Pierce Brosnan
Pierce Brosnan became the fifth actor to play James Bond and starred in four of the franchise's movies Reuters/Danny Moloshok

Former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan is ready for the iconic spy franchise to be given a huge shake-up. The 62-year-old says he is hopeful that a gay version of the British character will be cast in the future and also supports a "great black actor" taking on the role.

Brosnan first stepped into Bond's famous tuxedo in 1995's GoldenEye and last appeared as the spy in the 2002 film Die Another Day. The Mamma Mia actor agrees with social media conversation that the character should be diversified, but he believes Bond producer Barbara Broccoli may be the main obstacle in the way of change.

In reference to a gay James Bond, Brosnan said in an interview with Details: "Sure. Why not? Actually, I don't know how it would work. I don't think Barbara would allow a gay Bond to happen in her lifetime. But it would certainly make for interesting viewing."

Over the past couple of years, Luther actor Idris Elba has found himself to be the popular choice to take on the prestigious role. Brosnan reveals that he supports the notion of hiring a black actor to play the spy, particularly Elba, and feels it should come before a gay version. He explained: "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."

Elba, 42, has addressed the casting rumours multiple times in the past but has denied being in talks with producers. He told Maxim magazine in their September 2015 issue: "If I were the Bond producers and everyone was pointing me toward one actor, what's the surprise in that? Honestly, it's one of those things that if it should happen, it would be a self-fulfilling prophecy; it would be the will of a nation."

Fans of the long-running series will have a long wait to find out who has been chosen as Daniel Craig's successor as the residing Bond still reportedly has at least two more outings as the spy – Spectre, which is set for release on 26 October 2015 and the yet-to-be confirmed follow-up.

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