Hugh Grant wants to play James Bond, if producers agree to make the next movie in the style of the original 007 films.

The British star thinks the more recent Bond films have lost the charm and comedy of those made famous by previous superspies Roger Moore and Sean Connery.

But he's more than willing to slip into the currently vacant tuxedo if called upon to recapture the original Bond.

Grant, 45, says, "I don't think it's up my alley unless the films are taken back to their original period.

"I think Bond looks a bit weird now. If you go back to the early ones, that air of chauvinism works better."