LONDON, April 27 (UPI) -- One of Pierce Brosnan's James Bond movie co-stars says Brosnan will be back as Bond, the British Web site This Is London reported Wednesday.
The site quoted Dame Judi Dench -- who played Bond's supervisor, M, in "GoldenEye," "Tomorrow Never Dies," "The World Is Not Enough" and "Die Another Day" -- as saying Brosnan will once again play Bond in the upcoming "Casino Royale." Dench is on board once again to play M.
"Despite the fact that everyone on the face of the Earth has been tested as his possible replacement, Pierce will be doing it again," said Dench. "It will be announced come the summer."
Recent speculation about who will play Bond has included reports that Brosnan has been in talks for a two-picture deal -- and that Daniel Craig ("Lara Croft: Tomb Raider") had been offered a three-picture deal. There have also been reports that producers were considering Clive Owen ("Sin City") and Dominic West ("Mona Lisa Smile") to become the newest James Bond.
With Brosnan on the marquee, Bond pictures have grossed an average $350 million worldwide. Brosnan's last Bond project, "Die Another Day," took in $425 million -- a record for the franchise.
