Steven Spielberg reveals that his offer to direct James Bond was rejected twice

The Oscar-winning director offered to make two 007 films in the 1970s
Rejected: Steven Spielberg had his offer to direct James Bond rejected
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Jennifer Ruby18 July 2016
The Weekender

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Steven Spielberg had his offer to direct a Bond film rejected by producers on two occasions.

Despite being one of the most successful and critically-acclaimed directors of all time, it seems that late producer Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli wasn’t too keen on having him make a 007 film in the 1970s.

While some of his best work was ahead of him, Spielberg already had Jaws and Close Encounters under his belt when he made his pitches to producers.

Speaking on the Michael Ball Show on Radio 2, he said: “I called Cubby Broccoli twice, and after Jaws which was such a huge success I thought “Hey people are giving me final cut now”.

“So I called up Cubby and offered my services but he didn’t think I was right for the part.”

Not one to give up so easily, it seems, Spielberg then approached Broccoli again in 1977.

“Then even after Close Encounter came out and was a big hit, once again, I tried to get on a Bond film,” he said.

But 40 years later and with two Best Director Oscars under his belt, it seems that Spielberg is over his dream of directing the British spy franchise.

“And now they can’t afford me. So Barbara forget it,” he added.

Producers have a director vacancy to fill for the next film in the franchise as Sam Mendes recently announced that he won’t be making any more Bond films.

Neon Demon director Nicolas Winding Refn was among the filmmakers approached, but turned down the offer.

The BFG premiere

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