Alexander Skarsgård Suggests Swedish James Bond Concept Amid Franchise Changes

LONDON, England — Actor Alexander Skarsgård, known for his roles in films like True Blood and Big Little Lies, recently shared his intriguing idea for a new take on the iconic James Bond character. This discussion emerged amidst the recent sale of the Bond franchise by long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson to Amazon.

In an interview with The Times, Skarsgård humorously proposed a version of Bond that aligns with his Swedish background. He joked, “I could be a very polite, diplomatic Swedish James Bond, who negotiates. There’ll be no violence at all. It’ll just be boardroom meetings where people try to find consensus, everyone’s stressed out and desperately tries to avoid an argument.”

The actor, who turns 49 this year, reflected on his own background, mentioning that he had considered serving in Sweden’s national service to live out a “James Bond” fantasy. “I did it because I was 19, I didn’t know what I wanted to do and I wanted to be James Bond for 18 months,” he quipped during the interview.

Skarsgård has gained notoriety in Hollywood, winning acclaim for his versatility across various roles, most recently as Lukas Matsson in HBO’s Succession. He stated that he hadn’t set out to pitch himself for a James Bond role but felt the shift in the franchise ownership could present fresh opportunities.

The franchise’s future remains uncertain as producers seek new directions for the character after Daniel Craig’s final appearance in No Time to Die in 2021. Many actors, including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, have emerged as potential candidates for the role.

As Skarsgård continues to navigate his career, he is excited about his current project, Murderbot, set to premiere on Apple TV+ on May 16. Here, he plays an android serving as a security guard in a blend of action and humor.

With new developments in the Bond saga, the prospect of Skarsgård’s unique take on the character offers a refreshing perspective that could intrigue both fans and producers alike.