The man with a chiseled jawline and undeniable charisma, Henry Cavill is one of the most talented actors in Hollywood. He has played some great roles like Geralt of Rivia, Superman, and Sherlock Homes. However, he once had his sights set on another iconic character: James Bond.
James Bond is one of the most popular fictional characters of all time and every aspiring actor would dream to play a role as big a character. Although Cavill ultimately didn’t get the part, the audition process itself had a ripple effect that is being felt even after nearly two decades.
Henry Cavill Got On The Radar of Argylle’s Matthew Vaughn After His Audition For James Bond
Henry Cavill‘s brush with James Bond wasn’t just a close call; it was also a spark that ignited a future collaboration. While vying for the role of 007 in Casino Royale, a young Cavill got onto the radar of director Matthew Vaughn. The director was working on the movie before he got replaced.
Cavill ultimately wouldn’t become the iconic secret agent. Vaughn, impressed by Cavill’s talent and potential, kept the aspiring actor on his mental rolodex, a decision that would pay off years later. The two artists first worked together in Stardust (2007) and then in Argylle (2024).
In an interview with SiriusXM, the director revealed a behind-the-scene story during the pre-production of Casino Royale. He revealed that Cavill and Daniel Craig were among the final two candidates for the role before the series’ runner Barbara Broccoli chose Craig.
“When Henry was auditioning for Bond [in 2005], I was at Pinewood [Studios] and Daniel [Craig] was as well. I’d go off and meet with Daniel and he said, ‘There’s this young guy called Henry Cavill who I think they’re seeing as well.’ We hadn’t done Stardust yet, and that’s how you came onto my radar.”
Vaughn also revealed how Cavill’s auditions for Bond were the reason he came to know about it. The two then worked together in Stardust. Almost two decades later, both spy-movie lovers worked together in Argylle, which draws a lot of comparison to James Bond.
Henry Cavill Was Considered “Too Young” For The Role of James Bond and Now May Be “Too Old”
Henry Cavill possessed all the charisma and talent to bring James Bond to life. However, he was eventually not chosen for the role and age was the deciding factor between him and Daniel Craig, as revealed by Vaughn.
During the interview with SiriusXM, Vaughn revealed how the directors had preferred Cavill over Craig. However, Barbara Brocolli deemed Cavill to be too young to play a role as mature as 007.
“I know that the director preferred your audition, but Barbara preferred [Daniel Craig’s 2004 film] Layer Cake. Then they decided you were too young. I probably shouldn’t have said that, but the Broccolis aren’t too keen on me anyway, so what have I got to lose?”
Almost two decades later, Daniel Craig has now taken retirement from the role of Bond and fans have been longing to have Cavill take the license to kill forward. However, it seems that the Superman actor does not have high hopes of landing the role anytime soon, as he discussed on The Rich Eisen Show.
“I have no idea. All I’ve got to go off is the rumors, the same information you have. Maybe I’m too old now, maybe I’m not, we’ll see. It’s up to Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson, and we’ll see what their plans are.”
Only time will tell whether fans will be able to see Cavill donning the role of Bond or whether someone else will become Agent number 007.
