Tom Hardy would like a chance at playing James Bond, just don't ask him about it.

It turns out the selection process for the role of the iconic British spy is so discreet, actors who talk about the role publicly are cut from the casting pool.

In an interview with the Daily Beast, the 39-year-old actor confirmed he was interested in the role but was too afraid to talk about it.

Hardy gained critical praise with roles in films such as The Dark Knight Rises, The Revenant and Mad Max: Fury Road and frequently appears on shortlists of actors most likely to take over from current 007, Daniel Craig.