Rupert Friend Reveals Why He Sabotaged James Bond Audition

Actor Rupert Friend admits he intentionally undermined his James Bond audition due to concerns about the role.

October 1, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — London, United Kingdom — British actor Rupert Friend has revealed that he deliberately sabotaged his own chances of playing James Bond in 2006, citing personal reservations about the role.

At just 22 years old, Friend was among the contenders for the iconic 007 role following Pierce Brosnan’s tenure. However, in a recent interview with The Times, he admitted that he intentionally stepped back from the competition, feeling he wasn’t ready to take on such an iconic character.

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Friend, known for roles in Homeland and Wes Anderson films, said he felt he hadn’t seen enough of the world to properly embody the character. Other actors who tested for the role included Antony Starr, Sam Worthington, and Henry Cavill, while Hugh Jackman had previously turned down the opportunity.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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