Warner Bros.
Now that Daniel Craig has finally and officially retired from playing James Bond, the frenzy to be cast as the next cinematic 007 is in full swing.
Given his age, physique, and charisma, one name that’s been often cited as a potential successor to Craig is former Superman actor and Mission: Impossible – Fallout star Henry Cavill.
With the direction that the Bond franchise is going — all reports indicate they want this version of the character to be a bit younger — and with Cavill now being 40 years old, the unfortunate truth is that the ship has likely sailed (the next Bond actor will surely be closer to 30 years old than 40).
As it turns out, however, Cavill did have a shot at playing James Bond as he put forth a “tremendous” audition, but he ultimately lost out to Daniel Craig, who would play the role in five films from 2006 to 2021.
During a recent interview with Express UK, Goldeneye and Casino Royale director Martin Campbell detailed Cavill’s “great” and “terrific” audition and indicated that if Craig didn’t land the role, then Cavill would have.
“He looked great in the audition. His acting was tremendous. And look, if Daniel didn’t exist, Henry would have made an excellent Bond. He looked terrific, he was in great physical shape…very handsome, very chiseled. He just looked a little young at that time back then,” Campbell said.
“The way they work with Bond, and it’s pretty terrific, is when they decide on the actor and you audition — in our case, it was eight people — it’s very democratic,” Campbell said. “You sit around a table, eight or nine of you. It was myself and the producers, casting director, etc. And you go through the eight people and you put your hand up as you talk through each person and ultimately everybody has to be unanimous in their decision, if you see what I mean.”
Currently, 33-year-old Aaron Taylor-Johnson is the betting favorite to be cast as the next 007. Somewhat strangely, despite turning 40 years old in May, Cavill is considered to be the second favorite to land the part, at least as far as the bookies are considered.
Other actors apparently in contention for the role are James Norton, Richard Madden, Rege-Jean Page, and Harry Lawtey.