Aussie actor Heath Ledger has ruled out replacing Pierce Brosnan as James Bond.

Ledger, recently seen in Ned Kelly, had been one of the frontrunners with the bookies to take the role.

According to Teen Hollywood, he told friends that he didn't want the part, saying: "Heath is worried he will be type-cast if he plays the suave spy."

Others in the frame include Hugh Jackman, Orlando Bloom, Jude Law, Christian Bale and Ewan McGregor.