In an alternative universe, casting Daniel Craig as James Bond could not have happened if it weren’t for the lack of edginess from Sam Heughan. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly to promote his memoir, Waypoints: My Scottish Journey (out October 25), the Outlander star talked about how he auditioned for 007.
Looking back on his James Bond audition, Sam Heughan said he “probably wasn’t ready” for the role, although he does “wonder what would have happened” if it happened. In an excerpt from the book, he uncovered why he did not get the role, which came down to not being “edgy enough” to be the spy after auditioning.
James Bond casting did not go to Sam Heughan because he was not “edgy”
In 2006, we got the modern take on the spy with Daniel Craig, sending his career to a new height that would eventually lead to films like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Knives Out. He was in the role for 15 years, and he ended his tenure last year with No Time to Die. The final run was a success in sealing his legacy, even though there were bumps in its release schedule from delays due to the pandemic. The five movies grossed over $3 billion. The actor will be seen later this year in Glass Onion, the sequel to Knives Out.
He may not have become James Bond, but Sam Heughan still found success as an actor. He is best known as Jamie Fraser in Outlander. The four-time Emmy-nominated series is in production for season 7. The Scottish actor will star in Born to be Great, It’s All Coming Back to Me, and will join Ewan McGregor in Everest. His memoir, Waypoints: My Scottish Journey, which covers his personal and professional life, releases tomorrow (October 25).
