You won’t believe these 6 actors were nearly cast as James Bond

Over the past few months, there have been numerous rumours of who will take on the roll as the new James Bond.

But over the past five decades, six actors have stepped into the boots of the 007 agent.

Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig have all portrayed the courteous and courageous secret agent in over 24 Bond movies.

With Spectre due to be released later this year, we look back at the actors who nearly made the cut.

Michael Caine

After Connery departed in 1967, Michael Caine was up to play the secret agent. According to BBC America, Michael was anxious he would be typecast after he played a spy in The Ipcress File. The role went to George Lazenby for a one movie stint; and back to Sean Connery for the two films to follow.

 

Clint Eastwood

We think Clint would have been a good one! The actor was another favourite up to play the iconic role after Sean Connery, but later turned it down. Talking to the Daily Mail he said, "I was offered pretty good money to do James Bond if I would take on the role. But to me, well, that was somebody else’s gig. That’s Sean’s deal.”

 

Mel Gibson

Mel was turned down to play the part after reports of him being too small and too famous. Former screenwriter for Bond movies, Tom Mankiewicz admitted to the press that he was told by one of the producers, "I don’t want to make a Mel Gibson movie; I want to make a James Bond movie.” Tough luck Mel.

 

Liam Neeson

Ah, our favourite action hero's of all time. Liam was offered the role over twenty years ago but turned it down because of his late wife! Natasha Richardson told the actor that is he accepted the role, she would refuse to marry him. We do like a man that listens to his wife.

 

Hugh Jackman

Hugh admitted that playing the role of James Bond was not an easy one to give up. When he was offered the part over eight years ago, he turned it down because he was just about to film X-Men 2.

 

Henry Cavill

Henry nearly achieved the role in Casino Royale but ultimately he was viewed as too young, and the part went to Daniel Craig. In a post written on the British actor's website, he wrote, “I obviously wasn’t right for Bond."