Richard Burton - Turned down the role as he felt the role was an "untested concept." Also wanted more money than the producers were willing to offer. Petere Lawford - Was offered the role in 1958, turned it down as he felt he was not offered enough money and was reluctant to agree to a five-picture deal.
Originally Answered: Are there any actors who have turned down the role of James Bond? Yes. There's actually been quite a few actors who have turned down the role. Adam West, Burt Reynolds and Clint Eastwood all turned it down as they felt the part should be played by a Brit.
James Bond author Ian Fleming initially wanted David Niven to play his famed spy. And though Connery won the first film role, Fleming eventually got to see Niven play the part in the 1967 adaptation of Casino Royale. By contrast to his fellow Bonds, the late Niven was one of the older stars to become the spy.
The iconic film role of James Bond, MI6's most famous spy, has been offered to 33-year-old British actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson, according to reports from The Sun.
Why did Cary Grant turn down the role of James Bond?
Actually, Cubby proposed the part to Cary (who was his best man) but he didn't want to make a series of films. Only one and for a big salary. Anyway, maybe, he was already too old even if he played a spy struggling for his life on the rooftop against George Kenedy in Charade (1963) directed by Stanley Donen.
These Famous Actors Turned Down the Role of James Bond
Did Clint Eastwood turn down a role in James Bond?
Similarly, Eastwood also turned down the chance to play James Bond after Sean Connery left the series. “To me, well, that was somebody else's gig. That's Sean's deal. It didn't feel right for me to be doing it.” Eastwood wasn't interested despite being offered “pretty good money” to replace Connery.
Craig continued, “The other was so that I could move on. I don't want to go back. I suppose I should be so lucky if they were to ask me back, but the fact is I need to move on from it. The sacrifice that he makes in the movie was for love and there's no greater sacrifice.
But this isn't actually true as both The Saint and the Bond film series started in 1962, so he couldn't have been inspired by Moore's performance there. He may have seen Moore in an early film/tv series but the only actor Fleming ever endorsed as Bond was David Niven.
LONDON (AP) — Aaron Taylor-Johnson is the latest actor reportedly offered a license to kill and succeed Daniel Craig as the new James Bond. The “Kick-Ass” star is no stranger to action movies and at 33 is a good age to join the franchise, as producers likely want a 10 year commitment to the role.
In terms of timespan, Daniel Craig is the longest-serving Bond of all time, with 15 years passing between his debut in Casino Royale (2006) and his swan song in No Time To Die (2021). But both Sean Connery and Roger Moore actually played the character in more films than Craig.
Why did Idris Elba turn down the role of James Bond?
Elba noted at the time that “as humans, we are obsessed with race and that obsession can really hinder people's aspirations, hinder people's growth. Racism should be a topic for discussion, sure. Racism is very real. But from my perspective, it's only as powerful as you allow it to be.”
Although he was interested in becoming 007, Liam Neeson explained that he was given an ultimatum by his wife. Liam Neeson almost joined a short list of actors who have played James Bond on screen.
Holding the record for most Bond films starred in, Roger Moore steps in for an impressive 12-year, 7-film streak as James Bond. Though the quality of the films he starred in greatly varies, Moore became a pill much easier for audiences and fans to swallow.
Broccoli and Harry Saltzman originally sought Grant for the role of James Bond in Dr. No (1962) but discarded the idea as Grant would be committed to only one feature film; therefore, the producers decided to go after someone who could be part of a franchise after James Mason would only agree to commit to three films.
Six men have felt that burden thus far, and George Lazenby's story may be the most perilous, as he's the only Bond to have taken a singular outing in 1969's On Her Majesty's Secret Service. There's a really interesting story behind why George Lazenby only starred in one James Bond movie.
Seven actors in total have portrayed Bond in film. Following Connery's portrayal, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig have assumed the role.
Broccoli and Harry Saltzman did not hold the rights. Rather than try and compete with the popular Sean Connery movies, the filmmakers decided to shoot the novel as a spoof. However, the production quickly spiraled out of control with five directors working simultaneously but never in conjunction with each other.
Idris Elba. It was a joke. I swear to God.” In October 2021, after the premiere of No Time to Die (Craig's last movie as James Bond), Elba confirmed to ITV that he still hadn't been offered to be the next James Bond. “No, I'm not going to be James Bond,” he said.
Henry Cavill fans can finally see the British actor as James Bond — sorta. A fake Bond movie trailer “starring” the former Witcher star has been racking up millions of views on YouTube despite being a total fake.
