During his audition for the iconic role of James Bond, acclaimed actor Michael Fassbender surprised everyone by suggesting to producer Barbara Broccoli that she should consider Daniel Craig instead of him. This unexpected moment highlights Fassbender’s humility and respect for Craig’s talent.
Before Daniel Craig was ultimately selected as the new James Bond in the groundbreaking film Casino Royale, Michael Fassbender was among a talented pool of young actors who auditioned for this prestigious role. In an enlightening discussion on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Fassbender revealed an intriguing twist: during his audition, instead of focusing on his own qualifications, he spent a significant amount of time endorsing another actor—Daniel Craig. This anecdote not only reflects Fassbender’s character but also his recognition of talent in others.
Fassbender recounted, “I met with Barbara Broccoli just you know through passing and I actually went in to an audition phase before Daniel [Craig] was cast, but I don’t think I was ever in the mix,” he shared. “But I remember going into that room and meeting with her and [Michael G.] Wilson and I think I was like, ‘Daniel Craig is…’ I don’t know why I was promoting him. I should have been promoting myself.“ This comment underscores Fassbender’s candidness about his audition experience and the competitive nature of casting in Hollywood.
Continuing his story, Fassbender reflected on his audition performance, saying, “This is what I was saying. I was terrible at auditions. Obviously Daniel did a fantastic job and went on to be, I think, the most successful Bond in history. But that was it really, there was never a conversation after that.“ This remark not only illustrates his self-awareness but also shows the enormous pressure and expectations surrounding the casting of such an iconic character.
Now that the role of James Bond is once again available, fans are curious about who might step into the legendary spy’s shoes. Fassbender, reflecting on the future of the franchise, mentioned, “Regé [Jean Page] who’s in this movie,” suggesting that he believes the talented actor could be a strong contender. “I think after people see his performance in this, he could be a frontrunner.“ This endorsement adds to the conversation about potential successors to the iconic role.
The film Black Bag, which Fassbender referenced, is an exciting upcoming spy thriller directed by the renowned Steven Soderbergh and penned by David Koepp. The narrative centers around legendary intelligence operatives George Woodhouse and his devoted wife Kathryn. When suspicions arise regarding her loyalty to the nation, George faces an intense dilemma that tests his commitment to both his marriage and his country. Alongside Fassbender, the film features an impressive cast, including Cate Blanchett, Naomie Harris, Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, and Pierce Brosnan. Our own Chris Bumbray praised the film, stating, “Running a taut ninety minutes, Soderbergh’s crafted a twisty spy romp,” and added, “If you liked his Ocean’s Trilogy, you’ll likely get a big kick out of his spy flick. Fassbender’s Woodhouse is such an interesting antihero that perhaps a return to his take on spycraft might not be out of the question were this Focus Features release to do well.” For more insights, you can check out the full review right here.
