American actor reveals he was 'hired' as James Bond in '80s – but Roger Moore changed his mind
Octopussy could have been a very different movie had Roger Moore not had a change of heart.
While who will be the next James Bond is the talk of the town in the summer of 2025 following the news Denis Villeneuve will be directing Bond 26, one Hollywood star is throwing it back a bit as he reveals he was almost cast as 007 back in the '80s.
Prolific actor and director James Brolin says former Bond producer Albert 'Cubby' Broccoli asked him to take over the iconic role from Roger Moore after the latter decided he was done with the franchise ahead of 1983's Octopussy.
Brolin recalled meeting with Broccoli, getting a flat in the UK and even beginning to work with stuntmen for the role before Moore ultimately did a U-turn.
"[Moore] was out, so I flew over and I met all the people," Brolin told People. "And I got my apartment and I started working with the stuntmen and Cubby Broccoli hired me."
But, having not officially signed a contract, it was swiftly over before it even began for the Marcus Welby M.D. star.
"We hadn't signed any papers yet," he said. "I got back to L.A. to get my stuff because I was going to be gone for a year. And I got a call saying Roger decided to do one more, and I was out."
Moore eventually returned to play Bond not just in Octopussy but also in the following film, A View to a Kill, in 1985.
Brolin has over 140 TV and film credits to his name and is known for his roles in The Amityville Horror, Capricorn One and Westworld (1973).
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Minnie Wright is the Digital Growth and Acquisitions Lead of Radio Times. She has a background in TV, Film, Showbiz and Music at a major national publication and a degree in Popular Music Journalism.
