James Brolin almost grew to become the primary American James Bond, and it was not some imprecise hearsay. After a powerful display screen take a look at, he was instructed that he had the job. The provide was made quickly after that, and he even discovered a house in London, virtually able to settle in for a brand new life as 007. Nevertheless, simply earlier than issues had been finalised, Roger Moore determined he was not fairly executed with the position, and that single change flipped every thing. Subsequently, Brolin went again to the States, and Bond stayed British, even to at the present time.
British Id And The James Bond Franchise
The concept of an American Bond has at all times been sufficient to ship purists right into a meltdown, as a result of there’s a stronghold across the character’s id. It’s deeply tied to Britishness, with a little bit of room for the Irish and Antipodean crowd. Nevertheless, the humorous factor is, the very first actor to play James Bond on display screen was truly American. He was Barry Nelson, who acted in a 1954 tv model of On line casino Royale, and that model doesn’t come up a lot in dialog, in all probability as a result of it doesn’t match the picture followers like to carry onto.
Since then, the torch has handed from Scotsman Sean Connery to Englishmen Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, and Daniel Craig. Pierce Brosnan introduced within the Irish aptitude, and George Lazenby lined Australia’s contribution. All these actors match the mould in methods Individuals apparently don’t.
Roger Moore on the set of LIVE AND LET DIE. pic.twitter.com/LfPCxmLtMg
— James Bond (@007) June 20, 2025
James Brolin’s Close to-Miss As 007
In response to Far Out Journal, Brolin got here nearer than any of them. After Moore’s For Your Eyes Solely, an actual search was underway. The producers had been prepared at hand issues over, and Brolin had impressed everybody. However Connery’s shock comeback in By no means Say By no means Once more, although unofficial, threw a wrench into the plans. Producer Cubby Broccoli, on being confronted with the opportunity of two James Bonds on the massive display screen in the identical yr, made a secure guess, and he introduced Moore again as soon as once more to maintain the viewers on acquainted floor.
“I actually left Cubby Broccoli in London, got here dwelling to get all my stuff to stay in England for a yr, when Roger Moore stated, ‘Oh, I’ll do yet another!’” Brolin instructed The Specific. “I received the job and Cubby took me to his golf equipment and I believed, ‘That is the life right here in London!’ Simply that was terrific, whether or not I received it or not. This enterprise is a crapshoot and a little bit of luck anyway.”
James Brolin is 80 right this moment – right here was his display screen take a look at to play James Bond (earlier than Roger Moore confirmed he’d do Octopussy) https://t.co/oCXo2GmlYR
— Betamax Video Membership (@BetamaxPod) July 18, 2020
For Brolin, the entire expertise was a glimpse into what might need been. He had the job, the backing, and the place in London. Then all of it slipped away when the outdated Bond returned. Trying again, it’s laborious to argue with the choice. The backlash over an American James Bond, mixed with Connery’s shadow, might have sunk the movie, however Brolin’s near-miss remains to be the closest America has ever come to claiming the license to kill.
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