How Dwayne Johnson’s Role in Doom Changed the James Bond Legacy

Karl Urban has made his mark in some of Hollywood ’s biggest franchises, from Star Trek and The Lord of the Rings to the Marvel universe and even a quick appearance in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Yet, there’s one legendary role that slipped through his fingers: James Bond. After Pierce Brosnan’s exit from the 007 spotlight following Die Another Day, the search for a new Bond was on, with several well-known actors in the mix. Henry Cavill nearly landed the part but was ultimately passed over for not fitting the producers’ vision, while Sam Worthington and Christian Bale were also considered—Bale even turned down the offer.

Urban, too, was a serious contender. He advanced far in the selection process, possibly helped by the fact that Casino Royale director Martin Campbell also hails from New Zealand. As Urban shared in an interview with Nine, he was close to the finish line but hit an unexpected roadblock.

“There was a period when they were casting it the last time around where I’d met with Barbara Broccoli and various other producers,”

he recalled.

“Unfortunately, I was shooting another movie, and I couldn’t do the final test.”

Missed Opportunity on the Set of Doom

So, what project kept Urban from his final shot at becoming Bond? It was none other than Doom, the 2005 action flick directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak and based on the iconic first-person shooter video game. Urban played John ‘Reaper’ Grimm, a character with a name as over-the-top as the film itself. Like many video game adaptations before it, Doom failed to impress critics or audiences, aside from a memorable first-person sequence that tried to capture the spirit of the game.

Interestingly, the lead role in Doom was first offered to Dwayne Johnson, who was just starting to make his way in Hollywood after his wrestling career. Johnson, however, decided to play Sarge, the tough-as-nails leader of the squad, instead of Grimm. If Johnson had taken the original part, Urban’s filming schedule might have been different—or he might have skipped Doom altogether. That could have freed him up to attend the crucial Bond screen test, potentially altering the course of movie history.

Daniel Craig Steps In as 007

With Urban unable to make the final audition, the role of Bond in Casino Royale ultimately went to Daniel Craig. Craig’s portrayal redefined the character, and he would go on to star in five Bond films over the next fifteen years, leaving a lasting impact on the franchise. Urban, reflecting on the outcome, expressed his respect for Craig’s performance.

“I’m actually pretty grateful I didn’t because I think Daniel Craig did such an extraordinary job,”

he admitted.

“I couldn’t have imagined a better Bond.”