The Search for a New James Bond: A Look Back at the Past and a Glimpse into the Future

The Bond Legacy Continues

The year is 2005, and Pierce Brosnan has hung up his James Bond revolver. Producers are now on the lookout for the next 007, a role that will be filled by Daniel Craig in the years to come. Twenty years later, we know that Craig was the right choice, and he went on to make five successful movies in the franchise. Now, in 2025, we’re back in the same boat, with producers once again searching for a new James Bond.

The Search for a New Bond is Always a Point of Interest

The search for a new Bond is always a point of interest, and what happens behind the scenes is rarely revealed. Or, in this case, maybe it takes 20 years. Games Radar recently discovered that a YouTuber named Ron South has uploaded four videos that very much look and sound like James Bond audition tapes from 2005. It’s unclear how South got the videos, but watching them does feel a little wrong. However, when you do watch them, one thing very much stands out: Henry Cavill.

Henry Cavill’s James Bond Audition

Cavill, of course, is best known for playing Superman for the better part of a decade. But, he didn’t get that role until several years after this Bond audition. At the time, he was just an up-and-coming actor, probably best known for the 2002 remake of The Count of Monte Cristo. And yet, he, along with Sam Worthington, Rupert Friend, and Antony Starr, all tried to be James Bond at the time. You can now see these auditions online.

An Alternate Reality

Imagine for a second that Henry Cavill was cast as James Bond for 2006’s Casino Royale. First of all, he wouldn’t have played Zack Snyder’s Superman, so maybe someone like Charlie Cox would have gotten that role. Cavill would have been much more famous much sooner, and maybe the lovable geek that Cavill is later revealed to be—The Witcher/Warhammer guy—never comes out. But, he would have gotten other roles too, ones that elevate him beyond just James Bond.

The Career of Daniel Craig

But then what happens to Daniel Craig? We’d imagine that his career may have mirrored Cavill’s a bit more. Maybe he doesn’t become a megastar for a few more years, but eventually, he would. He’s too good not to. And after a few blockbusters, he certainly could slip into the smaller roles that he really seems to love. Or, maybe he doesn’t, because he doesn’t have that James Bond money to fall back on.

A Fascinating Alternate Reality

All in all, it’s fascinating to think about, especially because Cavill’s audition is quite good. We especially like the subtle eye movements. What are your thoughts on this alternate reality?

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