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James Bondhas been played by some iconic actors , but there are plenty of other classic performers who could have easily been classical in the theatrical role themselves . The other James Bond films plant the tone and panache of the series , which continues well into the 21st C . While discussion are still being held at the prison term of this committal to writing over who will replaceDaniel Craig in the forthcoming James Bond 26following his swan birdsong inNo Time to die out , those kinds of debates have been waged for decennium .
Even reckon back at the earned run average ofSean Connery ’s James Bond films , several classically train actors of the stage and screen would have made meet additions to the franchise . Many of them were even actively believe or offered the part , but all ultimately turned it down for various reasons . Still , it ’s worth looking back at some of the most interesting classical role player who could have fetch their own alone intensity and charm to the role of James Bond .
Sean Connery ’s James Bond plastic film might be iconic , but some unforgettably problematic elements of those movies would never fly in the modern daytime .
10Stanley Baker
Baker Would Have Brought His Trademark Intensity To Early Bond Films
Several actors would have made great James Bonds in the early era of the enfranchisement , with pattern like Stanley Baker spotlight the versions of Bonds that audiences miss out on . carry in Wales in 1928 , Baker became one of the most compelling British doer of the 1950s thanks to his acute performance in film likeHell DiversandYesterday ’s Enemy . Films likeThe Guns of Navaroneproved he was a good scene for the kind of natural process and escapade that are of the essence to James Bond motion picture .
Notable Stanley Baker Films
Role
Hell Below Zero
Erik Bland
Helen of Troy
Achilles
Yesterday ’s foe
Captain Alan Langford
The James Bond franchise follows the adventures of British secret agent 007 as he combats global threats. With a license to kill, Bond faces off against various villains and criminal organizations, employing high-tech gadgets, espionage, and charm. The series spans multiple films, featuring exotic locations, thrilling action sequences, and memorable characters. Bond’s mission to protect the world and uphold justice remains central, making the franchise an enduring icon in the spy genre.
With a notable vivid saving , Baker could have incarnate the cold outside of Bondthat actors like Daniel Craig would later angle into . Audiences almost date it , too . According to his widow woman ( viaWestern Mail ) , Baker was offer the role of Bond before Sean Connery but work it down because he was n’t concerned in a multi - film contract . It ’s fascinating to regard what Baker ’s Bond would have been like , and how it would have impacted the direction of the series .
9Jeremy Brett
An Iconic Sherlock Holmes Was Almost Bond
Jeremy Brett was another actor who could have played James Bond , and come close to it . bear in 1933 , Brett was a stage role player who expose out when he appeared in 1956 ’s cinematic adaptation ofWar and Peace . His focus on stage work made him a strong dramatic role player , capable of convey an implicit in humanity to case roam from d’Artagnan inThe Three Musketeersor Freddy Eysnford - Hill inMy Fair Lady .
Notable Jeremy Brett Films
War and Peace
Nikolai Rostov
My Fair Lady
Freddy Eysnford - Hill
Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes
Brett was one of the candidates to replace Connery as Bond inOn Her Majesty ’s Secret Service , but the role ultimately go to George Lazenby . Brett would have made an interesting Bond , peculiarly in a more emotionally charged story about a character reference like On Her Majesty ’s Secret Service . Brett still went on to play an iconic British poor boy though , finally playing Sherlock Holmes in theAdventures of Sherlock Holmesseries .
8Michael Caine
Harry Palmer Would Have Been A Good James Bond
One of the most fecund actors of the 20th one C , Michael Caine would have made a fun choice for James Bond . In his juvenility , the actor was full of the innate strut and appealingness that would make for an ideal version of Bond . His performance in picture likeAlfiehighlighted how he could lend a drab layer to that appeal , however , advise he would have been able to steep some darkness into the persona .
Notable Michael Caine Films
The Italian Job
Charlie Croker
Hannah and Her sister
Elliot
The Dark Knight Trilogy
Alfred Pennyworth
Caine even had the ideal experience of play Bond , thanks to his fourth dimension playing another British mystical agent , Harry Palmer , in several film . However , as report by theDaily Mail , Caine but was n’t interested in the role , even when he was suggested as a potential replacement for Connery when he go away the character . Audiences have gotten decades of wide-ranging Caine performance , but it ’ll always be interesting to look at what his Bond could have been like .
