Pierce Brosnan claims producers will not 'allow' a gay James Bond

Brosnan does not think veteran producer Barbara Broccoli would agree

Pierce Brosnan as James Bond in 2002's Die Another Day (Rex Features)

Pierce Brosnan has revealed that while he would support a gay James Bond, he does not believe producers will back the idea.

The 62-year-old actor played the world's most iconic secret agent in four films from 1995 to 2002 (GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World is Not Enough and Die Another Day) and backs Idris Elba to play the first black 007, but thinks there is a way to go until we see a departure from the traditionally-heterosexual character.

"Sure. Why not?" he told Details when first asked if he could picture it, before pausing for thought. "Actually, I don't know how it would work. I don't think Barbara [Broccoli, producer of every Bond film since 1993's Octopussy] would allow a gay Bond to happen in her lifetime. But it would certainly make for interesting viewing.

"Let's start with a great black actor being James Bond. Idris Elba certainly has the physicality, the charisma, the presence. But I think Daniel [Craig] will be there for a while yet."

Idris Elba is favourite to play James Bond after Daniel Craig (BBC)

Craig is signed on to do one more Bond movie after Spectre, due for release later this year. He has previously said he would like to leave the franchise after fulfilling his contract.

"I've been trying to get out of this from the very moment I got into it. But they won't let me go and I've agreed to do a couple more, but let's see how this one does, because business is business," he told Rolling Stone two years ago.

Elba has long been the strongest contender to succeed Craig and the Sony Pictures hack last November revealed that the studio thought the British actor "should be the next Bond".

Elba responded to the email in a tweet, saying "Glad you think I've got a shot!" and confirming that he would accept the role if it was offered to him.

Check out some of his possible competition here.

Representatives for Barbara Broccoli did not immediately respond to our request for comment.