Sam Worthington’s Bond Audition Resurfaces – But Was It Really That ‘Awful’?
It’s been nearly two decades since Avatar star Sam Worthington threw his hat into the James Bond ring, auditioning for the lead in Casino Royale. Yet, thanks to the wonders of the Internet, his screen test has now emerged, revealing an attempt that Worthington himself once dismissed as “awful.”
Fans, however, are less convinced of its supposed shortcomings.
The footage, shared by a YouTube channel specializing in unearthed Bond auditions, places Worthington alongside fans favourite for Bond 26 Henry Cavill, The Boys star Antony Starr, and Pride & Prejudice actor Rupert Friend—all actors who ultimately lost out to Daniel Craig.
In the seven-minute clip, Worthington gamely delivers lines from GoldenEye, including some of the best Bond quotes, such as the requisite “Martini, shaken not stirred” and the signature “Bond, James Bond.”
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‘I Sounded Like Dick Van Dyke’
Sam Worthington has long been candid about his Bond audition experience. Speaking on the Australian radio show Fitzy and Wippa last year, he recalled his struggle to embody the necessary suavity:
“I could get the killer of Bond down. I just couldn’t get the charm. I couldn’t charm her. The suit didn’t fit, man.”
His attempts at an English accent proved another stumbling block:
“I tried to do a British accent… It was awful. I sounded like Dick Van Dyke from Mary Poppins.”
Director Martin Campbell, it seems, had to intervene, advising the actor to stick to his natural voice.
Despite Worthington’s harsh self-assessment, online audiences have been more forgiving. Comments on the leaked footage have praised his “natural charisma” and “interesting body language,” with some even suggesting he was the strongest candidate among the 2005 contenders.
Watch Worthington’s ‘Awful’ Screen Test
Henry Cavill’s Audition Resurfaces
Worthington isn’t the only former Bond hopeful to see his audition resurface. Henry Cavill’s 2005 screen test has also been doing the rounds online, reigniting speculation about whether the Man of Steel actor was unfairly overlooked.
At the time, director Martin Campbell acknowledged Cavill’s “tremendous” audition but ultimately deemed him too young for the role. In a recent interview, Campbell noted that while Cavill might have made a fine Bond, he simply wasn’t right at that moment in time.
Now, with Craig having vacated the tuxedo, Cavill’s name continues to be bandied about as a possible successor. However, at 41, he may now be considered too old to begin a multi-film tenure as the world’s most famous spy.
Perhaps fate has played its hand wisely. Had Cavill or Worthington won the role in 2005, we might never have seen Cavill’s Superman or Worthington’s Jake Sully in Avatar. Bond may be the ultimate prize for many actors, but missing out opens other doors for actors, and as movie lovers, even Bond fans have to admit, there are many positives.
