'I think I'm a bit old' - Cillian Murphy responds to James Bond rumour as bond girl backs him

Cillian Murphy has responded to rumours that he could be the next James Bond. 

The actor - who is up for a Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Robert J Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer - addressed the rumours on the green carpet of the Oscar Wilde Awards in LA, where former Bond, Pierce Brosnan, was honoured for his extensive career. 

Asked whether he had heard the Bond rumours, Murphy joked: "He's already played Bond." 

When pressed, he said, "No, no, I think I'm a bit old for that. I think that ship has sailed." 

An entertainment reporter from Goss.ie asked 73 year old former Bond girl, Jane Seymour, whether she thought Cillian Murphy or Paul Mescal would make a good Bond. 

She said, "Definitely, oh yeah. Either of them. Cillian, anything he does [sic]." 

Murphy, who is currently in Los Angeles with his family ahead of the Oscars ceremony on Sunday (March 10), described his feelings ahead of the big night. 

He said, "It's been amazing, it's been a whirlwind. I keep saying, it's very flattering, we just feel full of gratitude. I certainly do. 

"Being in a room with all these amazing filmmakers, people you watched as a kid, it's pretty surreal." 

When asked how he'll celebrate if he wins the Best Actor award, Murphy said, "I'm sure we'll have a party of some sort." 

Murphy is up against four other actors including Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers), Jeffrey Wright (American Fiction), Bradley Cooper (Maestro), and Colman Domingo (Rustin) for the Best Lead Actor award.