Hollywood studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.(MGM) on Thursday refused to comment on reports that Pierce Brosnan would no longer play superspy James Bond in the next 007 movie.
MGM Vice Chairman Chris McGurk said that a script for the 21st Bond movie was complete, a director was being hired and then they will address the casting issues.
It was the same process MGM went through with the 2002 hit "Die Another Day," the most recent Bond movie, McGurk said, without commenting on Brosnan's recent remarks that he was leaving.
The Irish-born actor, who has been the most successful Bond actor since 1995, told the Entertainment Weekly magazine published Tuesday that he would say good-bye to Bond, prompting many to guess who will replace him as the superspy 007 in the 21st Bond movie set for release in November 2005.
"That's it," he told Entertainment Weekly. "I've said all I've got to say on the world of James Bond."
"Bond is another lifetime," the 51 year-old actor said, adding: "Behind me."
Brosnan completed his contract to portray the British superspy, codenamed 007, with the 2002 film that co-starred Halle Berry.
Since 1962's original Bond flick, "Dr. No" starring Sean Connery, five actors have played the role of superspy and Brosnan was the most successful.
"Die Another Day" was the biggest Bond box office hit earning around 425 million US dollars worldwide, and in 2003 the movie added another 140 million dollars with DVD and home video sales.
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