For many James Bond fans, Henry Cavill would be the perfect casting to play James Bond with his chiselled good looks, jet black locks, muscular build and experience in action cinema.
It should come as little surprise then that he was the runner-up to Daniel Craig in the Casino Royale auditions back in 2005.
The young Cavill was in his early twenties and has recalled in interviews how director Martin Campbell fat-shamed him for being too chubby during a test screening in a towel from an iconic From Russia With Love scene.
Since losing out on Bond, the actor went on to hit the A-list with when cast as Superman in Man of Steel and subsequent DC superhero movies, not to mention a stunning turn in a string of 007-esque spy films from The Man From U.N.C.L.E and Mission: Impossible – Fallout to the upcoming Argylle.
However, his fans will be devastated to hear that his Bond hopes are dashed after failing to meet a requirement for the next 007 auditions this time around.
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Cavill, who has shown open enthusiasm in recent years about hoping to have conservations with EON Productions once again, turns 40 today.
And from what producer Michael G Wilson says, the next Bond will be an actor in their thirties. Speaking previously with Deadline, he also ruled out hopefuls who are still in their twenties.
The 81-year-old said: “We’ve tried looking at younger people in the past. But trying to visualise it doesn’t work. Remember, Bond’s already a veteran. He’s had some experience. He’s a person who has been through the wars, so to speak.
“He’s probably been in the SAS or something. He isn’t some kid out of high school that you can bring in and start off. That’s why it works for a thirty-something.”
Craig was 38 when cast as 007, but previous Bond stars have started in their forties from Roger Moore and Timothy Dalton to Pierce Brosnan. However, by the sounds of it, 40-somethings will be ruled out this time around.
