A Lost Bond, or a Fortunate Twist of Fate? Was Henry Cavill Ever in the Running to Be The Next Bond?
For those who believe in the power of ‘what ifs’, Henry Cavill’s James Bond audition has resurfaced as a tantalising glimpse into an alternative 007 reality. The footage, now circulating two decades after it was shot, shows a fresh-faced Cavill delivering some of the most famous Bond lines, raising inevitable questions about how different the franchise might have looked had Daniel Craig not donned the tuxedo.
Dressed in a leather jacket with his hair longer than we’re accustomed to, Cavill, then 22, utters the immortal words: “Bond, James Bond,” and orders a vodka martini—shaken, not stirred. The performance was, by all accounts, impressive, but of course he missed out to Daniel Craig who went on to star in five Bond films before bowing out in 2021.
Could Cavill’s version have redefined the modern Bond era? Perhaps. But perhaps, too, this near miss set him on a trajectory that would later see him embody Superman and Sherlock Holmes—roles that might never have materialised had he been tied to MI6.
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‘Tremendous’ but Too Young
The man responsible for choosing the next 007 at the time, Casino Royale director Martin Campbell, has shed light on why Cavill missed out. Speaking to The Express, he recalled:
“He looked great in the audition. His acting was tremendous. And look, if Daniel didn’t exist Henry would have made an excellent Bond. He looked terrific, he was in great physical shape… very handsome, very chiselled.”
And yet, despite all these glowing attributes, the decision ultimately came down to one immutable fact: his youth. “He just looked a little young at that time back then,” Campbell admitted.
Fast forward nearly 20 years, and irony has played its hand once more. With speculation mounting over who will be the next 007, some believe Cavill, now 41, might have the perfect credentials. Campbell, however, is not so sure.
Watch Cavill’s Screen Test
“Henry’s 40,” said Campbell. “So by the time he’s done the third one he’s going to be 50 and anything beyond that’s two, three years per Bond.”
One man who certainly recognised Cavill’s potential early on was filmmaker Matthew Vaughn. Reflecting on conversations he had with Craig during the Casino Royale audition process, Vaughn revealed:
“It was really bizarre because when Henry was auditioning for Bond, I was at Pinewood and Daniel was as well, right? At the same time, and I’d go off and meet with Daniel and he’d say what’s going on. He said, ‘There’s this young guy, Henry Cavill, who I think they’re seeing as well.’”
That realisation led Vaughn to cast Cavill in Stardust (2007), albeit in a very different role—as the pompous and flamboyant Humphrey. Would he have ever been available for such a part had he secured the Bond role? We’ll never know.
There Are More Bond Screen Tests Emerging
Another resurfaced 007 audition adding to the intrigue is that of Avatar star Sam Worthington, who also vied for the role of James Bond in Casino Royale. Worthington, like Cavill, made it to the final rounds of consideration, but his attempt has since been described by the actor himself as “awful.”
Leaked footage shows Worthington delivering classic Bond lines with a grittier edge, though he later admitted struggling with the charm required for the role. Fans, however, have been kinder in retrospect, praising his natural charisma and presence.
As for Henry cavill, there’s no doubt that he had the makings of a superb Bond. He’s a marvellous actor, he has the looks and charm, but given the path his career has taken, one suspects he has few regrets.
Besides, if the Bond producers ever decide to take inspiration from Logan or The Dark Knight Returns and explore an ageing 007? Well, Henry Cavill might just be their man for Bond 26.
