Hugh Jackman turned down James Bond role

By Tribute on December 7, 2017 | 5 Comments


Hugh Jackman in The Greatest ShowmanAs it turns out, there could have been a very different face in the role of Bond, James Bond. Hugh Jackman just revealed in an interview with Variety that he turned down the role after being called to step into the famous suit of the MI6 spy.

“I was about to do X-Men 2 and a call came from my agent asking if I’d be interested in Bond. I just felt at the time that the scripts had become so unbelievable and crazy, and I felt like they needed to become grittier and real,” says Jackman.

It’s true, some of the plot lines for the Bond films are a tad outrageous — for example, 007 was shot off a moving train and fell hundreds of feet from a bridge (and lived!), only to return to the job in Skyfall. 

Jackman went on to say that his agent confirmed he would have to just jump into the role, and wouldn’t have any input on the script.

He also confirms that for him to take on an additional role that often came with a multi-movie deal such as his role as Wolverine in the X-Men franchise, it probably would have meant he would not have had time for other roles.

Daniel Craig would be passed the torch from previous Bond actor Pierce Brosnan and went on to play the agent in four films — Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012) and Spectre (2015) — with it being confirmed in July 2017 after much speculation that he’ll take a fifth, and most likely final, turn in the role.

Regardless, turning down the part didn’t hurt Jackman’s career. He has starred in acclaimed films such as Les Misérables (2012), for which he received an Academy Award nomination and won a Golden Globe. There’s also much excitement building for his role (pictured above) as circus legend P.T. Barnum in The Greatest Showman. ~Alexa Caruso



Comments & Discussion

  1. Samantha • December 7, 2017 @ 9:14 AM

    He would be the best Bond ever, IMO. But those movies are stupid, so I’m glad he turned them down and instead chose to do work of more quality, such as Les Mis and the upcoming P.T. Barnum movie, cannot wait to see that!

  2. Kris • December 7, 2017 @ 11:51 AM

    I like Jackman, but I don’t see him as Bond. Craig was a great choice….yes the movies “stretch” the imagination but they are fun…..

  3. Dino • December 7, 2017 @ 4:36 PM

    Timothy Dalton was the best James Bond actor – good looking guy, unlike ugly Craig.

  4. RN • December 7, 2017 @ 8:09 PM

    craig was a good pick for bond as he put the “bad” back in bond we needed one not so wimpy. Hugh is a great actor and I enjoy him but I don’t think he would make a good bond.

  5. Snepts • December 7, 2017 @ 11:51 PM

    Donald Trump is going to be the next James Bond.


Join The Conversation:


Similar Articles

New movies in theaters – Mission: Impossible and more!

July 13, 2023 | 1 Comment

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is the biggest movie releasing this weekend but there are several more including Oklahoma! starring Hugh Jackman.


Ryan Reynolds teases Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in Deadpool 3

September 28, 2022 | 5 Comments

Ryan Reynolds posted a video on social media that had fans jumping for joy. In the video, he talks about how he struggled to find an idea for Deadpool 3.


Daniel Craig stars as Bond in No Time to Die – film review

September 29, 2021 | 14 Comments

Daniel Craig gives his final performance as James Bond in No Time to Die, which gives fans a new outlook on the character plus plenty of gorgeous locales.


 Change Location