Henry Cavill learns from Argylle director Matthew Vaughn why he lost the coveted role of James Bond to Daniel Craig ahead of Casino Royale.

SUMMARY

 Henry Cavill lost the role of James Bond to Daniel Craig because the producers believed he was too young.
 Matthew Vaughn, the director of Argylle, discovered Cavill through his Bond audition and thought he would be excellent.
 Vaughn revealed this information to Cavill, while admitting he’s not himself highly regarded by Bond producers.

Henry Cavill learns from Argylle director Matthew Vaughn why he lost the role of James Bond to Daniel Craig ahead of Casino Royale.

They first collaborated on the 2007 family fantasy movie Stardust.

Now Cavill and Vaughn have reunited for a spoofy take on the spy movie genre, starring Cavill as a strange send-up of famed fictional secret agent James Bond – a role Cavill was also once famously up for, before losing out to eventual Casino Royale star Craig.

Why Craig was chosen over Cavill for the James Bond role is a subject Vaughn happens to have insight into, as he revealed to his Argylle star during a recent appearance on Sirius XM.

Vaughn tells the story of knowing Craig during the time before Casino Royale, and finding out why Bond producer Barbara Broccoli ultimately picked Craig, even though Casino Royale director Martin Campbell liked Cavill’s audition. Check out Vaughn’s remarks below:

It was really bizarre because, when Henry was auditioning for Bond, I was at Pinewood [Studios], and Daniel was as well, at the same time, and I’d go off and meet with Daniel and he’d say what’s going on.

He says there’s this young guy Henry Cavill I think they’re seeing as well.

And…we hadn’t done Stardust yet. … But that’s how you came into my radar. I was thinking, well who’s this guy who got down to the last two for Bond? So that’s how I discovered you.

And I know that the director preferred your audition, but Barbara [Broccoli] preferred Layer Cake. … And they decided you were too young.

And I probably shouldn’t have said that, but [Eon] aren’t that keen on me anyway, so what have I got to lose? But he would be excellent.

But it’s unfair for him to discuss about a project that he might be involved with or not and ruin it because of a question.

Henry Cavill May Never Be James Bond – And It Doesn’t Matter

It’s difficult to question Eon’s decision to go with Daniel Craig as 007, given the huge success of the actor’s Bond movie era.

Craig indeed showed plenty of grit in his Layer Cake performance, and grit was exactly what Broccoli and company were going for as they reinvented the Bond franchise going into Casino Royale.

That Campbell liked Cavill’s Bond audition should come as no surprise, as the actor later proved his star power in movies like Man of Steel and shows like The Witcher.

The youth factor was working against Cavill however, as the Bond franchise traditionally seeks 007 actors who are somewhat mature (Craig is a full fifteen years older than Cavill).

James Bond is confirmed to return, even though Daniel Craig’s iteration of the character died in No Time to Die.

There is, of course, a new round of Bond casting going on right now, opening the door for Cavill to have another shot at the role.

Whether he wants another shot at the role is another question, as his career has gone quite well since losing out to Craig before Casino Royale.

Perhaps Cavill still dreams of playing 007, but even if he doesn’t, he’s carved out a place for himself as a major star in both big franchise films and smaller, quirkier properties.

Cavill may not even think he needs Bond, though he remains a popular pick among oddsmakers.