We’re still some time away from the official casting announcement of a new James Bond, even as rumors have swirled of late that Aaron Taylor-Johnson has emerged as the new favorite for the role.
Back in the mid-2000s, the casting of Bond for “Casino Royale” came down to a very short list with at least three known to have screen tested – Henry Cavill, Daniel Craig and Sam Worthington. Shortly after that, a then 37-year-old Craig was cast in the role.
At the time, 22-year-old Cavill missing out was put down to him being simply too young to play the character who has always been cast as someone in their 30s/early 40s. Worthington, on the other hand, was 29, just old enough (barely) and coming off rave reviews for his work in Cate Shortland’s “Somersault”.
Still, he was also mostly unknown outside of Australia. In a recent interview with Variety to promote “Avatar: The Way of Water,” Worthington spoke about his time with the process and revealed why he thinks he missed out on the part:
“I could play Bond as a killer, but I couldn’t get the debonair down for the life of me. The suit did not fit. I had no idea what I was doing. [Broccoli and Wilson] are so detailed and meticulous. They are protective and passionate about this series.
And what I learned is that you listen to these people. It’s the same thing with [Avatar director] James Cameron. He’s done all the research, and there’s nothing you can’t ask him that he doesn’t have an answer for.”
These days 46-year-old Worthington is too old to take on the role, whilst even 39-year-old Cavill is slipping out of the range the producers want. Both actors found success elsewhere with the “Avatar” franchise and as Superman, respectively, whilst Craig went on to reinvent the 007 franchise.
Worthington can be seen in theaters now with “Avatar: The Way of Water,” you’ll be able to watch Craig in “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” from this Friday on Netflix, and Cavill was recently seen in “Enola Holmes 2” and has a third season of “The Witcher” on the way – both on Netflix.
