‘Casino Royale’ director says Henry Cavill would have made an ‘excellent’ James Bond if Daniel Craig ‘didn’t exist’

The coveted role of James Bond likely would have gone to Henry Cavill in the early 2000s had Daniel Craig not auditioned for it as well.

In a recent interview with Express UK, Golden eye AND Casino Royale director Martin Campbell opened up the hearing process for the 2006 James Bond film which introduced Craig’s 007. The role was given to a few actors, most notably Cavill, who was in his early 20s at the time.

“He sounded great in the audition,” Campbell told the publication. “His acting was outstanding. And look, if Daniel hadn’t existed, Henry would have been an excellent connection. He looked amazing, he was in great physical shape… very handsome, very chiseled. He looked just a little young at the time.

While Cavill may have looked a little too young at the time, the actor is now 40 and the director thinks he could potentially still play the part of Bond. The Hollywood Reporter contacted Campbell’s representatives.

“When Daniel arrived (There is no time to die) was actually at an age where one more would have been too old for him,” he said. He’s in good shape Henry, he’s a good guy.

He explained that he wasn’t favoring Cavill at the time, but marveled at the way James Bond was cast. He detailed that eight or nine people – including the director, producers and casting director – sit around a table and vote on who should be the next super spy. They go through the finalists one by one and have to debate their choices until they come to a unanimous decision.

In a previous cover story with The Hollywood Reporter, Cavill said he is open to taking on the iconic role now that Craig’s tenure as 007 has ended.

“I think it would be very exciting to have a conversation with the producers,” the actor said. “In an ideal world, I would never have to turn down anything. Nothing is out of the question. It’s an honor to even be a part of that conversation.