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Actors considered for the role of James Bond.
I'm sure there has been a discussion on this before. But I'll be stuffed if I can find it. (Where's Kyvan when you need him?)
Anyway if anyone knows of a similar thread please post a link and I'll merge them.
I was recently watching The Dambusters with Richard Todd and as I often do whilst watching a movie, I had a look on imdb to get some info and trivia. One of the items I noticed is apparently Richard Todd was Fleming's choice for James Bond in Doctor No, but couldn't due to scheduling conflicts.
I have to say based on his screen presence, I think he may have made a very good Bond under different circumstances.
A very credible 60's Bond anyway.
As for other actors, I found a list on Wikipedia as follows. So take it how you will..
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_actors_considered_for_the_James_Bond_character
Stanley Baker 1961 Would not commit to a three picture contract.
Rex Harrison 1962 Turned down in favour of Connery.
David Niven 1962 Turned down in favour of Connery (later played Bond in the 1967 parody Casino Royale) (Fleming's personal choice).
Richard Todd 1962 Ian Fleming's first choice for the role, but scheduling conflicts prevented him from getting it.
Jeremy Brett 1967 Reason unknown.
Michael Caine 1967 Didn't want typecasting in spy films, having previously starred in the three "Harry Palmer" spy films.
Robert Campbell 1967 George Lazenby won the role based on a screen-test fight scene.
Dick van Dyke 1967 His "English" accent failed to appeal to producer Albert R. Broccoli.
Patrick Mower 1967 Reason unknown.
Daniel Pilon 1967 Harry Saltzman felt he was too young, 27 years at time.
John Richardson 1967 George Lazenby won the role based on a screen-test fight scene.
Anthony Rogers 1967 George Lazenby won the role based on a screen-test fight scene.
Terence Stamp 1967 His ideas for the future films felt too radical for producer Harry Saltzman.
Hans De Vries 1967 George Lazenby won the role based on a screen-test fight scene.
Eric Braeden 1968 Albert R. Broccoli at first, thought he was British and so considered him.[clarification needed] But it was Broccoli's belief that no one from outside the Commonwealth would be suitable as James Bond.
Oliver Reed 1969 Unknown reason.
Timothy Dalton 1969-1972 He thought himself too young and did not wish to follow Connery. Would decline the role again in 1979, before finally being cast in 1986.
Roger Green 1970 Turned down in favour of Connery (Auditioned and filmed for Diamonds Are Forever) (Filmed audition with Imogen Hassall).
Simon Dee 1971 Put forward to follow Sean Connery, despite thought by most people as a chat show host, rather than an actor.
William Gaunt 1971 Auditioned for the role as Bond for Live and Let Die but lost the role to Roger Moore.
John Gavin 1971, 1973 Left the role the first time when Sean Connery returned, and was denied the second time because he was not English.
Simon Oates 1971, 1973 Was strongly considered but turned down when Sean Connery returned; was working on other projects when Roger Moore was selected.
Ranulph Fiennes 1972 For having "hands too big and a face like a farmer".
Timothy Dalton 1979 Turned the role down for a second time as he did not like the direction the series was taking. Would eventually be cast in 1986 for The Living Daylights.
David Warbeck 1979 Acting considered too "wooden".
Michael Jayston 1980 Role up for grabs when Roger Moore was considering quitting but Moore returned. Jayston eventually portrayed the character in 1990 for a two-part BBC radio drama.
Patrick Mower 1980 Role up for grabs when Roger Moore was considering quitting but Moore returned.
Lewis Collins 1982 Collins claims the producers thought he was too aggressive.
Ian Ogilvy 1983 Roger Moore agreed to return.
James Brolin 1983 Was lined up for the part, even going so far as buying a house in London for the production, before Roger Moore agreed to return.
Pierce Brosnan 1986 Became front runner for The Living Daylights after Timothy Dalton could not take the part due to his commitment to Brenda Starr. However, Brosnan's option to star in a further series of Remington Steele was taken up by NBC, and EON refused to have him do both Steele and Bond at the same time. Fortuitously, Dalton became freed up at just that time, and so reaccepted the role, which he played until 1989. Brosnan would later play Bond from GoldenEye through to Die Another Day.
Daniel Pilon 1986 Timothy Dalton was chosen for the role.
Sam Neill 1986 Although he impressed producers as Reilly, Ace of Spies, Neill lost out to Timothy Dalton for this iteration of Bond.
Antony Hamilton 1986 Was in negotiations with the producers before Timothy Dalton was chosen.
Mel Gibson 1987 MGM suggested him for the role, but was rejected by Albert. R. Broccoli for not being British.
Christopher Lambert 1987 French accent prevented him from being chosen.
Neil Dickson 1987 Timothy Dalton was chosen.
