How Burt Reynolds Nearly Became James Bond—And Why He Didn’t

Few actors have passed on as many legendary roles as Burt Reynolds, and for years, he claimed that James Bond was one of his biggest missed opportunities. But just how real was his shot at becoming 007? The Bond franchise has spanned more than six decades, with only six men officially stepping into the iconic role across 25 films. While many have auditioned or been considered, only a select few have ever worn the tuxedo and sipped the famous martini. Notably, none have been American—George Lazenby, hailing from Australia, remains the only non-British or Irish Bond. Still, the idea of an American Bond wasn’t always off the table.

Hollywood Stars in the Running

James Brolin actually landed the part and was set to take over after Roger Moore, until Moore decided to return for another round of spy action. Clint Eastwood was also approached after Sean Connery’s first departure following You Only Live Twice, but he turned it down, believing the role should stay with a British actor. Reynolds, for his part, echoed that sentiment, saying that when the offer came his way, he felt a mix of nerves and patriotism that made it easy to walk away from the world of gadgets and espionage.

While Reynolds wasn’t exactly making things up, it’s a stretch to say the role was his for the taking. The reality is, after Lazenby’s brief and controversial stint in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and Connery’s one-time return, the franchise’s top decision-maker quickly dismissed the idea of an American Bond.

Inside the Bond Decision-Making Process

Tom Mankiewicz, who penned Diamonds Are Forever, Live and Let Die, and The Man with the Golden Gun, was deeply involved in the Bond creative team during the early 1970s. He recalled in the book Nobody Does It Better:

“Burt Reynolds almost played Bond,”

with director Guy Hamilton being his biggest advocate. Mankiewicz continued,

“At the time we were doing Diamonds Are Forever, Cubby and Guy went over to meet an actor named Burt Reynolds, who was doing a series called Dan August at the time. Guy thought he was charming as hell. Burt’s name came up again at Live and Let Die. As a matter of fact, the choice was between Burt Reynolds and Roger Moore.”

But there’s more to the story. Mankiewicz explained,

“When I say ‘choice’, Burt’s agent, Dick Clayton, had read the script, and they were discussing it very seriously. He had just done Deliverance. I think the biggest problem would have been getting him for three pictures, or four pictures. He was a very viable choice at the time.”

The Final Word from the Bond Boss

Despite Reynolds’ star power and box office appeal, there was one person he couldn’t win over. Mankiewicz revealed,

“Cubby was the one who nixed it.”

Albert R. Broccoli, the head of the Broccoli family and the ultimate authority on Bond, insisted that the character must be played by an Englishman. That decision immediately took Reynolds out of the running. The team was told in no uncertain terms,

“You can’t do this.”

And so, the franchise passed on what they considered, at the time, to be “the hottest actor in the world.”