Matthew Vaughn has revealed just how close Henry Cavill got to playing 007 in a new interview. More below.
Henry Cavill’s name has been circling James Bond from even before Daniel Craig hung up his suit and Speedos.
By now, it’s pretty common knowledge that the Man Of Steel and The Witcher star was officially in the conversation for who should replace Piers Brosnan back in the 2000s. Until now, though, it’s never been entirely clear how close he got.
Enter a loose-lipped Matthew Vaughn.
In an interview with Sirius XM to promote their new film, the comedy action-thriller Argylle, Vaughn revealed a few tidbits that might just have Barbara Broccoli grinding her teeth. Judging by his reaction, too, this seems to be news to Cavill himself.
Check out the clip below:
“It was really bizarre because, when Henry was auditioning for Bond, I was at Pinewood [Studios], and Daniel was as well, at the same time, and I’d go off and meet with Daniel, and he’d say what’s going on,” Vaughn recalled. “He says there’s this young guy Henry Cavill I think they’re seeing as well. And we hadn’t done Stardust yet. But that’s how you came into my radar. I was thinking, well who’s this guy who got down to the last two for Bond? So that’s how I discovered you.
“And I know that the director preferred your audition, but Barbara [Broccoli] preferred Layer Cake… And they decided you were too young. And I probably shouldn’t have said that, but the Broccolis aren’t that keen on me anyway, so what have I got to lose?”
Cavill was 23 when Casino Royale came out in 2006, so his casting would have made him the youngest Bond by some margin (George Lazenby’s one-and-done outing at 29 means he currently holds that accolade).
Of course, Cavill could still be handed the keys to the Aston Martin now Craig’s left, if the internet’s ever-reliable rumour mill is to be believed.
For now, though, he’ll just have to make do with his super-spy antics in Argylle. That’s in cinemas from tomorrow, as it happens.
