Hollywood has found one of its most reliably terrifying villains in Bill Skarsgård, and he has the nightmares to prove it. From redefining Pennywise in It and It Chapter Two to delivering a skeletal Count Orlok in Nosferatu and a cold-blooded Marquis in John Wick: Chapter 4, Skarsgård has made a career out of playing the monsters audiences love to fear. So, the possibility of taking on another villainous mantle seems quite tiring for him.

Although that is not the reason why he will not be starring as the mysterious antagonist in Denis Villeneuve’s upcoming James Bond film. As he sets the conditions for when he may return as a villain, he has also talked about how he was not even considered for the James Bond villain run.

Bill Skarsgård on villain fatigue and James Bond casting disappointment

Bill Skarsgård may have made a career out of playing the people audiences would rather not meet in a dark alley, but the actor is not particularly interested in repeating himself. While talking to Josh Howrowitz on Happy Sad Confused, Skarsgård appeared to be at a point where another villainous role needs more than a sinister smile and a taste for chaos to win him over. 

“For a villain, it would have to be something that felt original to me, that was something that I hadn’t done before,” Skarsgård said. “I feel, kind of, spent with those things. 

Speaking with Josh Horowitz, the Dead Man’s Wire actor was also reminded of his previous enthusiasm for joining the James Bond universe. The subject came with a rather amusing twist: despite his interest in playing one of 007’s adversaries, Skarsgård claimed that the franchise had never even considered him for the part. He was quick to turn the oversight into a joke, offering a possible explanation for why he had not received a call.

“Maybe they were like, ‘We can’t do a Swede for this guy.’ Skarsgård quipped. 

There is also a distinction between wanting to appear in a Bond film and signing up to become its leading man. Skarsgård was in agreement with Horowitz that carrying the franchise for the next 10 or 15 years would be a rather different proposition. His preference leans towards the kind of one-film villain, as the ones Mads Mikkelsen and Javier Bardem got.

With only a supernatural occurrence, like the one he got for Pennywise, seeming the only thing that could lure Bill Skarsgård back into villain territory, and a James Bond casting call still nowhere in sight, the next question is what kind of antagonist Denis Villeneuve is actually looking for.

Denis Villeneuve’s ideal James Bond villain

Denis Villeneuve has kept one crucial piece of his James Bond puzzle firmly under wraps: the villain. Although the filmmaker has spoken about his lifelong attachment to 007 and the creative reasons behind taking on the reboot, he has not publicly outlined the kind of antagonist he wants opposite the next Bond. The casting vision remains a mystery.

That silence has left room for casting chatter, with House of the Dragon breakout Ewan Mitchell reportedly emerging as a contender for the villain. Robert Pattinson, meanwhile, has entered fan speculation after reports that he screen-tested for Bond himself. Neither name amounts to confirmation, leaving Villeneuve’s preferred brand of menace entirely open to interpretation; the same goes for Bill Skarsgård playing the villain role himself.

Do you think Denis Villeneuve should consider Bill Skarsgård for a villain role in his upcoming movie? Let us know in the comments!