'Bridgerton' star Regé-Jean Page downplays rumors that he could be the next James Bond

• "Bridgerton" lead Regé-Jean Page responded to rumors that he could be the next actor to play James Bond on Friday.
• "I think the internet thinks a lot of things, and that's one of the more pleasant ones," he said on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon."
• Page downplayed the theory, stating that British fans "start saying the 'B' word" as soon as someone does something that "people regard well."
• "It's like a merit badge, like the 'B' word merit badge," he told Fallon, adding, "But it's a badge."

Regé-Jean Page weighed in on rumors that he could be the next 007.

Following his portrayal of the Duke of Hastings on Netflix's Regency drama "Bridgerton," the British actor has emerged as a frontrunner to take over Daniel Craig's role as James Bond. The betting firm Ladbrokes even stated that he's 5/1 in the betting to replace Craig as the fictional secret agent.

However, Page downplayed the theory during a virtual appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Friday.

"I think the internet thinks a lot of things, and that's one of the more pleasant ones, so I can please as far as that goes," Page told Fallon.

The actor then said that the rumors are likely a result of people's tendency to compliment British actors by suggesting they play Bond.

"I think there might be an element of cultural translation to be done here. Like if you're a Brit and you do something of any kind of renowned that people regard well, then people start saying the 'B' word," he said, in reference to the agent's last name.

"It's like a merit badge, like the 'B' word merit badge," he joked, noting that he doesn't interpret the speculation as "much more than that."

"I'm very, very glad to have the badge. I'm glad to be in such wonderful company of people who have the badge," he said, referring to stars like Tom Hardy, Tom Hiddleston, and Idris Elba who have also been considered to be in the running to take on the role.

Page added, "But it's a badge."

Although he isn't paying too much attention to the rumors, the "Bridgerton" actor previously fueled speculation when he shared a promotional video of himself as the Duke of Hastings with the caption, "Shaken and stirred," closely mirroring Bond's famous martini order.

—Regé-Jean Page (@regejean) December 16, 2020

For the time being, Page is focused on his "Bridgerton" character, Simon Basset.

Even though the Shonda Rhimes-produced show, which premiered on December 25, hasn't been renewed for a second season yet, the actor has already said that he's "absolutely" willing to reprise his role.

"I think there are a lot of good stories to be told in this world," he told Oprah Magazine.

Page continued: "There's a plethora of characters and each of those characters has cousins, uncles, and dogs, and I think people enjoy exploring all of those depths and nooks and crannies."

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