Director Accidentally Offered Casino Royale, Details James Bond Movie Near-Miss That Got Daniel Craig The Role – Screen Rant

Summary

Director Matthew Vaughn recalls accidentally being offered the chance to helm Casino Royale. The 2006 movie was the first James Bond installment to star Daniel Craig as the 007 agent. Considered one of the most highly-rated entries in the franchise, Casino Royale was directed by Martin Campbell and grossed just under $606 million at the global box office.

Another director, Vaughn, details his experience of accidentally being offered the chance to direct Casino Royale. Speaking with Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Vaughn explains that after a conversation with studio MGM, he was offered the directing gig for Casino Royale. Thrilled, Vaughn then met with British production company EON. Ultimately, after a lunch with EON, Vaughn wasnt offered it. Check out the full story from Vaughn below:

It was a really weird time when I got a phone call saying, "would you be interested in meeting about doing Casino Royale?" And I was like oh my god, yes, I would. So I had this. I read the book again and went and met with them. We all got on, actually, I thought, really well. And then, welcome to Hollywood, I got a phone call from MGM saying youve got the gig, dont tell anyone. And like okay, I get it. And they said, youre going to go meet EON and theyre going to tell you. So I go for this meeting, and Im pretending that I dont know, and all Im thinking is come on can we cut to the chase? Im ready to go. And ironically, we talked about who Id cast, and I said what about Daniel? And theyre like, were not sure about Daniel. And I was like, okay, and then MGM told me I had it. And then I had the lunch, I had the meetings, and at the end of it, I wasnt offered it. So I went home thoroughly confused and I rang up the chairman of MGM. And I said whats going on? And they said, ah, we spoke too soon, you aint got it. And were going to cast Daniel. And I was like oh, okay. I probably said so many things wrong at lunch that I killed myself.

In the mid-2000s, Casino Royale would have been a huge step in Vaughns career. Before 2006, Vaughn had directed a single feature, Layer Cake, a crime-drama starring Craig. Leaping from the small-budget movie Layer Cake to the $150 million Casino Royale would have been a stretch, so it makes sense why EON ultimately turned him down. Luckily for Vaughn, he did not need the Bond film for his career to take off, as he went on to direct multiple higher-budget action movies, including Kick-Ass, X-Man: First Class, and Kingsman: The Secret Service.

Vaughn was correct about one element of Casino Royale: Craigs casting as Bond. Even though MGM was unsure of him at first, Craig eventually became a beloved addition to the 007 universe due to his more sophisticated and emotional take as the agent. Craig acted as Bond in four more entries after Casino Royale, including Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, Spectre, and No Time to Die.

Related: Why No Time To Die Says James Bond Will Return (Despite Craig Leaving)

James Bond films are at an interesting crossroads as Craig ended his run in No Time to Die, and the franchise searches for the next 007 actor. For years, it was rumored to be Idris Elba, but it was later debunked. Copious other actors have been rumored for Bond, including Henry Cavill, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Will Poulter. As Bond approaches its next era, perhaps even the now-seasoned Vaughn will be given a chance to direct after being rejected from Casino Royale.

Source: Josh Horowitz

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Director Accidentally Offered Casino Royale, Details James Bond Movie Near-Miss That Got Daniel Craig The Role - Screen Rant