British mainstays like George MacKay are quickly getting used to fielding questions about James Bond casting rumors, with everyone from the likes of Tom Francis to MacKay’s own “Rose of Nevada” co-star Callum Turner reportedly being considered. But for the “1917” and “Pride” actor who’s in love with the “process” of filmmaking — and used to transforming — there’s an entirely different 007 role he’d love to play.
“I quite like the idea of a villain — maybe a one and done, chew the scenery a bit, come be part of it, get the best scenes and then get killed!” MacKay tells Variety with a laugh.
MacKay hasn’t taken on a villainous role in a blockbuster yet, but it’s that willingness to constantly challenge himself that makes him one of the U.K.’s most formidable and consistent performers. His foreboding performance in Mark Jenkin’s new film “Rose of Nevada,” releasing in theaters this weekend from 1-2 Special, takes him to darker places than ever before; his character, Nick, is desperate to support his family, while Liam (Turner) is desperate to escape the past. After going out to sea to fish, they accidentally time travel back to 30 years ago. Upon returning to land, everyone in their local Cornish village assumes they are a pair of fishermen that actually went missing.
