiculous. I thought, 'That's a stupid reason.'

"Ewan's a fine actor and he's tall anyway. I couldn't believe it."

But perhaps the biggest news for Bond fans is the reveltion that Pierce Brosnan left the door open for producers to invite him back for a fifth film.

When asked the invitable question about a possible return by the Daily Express newspaper (UK) today, Brosnan replied: "Who knows? Let's put it this way, they know where to find me."

Thanks to `Ray` for the alert.