Henry Golding Says Playing James Bond Is ‘Every Actor’s Kind of Nightmare,’ but Admits ‘Maybe I’m Just a P—-‘ (Exclusive)

Henry Golding has thoughts on stepping into 007’s shoes.

“I think that’s every actor’s kind of nightmare,” the actor, 38, told PEOPLE exclusively, referring to taking over the iconic role of James Bond, while he attended The Old Guard 2‘s red carpet premiere in Los Angeles on June 25.

“But at the same time, [you’re] also wanting to kind of add something new to a franchise,” he continued. “Why can’t they bring out more agents or more OO’s? I think that would be so much more fun, because there just isn’t the restraints and the expectation.”

Still, Golding admitted, “Maybe I’m just a p—-. I don’t know. But I think I would love it so much more if there wasn’t that overhanging cultural pressure.”

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Bond is based on British author Ian Fleming’s character, who first appeared in the 1953 novel Casino Royale.

The role was originated onscreen by Sean Connery in 1962’s Terence Young-helmed Dr. No. Others who have played the famed spy include David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan.

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Bond was last played by Daniel Craig in 2021’s No Time To Die. He also played the part in Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012) and Spectre (2015).

Craig, 57, told the Los Angeles Times in November 2022 that after five installments, he “need[ed] to move on” from the famed franchise.

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It was announced earlier this week that Denis Villeneuve will direct the next Bond movie, which will mark the 26th film in the 60-year-old franchise. The project will be the first since Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson agreed to a new joint venture with Amazon MGM in February. (Amazon MGM now has creative control of the franchise, while Broccoli and Wilson remain co-owners of the series.)

Amy Pascal and David Heyman will produce the new film. Amazon MGM has yet to announce a writer, and casting for the new Bond has not been announced. Current contenders for the coveted spy role include Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Henry Cavill, Idris Elba and Rege-Jean Page, to name a few.

Speaking about the actor who will take on the role of Bond next, Golding — who himself will next appear in the sci-fi romantic drama Daniela Forever, in theaters July 11 and on digital July 22 — told PEOPLE, “I think whoever they’re going to choose, it’s going to be fun.”

The next Bond film does not have a confirmed release date yet.