List of actors considered for the James Bond character

This is a list of actors who were considered for the role of James Bond, both officially and unofficially, but ultimately did not portray Bond. For a comprehensive list of the actors who have actually played the role of James Bond in the official films, please refer to the separate list of James Bond films.

Considered but not chosen Actors who were under consideration for the role of James Bond but not chosen.

Actor Film Year ReasonTrevor HowardDr. No 1961 He was first considered by Kevin McClory for the abandoned Longitude 78 West film project, which was later revamped into the novel Thunderball. However, Ian Fleming disagreed, feeling that at 43 years old, he was too old for the role. He was later considered again by Albert R. Broccoli for the film Dr. No.Stanley Baker He was unwilling to commit to a three-picture contract. Rex Harrison He was turned down in favour of Sean Connery. David Niven He was turned down in favour of Connery (later played Bond in the 1967 parody Casino Royale) (Fleming's personal choice).Richard ToddHe was Fleming's first choice for the role, but scheduling conflicts prevented him from getting it.Jeremy BrettOn Her Majesty's Secret Service 1967He feared the role would harm his career.Peter PurvesPrior to becoming a Blue Peter presenter, Purves auditioned for the role of 007 but was unsuccessful.Michael CaineHe did not want to be typecast in spy films, having previously starred in the three Harry Palmer spy films.Robert Campbell George Lazenby won the role based on a screen-test fight scene.Michael Bishop Father of comedian Des Bishop, who later wrote his biography, titled My Dad Was Nearly James Bond.Patrick MowerReason unknown.Daniel PilonHarry Saltzman felt he was too young; aged 27 at the time.CanalD, Episode: Daniel PilonJohn Richardson George Lazenby won the role based on a screen-test fight scene.Anthony RogersTerence StampHis ideas for future films felt too radical for producer Harry Saltzman.Hans De Vries George Lazenby won the role based on a screen-test fight scene.Eric Braeden 1968Albert R. Broccoli at first thought he was British and so considered him. However, Broccoli, who believed that no one from outside the Commonwealth would be suitable as James Bond, decided against him after finding he was German American.pp. 18-19 Weaver, Tom Eric Braeden Interview in I Talked with a Zombie: Interviews with 23 veterans of Horror and Sci-fi Films and Television McFarland, 2009.Peter SnowHe auditioned for On Her Majesty's Secret Service but was rejected by Broccoli and Saltzman for being too tall (6'5").Oliver Reed1969 The producers did not want to spend the time or money needed to reshape Reed's poor public image.Timothy Dalton 1969–1972He thought himself too young and did not wish to follow Connery. He declined the role again in 1979, before finally being cast in 1986. Roger GreenDiamonds Are Forever 1970 He filmed a screen test with Imogen Hassall, but was turned down in favour of Connery.Simon DeeLive and Let Die 1971 Put forward to follow Sean Connery (despite being thought of by most people as a talk show host, rather than an actor).William GauntAuditioned for the role as Bond for Live and Let Die but lost the role to Roger Moore.John GavinDiamonds Are Forever, Live and Let Die 1971, 1973Was signed as the first American Bond after George Lazenby quit, but Sean Connery decided to return to the role instead. He was considered again for Live and Let Die, but was denied as producers felt Bond should remain British.Simon OatesWas strongly considered but turned down when Sean Connery returned and was working on other projects when Roger Moore was selected.Ranulph FiennesLive and Let Die 1972For having "hands too big and a face like a farmer".Peter LaughtonBroccoli remarked that he would have been chosen had he auditioned for On Her Majesty's Secret Service. However, following the casting of Lazenby, the producers were wary of choosing actors with limited or no acting experience and decided to settle with Moore.Guy PetersThe producers wanted to cast an actor with a "known face".Timothy DaltonFor Your Eyes Only 1979Turned the role down for a second time as he did not like the direction the series was taking. He would eventually be cast in 1986 for The Living Daylights.David WarbeckWas under contract to Eon as a 'reserve Bond' in case Moore quit, but Moore returned.Michael Jayston1980Role 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 MowerAuditioned when Roger Moore was considering quitting, but Moore returnedLewis CollinsOctopussy 1982Collins claims the producers thought he was too aggressive.Hill, Valerie (2004) "Lewis Collins", Liverpool Daily Post, 4 June 2004Ian Ogilvy 1983Roger Moore agreed to return.James BrolinScreen-tested for Octopussy, was lined up for the part, even going so far as buying a house in London for the production, before Roger Moore once again agreed to return.Pierce BrosnanThe Living Daylights 1986Became 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 season 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 available again 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 PilonTimothy Dalton was chosen for the role.Sam NeillAlthough he impressed producers as Reilly, Ace of Spies, Neill lost out to Timothy Dalton for this iteration of Bond.Antony HamiltonWas in negotiations with the producers before Timothy Dalton was chosen.Mel Gibson1987Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer wanted him for the role, but was rejected by Broccoli for not being British.Christopher LambertFrench accent prevented him from being chosen.Neil DicksonTimothy Dalton was chosen.Mark GreenstreetTold Terry Wogan in an interview that he was given a screen test for Bond but lost out to Timothy Dalton.Finlay LightThe little-known Australian model was one of the main contenders for the role in The Living Daylights, even signing a ten-year contract. Timothy Dalton was chosen anyway.Andrew ClarkeOne of the most popular Australian actors of the 1980s, Clarke was considered but lost out to Dalton.Simon MacCorkindaleTimothy Dalton was chosen.Sean BeanGoldenEye 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 Alec Trevelyan, rewritten from its original mentor part to become a direct parallel of Bond as Agent 006.Mark FrankelPierce Brosnan was chosen for the role.Paul McGann Was given an audition and impressed producers; however, MGM still insisted on Pierce Brosnan for the role. It is believed that McGann would have stepped in if Brosnan turned down the role.Lambert WilsonPierce Brosnan was chosen for the role.Hugh GrantPierce Brosnan was chosen for the role. Henry CavillCasino Royale 2005The preferred choice of director Martin Campbell; however, was deemed too young to portray Bond.Sam WorthingtonDaniel Craig was chosen for the role.Rupert FriendDaniel Craig was chosen for the role.Julian McMahonDaniel Craig was chosen for the role.Matthew RhysDid not impress the producers.Alex O'LoughlinDaniel Craig was chosen for the role. References to Bond were featured in the reboot of Hawaii Five-0 during the first season. The seventh and eighth seasons of the rebooted Hawaii Five-0 feature a recurring MI6 agent portrayed by Chris Vance (as MI6 agent Harry Langford) in 3 episodes.Clive OwenThe producers were unwilling to provide gross profit points. In 2006 film The Pink Panther, he is indirectly referenced by playing Nigel Boswell, MI6 agent 006.Dougray ScottReason unknown.Goran VišnjićWas reportedly unable to master a British accent.Antony StarrDaniel Craig was chosen for the role. His audition tape was leaked along with that of Henry Cavill, Rupert Friend and Sam Worthington.

