With Daniel Craig officially on board for his fifth and final outing as 007 in the Danny Boyle-directed Bond 25, we’ve got a few months of respite before the speculation as to who’ll be the next actor to take on the iconic role of James Bond begins again.

One name that has often featured highly in the betting over the past few years is Tom Hardy, and the Venom star has now secured the backing of a former 007 in Pierce Brosnan.

“Bond is Bond and you can’t change that,” Brosnan tells The Daily Mail. “I think a woman could play Bond but it wouldn’t be James Bond. Daniel Craig has been an incredible Bond. He’s very physical, he looks lethal. You genuinely believe this is someone who could kill a man. He’s complained about doing the part because he’s put himself through a lot physically, but he will do the next movie, and then I think Tom Hardy could be a good Bond. I’d be happy to see him do it. You need an actor who can put a bit of wiggle into it, that’s what makes Bond.”

SEE ALSO: The Good and Bad of Danny Boyle’s Bond

It’s probably worth noting that Hardy isn’t the first candidate to receive Brosnan’s endorsement, as he also previously lent his support to Idris Elba, who was hotly tipped for the role a few years back after leaked emails revealed that then-Sony boss Amy Pascal was keen to see the Luther star in the role.

Before we get a new 007, we do of course have Bond 25 to look forward to, with the film set for release on October 25th 2019 in the UK and on November 8th 2019 in North America.