If James Bond 26 is hold out to successfully bring up the franchise , it should take a feeling at these three film for inspiration .
7Michael Gambon
Dummbledore Could Have Been Bond
A winner of multiple Olivier Awards and several BAFTA award , Michael Gambon would have been a potentially iconic version of James Bondif he ’d take on the theatrical role . Making his cinematic debut in 1965 ’s version ofOthello , Gambon was a skilled player who easily balanced dramatic event and clowning bet on the role . He could bring dignity and humanity to his characters simultaneously , a unique talent that made him an especially memorable performer .
Notable Michael Gambon Films
The Cook , the Thief , His Wife & Her Lover
Albert Spica
Sleepy Hollow
Baltus Van Tassel
Harry Potterseries
Albus Dumbledore
He could also strike a delicate symmetricalness between sorcerous and intense , as see in his later work as Albus Dumbledore in theHarry Potterfilms . Gambon was attempt out for the role ofJames Bond after George Lazenby left the dealership , and would have made a compelling alternative for the persona . However , he remained more focused on his theatrical work , for which he won many awards over the course of his calling .
6Julian Glover
An Iconic Villain Could Have Been An Interesting Bond
Julian Glover would have made an interesting James Bond , which could have utilized his villainous magical spell for a more virtuously ambiguous James Bond . Born in 1935 , Glover got his startle in the theatre and British TV of the 1960s and 1970s . Glover ’s charm and darker edge were put to good employment as a scoundrel in multiple shows and films .
far-famed Julian Glover Films
Star Wars : The Empire Strikes Back
General Veers
For Your Eyes Only
Aristotle " Aris " Kristatos
Indiana Jones and the Last campaign
Walter Donovan
This include a memorable appearance as Scaroth in theDoctor Whoserial " City of Death , " the General Veers inThe Empire Strikes Back , and the ruthless Walter Donovan inIndiana Jones and the Last Crusade . His movie work even admit a nefarious tour in a James Bond film , 1981’sFor Your Eyes Only , which highlight how easily he go into the enfranchisement . His experience with franchises would have made Bond a natural fit . His striking skills and villainosu turns could potentially set up a charming but severe James Bond .
5Trevor Howard
The Third ManCould Have Teased An Interesting Bond
Trevor Howard would have been a perfect James Bond , peculiarly given his work in granulose films likeThe Third Man . Born in 1913 , Howard made his bountiful fault in 1945 withBrief Encounter . The actor became a uniform box office draw , especially in films likeThe Third ManandGolden Salamander . His experience in thriller of the era would have likely well translated over to James Bond , making him a born convulsion to try and escape the nefarious plan of baddie likeGoldfingerorDr . No .
Trevor Howard Films
Brief Encounter
Alec Harvey
The Third Man
Maj . Calloway
Golden Salamander
David Redfern
Howard could have brought the correct amount of intensity to the part without losing sight of the built-in swagger and charm inherent to the role . His experience across genres suggests that Howard would have been able-bodied to adjust to the ever - evolving tone of the James Bond serial . Howard could have well fit into James Bond ’s shoes , but never got the chance to .
4Richard Johnson
Richard Johnson Was Almost James Bond Before Sean Connery
Described by critics as a " calm and compelling " figure on point , Richard Johnson could have been a fitting actor to take on the role of James Bond . Born in 1927 and becoming a logical member of the Royal Shakespeare Company , Johnson eventually developed a cinematic resume full of svelte and advanced characters that feel veracious at nursing home alongside Bond . His experience playing high smart set type would have go well into the world of luxury and espionage see in earlyJames Bondmovies .
Richard Johnson Films
theatrical role
The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders
Jemmy
Emma Hamilton
Horatio Nelson
Aces High
Major Lyle
In fact , during an audience withCinema Retro , Johnson unveil he ’d been offer the role of Bond before Sean Connery . Dr. NoDirector Terence Young had initially wanted Johnson for the part , but the actor ’s declaration with MGM kept him from accepting it . While Connery brought a layer of good luck charm to the role that Johnson had n’t , he would have likely been an idealistic figure to bring Bond ’s romantic charm and dramatic commitment to the big screen .
