Known for starring in the spy action franchise James Bond, Daniel Craig made his debut as the British secret spy in the 2006 film Casino Royale alongside Eva Green. While finding the next 007 certainly wouldn’t have been an easy task for the studio, and they went through several actors before Craig landed the part, casting his love interest, Bond Girl, for Casino Royale also became a critical process for the makers.
Several prominent actresses were considered for the role of Vesper Lynd, the Bond Girl in Casin Royale, which later went to the French actress Eva Green. However, the casting director of the film later revealed that the Kingdom of Heaven actress almost lost the part, after failing her first screen test.
Eva Green Failed Her Screen Test For Casino Royale
Eva Green starred alongside Daniel Craig in his debut as the MI6 agent in the 2006 spy film Casino Royale. The movie grossed $594 million at the box office and was highly acclaimed by critics as well, and the cast of the film also received praise for their performances.
Green’s portrayal of Vesper Lynd has even been credited among some of the best Bond Girls in the franchise. However, the part did not come easy to her. The actress was reportedly competing against some of the best actresses at the time, including Angelina Jolie and Charlize Theron.
The casting director, Debbie McWilliams, explained during an interview with RadioTimes.com that the Cracks actress had always been on their list. However, she also stated that “there had been a certain resistance to her” and the makers may have felt that she did not have enough experience at the time.
She also shared that the 43-year-old French actress also ended up failing her first screen test. “I’m sure she would be the first to admit she was terrible. Nobody had put her in hair and make-up and all the rest of it,” she revealed during the interview. Things eventually worked out in Green’s favor, as she was called back for another screen test by the Bond producer Barbara Broccoli.
Barbara Broccoli Insisted Eva Green do Another Screen Test
Debbie McWilliams shared that although Eva Green failed her screen test, producer Barbara Broccoli had a hunch that she was perfect for the role of Vesper Lynd. The casting director shared that both she and the Bond producer liked her very much.
Broccoli, who she claimed “has just such a fantastic instinct,” insisted she do another screen test for the movie. “Both Barbara and I insisted that Eva came back and had another go,” she said before further expanding that Green was “much calmer about the whole thing” and finally landed the part of Vesper Lynd in the 2006 movie.
Casino Royale is available on Prime Video.
Source: RadioTimes.com
