Ralph Fiennes says he lost Bond role by acting like a fool

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 17:45 · Archive

Ralph Fiennes revealed he was in running to play James Bond but turned down the opportunity.

Ralph Fiennes has revealed that he was in discussions to play James Bond years before he eventually joined the franchise in a different capacity. The 63-year-old actor said he acted like a 'fool' and turned down the opportunity after making suggestions about how the stories should be adapted.

Fiennes told BBC Radio 3's The Essay that he had loved the James Bond books when he was younger. However, when producers approached him about the role, he suggested that the films should be set in the mid-1950s and filmed in black and white in a film noir style. He said he 'liked Barbara Broccoli enormously' but that his comments cost him the chance to play 007.

Fiennes went on to become an important part of the Bond franchise nonetheless. He first appeared as Gareth Mallory in Skyfall in 2012 before taking over the role of M following Judi Dench's departure. Speaking about the earlier Bond films, Fiennes said they were closer to the original books, noting that 'From Russia With Love' was the closest adaptation, portraying Bond as 'lonely, sexy, dark, and slightly violent'.

Ralph Fiennes says he lost Bond role by acting like a fool — Image: Oxfordshire Guardian

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British acting icon, 63, was in running to play James Bond but blew his chanceA British acting icon, 63, has revealed that he was in the running to play James Bond, but blew his chance by acting like a "d**k".Oxfordshire Guardian · 4 Nov, 17:22
British acting icon, 63, was in running to play James Bond but blew his chanceA British acting icon, 63, has revealed that he was in the running to play James Bond, but blew his chance by acting like a "d**k".Oxford Mail · 4 Nov, 17:22

In this story: Ralph Fiennes · Barbara Broccoli · Judi Dench · Ian Fleming · BBC Radio 3

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