Henry Golding Breaks the Mold: Why He’s Wary of Being Bond

While many actors dream of playing James Bond, Henry Golding isn’t shy about voicing an unpopular opinion — he thinks stepping into 007’s shoes might actually be every actor’s nightmare.

At the Los Angeles premiere of The Old Guard 2, Golding didn’t exactly jump at the chance when asked about slipping into 007’s tux.

"I think that’s every actor’s kind of nightmare," he told People, with a laugh that probably hid a hint of terror.

'Maybe I’m just a p**sy...'

Golding didn’t hold back.

"At the same time, [you’re] also wanting to kind of add something new to a franchise," he said. "Why can’t they bring out more agents or more OO’s? I think that would be so much more fun because there just isn’t the restraints and the expectation."

Translation? It’s a lot easier to be a brand-new double-O than to shoulder decades of shaken-not-stirred legend. And then he threw in a line only Golding could deliver with charm:

"Maybe I’m just a p**sy. I don’t know."

Too much cultural baggage for one tux?

It’s hard to blame him. Taking on Bond means carrying the weight of every sly eyebrow raise, every bullet dodge, every disappointed fan when your martini order doesn’t feel suave enough.

"I think I would love it so much more if there wasn’t that overhanging cultural pressure," Golding admitted.

So will he take the leap if offered? Or is he hoping MI6 calls someone else this time? Either way, it’s a refreshingly human response — and oddly makes us want to see his version of Bond even more.