Mark Greenstreet 1987 Told Terry Wogan in an interview that he was given a screen test for Bond but lost out to Timothy Dalton.
Finlay Light 1987 The little-known Australian model was one of the main contenders for The Living Daylights, even signing a ten-year contract. Timothy Dalton was chosen anyway.
Andrew Clarke 1987 One of the most popular Australian actors of the 1980s, Clarke was considered but lost out to Dalton.
Simon MacCorkindale 1987 Timothy Dalton was chosen.
Sean Bean 1994 Was the second choice for EON if Timothy Dalton did not return; however, MGM overruled on both counts, and Pierce Brosnan was given the part. The producers were still impressed, and gave him the part of the villain Trevelyan, rewritten from the mentor part it originally was, to become a direct parallel of Bond as Agent 006.
Mark Frankel 1994 Pierce Brosnan was chosen for the role.
Paul McGann 1994 Was given an audition and did impress producers, however, MGM insisted still on Pierce Brosnan for the role, but it was believed that McGann would have stepped in if Brosnan turned down the role.
Lambert Wilson 1994 Pierce Brosnan was chosen for the role.
Henry Cavill 2005 The preferred choice of director Martin Campbell; however, was deemed too young to portray Bond.
Rupert Friend 2005 Daniel Craig was chosen for the role.
Julian McMahon 2005 Daniel Craig was chosen for the role.
Alex O'Loughlin 2005 Daniel Craig was chosen for the role. References to Bond was featured in the reboot of Hawaii Five-0 during the first season.
Clive Owen 2005 The producers were unwilling to provide gross profit points.
Dougray Scott 2005 Reason unknown.
Goran Višnjić 2005 Reason unknown.
Thoughts or link to previous discussion.
Anyway if anyone knows of a similar thread please post a link and I'll merge them.
I was recently watching The Dambusters with Richard Todd and as I often do whilst watching a movie, I had a look on imdb to get some info and trivia. One of the items I noticed is apparently Richard Todd was Fleming's choice for James Bond in Doctor No, but couldn't due to scheduling conflicts.
I have to say based on his screen presence, I think he may have made a very good Bond under different circumstances.
A very credible 60's Bond anyway.
As for other actors, I found a list on Wikipedia as follows. So take it how you will..
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_actors_considered_for_the_James_Bond_character
Stanley Baker 1961 Would not commit to a three picture contract.
Rex Harrison 1962 Turned down in favour of Connery.
David Niven 1962 Turned down in favour of Connery (later played Bond in the 1967 parody Casino Royale) (Fleming's personal choice).
Richard Todd 1962 Ian Fleming's first choice for the role, but scheduling conflicts prevented him from getting it.
Jeremy Brett 1967 Reason unknown.
Michael Caine 1967 Didn't want typecasting in spy films, having previously starred in the three "Harry Palmer" spy films.
Robert Campbell 1967 George Lazenby won the role based on a screen-test fight scene.
Dick van Dyke 1967 His "English" accent failed to appeal to producer Albert R. Broccoli.
Patrick Mower 1967 Reason unknown.
Daniel Pilon 1967 Harry Saltzman felt he was too young, 27 years at time.
John Richardson 1967 George Lazenby won the role based on a screen-test fight scene.
Anthony Rogers 1967 George Lazenby won the role based on a screen-test fight scene.
Terence Stamp 1967 His ideas for the future films felt too radical for producer Harry Saltzman.
Hans De Vries 1967 George Lazenby won the role based on a screen-test fight scene.
Eric Braeden 1968 Albert R. Broccoli at first, thought he was British and so considered him.[clarification needed] But it was Broccoli's belief that no one from outside the Commonwealth would be suitable as James Bond.
Oliver Reed 1969 Unknown reason.
Timothy Dalton 1969-1972 He thought himself too young and did not wish to follow Connery. Would decline the role again in 1979, before finally being cast in 1986.
Roger Green 1970 Turned down in favour of Connery (Auditioned and filmed for Diamonds Are Forever) (Filmed audition with Imogen Hassall).
Simon Dee 1971 Put forward to follow Sean Connery, despite thought by most people as a chat show host, rather than an actor.
William Gaunt 1971 Auditioned for the role as Bond for Live and Let Die but lost the role to Roger Moore.
John Gavin 1971, 1973 Left the role the first time when Sean Connery returned, and was denied the second time because he was not English.
Simon Oates 1971, 1973 Was strongly considered but turned down when Sean Connery returned; was working on other projects when Roger Moore was selected.
Ranulph Fiennes 1972 For having "hands too big and a face like a farmer".
Timothy Dalton 1979 Turned the role down for a second time as he did not like the direction the series was taking. Would eventually be cast in 1986 for The Living Daylights.
David Warbeck 1979 Acting considered too "wooden".
