HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Australia's Eric Bana has an inside track on becoming the next James Bond, E! Online reported Tuesday.
Best known in the United States for his starring roles in last year's "The Hulk" and this summer's "Troy," Bana is reportedly in negotiations to star in the 21st James Bond film, slated to begin shooting this year.
"Eric is the guy they want, but he has a reputation for being demanding," a source told Britain's "News of the World" tabloid. "(Producers) want to modernize Bond and turn him into a youthful, suave and modern hero to compete with the likes of Spider-Man and Keanu (Reeves) in the Matrix."
MGM spokesman Eric Kops would only say the story "is not true." He declined further comment.
MGM, which distributes the Bond films, and Britain's Eon Productions, which produces the movies, have traditionally been tight-lipped about the franchise.
The actor who most recently played Bond was Pierce Brosnan.
