Pierce Brosnan feels opportunities coming

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SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 1 (UPI) -- Irish-born Pierce Brosnan, who has become a U.S. citizen, says he still doesn't know why he was dumped as British spy James Bond, but he's moved on.

"You feel these shifts in your career," the 52-year-old actor told the San Francisco Chronicle. "There's a certain shift happening right now, and I don't know which direction I'm going to go, but I feel these little jolts, little opportunities, happening right now."

Brosnan played 007 in "Die Another Day," "The World Is Not Enough," "Tomorrow Never Dies" and "GoldenEye" -- but producers have replaced him with Daniel Craig for the next Bond picture, "Casino Royale."

Brosnan says he can't believe his luck in getting the script of "The Matador" -- submitted to his production company by writer Richard Shepard as a writing sample. He's up for a Golden Globe award for his performance as a sleazy hitman in the movie.

"This is the corner I've painted myself into, when you get to a certain point in your career, when you've played the same note, how do you get out?" Brosnan asked. "They're not going to give it to you. They want more of the same. And so you go out and find it -- and it's 'The Matador.'"