Henry Cavill was one of the frontrunners for the James Bond role before several conditions set by the studio ruled him out. Several fans still root for him and think that he would have been one of the best versions of 007. However, his recent interview regarding his upcoming film, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, may offend some of the ardent fans of the British secret agent.
In his upcoming, Henry Cavill plays the real-life founder of the Small Scale Raiding Force (SSRF), Gus March-Phillips. It is widely believed that James Bond’s character was based on this man. But Cavill added another fact that may stir up controversy among the 007 fans. He believes that Phillips was also a spy author and had he not died early, he could even beat the James Bond author, Ian Fleming.
Henry Cavill thinks Gus March-Phillips would have beaten Ian Fleming
When Henry Cavill and his team for the upcoming Guy Ritchie film sat for a conversation with Brandon Davis for Comicbook.com, he revealed some unknown facts about his character. Cavill stated that there is a little-known fact that Gus March-Phillips was also an amateur poet and writer. He added that he may be wrong but Phillips wrote a book on a character based on his adventures.
The ex-Superman star also stated that if Gus March-Phillips had not died too soon and continued his work, there was even a chance for him to beat Ian Fleming.
“I may be completely wrong but Major Gus March-Phillips, the character I play was also an amateur poet and author and he had written a book I believe with a character who was based upon the kind of adventures he have had. And had he not died during World War II there’s a chance he may have beaten Ian Fleming to the punch when it came to writing a Bond type character.”
Now Henry Cavill’s statement is interesting because James Bond is rumored to be inspired by Gus March-Phillips. Even Freddie Fox stars as Ian Fleming in the upcoming film. However, it is to be noted that even Cavill is not sure about the fact. Fleming is celebrated worldwide for his James Bond novels and it can be said that Cavill’s statement may disappoint some of his fans.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare presents a fictionalized take by the director on Operation Postmaster. It was a secret mission carried out by the SSRF and Special Operations Executive (SOE) during WWII. When the film’s trailer was released a month ago, it was appreciated by the fans, who even compared it to Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds.
Besides Henry Cavill, the multistarrer spy action-comedy also stars Alan Ritchson, Eiza González, Henry Golding, and Alex Pettyfer.
Eiza González hails Henry Cavill as the best suited to play James Bond
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare also stars Eiza González as intelligence agent Marjorie Stewart. The actress recently played a primary role in the much-talked-about Netflix series, 3 Body Problem. Recently while speaking to Entertainment Weekly, she claimed that like most of the fans, she also roots for Henry Cavill to play James Bond if there’s a chance.
“It’s hard not to look at Henry Cavill and think of James Bond, to be really honest. Obviously, I’m part of the group of people that are rooting for him to get it hopefully, if that was a possibility.”
Henry Cavill has been subjected to the James Bond conversations for a long time. He was one of the choices to be the modern 007 before he was beaten by Daniel Craig for Casino Royale. Although the reports were reignited when the makers ended Daniel Craig’s 007 saga with No Time to Die, the conditions set by the studio for the next 007 iteration make it impossible for Henry Cavill.
Latest reports suggest that the Bullet Train star, Aaron Taylor-Johnson is considered by the makers to take over the mantle of the tuxedo-clad British spy.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare will be released on April 19, 2024.
