In an interesting turn of events, Die Another Day costar and friend of Pierce Brosnan Michael Madsen revealed in an interview to the Toronto Sun that Brosnan would not be returning for 2005's Bond 21. Madsen said that Brosnan told him that he doesn't want to do another film, and that Brosnan was allegedly "bought out" to leave the role. He also mentioned that an unnamed Australian actor will take over the reigns as 007. If true, it will be the second time an Aussie has been Bond; behind George Lazenby's 1969 performance in On her Majesty's Secret Service. Clive Owen was also mention in the Sun article as another possible replacement for Brosnan.

Madsen's interest in Bond 21 isn't just concern for a friend. Madsen himself was supposed to return as a recurring character in the new film, again as NSA head Damien Falco. On the possibility of participating in a Brosnan-less Bond 21, Madsen said: "Well, I was going to do it with Pierce but, now that Pierce is out of the Bond picture, I don't know what is going to happen. If Barbara Broccoli calls me up and says: 'Michael, I want you to be in the James Bond picture,' I'll probably go do it, but I'm not going to call her. I don't know the new Bond guy. I've never seen anything he's done. I don't even know what he looks like. I can't remember the guy's name. I would have to feel like he's going to be a good Bond for me to want to do it."

It seems that Brosnan's earlier comments on the producer's "paralysis" with the upcoming Bond is true. Whether or not Brosnan will be back for Bond 21 is up in the air. There has been no official announcement from Metro-Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) or EON Productions has been seen. Stay tuned as the drama continues.