James Bond auditions: Why was Daniel Craig chosen over Henry Cavill for Casino Royale?
Back in 2005, EON Productions held James Bond auditions for Pierce Brosnan’s successor in 007 origin story and reboot Casino Royale. Of course, a 37-year-old and little-known Daniel Craig bagged the role of a lifetime, beating a number of his peers. Famously he took on future Superman Henry Cavill, then just 22, and ER actor Goran Visnjic among others.
In terms of the actual Bond audition, traditionally it’s always been a scene in From Russia With Love in which 007 enters a bedroom in a towel while holding a gun.
But what exactly was it about Craig that saw him stand out from the others? There have been rumours over the years and now Casino Royale director Martin Campbell has spoken out.
The 77-year-old was asked in a recent Reddit AMA: “Is it true that Barbara Broccoli pushed for Daniel Craig and your favoured candidate was either Goran Visnjic or Henry Cavill?”
But Campbell simply replied: “No, we tested Henry Cavill and Goran, but Daniel Craig was the best.”
READ MORE: James Bond: Will No Time To Die release date be delayed again to 2022?
A couple of years ago, Cavill shared how he was fat-shamed by Campbell during the audition while in a towel.
Speaking with Men’s Health, the Superman actor said: “I probably could have prepared better.
“I remember the director, Martin Campbell, saying, ‘Looking a little chubby there, Henry’.”
Nevertheless, the future Hollywood star took the comment in his stride, which ended up inspiring him to get his superhero physique.
Speaking with Express.co.uk in 2019, the Bond expert said: “Roger Moore was considered for Sean Connery’s Dr No, Timothy Dalton was looked at when he was just 21 in the era of George Lazenby’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and later Diamonds are Forever. They looked at everyone for Diamonds are Forever, as they were slightly panicking [after George Lazenby turned down more Bond films after just one outing].”
In the end, Connery was persuaded to return for one more outing before Roger Moore’s debut in Live and Let Die. While fans may remember Pierce Brosnan bagged the role for 1987’s The Living Daylights but was tied to a contract, so Timothy Dalton took over then – until the Goldeneye star had his moment in 1995.
The Bond expert continued: “But yes it does bode well if you’ve been the runner up once, it does help.”
Although with Cavill already having played a spy in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and now having signed up for espionage thriller Argylle, he may be too busy with such a similar project.
READ MARTIN CAMPBELL’S REDDIT AMA HERE
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