Henry Cavill and The Boys’ Antony Starr’s James Bond Auditions Land Online (But Was There a Chance?)

The universe of James Bond has become even more captivating due to the emergence of old footage. It seems Henry Cavill and Antony Starr, known for ‘The Boys,’ may have tried out for the part eventually played by Daniel Craig. These screen tests, posted online by user Ron South who claims he found them in a movie studio’s recycling bin, provide an enthralling look into the 2005 casting process that influenced the next 15 years of this legendary series. Intriguingly, all four audition tapes, which also include Sam Worthington from ‘Avatar’ and Rupert Friend from ‘Homeland,’ show each talented actor performing the same scene from ‘GoldenEye.’ You can view Cavill and Starr’s audition clips below.

In a 2003 interview with GamesRadar, Casino Royale’s director Martin Campbell highly commended Cavill’s audition, describing his acting as “outstanding.

Campbell remarked that the man excelled in his audition with remarkable acting skills. If Daniel hadn’t been around, Henry would have been an exceptional choice for Bond. He presented himself exceptionally well, maintaining an impressive physique and possessing a striking handsomeness, although he appeared slightly youthful at the time.

In the seven-minute trial, viewers recognized that Cavill showcased his acting talent by skillfully modulating his facial expressions.

For Starr, this moment in time signifies a captivating juncture in his career path. At that point, the New Zealand actor was not widely recognized, having only appeared in shows like Xena: Warrior Princess and Without a Paddle. Fast forward twenty years, he’s gained international fame for portraying the psychopathic Homelander in The Boys, with G20 and another Gen V season coming up. Social media responses to his audition have been quite amusing, as fans pointed out, “He already had the Homelander vibe back then” and “even just standing there, he already embodied the Homelander posture.

Discovering these tapes sparks thought-provoking “what if” situations. If Henry Cavill had played Bond, it might have prevented him from being cast as Superman, which could have given opportunities to actors like Charlie Cox to wear the cape. Also, playing Bond may have influenced Cavill to move away from the charming geek persona he’s cultivated through his open love for The Witcher and Warhammer.

It appears that neither actor was an obvious choice, but the evidence suggests Henry Cavill came the closest. His youth may have been a disadvantage, but Michael Fassbender’s endorsement suggests he was seriously considered. Eric Stonestreet, who later became famous as Homelander, might not have been well-known enough for such a prominent role back then. One YouTube commenter even pointed out that Stonestreet seemed too nice to play Bond, which is ironic considering his later portrayal of television’s most ruthless superhero.

With the search for the next James Bond heating up, the timing of these rumors seems quite fitting. Starr is nearing the end of his tenure as Homelander when The Boys finishes its fifth season in 2026, and with Cavill now free from Superman obligations, he could potentially re-enter the discussion. However, it’s important to remember that Craig’s casting turned out to be incredibly successful for the franchise, which implies that sometimes, the best candidate isn’t always the most apparent one.

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2025-02-08 01:40