Henry Cavill once came this close to being James Bond. Picture it: a younger Cavill, all sharp suits and smoldering stares, nearly stepping into 007’s shoes before Daniel Craig locked it down. But what if Cavill had taken the role? Turns out, he had a whole vision – one that sounds eerily familiar.
His take on Bond? Gritty, dangerous, the kind of guy you could feel before he even walked into the room.
Henry Cavill’s bond vision: A blend of cool and danger, like Daniel Craig’s 007
Henry Cavill had a clear vision for James Bond – one that felt eerily close to Daniel Craig’s take. In an interview with Interview Magazine, Cavill shared how he saw 007 as a mix of Sean Connery’s effortless cool and Craig’s raw intensity. He said,
Well, I just loved the coolness of Connery’s Bond. He just sort of oozes cool. And Craig was very real and powerful—you could practically smell the danger on him. There was a danger to Connery’s Bond, too, but sort of at his leisure. To play Bond, though, and then for the world to perceive you in a certain way, is very different from playing Superman. Bond is not this ideal figure.
His description of Craig’s Bond is an interesting take, especially considering Cavill almost became Bond himself. Back when Casino Royale was casting, he was a top contender. But the role ultimately went to Craig, who redefined the character with grit and realism. Turns out, Cavill was on the same wavelength.
He also pointed out a key difference between Bond and another iconic role he’s played, Superman. Unlike the Man of Steel, Bond isn’t a hero in the traditional sense. Superman, on the other hand, is an ideal. Kids look up to him, expecting him to save the day. Bond? Not so much. He explained,
I wouldn’t say Bond is an ideal figure, no. The character has been performed in so many different ways that people go, “Oh, that’s an interesting take on Bond.” But with Superman, there are certain limitations for an actor. You can’t go past certain boundaries because then you cease to be what the character is. I guess the difference is that Bond is a very human character. But kids in India who’ve never watched TV don’t run around with James Bond T-shirts on.
If there is some sort of trouble at home, kids don’t think that James Bond is going to come save their mum from their dad, or their dad from their mum. They don’t think, “Bond is going to come and save me.” Superman is a different sort of idealized figure.
With Daniel Craig’s Bond era wrapped up, Cavill’s comments make one thing clear: his version wouldn’t have been too far off.
Henry Cavill won’t be Bond, but he’s not done being a spy
Henry Cavill and James Bond? Not happening. At 41, he’s aged out of the role – Barbara Broccoli and MGM want someone younger who can commit to multiple films. Plus, Cavill’s already too famous. The Witcher, Superman – audiences know him too well, and Bond thrives on a fresh face.
But missing out on 007 hasn’t slowed him down. Cavill flexed his spy chops in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and teamed up with Guy Ritchie again for The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. Next up? Action thriller In the Grey. Bond or not, Cavill’s still building an elite roster of iconic roles.
James Bond movies are available to watch on Prime Video & Apple TV.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
