Paul Anthony Kelly wants to play James Bond

Paul Anthony Kelly is interested in being the next James Bond.

Paul Anthony Kelly wants to be the next James Bond.

The 37-year-old actor has thrown his name into the ring as Amazon MGM Studios hunts for the next 007, after Daniel Craig, 58, quit the role following the release of 2021’s No Time To Die.

Paul told People: “I want to be James Bond.”

Asked if he could do a British accent, the Canadian star joked: “Absolutely not”, before quickly adding: “No, I’m kidding.”

Paul – who shot to fame playing John F. Kennedy Jr. in FX’s Love Story, which dramatised the businessman-and-attorney’s turbulent relationship with publicist Carolyn Bessette Kennedy – sees James Bond as the kind of challenge he is looking for.

He said: “That would be amazing. I don’t know. I’m going with the flow. I think everything is going to be a challenge, and that’s really what I’m after right now is good, challenging, complex, creative characters.”

Amazon MGM Studios has taken creative control of the James Bond film franchise from its long-time producers Barbara Broccoli, 65, and 84-year-old Michael G. Wilson.

Dune’s Denis Villeneuve, 58, is directing, and Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, 66, is writing the script for the movie, which is rumoured to centre on the threat posed by artificial intelligence (AI).

Recent speculation suggested the untitled 26th Bond film is about to go into production at Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, South East England, but a new lead actor has yet to be announced.

Amazon MGM Studios recently confirmed that the audition process has kicked off, saying said in a statement: “The search for the next James Bond is underway.

“While we don’t plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we’re excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right.”

Variety reported Amazon MGM Studios bosses have brought in 59-year-old star casting agent Nina Gold – who has worked on the Star Wars film franchise as well as Les Miserables and The Martian – to help find the next 007.

Callum Turner and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, both 36, and Jacob Elordi, 28, are some of the names tipped to portray the next James Bond.