Ex-Bond girl Denise Richards reveals her ‘amazing' choice for the next James Bond as casting rumors swirl

New York Post

22-05-2025

The name is Aaron… Aaron Phypers.
At least, that's the moniker Denise Richards would throw in the ring to play the Martini-sipping 007 next.
The actress, 54, is no stranger to the Bond universe, as she starred as Dr. Christmas Jones alongside Pierce Brosnan, who played James Bond, in the 1999 action/thriller 'The World Is Not Enough.'
12 Aaron Phypers and Denise Richards attend the Jonathan Foundation's 11th annual Spring Fundraiser at Sheraton Universal Hotel on May 17, 2025.
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12 Denise Richards and Phypers speak with Alexandra Bellusci at the Jonathan Foundation's 11th annual Spring Fundraise.
Speculation about who the new British Secret Service agent will be has been swirling, but Richards thinks her husband of seven years would be a dashing fit.
'I really don't even know,' the 'Wild Things' vet exclusively told The Post during The Jonathan Foundation Fundraiser on Saturday, before Phypers, 52, chimed in, 'I would do it.'
'He would be an amazing Bond,' Richards concurred, to which the wellness guru added, 'I could do it. No problem.'
12 The Jonathan Foundation's 11th Annual Spring Fundraiser at Sheraton Universal Hotel.
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'I don't even know who is in the mix,' Richards admitted. 'I know they will cast someone amazing.'
Looking back at her time as a Bond girl, the reality star couldn't help but gush over the entire experience from start to finish.
'Just being part of it,' Richards said of her favorite memory. 'I didn't understand the magnitude of that movie until it came out, and it is amazing the generations that love the film. So, just the whole process and everything was such a whirlwind, amazing time.'
12 Pierce Brosnan and Denise Richards in the 1999 film 'The World Is Not Enough.'
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There's no word if Richards would return to the new era of the franchise, but Daniel Craig's portrayal of Bond came to an end in 2021's 'No Time to Die.'
In February, franchise producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson sold a stake of the movies to Amazon MGM Studios for a reported $1 billion.
By March, news broke that Amy Pascal — who helped bring Craig, 57, in as the 7th Bond — and David Heyman would be spearheading the next James Bond project.
12 Denise Richards as Dr Christmas Jones in a scene from the James Bond film 'The World Is Not Enough.'
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Along with Craig and Brosnan, 72, other Bonds in the franchise include Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore and Timothy Dalton.
In March, Brosnan, who took on the role from 1995 to 2002, said it's a 'given' that the next man to suit up must be British.
'History has been passed on,' the Irish star said. 'And I'm very proud to have been part of the history and the legacy of Bond and the movies that I made with Barbara and Michael.'
12 Denise Richards and Pierce Brosnan in 'The World Is Not Enough.'
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Richards, meanwhile, has traded in her spy gear for mom gear, as she raises daughters Sami, 21, and Lola, 19, whom she shares with ex-husband Charlie Sheen, and daughter Eloise, 13, whom she adopted in 2011. Years later, Phypers legally adopted Eloise.
Their youngest daughter was diagnosed with chromosome 8 in 2016, which has caused developmental delays for the teen.
Nevertheless, Eloise is thriving.
12 Denise Richards, Aaron Phypers in 'Denise Richards & Her Wild Things.'
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12 Aaron Phypers and Denise Richards attend the Jonathan Foundation's 11th annual Spring Fundraiser at Sheraton Universal Hotel on May 17, 2025 in Universal City, California.
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12 Season 1 of 'Denise Richards & Her Wild Things.'
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'She's doing amazing,' the former 'RHOBH' star shared. 'She really is. We are very fortunate that we're able to provide that for her, but she's turning 14 and there are a lot of challenges.'
Richards told The Post that Eloise has taught the Malibu residents several things about themselves.
'Patience,' the mom of three stated. 'She is an angel, and just the littlest things make her so happy. [It's taught us] to enjoy the small things and enjoy the smaller things in life.'
12 Denise Richards, Aaron Phypers and Eloise Joni Richards.
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Phypers added, 'She's so special.'
Earlier this year, their half-hour reality series, 'Denise Richards & Her Wild Things,' debuted on Bravo.
Richards revealed that the cast, which included Sheen's ex-wife Brooke Mueller and their 16-year-old twins Bob and Max, filmed more than what aired.
12 Denise Richards on her new Bravo reality show.
Bravo
'We filmed so much footage you can put into an episode,' she admitted. 'I'm glad people want more instead of being like, 'When is this thing over?' So I'm glad that people seem to really like the show, and we're very blessed, and hopefully we will be back for another season.'
During filming, Richards gave the audience a look into a photoshoot she did for a potential cooking show titled 'Only Pans' — and yes, there is something brewing.
'There are some things,' confessed the star. 'I've been asked to do a couple of things, which I am excited about. So we will see.'
12 Denise Richards's new Bravo reality show.
Bravo
Phypers, for his part, would be more than happy to sweeten the deal and act as sous-chef.
'I'll lend a hand wherever I can,' he expressed.
'He's better at cutting things with the knife. I am terrible!' Richards said, to which Phypers chimed in: 'Definitely the clean-up part.'
The pair tied the knot in Malibu in 2018, with Richards sharing in a statement at the time, 'I am so happy to officially be married to the love of my life!'