No more Bond for Pierce Brosnan

LONDON, July 28 (UPI) -- Actor Pierce Brosnan says his days of playing James Bond are over, Sky News reported Wednesday.

Brosnan said his fourth Bond film, "Die Another Day" in 2002, was his last.

"We went out on a high and I look back affectionately at that time and doing those four movies. But I've said all I gotta say on it," Brosnan said.

Rumors have been circulating for months about whether Brosnan, 51, would return in the next Bond film, due out in 2005.

The Irish actor was not under contract for additional films after "Die Another Die," but neither side would confirm or deny Brosnan's participation in a fifth film.

Brosnan reportedly accused the producers of being "too scared" and claimed work on the next film had stalled.

Eon Productions must now find a new 007.

British actors Clive Owen, Ioan Gruffudd, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Gerard Butler, Jude Law and Ewan McGregor, as well as Australian actors Hugh Jackman, Heath Ledger and Eric Bana have all been rumored as replacements.