Among the many actors who have portrayed James Bond over the years, Pierce Brosnan is regarded as one of the best if not the best. The Irish actor nailed the character and presented a more cool and sophisticated side of the iconic British spy. However, the part wasn’t his, to begin with.
We would have never gotten to see Pierce Brosnan as 007 if it hadn’t been for fellow Irishman and Star Wars star. If he hadn’t rejected the role upon his wife’s insistence, Brosnan would have not gone on to have such a successful run of four Bond movies, nor would he have had been fired.
Pierce Brosnan Would Have Never Been James Bond
Pierce Brosnan remains a legend to have played James Bond. His iconic portrayal set the tone for future actors to embody the British spy as a fun yet sophisticated person. However, Brosnan didn’t bag the role because he was the first choice. It was because Star Wars‘ famed actor Liam Neeson declined the role.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, the Taken star revealed that all credit goes to his beloved late wife, Natasha Richardson.
“I know the Broccolis. They looked at a bunch of actors. Schindler’s List had come out and Barbara [Broccoli] had called me a couple of times to ask if I was interested, and I said, ‘Yes, I would be interested.’ And then my lovely wife, God rest her soul, said to me while we were shooting Nell down in the Carolinas, ‘Liam, I want to tell you something: If you play James Bond, we’re not getting married.’”
Liam Neeson’s decision to choose love over playing a celebrated role eventually led to his Seraphim Falls co-star Pierce Brosnan bagging the role of James Bond in 1995’s Golden Eye.
Pierce Brosnan Was Fired From His Most Famous Role
Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond movies were a successful bunch around that time and still remain among the top ten highest-grossing James Bond movies. Despite delivering such lucrative films, the actor was fired from his most successful role ever.
The star revealed he was shocked to find out that he was kicked out of the franchise right after he deliver the most successful movie of the franchise at that time.
“I was utterly shocked and just kicked to the kerb with the way it went down.”
As per reports, Pierce Brosnan was fired because he had been demanding a pay rise for returning for a fifth installment. And hence the makers decided to reboot the entire character instead of paying Brosnan an increased paycheck.
Pierce Brosnan’s all James Bond films can be watched on Amazon Prime.
Source: Rolling Stone
