Past 007 Screen Tests Surface as a New Bond Search Begins
The article examines actors who tried out for James Bond but did not land the role, as a fresh round of candidates reportedly gathers at Pinewood. It revisits auditions by figures such as James Brolin in 1982 and Sam Neill in 1986, noting that some test footage has survived online.
Rumors place a new round of Bond tryouts at Pinewood, with Jack Lowden, Callum Turner and Josh O’Connor widely mentioned as possible successors to Daniel Craig. The archive of failed auditions shows how often near-misses occurred: James Brolin, then 42, tested in 1982 and came close before Roger Moore returned; Sam Neill tried in 1986, with director John Glen reportedly favoring him, though producer Cubby Broccoli was not persuaded and Timothy Dalton was cast.
Later hopefuls included Henry Cavill, judged too young in 2005 despite Martin Campbell’s praise, and Antony Starr, who used his New Zealand accent on a GoldenEye scene. Rupert Friend also tested that year with only one film credit. Some of this footage has survived online.
The renewed Bond search could intensify public speculation and put extra pressure on shortlisted performers, while archived audition tapes may give fans a more human view of casting. For aspiring actors, these stories may illustrate how timing, age and producer preferences shape careers. The attention could also boost visibility for candidates and older footage, though it may reinforce the franchise’s outsized cultural spotlight.