Why Liam Neeson junked Bond role
Liam Neeson could have joined an elite group of actors, Sean Connery and Daniel Craig to name a few, who have portrayed the always dapper and iconic 007 agent James Bond. But the Northern Irish Actor chose love instead.
The “Non-Stop” star revealed to U.K.’s Hull Daily Mall that he was offered the part during the early stages of his career.
“I was heavily courted, let’s put it that way, and I’m sure some other actors were too,” the thespian said. “It was about 18 or 19 years ago and my wife-to-be said, ‘If you play James Bond we’re not getting married!’ And I had to take that on board, because I did want to marry her,” he remembered with a smile.
Neeson is of course referring to his late wife Natasha Richardson. The couple tied the knot in 1994 and was happily married with their two sons until the actress’ tragic death (a freak skiing accident in Canada) in 2009.
Neeson didn’t elaborate about which film he was considered for, but doing the math, it would have been around the time of “Golden Eye.” Pierce Brosnan starred in the 17th installment, and his first of four films in the spy series. Neeson also didn’t explain why the English blond beauty was opposed to him starring in the storied franchise. Maybe it was the daring stunts, the exotic locations and the beautiful leading ladies.
Rejecting the potentially life-changing part didn’t harm Neeson’s career in any way. His unforgettable role in “Schindler’s List” catapulted his career and he earned an Oscar nomination in 1993. He also starred in “Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace,” the “Chronicles of Narnia” series, “Taken” and “The A-Team,” to name a few.