Pierce Brosnan believes Cillian Murphy would be 'magnificent' as 007

Former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan reckons Cillian Murphy would make a "magnificent" 007.

Brosnan took the reins of the Bond franchise in the mid 1990s and appeared as the spy in Goldeneye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World is Not Enough and Die Another Day.

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Murphy is currently the hottest actor in Hollywood thanks to his role in Oppenheimer. This coming Sunday at the Academy Awards, he is odds-on favourite to win the Best Actor Oscar for his performance in Christopher Nolan's epic, which tells the story of the birth of the atomic bomb.

At the annual Oscar Wilde Awards, which celebrates Irish creative talent in Los Angeles, Brosnan was asked about the prospect of Murphy donning the famous tuxedo and said of his fellow Irishman:

"Cillian would do a magnificent job as James Bond on His Majesty's Secret Service."

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Following Daniel Craig's retirement as 007, fans have been forced to wait patiently for any news concerning his replacement.

Even before Craig departed, there was speculation as to who would replace him as the most famous movie spy in movie history. Names like Idris Elba, Tom Hardy, Damson Idris, Henry Cavill and Aaron-Taylor Johnson were favourites at different points both before and after the production of No Time to Die.

Murphy was never mentioned as a real favourite, but that could change, according to The Sun.

"Cillian is the toast of Hollywood right now and this would be the ultimate role," a source told the publication. "This is a way to elevate the Bond franchise with an actor who is at the very top of his game."