17 Actors Who Almost Played James Bond
Love him or hate him, James Bond continues to be going strong after almost six decades on the big display screen. Since he first swooned onto the scene again in 1962, Bond has been a success with lovers, who simply can not seem to get enough of this super-sauve, martini-swilling spy personality.
Today the franchise is estimated to be value round $20 million which makes James Bond probably the most highest-grossing media franchises of all time.
Over the years the position of the world's most renowned spy has been played by means of seven actors; Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig. But for each and every actor who were given to play Bond, there have been a few who auditioned for the section and didn't get it. There have even been actors who've became the function down, many times as a result of they were afraid of being typecast as a undercover agent.
Let's check out the actors who almost played Bond!
17 Gerard Butler Felt Playing 007 Would Typecast Him
Gerard Butler felt that accepting the Bond position may put an finish to the number of paintings he gets. "I enjoy doing an array of films. If I was to play Bond, that would quickly stop. How likely would I be accepted doing those roles after having played Bond?" he defined.
16 Henry Cavill Was Deemed Too Young To Play Bond
When a new James Bond was once being chosen for Casino Royale, Henry Cavill was once one of the peak actors in the working for the function. But Cavill was once just 22 on the time and used to be deemed too younger for the section so the filmmakers made up our minds to move with the then-37-year-old Daniel Craig as an alternative.
15 Christian Bale Thought Idris Elba Would Make An Ideal Bond And The Internet Agreed
While Christian Bale might have the look to drag off James Bond, he just wasn't interested but he did have an opinion about who should take over as 007. His select: Idris Elba. The internet agreed with him, and although he's never been formally approached for the position, enthusiasts are nonetheless hopeful!
14 Michael Caine Didn't Want To Make Another Spy Movie
Today we all know Michael Caine as Alfred within the Christopher Nolan Batman movies however there used to be a time when (a far more youthful) Caine was being regarded as for the function of Bond. Back then he turned it down because he had finished a string of secret agent films and did not need to be typecast.
13 Sean Bean Almost Took Over The Role From Timothy Dalton
Back in the day, Game of Thrones superstar Sean Bean came so just about taking part in Bond he could almost odor the martinis, but it surely wasn't intended to be. Bean was once a favorite contender to take over the role from Timothy Dalton however he ended up as a Bond villain as a substitute.
12 Richard Burton Could Have Been The First James Bond But He Thought It Was Just Another Movie
Richard Burton used to be a Shakespearean actor in the Fifties, widely known for his efficiency in Hamlet and for being married to Elizabeth Taylor. He was once presented the role of James Bond in Dr. No however after discussing it together with his family he passed, thinking it could be "just another movie".
11 Alex O'Loughlin Lost The Role To Daniel Craig
Before he landed the role of Steve McGarrett on Hawaii Five-0, Alex O'Loughlin did screen checks for the part of James Bond in Casino Royale. He was once one of the peak candidates for the role following Pierce Brosnan's departure from the franchise, however in spite of everything, the phase went to Daniel Craig.
10 Tom Selleck Wasn't Interested In Playing A Guy Like James Bond
Despite having almost all of the right bodily characteristics to play Bond (in addition to that sauve leading-man presence) Magnum P.I.'s Tom Selleck wasn't in the slightest degree interested in the function of James Bond. When asked why not he said, “I don’t wish to play a man like that.” Okay, then.
9 Christian Bale Passed On Bond Because He'd Had Enough Of Playing A Hero
Batman as Bond? It could have came about. Christian Bale used to be approached for the role of 007 but he turned it down. After taking part in Bruce Wayne/Batman for more than a decade, Bale had little interest in taking on any other hero-type position. "I'm good. My days of wearing capes are over," he said.
8 Dougray Scott Felt He Was Too Old To Be 007
There was a time when Dougray Scott used to be thought to be to be the forerunner to take over the Bond function from Pierce Brosnan. He was in talks to play 007 in Die Another Day but Brosnan then agreed to do one final film, which put an finish to Scott's desires of enjoying the world's most famed spy.
7 Clint Eastwood Turned Down The Role Because He Believed James Bond Should Be British
Clint Eastwood grew to become down the Bond function as a result of he didn't want the superspy portrayed as American. “I assumed James Bond should be British. I am of British descent but by means of that very same token, I believed that it should be more of the culture there and in addition, it was now not my thing," he said.
6 James Purefoy Lost The Bond Role Because He Wanted To Make Too Many Changes To The Franchise
If there's one man who looks good in a tux it's James Purejoy, so it's not surprising that he's been in the running for 007. He screen-tested for GoldenEye back in the '90s and although he didn't get the part, it was rumored that he might eventually replace Pierce Brosnan. Sadly, it just never happened.
5 Sam Neill Lost Out To Timothy Dalton Because He Wasn't As Good Looking
Sam Neill wasn't really interested in playing James Bond but back in the '80s, his agent pushed him to audition for the part anyway. The studio was looking for a replacement for Roger Moore and although they were impressed with Neill they decided to go with the dashing (although maybe not as talented) Timothy Dalton.
4 James Brolin Was Cast As Bond But Was Dumped When Roger Moore Agreed To Return
When Roger Moore announced that he wanted to leave the franchise, James Brolin (Josh Brolin's dad) auditioned for the role and was tentatively hired as the new James Bond for Octopussy. But then Moore decided he wanted to return, which meant there was no room for Brolin. That's a tough one!
3 Sir Michael Gambon Wasn't Fit Enough To Be 007
When Sean Connery announced his departure from the Bond franchise Michael Gambon was one of the actors considered as his replacement. But Gambon didn't feel that he had the physical requirements to take on the role and told Albert R. Broccoli that he wasn't fit enough to do it. Albus Dumbledore as James Bond? It nearly happened!
2 The Studio Couldn't Meet Clive Owen's Salary Demands So He Quit
Clive Owen very nearly became the world's next Bond but he lost the role to Daniel Craig because he couldn't agree on a salary package. Owen wanted gross profit points on the films and the studio just wasn't having it, so they moved on Craig instead. We wonder if he still thinks about what could have been?
1 Ralph Fiennes Doesn't Think He Would Have Been A Good Bond
In the Bond universe, Ralph Fiennes plays the role of M but there was a time when he was being considered for 007. “There was a discussion, once, some years ago, about my playing 007. I don’t think I would have been very good," he said. Seems it labored out for the best then!
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