Renowned for his roles in blockbuster franchises like Avatar and Clash of the Titans, Sam Worthington became one of the hottest stars in Hollywood after the debut of the first Avatar. The movie practically plucked the Australian actor from obscurity and catapulted him into the kind of fame that most can only dream of. And this made him the next big thing, even bringing him an opportunity to play the iconic role of the British Secret Service agent James Bond.
In one of his interviews with Variety, Worthington candidly admitted that he was a finalist for James Bond in Casino Royale. However, his chance to portray the suave secret agent slipped away during his screen test.
Sam Worthington on the missed opportunity as James Bond
After Pierce Brosnan’s portrayal of James Bond, Daniel Craig took over the role. However, instead of Craig, Sam Worthington almost became the next 007 in the mid-2000s. During the interview, Worthington reflected on the embarrassing James Bond audition that failed to impress the makers.
The Call of Duty: Black Ops actor shared that he struggled to embody the debonair charm required for the role, despite being flown down to London and personally groomed by producer Barbara Broccoli. Reportedly, his challenges with fitting into the Bond persona were emphasized by the ill-fitting suit provided for the screen test. He said,
“I could play Bond as a killer, but I couldn’t get the debonair down for the life of me. The suit did not fit.”
Ultimately, the role of James Bond went to Daniel Craig, who has since made a significant impact on the franchise.
When Sam Worthington’s candidness cost him the Green Lantern role
In the same interview with Variety, Worthington revealed that he lost the lead role in Green Lantern due to his questions about the film’s logic. He explained that his directness may have played a role in losing the opportunity to portray Hal Jordan in the Green Lantern superhero film.
Worthington questioned the logic of the story, particularly the idea of the suit emerging from the character’s skin. He expressed his confusion about the seemingly limitless powers of the Green Lantern ring, suggesting that there should be a challenge or a rival force to make the narrative more compelling.
And owing to this candidness, ultimately, the role went to Ryan Reynolds, and Worthington’s frankness might have been a factor in the decision.
However, it wouldn’t be fair to blame Worthington. After all, his candid approach to his craft has led to both missed opportunities and remarkable successes throughout his career. While the Avatar actor may have lost the lead role in Green Lantern due to his questioning of the story’s logic, he is appreciated as an actor who values thoughtful storytelling.
Source: Variety
