Former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan says the current 007 movies lack humour, and he thinks its due to the Bourne film franchise.

The actor said since the hit thrillers starring Matt Damon were released, Bond bosses had to change the tone of the 007 films to stay competitive.

Brosnan, 65, starred in four 007 films, ending with Die Another Day in 2002, the year The Bourne Identity came out.

He told The Rake Magazine: “I knew there had been a seismic shift, and little did I know I was going to be part of that in the curtain falling on my contract. I knew they had to make adjustments. They had strong competition and they haven’t reinvented it, but given it a much more muscular, dynamic twist.

“There’s not much humour.” Brosnan was replaced by Daniel Craig, 50. His films, like 2006’s Casino Royale, are much darker, lacking the camp and innuendo of before.

Brosnan said that the super-spy role used to be much more tongue-in-cheek.

(Image: Getty)

“When I played him, you have to let the audience in that this is a fantastic joke.

“What I am doing here, jumping off a motorcycle and catching up a plane, is completely preposterous.”