EXCLUSIVEOK! Reveals the Huge Hollywood Stars Who Just Missed Out on Playing James Bond
Here's a list of huge stars who missed out on playing James Bond.
April 3 2026, Published 8:00 a.m. ET
James Bond has been portrayed by some of cinema's most iconic actors – but OK! can reveal a string of major Hollywood names came remarkably close to stepping into the super-spy's tuxedo before missing out on the role that defined generations.
Since the franchise began with Dr. No in 1962, six actors – Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig – have officially taken on the 007 role.
Yet behind each casting decision lay fierce competition, with several high-profile actors either turning down the part or narrowly losing out.
Daniel Craig played James Bond.
As speculation continues over who will lead the next era of Bond following Amazon's takeover of the franchise, industry observers are revisiting the near-misses that could have reshaped the character's cinematic identity.
A film industry source told us: "When you look back at the evolution of Bond, it is just as much shaped by the actors who walked away or were overlooked as it is by those who ultimately stepped into the role. There have been moments where some of the most prominent figures in Hollywood were right on the brink of being cast, and their decisions – or the producers' – ended up steering the franchise in a completely different direction. Each time the role is recast, it carries enormous weight because it is not just about filling a part – it is about defining what Bond represents for an entire era. One decision can influence the tone, style, and global perception of the character for years, which is why these casting calls are treated as such pivotal moments within the industry."
Among the earliest and most striking near-casts was Cary Grant, who was considered for the original Bond before Connery was selected.
Cary Grant was considered for the 007 role.
Grant, then 58, had the profile and sophistication producers sought but 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, casting efforts intensified. British actor John Richardson was among hundreds who auditioned, even recreating scenes from From Russia With Love, but ultimately lost out to Lazenby.
The process highlighted the scale of competition, with producers searching for a fresh face capable of sustaining the franchise.
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Sean Connery helped define the character.
A source said: "In quite a few cases, actors didn't fully grasp just how transformative the role could be, or they were put off by the scale of commitment that comes with leading a long-running franchise. In hindsight, those moments are often seen as huge missed opportunities, given what Bond has gone on to represent in global cinema. It really highlights how uncertain and finely balanced these decisions can be. Casting Bond is never straightforward, and for a role with that level of cultural weight and expectation, even small factors can completely change the outcome."
One of the most frequently cited other near-Bond misses is Burt Reynolds, who was approached for Live and Let Die but declined, believing an American should not play the British spy. Reflecting years later, Reynolds admitted regret over his decision.
He said: "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 came close but chose not to pursue the role.
Burt Reynolds declined to play the British spy.
Sam Neill auditioned before Dalton's casting but later revealed he had little interest in playing Bond, saying: "No one wants to be the James Bond nobody likes."
Meanwhile, Hugh Grant is said to have turned down the role in the 1990s despite strong consideration.
More recently, Henry Cavill narrowly missed out on becoming Bond in 2006, losing to Craig.
He said: "They told me I was close. It was down to me and Daniel. I was the younger option."
Cavill also acknowledged he was not 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 – and history suggests the final choice may once again come down to a razor-thin margin.
