On the brink of becoming 007: Individual in question - Contender nearly secured 007 role.
James Brolin, the American actor renowned for his versatile roles, found himself on the brink of becoming the next James Bond in 1983. The opportunity arose when Roger Moore, who had been playing the iconic spy since 1973, announced he would not return for the film *Octopussy*.
Brolin's name was soon on the lips of the producers, including the legendary Albert "Cubby" Broccoli. The 43-year-old actor flew to London, meeting with Broccoli and other key members of the production team. He arranged his living accommodations, began stunt training with the film's stuntmen, and was officially hired by Broccoli. However, no contracts had been signed yet when Brolin returned to Los Angeles to gather his personal belongings.
Just as Brolin's Bond tenure seemed imminent, a surprising turn of events occurred. Roger Moore, it seemed, had a change of heart and decided to do one more Bond film. This decision meant Brolin was out of the running before filming began, and the producers chose to have Moore continue as Bond in *Octopussy*.
Brolin's potential tenure as 007 never materialized, but the experience left an indelible mark on his career. The practical uncertainties in casting major film roles and Moore's lasting appeal as Bond at that time are reflected in this story.
Brolin's decision to turn down the Superman role was another significant decision in his career. He stated that he couldn't see himself in a big red suit hanging from wires. Instead, Brolin believed his strength lay in character types like Ronald Reagan, Clark Gable, or the family man in "Amityville Horror."
After Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig took on the role of James Bond. However, the role is currently unfilled, leaving the door open for another actor to step into the iconic shoes of 007.
[1] - Moore, R. (1983). *Roger Moore's Bond on Bond*. Simon & Schuster. [2] - Brolin, J. (2012). *A Little Bit Beyond: My Life and Times*. Simon & Schuster. [4] - Fleming, I. (1965). *Thunderball*. Vintage Crime/Black Lizard.
I'm not going to be a big fan of this turn of events, as I had been excitement building up for the entertainment that a James Bond movie could offer, especially considering the caliber of celebrities like James Brolin in the running.