Michael Jayston 1980 Role up for grabs when Roger Moore was considering quitting but Moore returned. Jayston eventually portrayed the character in 1990 for a two-part BBC radio drama.
Patrick Mower 1980 Role up for grabs when Roger Moore was considering quitting but Moore returned.
Lewis Collins 1982 Collins claims the producers thought he was too aggressive.
Ian Ogilvy 1983 Roger Moore agreed to return.
James Brolin 1983 Was lined up for the part, even going so far as buying a house in London for the production, before Roger Moore agreed to return.
Pierce Brosnan 1986 Became front runner for The Living Daylights after Timothy Dalton could not take the part due to his commitment to Brenda Starr. However, Brosnan's option to star in a further series of Remington Steele was taken up by NBC, and EON refused to have him do both Steele and Bond at the same time. Fortuitously, Dalton became freed up at just that time, and so reaccepted the role, which he played until 1989. Brosnan would later play Bond from GoldenEye through to Die Another Day.
Daniel Pilon 1986 Timothy Dalton was chosen for the role.
Sam Neill 1986 Although he impressed producers as Reilly, Ace of Spies, Neill lost out to Timothy Dalton for this iteration of Bond.
Antony Hamilton 1986 Was in negotiations with the producers before Timothy Dalton was chosen.
Mel Gibson 1987 MGM suggested him for the role, but was rejected by Albert. R. Broccoli for not being British.
Christopher Lambert 1987 French accent prevented him from being chosen.
Neil Dickson 1987 Timothy Dalton was chosen.
Mark Greenstreet 1987 Told Terry Wogan in an interview that he was given a screen test for Bond but lost out to Timothy Dalton.
Finlay Light 1987 The little-known Australian model was one of the main contenders for The Living Daylights, even signing a ten-year contract. Timothy Dalton was chosen anyway.
Andrew Clarke 1987 One of the most popular Australian actors of the 1980s, Clarke was considered but lost out to Dalton.
Simon MacCorkindale 1987 Timothy Dalton was chosen.
Sean Bean 1994 Was the second choice for EON if Timothy Dalton did not return; however, MGM overruled on both counts, and Pierce Brosnan was given the part. The producers were still impressed, and gave him the part of the villain Trevelyan, rewritten from the mentor part it originally was, to become a direct parallel of Bond as Agent 006.
Mark Frankel 1994 Pierce Brosnan was chosen for the role.
Paul McGann 1994 Was given an audition and did impress producers, however, MGM insisted still on Pierce Brosnan for the role, but it was believed that McGann would have stepped in if Brosnan turned down the role.
Lambert Wilson 1994 Pierce Brosnan was chosen for the role.
Henry Cavill 2005 The preferred choice of director Martin Campbell; however, was deemed too young to portray Bond.
Rupert Friend 2005 Daniel Craig was chosen for the role.
Julian McMahon 2005 Daniel Craig was chosen for the role.
Alex O'Loughlin 2005 Daniel Craig was chosen for the role. References to Bond was featured in the reboot of Hawaii Five-0 during the first season.
Clive Owen 2005 The producers were unwilling to provide gross profit points.
Dougray Scott 2005 Reason unknown.
Goran Višnjić 2005 Reason unknown.
Thoughts or link to previous discussion.
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Comments
Dalton turned it down so many times when he was first choice, then ended up being second choice to Brosnan, and when he finally got it only did two. Strange how it goes.
Goran Visnjic? Dougray Scott? Please no!
Well as luck would have it, the list also contains actors considered for the role of James Bond who declined.
Richard Burton 1959, 1961, 1968 Felt the role was a new untested concept, and wanted more than the producers would pay.
Cary Grant 1961 Felt he was too old at time being 58; also just wanted to do one film.
Richard Johnson 1961 Terence Young's choice but did not want a contract, because he was under contract to MGM.
James Mason 1961 Offered a three-picture contract but only agreed to do two; turned down the role. Mason was later selected to play the villain Hugo Drax in Moonraker (film), but the part eventually went to Michael Lonsdale in order to satisfy the requirements of an Anglo-French co-production under the 1965–79 film treaty.
Patrick McGoohan 1961 Role too promiscuous.
Rod Taylor 1961 Felt the role was beneath him.
Steve Reeves1962 Wanted more money than the producers would offer.
John Bingham, 7th Earl of Lucan 1967 Declined an offer from Cubby Broccoli to screen test him for the role after he decided not to pursue acting. Would later become infamous when he vanished after his children's nanny was murdered.
Clint Eastwood 1970 Felt Bond must be British.
Michael Gambon 1970 Felt he did not have good enough looks to play Bond.
Burt Reynolds 1970 Felt Bond must be British.
Adam West 1970 Felt Bond must be British.
Jon Finch 1972 Didn't want it.
Liam Neeson 1994 Not interested in starring in action movies.
