James Bond: Hugh Jackman says he would 'seriously consider' playing 007

The actor said he was asked to take on the role 10 years ago but had to turn it down

Hugh Jackman is a past student of Knox Grammar (Getty Images)

Hugh Jackman is the latest actor to enter the race to become the next James Bond.

The 46-year-old said he would “seriously consider” playing the suave British spy, admitting he was previously asked to take on the role but turned it down.

Jackman was asked to play Bond a decade ago, just before Daniel Craig was chosen for the part, but he said the timing was wrong for his career.

“I sort of have [been asked]. At the time I was just about to do X-Men 2 and I was like, ‘Ah, I don’t think it’s the right time’,” he told Australian TV show The Project.

Jackman said if Craig, who is his friend, stood down from the role he may step in, if asked.

“I’d seriously consider it,” he said.

Should Jackman take on the role, he would become the second Australian actor to star as the British spy after George Lazenby, who played Bond in the 1969 film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

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Jackman also faces competition from British actors Idris Elba, Damian Lewis and Henry Cavill, who are all rumoured to be in the running to replace Craig.

Read more: Idris Elba is 'too street' to play 007, says James Bond author