Considered but declined the role Actors who have come under consideration for the role of James Bond but have declined the offer for various reasons.

Actor Year considered Reason Peter LawfordDr. No 1958 Felt he was not offered enough money for the part and was reluctant to agree to a five-picture deal. Richard Burton 1959 Felt the role was a new untested concept, and wanted more than the producers would pay. 1961 Cary Grant Felt he was too old at time being 58; also just wanted to do one film. Richard Johnson Terence Young's choice but did not want a contract because he was under contract to MGM.Richard Johnson Interview Cinema Retro #10 James Mason Offered a three-picture contract but turned down the role because he would only agree to do two. Mason was later selected to play the villain Hugo Drax in Moonraker, 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 Felt the role was too promiscuous. Rod Taylor Felt the role was beneath him. Steve Reeves 1962 Wanted more money than the producers would offer. John Bingham, 7th Earl of LucanOn Her Majesty's Secret Service1967 Declined an offer from Albert R. 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. Adam West Felt Bond must be British. Clint EastwoodDiamonds Are Forever 1970 Felt Bond must be British.Michael GambonFelt he did not have good enough looks to play Bond. Burt Reynolds Felt Bond should be portrayed by a British actor.Jon FinchLive and Let Die 1972 Did not want to play the part. Liam NeesonGoldenEye 1994 At first, he claimed he was not interested in starring in action films at that time. However, in reality, his girlfriend and later wife Natasha Richardson would not have married him if he took the role.Dominic WestCasino Royale 2005 Heard a rumour that Pierce Brosnan would return and ruled himself out.Christian Bale Unknown Considered the franchise to be "very British" and felt that the character embodied "every despicable stereotype about England and British actors." Additionally, he remarked that he had "already played a serial killer" in American Psycho, suggesting he was not interested in taking on the role of Agent 007.

Both Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan were linked to the role of James Bond at least a decade before eventually taking it, but declined for various reasons.

Dalton was first offered the role in 1967 at the age of 21, but felt he was too young for the part. He ultimately accepted the role 20 years later. Dalton was offered the role again in 1979, but declined once more, citing dissatisfaction with the direction of the Bond films, which he felt had become overly reliant on gadgetry and formulaic plots.

Both Roger Moore and Timothy Dalton were also approached to take over for On Her Majesty's Secret Service, but neither accepted the role at the time, as they did not want to be seen as the actor replacing Sean Connery.

Pierce Brosnan was initially chosen to play Bond in The Living Daylights, but had to withdraw due to his commitment to the television show Remington Steele, which was unexpectedly renewed, keeping him in the lead role. As a result, the part went to Dalton. Brosnan eventually made his debut as James Bond in GoldenEye.

Considered but chosen for a different role in a Bond film The following actors were considered for the role of James Bond, but were cast as supporting or opposing characters; in the case of Colin Salmon, consideration as Bond came after his appearances in the films.