Sam Worthington on James Bond

[harrypalmer]

commanderbond.net/9938/sam-worthington-on-james-bond-it-wasnt-right-for-me.html

Sam Worthington on James Bond: ‘It wasn’t right for me’

Avatar star reflects on almost becoming 007 #6

Australian actor Sam Worthington’s name has been in the news lately thanks to the unprecedented worldwide success of James Cameron’s Avatar, but some fans may be unaware that he was one of the final contenders for the role of James Bond #6.

As reported back on CommanderBond.net way back in 2005, (see The Men Who Could Have Been Bond), it was revealed that a then much more ‘unknown’ Worthington was one of the full dress screen-test finalists alongside Daniel Craig and Henry Cavill for the Casino Royale role.

In a new interview posted at NDTV Movies, Worthington reflects on the 007 casting, stating: ‘I held off and held off doing the audition because I couldn’t find a way into the character.’

‘When I finally did I went for it. I got a half a day of acting with Casino Royale director Martin Campbell. I got to do some scenes with some great actors, gave it my all, and it wasn’t right for me.’

However, he adds that the Bond casting gave him the experience to push on for the Avatar role later in his career. ‘I was backing myself,’ he adds. ‘I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. I thought the least I’ll get out of this is to act a few scenes with James Cameron, and that’s a hell of an opportunity.’

‘I learned that from going for the James Bond audition. If I give it all I’ve got and still don’t get the part, then so be it. This time I did.’

[adam]

He says 'it was'nt right for me' & 'I held off doing the audition'. Does this mean he turned it down ?

First the unknown Daniel Craig says he intially turned down the part and had to be persuaded to take it. Now it seems that Worthington, who was a complete unknown in 2005 also turned it down.What is happening in the world of Bond ?

[James]

I don't think he turned the role down but just generally seemed reluctant about getting involved. Clive Owen wasn't interested either. The only reason DC did it was the money and the fact he wasn't exactly a household name.

[adam]

Maybe Sam's trying to give the impression he turned down the role. That would boost his profile a bit. He would'nt be the first actor to do this.

Can't beleive he would turn down the role. He was completly unknown in 2005. 'Terminator' & 'Lavator' were still a few years away.

[adam]

I've never read that Clive Owen was'nt interested. He was a favourite with Bond fans and a favourite with the bookies for the part. Owen once said he would love to play Bond, that was a couple of years before he really hit the big time.

He was recently asked about Bond by Jonathan Ross. Owen diplomatically said 'I'm very happy doing what I'm doing'.

[James]

There were some reports like the one below.

www.thisislondon.co.uk/film/article-21635882-owen-turned-down-007.do

Owen turned down 007

Actor Clive Owen has revealed he repeatedly turned down the role of James Bond - because he reckons no-one can top Sean Connery

The heart-throb was tipped to be the next 007 before Daniel Craig signed up to be the first blond Bond.

But in an interview with Glamour magazine, Owen said: "Playing James Bond would have been like entering a golden prison, and I doubt that would have suited me.

"I may be the only actor who consistently said, 'No, no and no'.

"I never understood what I would have been able to add to the role, or how I could play a character who has already been defined in the past. For me, Sean Connery is the real James Bond."

[Gambit]

Worthington is more handsome than Craig but he's also rather short too.

[009]

I prefer Henry Cavill to Sam Worthington for the next Bond.

[Gambit]

I don't think we'll ever really know what happened with Clive Owen but he did have a great Bond look. If they'd been after a new Bond in the late nineties he would have been odds on. He was probably too big a star by 2005.

[009]

Clive didn't need the money. Why would he sign up to Bond when he's in so many big films anyway?

[FormerBondFan]

Owen did a Bond-like The International.

[007]

Mar 29, 2010 12:12:24 GMT -5 FormerBondFan said:

Owen did a Bond-like The International.

He's done a few Bondish roles old Clive.

[James]

Mar 28, 2010 15:23:33 GMT -5 Gambit said:

I don't think we'll ever really know what happened with Clive Owen but he did have a great Bond look. If they'd been after a new Bond in the late nineties he would have been odds on. He was probably too big a star by 2005.

If they'd needed a new Bond around 1999-2001 Clive would have been nailed on after Croupier but by 2005 was too busy to really care anymore.

[adam]

Dougray Scott said he spoke to the Bond producers around that time. Brosnan had'nt signed for a forth.

Scott had a strong Scottish voice and would have reminded me of Connery.

[FormerBondFan]

If Pierce didn't do DAD, I wouldn't see it.