Movie icon Burt Reynolds weights in on James Bond. Once considered by the studio & Guy Hamilton as a replacement for Sean Connery. Burt talks to GQ about Cubby Broccoli approaching him for the role, his refusal and later regret.
In Bond lore there is another legend about Cubby resisting the studio’s pressure to hire Burt.
DCinB Forum Burt Reynolds on Bond & Craig
GQ: Also, you were offered the role of James Bond? Who, according to Archer, was inspired by him?
Burt Reynolds: Yes. It was in my infinite wisdom that I said an American couldn’t play that. It was then that they got George Lazenby, and I was proven right.
I should’ve done it. I wish I had, but my life would be so different now. My fear about doing it was that the public wouldn’t accept me. But I think they would have, because while it’s pretty hard to dress me up that good, Connery was as far from Bond as anyone, he was right out of the coal mines, and he was maybe the best Bond. And Roger Moore, whom I know very well and adore, he is that kind of guy. He knows how to order wine better than anyone at the table, and he is so effete, and yet very, very likeable. But at the time, I was doing Dan August, who was a completely American cop. So Cubby Broccoli came to see me and asked me to do it, and this was when they were having an argument with Connery over money, and they got Lazenby, and that was a disaster, and then they got Connery back, then a lot of other guys.
GQ: Yeah, who knows what the public reaction might’ve been—given that when Daniel Craig was picked, some people were outraged that he was a blond. Though, he is a much more rough-hewn kind of Bond.
Burt Reynolds: Very much so. I always get the feeling that Craig is saying, “Don’t judge me by this.” He doesn’t seem to be the happiest Bond in the world. Whereas Sean had some trepidation about it, he still gave it that twinkle in his eye when he was doing it, and I think that’s the secret to successful Bonds. Even Roger, as unphysical as he was, he was absolutely wonderful at the other part of Bond. Craig is a damn good actor, I just think if you’re going to do a part, don’t do it with one eye saying, “I really don’t want to do this, but I’ll do it.” [laughs]
— Dennis Tang
I have yet to sit through an entire showing of any Craig as Bond escapade. I thought I hated Casino Royale because it was about poker. I have come to realize it hate it because Daniel Craig plays Bond… and the movie is about poker. I watched half of Quantum of Solace, then turned it off. I’d like to say I’m curious about what Skyfall is about… but I’m not.
I too think Craig is a terrible bond.
I grew up with the Bond films, Im now 42.
However since Craig came onto the scene I have lost the love for these Bond films.
Its a shame getting the wrong actor can spoil a lifetime work of great films,
Pierce come on back…. we want a person who you can believe is Bond , not someone who just wanted to be a Bond!!