A Hollywood star has said casting an American as James Bond would be “sacrilegious”.

Austin Butler, best known for his Oscar-nominated portrayal of Elvis Presley, has ruled himself out of the running to play the British secret agent, but threw his hat in the ring for a villain role.

In 2022, Amazon acquired MGM Studios and the rights to distribute the spy franchise, later announcing that Dune’s Denis Villeneuve would direct the new film, due for release in 2028.

The acquisition has provoked fears among Bond fans of an “Americanisation” of the iconic films.

But Butler, who previously worked with Villeneuve on Dune: Part Two, said a reunion would not be a good idea.