Bond star reveals why he doesn't do stunts

James Bond star Rory Kinnear has revealed why, despite starring in four Bond films, he doesn't do stunts and isn't "an action guy".

Kinnear plays MI6 agent and M's chief of staff Bill Tanner, stepping into the role for Quantum Solace, then reprising it in Skyfall, Spectre and this year's No Time to Die.

"Luckily, I'm not an action guy," he told The Observer, when asked if he was jealous of the titular character's action. "It's not why I wanted to become an actor.

"I've been on set during fun stunts but usually cower in the corner. I've seen the physical regime required to maintain your health within a role like that…"

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Kinnear's father, actor Roy Kinnear, also dabbled in British espionage acting, starring in 1965's The Avengers as well as other blockbusters such as Gene Wilder's Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and the original Alice's Adventures in Wonderland film.

Rory said having parents that were actors enabled him to see it as a "doable job" rather than "as a fiction or dream".

On his own children, 11-year-old Riley and 7-year-old Hope, getting into acting, he added: "While I'd want my children to understand the pitfalls, I could never say don't do it.

"I love being an actor, and the excitement of not knowing what you're going to be doing six months into the future. Obviously, that impacts on people's lives, but everyone understands that it's what you've chosen to do and it brings the greatest imaginable happiness professionally."

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Having starred exclusively alongside Daniel Craig's iteration of 007, it is yet to be confirmed whether Kinnear will reprise his role when the next spy is announced.

No Time to Die is, at the time of writing, the highest-grossing Hollywood release of 2021, overtaking Fast & Furious 9.

Since its release (and even before that), speculation about the next Bond has been running wild, with everyone from Henry Cavill to Lashana Lynch rumoured for the role. Many have been discussing whether another straight, white man will take over the role, or if Bond bosses will branch out with a more diverse choice.

No Time to Die is out now in UK and US cinemas. All the previous Bond movies are available on DVD or Blu-ray.