Bill Skarsgard has built a reputation on unsettling characters, from Pennywise in the It films to Count Orlok in Nosferatu. But the actor now says that well of dark roles is running dry—though one particular type of antagonist could still pull him back in: a Bill Skarsgard James Bond villain.
Speaking on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, Skarsgard explained that he has become more selective about the villains he takes on. He noted that any future bad-guy part would need to feel fresh and unlike anything he has already done. Otherwise, he suggested, he is simply exhausted by those kinds of characters.
Why a Bond Villain Still Appeals
Horowitz raised Skarsgard’s long-standing interest in appearing as an antagonist in the James Bond series. The actor responded with a lighthearted joke about never being contacted for such a role, wondering aloud whether his Swedish background had kept him out of consideration.
Skarsgard also agreed with the host that he would not want to commit to leading the Bond franchise for a decade or more. A one-off villain, however, holds a different kind of appeal. He pointed to Mads Mikkelsen and Javier Bardem as examples of actors who have taken on memorable Bond antagonists without shouldering the entire series.
That distinction matters. Playing 007 requires a long-term contract and global visibility, while a villain can arrive for a single film and leave a lasting impression. For Skarsgard, the latter path seems far more attractive.
The Search for the Next 007 Continues
His remarks arrive as the hunt for the next James Bond actor presses on ahead of Denis Villeneuve’s upcoming film. According to previous reporting, Callum Turner, Jack Lowden and Josh O’Connor had screen tested for the part. More recently, Robert Pattinson was also reported to have tested, while Nicholas Hoult’s name has surfaced as another possible contender.
Skarsgard, for his part, is not among those names—at least not for the lead role. His interest remains focused on the opposing side of the story.
A Busy Slate Beyond Bond
While Bond speculation continues, Skarsgard can currently be seen in Peter Berg’s war film The Mosquito Bowl. The movie is playing in theaters and is scheduled to arrive on Netflix on Nov. 25.
For now, the actor’s stance is clear: villain roles are no longer an automatic yes, but the right kind of Bond antagonist could be an exception worth making.
