An actor who went on to star as Superman once tried out for the role of James Bond.
The realisation has left fans all saying the same thing about the part, which eventually went to Daniel Craig. Though the actor has gone on to some much-loved roles in Superman, The Witcher and The Man from U.N.C.L.E., his audition for the role of the legendary spy left fans desiring much more.
Casino Royale, which was released in 2006, served as a soft reboot of the franchise, while also retaining veteran screen star Judi Dench as M – a role she had played since Goldeneye in 1995.
Craig would go on to star in five James Bond films, retiring from the role with No Time to Die.
Fans are now warming to the idea of Henry Cavill as James Bond, though there were plenty of detractors after viewing his audition tape.
A screentest for the role was posted to X, with the caption: “Henry Cavill in a screen test to play James Bond in 2006s CASINO ROYALE! What are your thoughts on this one folks? Could Cavill have made a good 007?”
One user replied: “This is terrible. I’ve said he’s not right for the part since he was first mentioned and I stand by that.. this just proves me right. Feels like a caricature – nothing more than an impression. Craig owned his screen test.”
Another added: “Looks too young. I know CR was meant to be a prequel, but Bond had been through Cambridge and was a commander in the RN before joining MI6, so he needs to look like a seasoned man, not a boy. I’d say he could be a good one now though.”
A third wrote: “Glad we got Pierce Brosnan but Cavill has been waiting for this and would be a great Bond now.”
Fans say his audition tape does not showcase his abilities all too well, but they sound keen to feature Cavill in a future role after his appearances in Mission: Impossible – Fallout, and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. showed off his spy-like abilities.
One user wrote: “Not at the time of CR. Having said that there is a menace to him that is nicely hidden by the charm and sophistication he possesses. 20 years later… sign him up now, in my opinion.”
Another agreed, adding: “It’s all about the wrong time for Henry – he’s too young here and now probably too old and won’t be considered. When Henry was 36/37 they should have had him lined up as Craig’s replacement.”
A third has suggested his audition tape leans further into his The Man from U.N.C.L.E. role rather than the performance he could have given as James Bond.
They wrote: “His audition gestures towards his performance in the Man From Uncle. I think Martin Campbell could have taught him how to be a great Bond. He strikes me as a combination of Pierce and Tim. He could have started in 2006 and still been at it now. A shame!”