Jurassic World Dominion star Sam Neill opened up about the time he was almost considered for the role of James Bond.
Following Roger Moore's retirement from the role of 007, the search began in 1986 for the next actor to wear Bond's tuxedo in The Living Daylights. Neill, best known at the time as Damien Thorn in Omen III: The Final Conflict and the British miniseries Reilly, Ace of Spies, was one of the leading contenders for the role. Speaking to CinemaBlend, it was hardly the dream role that he wanted.
"I did that with extreme reluctance," said Neill. "I think that was the last thing I allowed my then agent to bully me into. Because I said to her, 'Listen, I do not want to be James Bond. And I particularly don't want to be that James Bond that everybody says, 'Look, there's James Bond in the corner of the restaurant. He's the one I don't like.' So I turn up to Pinewood, I do this audition, the entire thing was mortifying, and luckily I never heard from them again."
As it turned out, the Bond producers did not have an interest in casting Neill either. Initially, producer Albert R. Broccoli selected Remington Steele star Pierce Brosnan to play the new 007, but the actor's television series contract resulted in a conflict that cost him the role. Eventually, Broccoli choose Timothy Dalton as the next Bond actor and The Living Daylights was released in 1987. Brosnan went on to play Bond in 1995's Goldeneye.
Neill's audition was kept hidden for years until a portion of it was released on the DVD extras of The Living Daylights. Though he lost out on Bond, Neill found greater recognition for his performances in John Carpenter's In the Mouth of Madness, Event Horizon, Taika Waititi's Hunt for the Wilderpeople and as Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise. Neill first appeared as Alan Grant in Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park in 1993.
With Jurassic World Dominion reported to be the last installment in the franchise, Neill expressed his love to the cast and crew with a goodbye when the sequel wrapped production. "There were days we thought we might not make it," said Nell. "But we have... we pulled off what seemed well nigh impossible. Great crew. Lovely cast. Top director. Phew -- and celebrations."
The future of the James Bond franchise is still unknown following the shocking conclusion of Daniel Craig's final outing in No Time to Die (2021). Fans of the film series have rallied for actor Idris Elba to play the next 007, while actors like Tom Holland and Tom Hardy have also expressed interest in the role.
Neill can be seen in his last appearance as Dr. Grant in Jurassic World Dominion, now in theaters.
Source: CinemaBlend