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Dwayne Johnson Reveals Surprising Family Connection To James Bond Franchise

Dwayne Johnson Reveals Surprising Family Connection To James Bond Franchise

During a recent interview, The Rock revealed his grandfather had a brief but memorable role in a classic Sean Connery-era Bond film

Tom Sanders

Tom Sanders

Dwayne Johnson has revealed he shares a little-known familial link to the James Bond franchise, with his grandfather appearing in the classic Sean Connery movie You Only Live Twice.

In a recent interview with Esquire, the actor opened up about his long-running interest in the Bond movies in light of Daniel Craig retiring from the role after No Time To Die, and indicated that he'd love to throw his hat in the ring as a possible replacement for Craig's Bond.

During the conversation, he revealed his grandfather Peter Maivia - himself a famous wrestler - had made an appearance in the 1967 Connery movie.

He played the role of a henchman that unsuccessfully tangles with Bond.

Eon Productions
Eon Productions

In the film, his character attempts to kill 007 by attacking him with a katana.

Bond retaliates by hitting him with a sofa and taking him down by breaking a statue over his head.

"Yes, my grandfather was a Bond villain in You Only Live Twice with Sean Connery," Johnson told Esquire.

"Very, very cool.

"I would like to follow in his footsteps and be the next Bond.

"I don't want to be a villain though. Gotta be Bond."

Alamy

Other actors who have been hotly-tipped for the role include Henry Cavill, Tom Hiddleston, Cillian Murphy, Tom Hardy and longtime fan-favourite Idris Elba.

Considering that nobody had Daniel Craig pipped for the role prior to his casting in 2006's Casino Royale, it's safe to say that anything could happen between now and the release of the next Bond film.

In the meantime, Craig, who has always had a love/hate relationship with the character, recently doled out some rather blunt advice to the next actor to don the tuxedo.

He stated rather bluntly in an interview on Sirius XM: "There's a couple of things I'd say, but I mean, one is: don't be s***.

"I would say you've got to grab it and make it your own.

"I think that's the way to go forward."

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: TV and Film, The Rock, Dwayne Johnson, 007, James Bond