Liam Neeson’s interest in playing James Bond prompted this ‘ultimatum’ from Natasha Richardson
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USA TODAY
Liam Neeson was once interested in playing James Bond — until his late wife delivered an ultimatum.
The “Marlowe” actor, 70, revealed in an interview with Rolling Stone, published Monday, that he once expressed interest in playing the suave British secret agent, until Natasha Richardson told him that, if he took the part, she wouldn’t marry him.
Neeson and Richardson married in 1994. In 2009, Richardson died at age 45 following a head injury sustained while skiing.
“I was not offered James Bond,” Neeson told Rolling Stone. “They looked at a bunch of actors. ‘Schindler’s List’ had come out, and (Bond producer) Barbara (Broccoli) had called me a couple of times to ask if I was interested, and I said, ‘Yes, I would be interested.’ “
He continued: “And then my lovely wife (Richardson), God rest her soul, said to me while we were shooting ‘Nell’ down in the Carolinas, ‘Liam, I want to tell you something: If you play James Bond, we’re not getting married.’ So I would tease her by going behind her back, making my fingers as though I’m holding a gun, and then (humming the James Bond theme).”
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Neeson said Richardson gave him a “James Bond ultimatum.”
“And she meant it!” he added. “Come on, there’s all those gorgeous girls in various countries getting into bed and getting out of bed. I’m sure a lot of her decision-making was based on that!”
Other actors who have played Bond over the years include Daniel Craig, Pierce Brosnan, Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, George Lazenby, Barry Nelson and David Niven.
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