Famous Actors Who Auditioned for James Bond but Failed
In the esteemed history of the James Bond franchise, the role of 007 has seen numerous talented actors audition for it. Some of these actors were astonishingly close to landing the iconic part, but for one reason or another, they were not chosen. This article explores some of the most famous actors who auditioned for the role but for various reasons did not secure the coveted part of 007.
Bond-Overs, Almost
John Gavin, the actor known for his role as Janey Leigh’s boyfriend in Psycho, was once signed for the part of Bond in Diamonds Are Forever. Ultimately, the decision was made to have Sean Connery return for one more installment, so Gavin was let go. Another notable contender was Michael Billington, the actor from the TV series UFO, who was considered for years but never secured the role.
Another Round of United Kingdom Gladiators
Several well-known actors were offered or considered for the role of James Bond but turned it down or were passed over, often due to personal or professional reasons. Here are a few notable cases:
Richard Todd, Richard Burton, Cary Grant
Richard Todd, the original choice for Dr. No, had a scheduling conflict. Richard Burton, offered roles for Dr. No and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, turned him down as the role was not tested and he sought more money than the producers could afford. Meanwhile, Cary Grant, despite being offered the role for Dr. No, felt he was too old at 58 and did not want to commit to a 3-picture deal.
Eric Braeden, Oliver Reed, Michael Caine
Eric Braeden, a German-American actor, was rejected for On Her Majesty’s Secret Service due to his ethnicity. Oliver Reed, known for his wild behavior, was not chosen due to his image. Michael Caine, offered for On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, declined to avoid being typecast into spy roles, having already played the character Harry Palmer three times.
Contemporary Contenders
Other noteworthy names include Mel Gibson, who MGM offered to play in The Living Daylights, but Albert R. Broccoli rejected him as he was not British. Christopher Lambert, despite being considered for The Living Daylights, was turned down due to a strong French accent. Clint Eastwood, despite being considered for Diamonds Are Forever, declined as James Bond is British. Similarly, Burt Reynolds and Adam West also declined, for the same reason.
Special Considerations
Some actors accepted the role, only to drop out, but later managed to play James Bond in other films. David Niven, for example, auditioned but was not chosen for the role. He later played the patriarch of the Bond family in Spectre.
Henry Cavill and Ralph Fiennes
Henry Cavill was considered for the role as early as Casino Royale, but John Lawrence (the original director) was not thrilled with his choice due to his youth and appearance. Ralph Fiennes, who was also considered for Casino Royale (2006), was eventually cast as a different character, Gareth Mallory/M, in Daniel Craig’s Skyfall, Spectre, and No Time to Die.
Clive Owen and Sean Bean
Clive Owen was offered the role for Casino Royale (2006), but the producers decided he was not the right fit due to his financial demands. He did, however, play a parody of James Bond in The Pink Panther 2. Sean Bean, a second choice after Timothy Dalton in The Living Daylights and GoldenEye, was also overruled by MGM, but his audition deeply impressed the producers. Bean was cast as the villain, Alec Trevelyan, in GoldenEye.
James Bond's iconic role continues to attract talented actors every time it is up for grabs, and it remains one of the most coveted roles in the entertainment industry. While some actors managed to secure the part, others came close but ultimately fell short, leaving a legacy of near-misses that fans and critics alike continue to celebrate and discuss.