Pierce Brendan Brosnan turns the big 5-0 today. MI6 reports on his reflections of the event, and his thoughts on Bond 21 and beyond...

Pierce Brosnan Turns The Big 5-0
16th May 2003

Exactly 50 years ago to the day, Pierce Brendan Brosnan was born in Navan, County Meath, Ireland to May and Thomas Brosnan. Some say Brosnan was born to play Bond, but fate took a few twists before he finally landed the role for 1995's "GoldenEye"- click here for the MI6 Biography. 50 years young today, MI6 reports on what Brosnan thinks about turning 50, and what the future holds with Bond.

`It's Gonna Be One Big Shindig`

"Turning 50 has significance and any man who says it doesn't is looking the wrong way. It is a time for reflection. To look back at what you've achieved and forward to what you might yet achieve."

"It's gonna be one big shindig, and it will probably be in London. It's where most of my friends and family are."

"I've reached a point of sheer enjoyment with what I've done with my life. I am still driven to create roles and create films. The heart broadens along with the body and you try and position those roles that you play as you get older and embrace them."

"I'm a happy man. What can I say?"

Picture: Maxim Fashion

 

When They Were 50...

Sean Connery was getting ready to film "Time Bandits" and "Outland".
George Lazenby was between projects. He filmed "Eyes of the Beholder" three years after his 50th.
Roger Moore had just completed "The Spy Who Loved Me" - his third outing as 007.
Timothy Dalton was filming "Salt Water Moose", seven years after retiring as Bond.


Above: Five is the magic number.
Maybe six...
 

Bond 21 And Beyond

"I think we're good for a fifth” Brosnan said recently, "Barbara and Michael [producers] say they're happy to have me on board until I say no. But one has to be realistic about this. As for a sixth, it's a possibility. With the last one we turned it into a drama where you sensed that the man really did exist as opposed to a two dimensional character. When Bond first appeared nobody had ever seen a character like him, and it took Sean Connery a few films to find reality. But he arrived at the point where he was comfortable in the role. I think I reached that point in the last one."

So Brosnan wants a fifth, and a sixth if he feels up to it when it comes around. But what about Roger Moore's record of seven films? "It would be time to hang it up, you simply get too old for a role. You give it your best, then it's time to move on. You reach a point when you have to step off the stage. If you don't have 150 percent physical commitment to a scene, if you're bored or scared, or simply aren't up to the work, you're going to get hurt."

But how long will fans have to wait his fifth outing as 007? "It'll be at least 18 months. Last time we had a three-year gap between instalments, and that was good. I believe in leaving the audience wanting and waiting for more."

"It's like asking a bride as she's going up the aisle who her next husband is going to be," producer Barbara Broccoli said answering rumours of who will play Bond next, "I mean, he is James Bond. He's our guy. And until he's no longer James Bond, we ain't looking anywhere."

Happy birthday Mr Brosnan.