Argylle director Matthew Vaughn has let slip how close Henry Cavill was to being cast as James Bond before Daniel Craig ultimately got the part.
Vaughn joined Cavill and his Argylle co-star Sam Rockwell on Sirius XM to chat about his latest spy caper, but talk soon turned to another secret agent. Vaughn revealed that he not only discovered Cavill through his James Bond audition, but Casino Royale director Martin Campbell preferred Cavill over Craig at that stage.
"It was really bizarre because, when Henry was auditioning for Bond, I was at Pinewood [Studios], and Daniel was as well, at the same time, and I'd go off and meet with Daniel, and he'd say what's going on," Vaughn recalled. "He says there's this young guy Henry Cavill I think they're seeing as well. And we hadn't done Stardust yet. But that's how you came into my radar. I was thinking, well who's this guy who got down to the last two for Bond? So that's how I discovered you.
"And I know that the director preferred your audition, but Barbara [Broccoli] preferred Layer Cake. So, just to let you know," he remarked, seemingly to Cavill's surprise. "And they decided you were too young. And I probably shouldn't have said that, but the Broccolis aren't that keen on me anyway, so what have I got to lose? But he would be excellent. But it's unfair for him to discuss about a project that he might be involved with or not and ruin it because of a question."
Cavill was runner-up to play James Bond in the 2006 film Casino Royale, but at age 23, he lost out on the role to Craig. Campbell later said that Cavill's screen test was "tremendous," though he also admitted he "looked a little young at that time back then" and his casting would have made him the youngest Bond yet.
It's no secret that the 007 producers are now on the lookout for the next James Bond after Craig left the franchise behind with No Time to Die. However, Cavill remained tight-lipped during the discussion, declaring that he has "nothing to say" other than calling out the "absolutely amazing job" that Craig did with the highly coveted role.
The next James Bond movie will be a "complete reinvention" of the series, with producers reportedly looking for a younger actor to commit to the lead role for at least a decade. Taron Egerton has ruled himself out, but plenty of other names have kept the rumour mill turning since Craig's departure from the franchise.
Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on X @AdeleAnkers.
