LONDON, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- British actor Dougray Scott may have beat out Eric Bana, Ioan Gruffud and Clive Owen to replace Pierce Brosnan in the next James Bond movie.
Scott, the star of "To Kill A King," has been meeting with producer Barbara Broccoli to star in the 23rd Bond movie, the Sunday Mirror reported.
Eon Productions wants a more brooding Bond in the mold of Sean Connery, the Mirror said.
"Producers have been eager to take Bond back to the broody and sexy figure that Sean was so brilliant at. Obviously it's not possible for Sean to return at his age, so they have been looking for a younger actor with similar characteristics," a movie insider told the World Entertainment News Network.
"Since then Barbara and Dougray have been in talks -- and she believes he will be the perfect new 007 for the 21st Century."
