Nearly 007 | Twelve Actors Who Were Almost James Bond

You’ve probably heard the rumor already, that Tom Hiddleston – Loki himself – is now in talks to play James Bond. It’s exciting news for Tom Hiddleston fans, but you’re not going to want to get too far ahead of yourselves. We’ve been here before. Many, many, MANY times.

Since the first James Bond feature film Dr. No, way back in 1962, casting the debonair super spy has been a major task for the producers of this series. Every time a James Bond actor leaves (and sometimes well beforehand), they start seriously considering every actor in the world who is even remotely conceivably in the part. And obviously, most of them didn’t get it. There can be only one Bond. At a time. Usually.

Also: 4 Non Bonds: Our Favorite James Bond Knockoffs

Huge movie stars (whether or not they’re even from the United Kingdom) have been offered the role, only to turn it down. There have also been a heck of a lot of up-and-coming thespians who only found true fame after they rejected the part… or were rejected for other reasons. So let’s take this opportunity to think about what could have been if any of these prominent actors had been able to cut the right deal, and let’s hope Tom Hiddleston isn’t one of them (unless you’d prefer the part go to someone else, in which case, knock yourself out I suppose).

12 Actors Who Were Almost James Bond:

Top Photo: Warner Bros.

William Bibbiani (everyone calls him ‘Bibbs’) is Crave’s film content editor and critic. You can hear him every week on The B-Movies Podcast and Canceled Too Soon, and watch him on the weekly YouTube series Most Craved, Rapid Reviews and What the Flick. Follow his rantings on Twitter at @WilliamBibbiani.