![\"James](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/James-Bond-General-Gun-Barrell-News-Amazon-MGM-Far-Out-Magazine-1140x855.jpg\")
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(Credits: Amazon\/MGM)<\/p>\n
Thu 30 October 2025 19:15, UK <\/p>\n
Obviously, the list of actors who\u2019ve turned down the chance to play James Bond<\/a> is exponentially longer than the list of names who agreed to suit up and save the world, and a couple of those stars who played 007 had already knocked back the opportunity before finally relenting.<\/p>\n Roger Moore was initially sought out in 1967 when Sean Connery had vacated the role after You Only Live Twice, but his commitments to The Saint forced him to politely decline, and he\u2019d have to wait for George Lazenby\u2019s disastrous stint and Connery\u2019s one-time comeback to end before he got his chance.<\/p>\n Timothy Dalton could have been the original Bond\u2019s replacement, too, but since he was only 21 years old when Cubby Broccoli came calling ahead of On Her Majesty\u2019s Secret Service, he thought he was too young. He\u2019d have to wait even longer than Moore, with his debut in The Living Daylights releasing in the summer of 1987, when the actor was 41.<\/p>\n Pierce Brosnan should have been 007 long before he was, with Remington Steele ruling him out of the running, although he remained the first choice once Dalton\u2019s two-film stint wrapped up. An eclectic mix of actors have passed on the coveted part, including Hugh Jackman, Burt Reynolds, Clint Eastwood, and Liam Neeson, with James Brolin even being hired<\/a> before the offer was rescinded.<\/p>\n There are also dozens upon dozens of names who\u2019ve auditioned and screen-tested, many of whom went on to enjoy successful careers years after their trial, but Clive Owen seemed convinced that he was the only person who was repeatedly handed the reins to the 007 franchise on a silver platter, only to bat it away each and every time.<\/p>\n \u201cPlaying James Bond would have been like entering a golden prison, and I doubt that would have suited me,\u201d he explained to Glamour<\/a>. \u201cI may be the only actor who consistently said, \u2018No, no, and no\u2019. I never understood what I would have been able to add to the role, or how I could play a character who has already been defined in the past. For me, Sean Connery is the real James Bond.\u201d<\/p>\n