In a fascinating glimpse into alternate casting history, auditions from 2005 for the iconic role of James Bond have surfaced online. These tapes, featuring Henry Cavill's portrayal of the suave spy, were shared on the Ron South YouTube channel, which is run by an enthusiastic filmmaker with 1,890 subscribers. Alongside Cavill, auditions of Sam Worthington, Rupert Friend, and Anthony Starr were also posted.
Over the years, Cavill's audition has garnered significant attention, with many fans and industry insiders believing he would have been an excellent James Bond. Notably, Martin Campbell, the director of Casino Royale, praised Cavill's audition as "tremendous" and reportedly favored him for the role. Despite this, Cavill was ultimately passed over in favor of Daniel Craig, as other decision-makers had different preferences.
Although he didn't secure the role of 007, Cavill has embraced his spy persona in other projects. He starred in the film Argylle, alongside a talented cast including Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston, and Catherine O’Hara. Unfortunately, Argylle did not meet critical acclaim, receiving a disappointing 4/10 from IGN despite its impressive lineup.
Cavill's career remains diverse and robust, with notable roles such as Superman in the DC universe, Geralt of Rivia in Netflix's The Witcher, and many others, showcasing his versatility and enduring appeal in the entertainment industry.