James Bond has been brought to life by some of the most iconic actors in cinematic history – yet, behind each casting decision, there were numerous contenders who almost made it into the role. From the very beginning, the selection process for the 007 character was a highly competitive and pivotal moment that shaped the franchise’s legacy.
Since the release of Dr. No in 1962, six actors have officially played James Bond: Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig. However, the journey to these decisions involved many near-misses, with several prominent Hollywood names either turning down the role or narrowly missing out.
As the franchise moves forward under new ownership, industry insiders are revisiting the stories of those who came close to becoming the next Bond. A film industry source shared insights on how these decisions have influenced the evolution of the character over time. “When you look back at the history of Bond, it’s just as much about the actors who didn’t take the role as it is about those who did,” they said. “There have been moments where some of the biggest names in Hollywood were on the verge of being cast, but their choices or the producers’ decisions steered the franchise in different directions.”
One of the earliest and most notable near-casts was Cary Grant, who was considered for the original Bond role before Sean Connery was chosen. At the time, Grant was 58 and had the profile and sophistication that producers sought. However, he declined due to reluctance to commit to a multi-film contract. His decision paved the way for Connery to define the character for a global audience.
After Connery’s initial departure from the franchise, the search for a new Bond intensified. British actor John Richardson auditioned among hundreds of candidates, even recreating scenes from From Russia with Love. Despite his efforts, he ultimately lost out to George Lazenby.
The competition highlighted the scale of the challenge in finding the right actor to sustain the franchise. A source explained, “In many cases, actors didn’t fully understand how transformative the role could be, or they were put off by the commitment required for a long-running franchise. In hindsight, these missed opportunities often seem like big losses, given what Bond has become in global cinema.”
Another well-known near-Bond candidate was Burt Reynolds, who was approached for Live and Let Die but declined. He believed an American should not play the British spy. Years later, he admitted regret over his decision. “I think I could have done it well. In my stupidity, I said, ‘An American can’t play James Bond, it has to be an Englishman – Bond, James Bond. Nah, I can’t do it. Oops. Yeah, I could have done it.'”
Other actors also came close but chose not to pursue the role. Sam Neill auditioned before Timothy Dalton was cast, but later revealed he had little interest in playing Bond, saying, “No one wants to be the James Bond nobody likes.” Meanwhile, Hugh Grant reportedly turned down the role in the 1990s despite strong consideration.
More recently, Henry Cavill narrowly missed out on becoming Bond in 2006, losing to Daniel Craig. He said, “They told me I was close. It was down to me and Daniel. I was the younger option.” Cavill also acknowledged that he wasn’t fully prepared physically at the time.
As the Bond franchise prepares for its next chapter, with new ownership and evolving expectations, the question of who will become the next 007 remains open. History suggests that the final choice may once again come down to a razor-thin margin.
