Steven Spielberg was rejected to make a James Bond film.
The legendary 69-year-old filmmaker offered his services to the British spy series, but was turned down not once but twice.
Spielberg was sure after the massive box office success of ‘Jaws’ in 1975 that then 007 producer Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli – the late father of current Bond producer Barbara Broccoli – would snap him up but Cubby didn’t think he was the right man for the job.
Speaking on ‘The Michael Ball Show’ on BBC 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."
Refusing to be disheartened Spielberg offered to make a Bond movie again following on from the success of his 1977 sci-fi film ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’, but still had no luck.
He shared: "Then even after ‘Close Encounters…’ came out and was a big hit – once again – I tried to get on a Bond film. And they still didn’t think I was right for the part."
He jokingly added: "Twice I tried to get on a Bond film and now they can’t afford me. So Barbara forget it!"
Spielberg also discussed who should play James Bond in the next film following the expected departure from the role of Daniel Craig after four films, with the most recent being 2015’s ‘Spectre’ and he insists Idris Elba is his "first choice".
He said: "If Daniel doesn’t continue, I would love to see a Bond of colour for the next ‘Bond’ movie.
"If Daniel decides not to come back, Idris would be my first choice."
Spielberg attended the UK premiere of his new movie ‘The BFG’ – an adaptation of Roald Dahl’s 1982 children’s book – at the Odeon Leicester Square cinema in London on Sunday (17.06.16).
He was joined at the magical event by the stars from the film, Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill and Penelope Wilton.
Steven Spielberg rejected to direct James Bond
