Kevin Spacey elaborates on his Bond 23 status and future

02-Mar-2011 • Skyfall

Contrary to some earlier rumors, Kevin Spacey won't be appearing as a villain in the "James Bond" franchise's next installment â but that doesn't mean he won't pop up eventually, reports MTV.

Speaking with MTV News on the red carpet at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards, the two-time Oscar winner recalled the story about his near-brush with "Bond," a rumor that actually does have some truth to it.

"Actually, what happened is, I was never asked to do it," he revealed. "I was never offered it. Someone asked me if I'd like to do it, and I said I would have loved to do it, but I don't think I could have even been considered because I'm doing 'Richard III' at the same time that Sam is [shooting 'Bond 23']."

"Richard III," of course, is Spacey's forthcoming adaptation of the classic William Shakespeare play. And the Sam in question is indeed Sam Mendes, director of the next "Bond" film. So how is it that Spacey can't participate in "Bond" while his director is able to step away for it?

"He's leaving ['Richard III'] once he gets us up and running," the actor revealed. "[That's when] he starts shooting. I'm going on the road with 'Richard III,' so I couldn't have even been considered for it."

But while the touring "Richard III" is physically preventing Spacey from getting in Agent 007's way, the "Social Network" producer is certainly not ruling out an appearance at some point in the future.

"But at some point down the line? Sure," he said with an enthusiastic grin. And lord knows he'll have plenty of time to talk with Mendes about the possibility while they're working on "Richard III" together. "Exactly. I'll twist his arm about that."

As for his thoughts on the current state of the "Bond" franchise, Spacey had nothing but glowing things to say about the series and, specifically, Daniel Craig: "He's a terrific Bond and I think it's a terrific franchise. I'm glad that they've worked it all out and they're doing it again."