Dominic West 2005 Heard rumors that Pierce Brosnan got the role and ruled himself out.
There is also a list of actors considered (apparently) but offered a different role in the Bond series.
George Baker 1962 On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969) Sir Hillary Bray College professor.
Michael Billington 1973, 1979, 1983 The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) Sergei Barsov (KGB agent Anya Amasova's lover) KGB
Julian Glover 1979 For Your Eyes Only (1981) Aristotle Kristatos MI6/KGB (double agent)
Sean Bean 1987, 1994 GoldenEye (1995) Alec Trevelyan Former MI6 agent 006 turned villain
Ralph Fiennes 1994, 2004 Skyfall (2012) Gareth Mallory/M MI6
Colin Salmon 2004 Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
The World Is Not Enough (1999)
Die Another Day (2002) Charles Robinson MI6
I'm quite happy that many of the above never took on the role.
Some of them are shockers. Burt Reynolds, Adam West and dear lord...Mel Gibson.
These are all smart men, unlike James Brolin
Haha. How times change.
I was just going to point out you missed Neeson and West
Neeson actually turned down the role of 007 due to his wife not wanting to be married to 007.
a few more I believed you missed out on (but you might have them added in)
Frank Sinatra 1967 Was offered but he turned it down feeling Bond should be british
Jason Isaacs 1994 was deemed to close to Dalton's portrayal and the role went to Brosnan
Hugh Grant he claims he was up for the role in the mid 90's but unsure what happened... (my guess is producers passed)
Adrian Paul 2005 was considered briefly but was deemed to old
Joseph Fiennes 2005 was not interested in the part
Sean "puff Daddy" Combs 2010 did a bunch of elaborate ads to try and get the producers interest in him playing 007 but they weren't and neither were fans
although I did create a thread years ago about an American 007 and I swear watch the Jackal and tell me Richard Gere couldn't of been a good 007 he sounds more Irish then Pierce Brosnan who was from Ireland!
When I first read that, I was thinking Owen Wilson. Now that would have been bad.
His Bond would have been pretty similar to Craig rough and edgy which oculd have worked iwth him but not sure maybe we needed a comeback of the classier more light hearted gentleman Bond.
most actors can only really do one at the expense of the other.
Michael Caine? A legend but would have been an awful choice for Bond.
Ranulph Fiennes? Based on what exactly?
Christopher Lambert? You can't be seriously telling me that Cubby ever even entertained the idea?
Christopher Lambert? You can't be seriously telling me that Cubby ever even entertained the idea?
[/quote]
ya I love highlander but he would not have worked at all who brought that up because they should have been fired on the spot lol.
Yes, many names on the list seem very unlikely. A French accent James Bond - hmm. ;))
I doubt that was the real reason! If that were true then actors like Eastwood, Gavin (signed up for DAF!), Wagner, West, Brolin etc wouldn't have been considered. Clearly EON or MGM felt an American actor could play James Bond.
Was John Gavin going to play the role with his American accent? Was Cubby really going to risk that? Who knows! @-)
Ewan McGreggor was a name i heard tossed around by the media back in 2004/2005 - and even Sir Sean himself gave a vote of confidence to the fellow Scot.
Gavin had already passed his screen tests and was ready to be introduced as the next Bond - but the studio struck a last minute deal with Connery to have him return for a (at the time) whopper of a contract.
He was beyond passing screen tests. He had a signed contract. Which Cubby being the gent paid up when they got Sean.
And I think I'm right in saying that it was David Picker or someone at the studio who realised it would be a disaster and insisted on paying whatever it took to get Sean back. Had it just been up to EON I think Gavin would have gone ahead and made DAF.
I liked Ian Ogilvy a lot. He was brilliant in everything.
I was just looking him up and it turns out he went to school in my hometown. That's pretty cool.
Also Ioan Gruffudd was considerd, some people mabey will know him from Fantastic Four (2005).
I was suporter of Clive Owen starting with Bond 22 or Bond 23, but first thing first: Bond 21 with Brosnan.. Also from the moment there choose for Daniel Craig, i suport him and not be in part of anti Blond Bond. Whyle iam not big fan of his introduction in Casino Royale.
Ioan Gruffudd did some great work, FOREVER was a great tv-show, sadly cancelled after only one season. He played Sarah Michelle Gellar's husband in the short-lived tv-show Ringer which was awesome too.
Personally, I never thought of him as a potential Bond actor.
i am very intrigued on what a John Gavin Bond film would've been like.... out of all the American actors who were touted over the years, i think he certainly had the look, and screen presence to pull it off... it would've all just boiled down to could be do a good enough accent - which if it was true that his accent wasn't that good, then things could've been disastrous.... but i always felt bad for him.... was this close, and got the rug pulled out from under him (could it have been the same rug Sean wore in DAF????)..