Michael Fᴀssbender recalls auditioning for James Bond before Daniel Craig got the role, revealing what he ended up saying during his own audition. Craig’s James Bond movies began with 2006’s Casino Royale, marking a new beginning for 007 in the modern age. The actor was not the only one to audition for the role, however, with over 200 actors considered for the role. This included the likes of Hugh Jackman, Karl Urban, Henry Cavill, Sam Worthington, and Ralph Fiennes to name a few, with Fᴀssbender being one of those who audition to play the core spy.
Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused Podcast (via GamesRadar), Fᴀssbender explained how, during his audition for James Bond, he wound up talking about how good Craig would be in the role. The actor confessed he met with producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, and believes he promoted the actor who eventually scored the role. Check out what Fᴀssbander had to say about his audition below:
I met with Barbara Broccoli just you know through pᴀssing and I actually went in like an audition phase before Daniel [Craig] was cast, but I don’t think I was ever in the mix. But I remember going into that room and meeting with her and [Michael G.] Wilson and I think I was like, ‘Daniel Craig is…’ I don’t know why I was promoting him, I should have been promoting myself.
This is what I was saying, I was terrible at auditions. Obviously Daniel did a fantastic job and went on to be I think the most successful Bond in history but that was it really, there was never a conversation after that.
What Fᴀssbender’s Story Says About His James Bond Audition
He Believes He Wasn’t A Core Choice For The Role
Fᴀssbender’s most notable roles in recent years have been characters who engage in espionage that have mysterious circumstances to them. This includes his unnamed ᴀssᴀssin in The Killer, as well as his CIA operative Brandon Colby in The Agency. Both of these roles proved the actor’s ability to portray someone in a secretive position, something that reflects qualities found in good Bond candidates. Unfortunately, his story makes it seem like he wasn’t really considered much, aided by his own promotion of Craig as the тιтle character.
Craig ended up being Bond for five films in total, ending his tenure with 2021’s No Time to Die. In 2025, the franchise was acquired by Amazon MGM Studios in a historic deal, indicating the upcoming Bond 26 will be seeking out candidates for a new lead soon. While it’s unclear if previous candidates like Fᴀssbender would be considered for the тιтle character, his willingness to audition around 20 years ago indicates he would have been an interesting protagonist, as evident by his other impressive works over the last few years.
Our Take On Fᴀssbender’s James Bond Audition
He May Have Helped Craig Get The Role
Fᴀssbender was praising Craig as a viable candidate to lead the James Bond franchise before he even had the role, meaning his statements could have helped the producers in making the choice. It’s an interesting story that adds more depth to how he became the latest 007, while also offering a viewpoint from an actor involved in the audition process. It’s also a reflection of just how strong a choice the protagonist’s actor wound up being, even with actors auditioning acknowledging how good a choice he was.
Source: Happy Sad Confused Podcast (via GamesRadar)
James Bond
The James Bond franchise follows the adventures of British secret agent 007 as he combats global threats. With a license to kill, Bond faces off against various villains and criminal organizations, employing high-tech gadgets, espionage, and charm. The series spans multiple films, featuring exotic locations, thrilling action sequences, and memorable characters. Bond’s mission to protect the world and uphold justice remains central, making the franchise an enduring icon in the spy genre.
- Created by
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Ian Fleming, Albert R. Broccoli
- First Film
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Dr. No
- Latest Film
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No Time to Die
- Upcoming Films
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James Bond 26
- First TV Show
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Fleming: The Man Who Would be Bond
- First Episode Air Date
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January 29, 2014
- Cast
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Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, Daniel Craig
- TV Show(s)
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Fleming: The Man Who Would be Bond
- Character(s)
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James Bond, M (James Bond), Q (James Bond), Moneypenny, Felix Leiter, Jaws, Goldfinger
- Video Game(s)
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GoldenEye 007, The World Is Not Enough, 007: Nightfire, James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing, Quantum of Solace, James Bond 007: From Russia with Love, James Bond 007: Blood Stone, GoldenEye 007 Remake, 007: Agent Under Fire
Summary
The James Bond franchise centers on the fictional British Secret Service agent James Bond, also known by his code number 007. Created by writer Ian Fleming in 1953, Bond has been featured in novels, films, television, radio, comics, and video games. The film series, produced by Eon Productions, is one of the longest-running and highest-grossing franchises in history, known for its blend of espionage, action, and sophisticated style.
