Recently surfaced 2005 audition tapes reveal Henry Cavill's never-before-seen take on James Bond, years before Daniel Craig ultimately landed the iconic role.
Lost 007 Auditions Resurface
According to Games Radar, these rare test tapes emerged on the Ron South YouTube channel, operated by an independent filmmaker with 1,890 subscribers. The channel also featured Sam Worthington, Rupert Friend and Anthony Starr's Bond screen tests.
Cavill's audition has generated significant buzz over the years, with many industry professionals - including Casino Royale director Martin Campbell - praising his "tremendous" performance. Campbell reportedly favored Cavill for the role, though other producers ultimately chose Craig.
The actor later channeled his 007 potential into 2024's Argylle, starring alongside Bryce Dallas Howard and Sam Rockwell. Despite its A-list cast, the spy thriller received mixed reviews, including IGN's 4/10 critique.
From Bond to Diverse Roles
Cavill has since built an impressive resume beyond the Bond franchise, including portraying Superman in the DC Extended Universe and leading Netflix's Witcher adaptation as Geralt of Rivia. His breakthrough Bond audition remains a fascinating "what if" moment in Hollywood history.
