Why Sam Worthington Didn’t Want to Be the New George Lazenby When He Auditioned for James Bond
Many actors were once in the running for James Bond before Daniel Craig was ultimately cast. One of those actors was Avatar star Sam Worthington, who revealed he was in serious talks for the role. After he wasn’t cast, however, Worthington was more relieved than upset. According to him, not getting the part meant he didn’t have to worry about becoming another George Lazenby.
Why Sam Worthington held off on auditioning for James Bond
Although some actors might jump at the opportunity to play Bond, Sam Worthington intentionally delayed his audition. This was because back when he was in talks for the part, he found it difficult to get into the character.
“I held off and held off doing the audition because I couldn’t find a way into the character. And when I finally did I went for it,” Worthington once told Shortlist (via Female First.)
However, Worthington realized that after a few rehearsals, Bond just wasn’t his to take.
“I got a half a day of acting with Casino Royale director Martin Campbell. I got to do some scenes with some great actors, gave it my all, and it wasn’t right for me,” he continued.
However, auditioning for James Bond taught him some valuable lessons that would eventually help him land Avatar.
“I thought the least I’ll get out of this is to act a few scenes with James Cameron, and that’s a hell of an opportunity,” Worthington said. “I learned that from going for the James Bond audition. If I give it all I’ve got and still don’t get the part, then so be it. This time I did.”
Why Sam Worthington didn’t want to be another George Lazenby
In another interview with Shortlist, Worthington went a little deeper into how he felt about not being able to play Bond. For the Clash of the Titans actor, not getting the role actually didn’t bother him much.
“I wasn’t gutted at the time, man. It didn’t bother me in the slightest because you can learn from it and go, ‘Do you know what? I wouldn’t want to see a James Bond movie with me in it anyway,’” he said.
According to Worthington, the last Australian Bond was George Lazenby, who he felt didn’t do a good job.
“The last time there was an Australian as James Bond it was George Lazenby and he f***** it up. I don’t want to be the new f****** George Lazenby. But you know, I learned a lot from that, which I took into the Avatar auditions,” Worthington said.
George Lazenby was told James Bond was Sean Connery’s gig
George Lazenby didn’t stick around as the 007 for long. In an interview with The Guardian, the actor discussed the advice that partially led to him exiting the franchise.
“I had advice that James Bond was over anyway. It was Sean Connery’s gig and, being in the 60s, it was love, not war. You know, hippy time. And I bought into that,” Lazenby explained. “They also said there’s a guy called Clint Eastwood doing movies in Italy, getting 500 grand for a month, for doing a western. They said, you could do that. So I didn’t feel like I was losing the million dollars.”
