Veteran actor James Brolin has opened up about how he came incredibly close to playing one of the most iconic roles in film history — James Bond — in the 1983 film Octopussy, before Sir Roger Mooreunexpectedly returned for one last mission as 007.
Now 84, Brolin recalled to People how he had already started training and settling in for the role after being handpicked by legendary Bond producer Albert “Cubby” Broccoli.
“He [Roger Moore] was out, so I flew over and I met all the people. And I got my apartment and I started working with the stuntmen and Cubby Broccoli hired me,” Brolin explained.
But just as things were becoming official, the opportunity slipped away.
“We hadn’t signed any papers yet. I got back to LA, to get my stuff because I was going to be gone for a year. And I got a call saying Roger decided to do one more, and I was out.”
A Defining Career Crossroads
At the time, Brolin was riding high from the massive success of The Amityville Horror, then the highest-grossing independent film ever. But the industry still didn’t quite know where to place him.
“Amityville was the biggest-grossing independent film of all time, and nobody knew what to do with me, because of the character,” he said.
Ironically, Brolin also passed up the lead role in Superman — famously taken by Christopher Reeve — because he felt it didn’t align with his creative vision.
“I got offered Superman and turned it down because I couldn’t see myself being hung up on wires in a big red sock.”
Not Interested in the “Leading Man” Life
Although Brolin had the look and presence of a classic leading man, he later realized he preferred the versatility and depth of character roles.
“I really liked playing Reagan. I really liked playing Gable. I really liked playing a guy that was going nuts in Amityville. And I’ve done a lot of characters that people aren’t familiar with. That’s my favourite.”
“To be a leading man and just looking your best and saying the words perfect — it’s not interesting at all to me.”
Still Going Strong at 84
As he approaches his 85th birthday, Brolin shows no signs of slowing down. The Catch Me If You Canstar is currently focused on directing and developing new projects, with no plans to retire.
“After all these years, I feel like what’s really exciting is your next idea,” he said. “Film is like the old bread. It’s half price the next day. It’s what’s next that’s exciting.”
Though he never got to order a martini “shaken, not stirred,” James Brolin’s near-miss with Bond lore adds a fascinating “what if” chapter to the 007 legacy — and proves that sometimes the roles you don’t take are just as defining as the ones you do.
