Written By Kieran Bugg • U.K. Editor
Henry Cavill nearly became James Bond in Casino Royale after delivering a “tremendous” audition, according to director David Campbell. This would’ve filled a fan fantasy as many see him as the British secret agent, especially after 2015’s spy remake, The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
To say that Henry Cavill’s acting career has been turbulent would be an understatement. His time as Superman has tragically been cut short after DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn opted to recast the character for his upcoming reboot.
Furthermore, after finding success for his leading role as Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’s The Witcher, Henry Cavill announced that he was leaving the series for unknown reasons. Multiple sources indicated that this was due to disagreement with the show’s director and lack of respect for the source material.
Prior to being cast as Superman in Zack Snyder’s Man Of Steel, he previously auditioned to portray the character twice before.
Once for J.J. Abrams’ cancelled Superman: Flyby and again for Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns, which starred Brandon Routh.
Henry Cavill Nearly Fulfilled Fantasy Role Of Playing James Bond
Image: Netflix
Moreover, Henry Cavill even auditioned for another iconic DC superhero. The actor was in the running to portray Batman in 2005’s Batman Begins before Christopher Nolan cast Christian Bale as the Dark Knight.
In addition, Henry Cavill also auditioned for the role of Bond in 2006’s Casino Royale. Ultimately, Bond went to Daniel Craig, who went on to portray the character in four follow-up films. But with Craig now done, some claim that Cavill is once again in the running to be the next Bond.
Campbell recently spoke on Henry Cavill’s initial audition for the movie.
He confessed that the actor thoroughly impressed him with his performance. He added that if Craig hadn’t come along, Cavill would have undoubtedly got the job.
Whilst talking to Variety, Campbell explained:
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, 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, you sit around a table, eight or nine of you. It was myself and the producers, casting director, etc.
Campbell also opened up on whether or not Cavill has another shot of playing the character now that Craig has retired.
Henry Cavill Nearly Fulfilled Fantasy Role Of Playing James Bond
Image: Warner Bros. Discovery
He added:
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, by the time Daniel got to No Time To Die, really he was at an age where one more would have been too old for him, I know with Pierce he had to sign on to three when we did him. So that’s going to take, what, six years of your life maybe?
I suspect Daniel had the same deal. And the next guy’s going to have to do that, Henry’s 40, so by the time he’s done the third one he’s going to be 50 and anything beyond that’s two, three years per Bond. He’s in good shape… he’s a good guy. He did very well in the audition, but ironically he was too young.
With multiple actors’ names reportedly in the mix, the chances of Henry Cavill being cast as Bond are uncertain.
What we do know for sure is that he’s the public’s favorite choice.