James Bond audition tapes from 2005 have surfaced online, featuring Henry Cavill's take on the iconic 007 role before it ultimately went to Daniel Craig. These intriguing clips, as highlighted by Games Radar, were shared on the Ron South YouTube channel, operated by an avid filmmaker with 1,890 subscribers. The channel also showcased auditions from other notable actors, including Sam Worthington, Rupert Friend, and Anthony Starr.
Among these, Henry Cavill's auditions have captured significant attention over the years. Many, including Casino Royale director Martin Campbell, believe Cavill would have been an exceptional James Bond. Campbell himself described Cavill's performance in the audition as "tremendous" and reportedly favored him for the role. However, the final decision favored Daniel Craig, as preferred by other key decision-makers.
Despite missing out on the Bond role, Cavill embraced the spy genre in the film Argylle, where he starred alongside a remarkable cast including Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston, and Catherine O’Hara. Unfortunately, Argylle did not meet critical expectations, receiving a disappointing 4/10 from IGN despite its stellar ensemble.
Henry Cavill's career remains diverse and robust. He has portrayed iconic characters such as Superman in DC's cinematic universe and Geralt of Rivia in Netflix's adaptation of The Witcher, along with numerous other roles that showcase his versatility as an actor.