Burt Reynolds and the Bond Role That Got Away
Burt Reynolds often claimed he nearly became James Bond, but the franchise’s producers had other ideas, insisting the role remain in British hands. How close did he really come?
Few actors have turned down as many roles that later became legendary as Burt Reynolds. For years, he maintained that he was nearly cast as the world’s most famous secret agent, but was this ever truly on the cards? With the Bond franchise spanning over six decades and only a handful of men ever stepping into 007’s shoes, it’s no surprise that many hopefuls have missed out—some by a whisker, others by a mile.
Of those who have played the part, none have hailed from America. George Lazenby, born in Australia, remains the only exception to the British and Irish line-up. Yet, the idea of casting an American was not entirely off the table. James Brolin, for instance, was reportedly set to take over from Roger Moore, only for Moore to have a change of heart and return. Clint Eastwood was also approached after Sean Connery’s initial departure, but he felt the role should stay with a Brit.
Reynolds’ Brush with Bond
Reynolds himself claimed he shared this sentiment, suggesting that when the opportunity arose, he was hesitant, feeling the character was too quintessentially British for an American to portray. He implied that he turned down the chance, but the reality appears a touch more complicated. It seems unlikely he was ever truly in the running to replace Lazenby after the mixed reception of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, or following Connery’s brief return, as the franchise’s key decision-maker swiftly dismissed the idea.
Tom Mankiewicz, who penned several Bond scripts in the early 1970s, offered insight into the matter.
“Burt Reynolds almost played Bond,”
he recalled in the book Nobody Does It Better, noting that director Guy Hamilton was particularly keen.
“At the time we were doing Diamonds Are Forever, Cubby and Guy went over to meet an actor named Burt Reynolds, who was doing a series called Dan August at the time. Guy thought he was charming as hell. Burt’s name came up again at Live and Let Die. As a matter of fact, the choice was between Burt Reynolds and Roger Moore.”
Behind the Scenes: The Real Decision
Mankiewicz then provided further context:
“When I say ‘choice’, Burt’s agent, Dick Clayton, had read the script, and they were discussing it very seriously. He had just done Deliverance. I think the biggest problem would have been getting him for three pictures, or four pictures. He was a very viable choice at the time.”
From a commercial perspective, Reynolds was certainly a strong contender, but there was a significant obstacle.
Ultimately, the final word came from Albert R. Broccoli, the franchise’s patriarch. Mankiewicz revealed,
“Cubby was the one who nixed it.”
Broccoli was adamant:
“James Bond has to be English,”
a stance that immediately excluded Reynolds from consideration. The team was told in no uncertain terms,
“you can’t do this,”
and so the part went elsewhere, despite Reynolds being, in their estimation,
“At the time, the hottest actor in the world.”
What Might Have Been
Reynolds’ claim that he could have played Bond if he wished is not entirely untrue, but it does stretch the facts. While his name was certainly in the mix, the franchise’s leadership never seriously entertained the idea of an American 007. The role remained, as ever, a British institution, and Reynolds’ brush with Bond became just another story in a career full of near-misses and what-ifs.