Saoirse Ronan says she'd like to play the villain in next James Bond movie: "Like Javier Bardem"

Ronan, best known for her roles in Hanna, The Lovely Bones and Lady Bird, has frequently said that she would like to tap into more mainstream cinematic projects, although seems to have somewhat dismissed the idea of appearing in Marvel movies.

It has been three years since the last James Bond movie, which was also Daniel Craig’s final outing as the character. Since No Time To Die hit cinemas, there has been almost radio silence about the future of the franchise; at the same time, executives have told fans to be “patient” about any upcoming announcements.

But Ronan, 30, has been campaigning to become the villain in the next Bond movie - a role that has fallen by the wayside while rumours circulate around who will take up the mantle of 007.

Speaking to Joshua Horowitz on his Happy Sad Confused podcast, Ronan said: “I’m afraid to say it to her [Barbara Broccoli] in person - I do know here a little bit. [I could have] a limp? I don’t know, but I’m conscious of being blonde because I feel like a lot of villains in movies are always like, make them super blonde.

“It’s whatever Barbara wants.”

In the same interview, she later added that if it became a choice of her playing the villain or husband Jack Lowden being Bond, she would sacrifice her dream job for him.

Meanwhile, Aaron Taylor-Johnson appears to still be the bookies’ favourite to become the next James Bond, with speculation that he has even been offered a contract by Amazon MGM Studios. But in recent weeks, his odds have worsened, with the likes of James Norton and Callum Turner becoming more favourable.

Betideas.com spokesperson Lee Astley said: “The next Bond film rumour mill find itself in full operation once again and we’ve seen big movement in the market. Aaron Taylor-Johnson was a strong favourite at 4/11 to take over from Daniel Craig but has now drifted to 10/11, with Callum Turner emerging as a big contender, shortening into 4/1 from 8/1.”

Here are the current full odds for the next James Bond:

Aaron Taylor Johnson 10/11

James Norton 3/1

Callum Turner 4/1

Aaron Pierre 9/2

Rege-Jean Page 6/1

Henry Cavill 6/1

Damson Idris 6/1

Harris Dickinson 7/1

Paul Mescal 8/1

Dev Patel 9/1

Jacob Fortune-Lloyd 9/1

Cillian Murphy 10/1

Sope Dirisu 10/1

Richard Madden 10/1

Theo James 12/1

Tom Hardy 12/1