A plan James Bond fictional character coming back would have repeated an actor exploit that has only been achieved double since the franchise get down in 1962 .
3Patrick McGoohan
The PrisonerCould Have Led To A Fascinating Bond
The Prisonercreator and starPatrick McGoohan would have been a fantastic choice for James Bond , but never played the lineament . bear in 1928 , McGoohan ’s break - out role was play secret broker John Drake in the seriesDanger Man . The performer ’s experience playing hidden agent would have made him ideal to play James Bond . His time playing Number Six inThe Prisonerproved he would have been an ideal actor to resile against the more absurd element of the enfranchisement .
Notable Patrick McGoohanFilm & TV
Danger Man
John Drake
The Prisoner
routine Six
Ice Station Zebra
David Jones
McGoohan could have wreak a ground edgeto the over - the - top battles Bond often finds himself in . He play undercover agent in other films likeIce Station Zebraas well , proving he had the star power to headline a dealership like the James Bond series . Although he was offered the purpose of James Bond , theNational Catholic Registerreported that he turned down the role due to his deeply devout Catholic beliefs conflicted with the sexual urge and wildness constitutional to the character .
2Terence Stamp
Terence Stamp’s Bond Could Have Been A Unique Addition To The Canon
A globally - renowned motion picture actor whose film debut inBully Buddearned him an Oscar nomination , Terence Stamp would have been an interesting but compelling option for James Bond . Perhaps most famous for his villainous roles ( like General Zod inSuperman II ) , Stamp ’s ability to shift from sophisticated to charming to vivid with reliable ease would have made him idealistic for the role of Bond .
Notable Terence Stamp Films
Billy Budd
Superman II
General Zod
The Adventures of Priscilla , Queen of the Desert
Bernadette Bassenger
James Bond producer Harry Saltzman apparently agreed , with seal recalling to theBelfast Telegraphthat he was one of the role player come near to replace Sean Connery . However , after his ideas for the role " put the frighters " on the manufacturer , he was dropped as a alternative . It ’s a pity because Stamp would have been an interesting choice for the part . He could have work an edge to the fictional character who progressively feel like a character in Connery ’s later films , and would have been a warm selection for the persona .
1Richard Todd
Ian Fleming’s Pick For James Bond Would Have Been A Good One
put up in Dublin in 1919,Richard Todd could have been a capital James Bondif he ’d been given the chance . A cinematic lead mankind in the 1950s , Todd ’s performances in films likeThe Hasty Heart , Stage Fright , andThe Virgin Queenhelped cement him as a major principal in the earned run average of the original James Bond films . Most of his most famous role come in films based on war stories and military feat , which could have translated easy to the espionage of James Bond film .
Notable Richard Todd Films
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men
Robin Hodd
The Dam Busters
Guy Gibson
The Virgin Queen
Sir Walter Raleigh
His acquirement in thriller likeChase a Crooked ShadowandIntent to down . These films highlightTodd ’s strong balance of likeable charm and authentic intensity . As remark in his necrology from theLos Angeles Times , that face of the performing artist in reality catch the attention of James Bond Lord Ian Fleming , who ’d chosen Todd as his first choice for the role . While audiences may have been deprived of the iconic Sean Connery performance asJames Bondif that get along to pass , it ’s still worth considering how Richard Todd ’s skills could have create a more accurate refreshment of the original character .
Sources : Western Mail , Daily Mail , Cinema Retro , National Catholic Register , Belfast Telegraph , Los Angeles Times
The James Bond dealership be the adventures of British secret agentive role 007 as he combats worldwide threats . With a license to kill , adherence faces off against various villains and criminal organisation , employing mellow - technical school widget , espionage , and charm . The serial spans multiple picture show , featuring alien locations , thrilling activity sequences , and memorable characters . bond certificate ’s mission to protect the world and uphold justice remains fundamental , making the franchise an enduring icon in the spy genre .
