Hollywood star, 84, reveals he nearly replaced iconic actor as James Bond

Cliff Notes – Hollywood star, 84, reveals he nearly replaced iconic actor as James Bond

• James Brolin was in the final stages of taking over the James Bond role in the early 1980s, having met with producer Albert Broccoli and begun stunt training.
• His opportunity was abruptly ended when Roger Moore decided to return to the franchise for “Octopussy,” after initially indicating he would step down.
• Brolin, who declined the role of Superman, has since enjoyed a diverse acting career, earning accolades including an Emmy and a Golden Globe.

Hollywood star, 84, reveals he nearly replaced iconic actor as James Bond

A Hollywood icon has shared he nearly played agent 007 (Picture: Getty Images)

James Brolin has revealed that he very nearly played James Bond, only to lose out at the last moment when Roger Moore had a change of heart.

The actor, 85, reflected on the early 1980s, when he was tapped to take over the iconic role of 007.

At the time, Roger Moore had indicated that he was finished with the Bond franchise, and producers began seriously considering replacements.

Among those brought in was Brolin, who by then had earned acclaim for roles in Marcus Welby, M.D. and The Amityville Horror.

In a recent interview with People magazine, Brolin revealed he flew to London, met with producer Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli, began training with stuntmen, and even secured an apartment in anticipation of shooting Octopussy.

‘He was out, so I flew over and I met all the people,’ Brolin recalled to the publication.

James Brolin claimed he was in the final stages of taking over as James Bond when Roger Moore decided to come back to the franchise(Picture: ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)

He’d even begun working with a stunt double for the role (Picture: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

However, Brolin never officially signed on (Picture: Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)

‘And I got my apartment and I started working with the stuntmen and Cubby Broccoli hired me.’

He continued: ‘We hadn’t signed any papers yet. I got back to L.A. to get my stuff because I was going to be gone for a year. And I got a call saying Roger decided to do one more, and I was out.’

Moore ultimately returned for Octopussy, released in 1983, and again for A View to a Kill in 1985.

Brolin, meanwhile, continued a steady and diverse acting career, eventually earning an Emmy and Golden Globe for his television work and becoming a respected character actor.

He also turned down the role of Superman, citing a lack of interest in playing idealised leading men. ‘To be a leading man and just looking your best and saying the words perfect, it’s not interesting at all to me,’ he told People.

Roger Moore starred in seven James Bond filmd in total (Picture: Anwar Hussein/Getty Images)

Moore decided to comeback for Octopussy after initially withdrawing from the fanchise (Picture: Silver Screen Collection/Archive Photos/Getty Images)

Brolin’s revelation comes as fans continue to speculate over who will play 007 in a new Bond film that’s expected by the end of 2027. Daniel Craig stepped down in 2021, leaving the role open for a newcomer.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson has long been heavily rumoured to be the next James Bond, from as far back as 2022 – although reports of his official casting were denied in March 2024.

Former favourite Idris Elba, 52, previously ruled himself out from playing the British spy, while other hotly tipped actors, including James Norton and Theo James, have remained coy.

Recently, Amazon MGM Studios has announced that Denis Villeneuve will helm the next James Bond film, increasing anticipation.

The Canadian director, best known for directing Dune and Dune: Part Two, as well as Arrival, Blade Runner 2049, Sicario, and Prisoners, expressed reverence for the character.

Denis Villeneuve has been announced as the director of the next James Bond film (Picture: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

‘Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007,’ he said in a statement released Wednesday.

He called the opportunity ‘a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honour.’

The announcement comes during a period of major upheaval behind the scenes of the Bond universe.

Amazon Studios officially purchased MGM for $8.45billion (£6.7billion) in 2022, with a new agreement over creative control meaning Bond — and whoever is next to play 007 – is entirely under the streamer’s control.