Why James Bond Star Pierce Brosnan Turned Down the Role of Batman

Former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan has spoken about being offered the role of Batman, as well as what he sees for the future of 007.

In an interview with Details, the 62-year-old Irish actor explains that he was approached to play the Caped Crusader when Tim Burton was casting his 1989 blockbuster, a role that eventually went to Michael Keaton.

"It was the beginning of these huge movies, and I just thought, Batman?" said Brosnan. "Batman held such an indelible place in my own childhood, but I said something flippant to Tim Burton like, 'Any guy who wears his underpants outside his trousers cannot be taken seriously.' So, yeah."

Brosnan has also speculated on the possibility of audiences ever seeing a gay James Bond. "I don't think Barbara [Broccoli, the Bond producer] would allow a gay Bond to happen in her lifetime. But it would certainly make for interesting viewing.

"Let's start with a great black actor being James Bond. Idris Elba certainly has the physicality, the charisma, the presence. But I think Daniel [Craig] will be there for a while yet."

Brosnan played Bond in four movies between 1995 and 2002, namely GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World is Not Enough, and Die Another Day. Those films restored the franchise to blockbuster glory after the lukewarm reaction to the two films that starred Timothy Dalton. Nevertheless, his final two outings as 007 are now considered amongst the worst in the series, something Brosnan himself seemed acknowledge in an interview with The Telegraph last year. "I have no desire to watch myself as James Bond. It's just never good enough," he said.

Brosnan's latest picture is No Escape, an action thriller that also stars Owen Wilson.