Glen Powell explains why he won’t play James Bond: “I’m Texan”

As speculation grows about who will succeed Daniel Craig as James Bond, Glen Powell has firmly rejected suggestions that he could take on the iconic role.

Powell, whose career has accelerated since Top Gun: Maverick, addressed the rumours in a recent interview. “I’m Texan. A Texan should not play James Bond,” he said. “My family and I joke around, I can play Jimmy Bond, but I should not be playing James Bond. Get an authentic Brit for that job. That’s who belongs in that tuxedo.”

The comments place Powell among the few Hollywood stars to distance themselves from one of cinema’s most coveted roles. With Denis Villeneuve set to direct the franchise’s next chapter, speculation around rising stars continues to dominate film discussions.

Some popular British contenders for the role include Theo James, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Regé-Jean Page and Henry Golding, with the latter claiming the Bond role is "every actor's nightmare" due to the cultural pressure surrounding it.

As for Powell, rather than leaning into Bond speculation, he is focusing on Chad Powers, a Hulu comedy based on Eli Manning’s viral alter ego.

Co-created and headlined by Powell, the series follows a college football player who invents a false identity to secure a place on a new team. It marks a clear shift from blockbuster action to comedic storytelling.

By rejecting Bond, Powell highlights both respect for the franchise’s British roots and confidence in his own path.