20 years on from his James Bond audition, Henry Cavill discovers the Casino Royale director preferred him over Daniel Craig

EntertainmentMoviesAction MoviesCasino Royale20 years on from his James Bond audition, Henry Cavill discovers the Casino Royale director preferred him over Daniel CraigWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. EntertainmentMoviesAction MoviesCasino Royale20 years on from his James Bond audition, Henry Cavill discovers the Casino Royale director preferred him over Daniel CraigWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment) Almost 20 years on from losing out on the role of James Bond, Henry Cavill has discovered that theCasino Royaledirector supposedly “preferred” him over Daniel Craig to start off with. “When Henry was auditioning for Bond [in 2005], I was at Pinewood [Studios] and Daniel [Craig] was as well,“Argylledirector Matthew Vaughn said during an interview withSiriusXM. “I’d go off and meet with Daniel and he said, ‘There’s this young guy called Henry Cavill who I think they’re seeing as well’… We hadn’t done Stardust yet, and that’s how you came onto my radar.” Vaughn then drops a bombshell that even MI6 would have done well to cover up after all this time: Casino Royale director Martin Campbell seemingly preferred Henry Cavill’s audition over Daniel Craig’s – but producer Barbara Broccoli had other ideas. “I know that the director preferred your audition, but Barbara preferred [Daniel Craig’s 2004 film] Layer Cake,” Vaughn reveals. “Then they decided you were too young. I probably shouldn’t have said that, but the Broccolis aren’t too keen on me anyway, so what have I got to lose?” Previously, Martin Campbell toldCinemaBlendthat he wasmore concerned with Cavill’s experience, or lack thereof, when it came to casting the next Bond for Casino Royale. “I did test him for Bond, as you know. He did a very good test, [but] he was too young, and also he wasn’t as experienced as Daniel,” Campbell explained. “Daniel just fitted the part from being a superb actor, and probably the best actor amongst them all.” Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox For more on Bond and Matthew Vaughn, read our ownInside Total Film podcast interviewwith the Argylle director on why there is “no one on this planet” is a better fit for 007 than Henry Cavill – who has long been a frontrunner to play thenext James Bond. 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the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Cobra 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