Actors who turned down the role of James Bond - in pictures

  • Irish actor Liam Neeson revealed his partner gave him a 'Bond ultimatum', insisting he turn down the role in the 1990s or she wouldn't marry him. AFP
    Irish actor Liam Neeson revealed his partner gave him a 'Bond ultimatum', insisting he turn down the role in the 1990s or she wouldn't marry him. AFP
  • Richard Burton was Bond creator Ian Fleming's first choice to play 007, but the actor was said to have been unimpressed with the character. AFP
    Richard Burton was Bond creator Ian Fleming's first choice to play 007, but the actor was said to have been unimpressed with the character. AFP
  • Cary Grant was a huge Bond fan, but was in his fiftes and too old for the role by the time the first film came out. AFP
    Cary Grant was a huge Bond fan, but was in his fiftes and too old for the role by the time the first film came out. AFP
  • Sir Michael Caine considered himself too 'ordinary' to play the spy. Getty Images
    Sir Michael Caine considered himself too 'ordinary' to play the spy. Getty Images
  • American actor James Brolin impressed producers with his screen test, but lost out when Sir Roger Moore decided to return to the role. Getty Images
    American actor James Brolin impressed producers with his screen test, but lost out when Sir Roger Moore decided to return to the role. Getty Images
  • American actor Burt Reynolds has said he regrets talking Bond producer Albert Broccoli out of giving him the role. Getty Images
    American actor Burt Reynolds has said he regrets talking Bond producer Albert Broccoli out of giving him the role. Getty Images
  • 'I got offered the James Bond movies when I was like 26,' said Mel Gibson. He revealed he turned it down for fear of being typecast. AFP
    'I got offered the James Bond movies when I was like 26,' said Mel Gibson. He revealed he turned it down for fear of being typecast. AFP
  • New Zealand actor Sam Neill impressed bosses with his screen test, but later said he 'wouldn't have been any good' as 007. AFP
    New Zealand actor Sam Neill impressed bosses with his screen test, but later said he 'wouldn't have been any good' as 007. AFP
  • Hugh Jackman turned down the chance to play Bond after Pierce Brosnan, because he felt the role wasn't 'gritty' enough. Reuters
    Hugh Jackman turned down the chance to play Bond after Pierce Brosnan, because he felt the role wasn't 'gritty' enough. Reuters
  • Sean Bean lost out to Brosnan, but was cast as the villain Alec Trevelyan in GoldenEye. AFP
    Sean Bean lost out to Brosnan, but was cast as the villain Alec Trevelyan in GoldenEye. AFP