Forget car chases and explosive action scenes, Alexander Skarsgard has a whole new vision for James Bond.
The 48-year-old actor, known for his roles in True Blood and Big Little Lies, is keen on taking on the iconic spy role, but with a surprising twist: no violence, just diplomacy. He pitched the idea of a “very polite” Swedish Bond, navigating high-stakes situations in boardrooms rather than battlefields.
Speaking to The Times, Skarsgard opened up about his unique take on the beloved character, saying, “I could be a very polite, diplomatic Swedish James Bond, who negotiates. There’ll be no violence at all. It’ll just be boardroom meetings where people try to find consensus, everyone’s stressed out and desperately tries to avoid an argument or complications. That’s very Swedish. I’ll pitch it!”
It’s a bold pitch, considering the traditionally action-heavy franchise. But Skarsgard’s vision reflects his own background. He undertook national service in Sweden as a teenager, in part because he admired the suave, cool-headed nature of James Bond. “I did it because I was 19, I didn’t know what I wanted to do, and I wanted to be James Bond for 18 months,” he shared. While it’s clear that his take on 007 would be radically different, it’s a fun concept that plays on the character’s famed ability to stay calm under pressure.
Skarsgard’s journey to the top of Hollywood wasn’t always smooth sailing. The actor, who got his big break in Zoolander, struggled for years to land substantial roles. His good looks often worked against him as he was pigeonholed into roles that didn’t let his talent shine. “There were definitely some rough years,” he admitted. In his twenties, auditioning in LA felt like a never-ending cycle of disappointment. “I was auditioning for jock number three in a bad TV series and not getting it.”
Things started to change when he was asked to audition for the war drama Generation Kill. This was his big chance, but the waiting period was excruciating. “Waiting to hear was horrible, horrible, horrible,” Skarsgard recalled. “Every time the phone rang, I would get heart palpitations.” But when he finally got the role, it was a game-changer for his career, and he couldn’t help but feel insecure about how good things were going. “It was too good to be true,” he said.
While Skarsgard’s pitch for a non-violent Bond might be unconventional, it’s this willingness to take risks and step outside the box that has fueled his successful career. Whether he eventually takes on 007 or not, there’s no doubt that Skarsgard’s charm and unique vision for the character would bring something entirely new to the table.
![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://themusicessentials.com/entertainment/alexander-skarsgard-wants-to-be-james-bond-without-the-guns-or-girls/&media=https://themusicessentials.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/alexander-skarsgard.webp&description=Alexander Skarsgard pitches a unique, "no violence" James Bond role, here’s his take on the suave spy in a diplomatic, boardroom setting.){kind=link}