Watch Westworld (1973) and there he really looks like Christian Bale. Funnily enough Bale vacated a role that was then played by Brolin's son, Josh. George W Bush in W.
@@TomGallagherSuperboyBeyond he is Christian Bales doppelganger, I reckon he would have a made a better bond than Roger Moore thou. Roger Moore was good but a bit too much humour in his bond
Ooh please do one for Sam Neill's screentest too! Speaking of alternate universes....imagine one where Sam Neill does The Living Daylights and Timothy Dalton is in Jurassic Park.
If an American was gonna play Bond, Brolin was the best choice, he had the look and was a good actor. He was believable in the fight scenes which is a good thing too.
Brolin in that third screen-test has the best disguise Bond’s ever worn. I don’t think Bond has ever been that well camouflaged before or since. The only time Bond’s been harder to see is the Toby Stephens radio dramas where he literally can’t be seen. Also, I can’t help but think of Connery’s line in NSNA: “Take full advantage of the natural cover!”
For me, hearing James Bond without a British accent was just way too distracting & wrong. It made it impossible for me to seriously consider James Brolin as Bond, he just came off as the bland lead in some generic 1970's TV Detective show.
@@adamcollins915 Hmmm..., pretty sure the whole “Mid-Atlantic accent” thing was pretty much dead by this time, I suspect what he really meant was he hoped to come up with something passable as an English accent to US ears, even as he knew the UK audience would be rolling their eyes hard.
I'm an American- actually I'm really a Native New Yorker with a think New York Accent who still lives in New York. Bond has to have an English Accent. There are so many English or even Irish actors who are great in faking American Accents. They had to find an American Actor who could also do a great English Accent.
Brolin had class and came across sophisticated but everybody knows that Bond is a British character so the American Bond simply would not have really worked. Now it is possible that Brolin may have done a British accent for the role.
You can see that James Brolin had a sense of humor about the scenes--especially in the third screen test, where he slightly smiled and looked away to avoid completely laughing at VJ's handling of the snake. I think James Brolin's Bond would've been a natural successor to Roger Moore's Bond.
If Brolin getting the part meant we never got Dalton, then I’m perfectly happy living in this timeline. I mean, it’s not the best timeline (what with Dalton’s third and subsequent films being cancelled) but it’s good enough.
If he'd have gotten the part, I would assume that'd mean he'd be contracted for a minimum of four as they often are and as such he'd have taken us right through the rest of the 80s... Weird to think how different things might have been if Kevin McClory had just settled out of court!
@@calvindyson Lewis Collins who was a huge TV star in the early 80`s after starring in The proffessionals also auditioned for the part of Bond in Octopussy but was turned down for playing Bond in an aggressive manner, they still have found a role for him in that movie in some way cause he was so charismatic.
Same here. While I think Brolin would have been not too bad as Bond, despite Octopussy and A view to a kill being my two favourite Moore Bond movies, I'm afraid that we wouldn't have gotten the 2 Dalton movies and that would be a shame.
Had Moore been rotated off after either #10 or #11, Calvin's personal all-time favourite (he was initially contracted for just 3 entries, in contrast to 6 for Connery in the '60s) someone else would have been in the midst of his tenure - meaning no audition for Brolin or anyone else, at least not for Octopussy 📼📅
@@bonghunezhou5051 From what I’ve heard, Dalton was approached to replace Moore after Moonraker, but Dalton wasn’t happy with the direction the films were going in at that point and turned the offer down. Which, in hindsight, is a little unfortunate considering FYEO would end up being the kind of return to Fleming that he advocated for during his tenure.
He just seems a bit average to me personally, and the American accent only confounds matters. Thank goodness they got Roger back, I don't think Octopussy would've been as great as it was without him!
I'm guessing they would have got a dialogue coach to teach him how to speak with a British accent. But maybe they would have just dubbed his voice. They had a history of doing that in the Bond films, after all..
Isn't that what they did with George Lazenby? It was actually him doing his voice but still. And if you listen, Brolin is KIND OF doing a British accent, it's just subtle.
@@spencerkindra8822 They only dubbed Lazenby for the Hilary Bray impersonation. Also struck me as a bit pointless. Bond with glasses doesn't look exactly like Bray, so why does he need to sound exactly like him. A Bond actor who was always dubbed would be ridiculous.
@@davidjames579 I guess I shouldn't have used to word dubbed. They had Lazenby ADR his voice in the sound booth after the scenes were shot is what I meant. And great question about Bond having Bray's voice. Maybe to show Bond was really good at impersonating Bray to make us think he's very good at being undercover? I don't know.
This was awesome to see, Calvin! If you want to see what Brolin would have been like as 007, look up the show "Castle" and find the episodes that have Brolin as a guest star. He plays a spy/assassin like Bond but with the caveat of being the main character's absent father. It's quite the watch!
I started watching you not long after you began this Bond stuff. I watched as you updated your videos, eventually reviewing all the Bond movies. I figured that would be it for the channel, but you have taken it to levels I couldn't even have imagined. EXCELLENT WORK sir! I love watching these videos as much as I love the Bond films themselves!
For me, it's really simple: There are many, many good choices for a Bond style character, and this is a great example, but if the actor's not from the UK (Or not convincingly British), they just can't be James Bond.
This right here. Brolin clearly looked the part and would have been amazing in all things Bond….but if he couldn’t pull the accent, it’s just not gonna happen.
@@spyboy1964 really? You say that as though it's documented fact. It's OK to be a Connery fanboy but give it a rest with the Connery influence. All three actors you mentioned put their own spin on Bond. You give Connery waaaaay too much credit for influence.
@@godphoenix66x Sean Connery played bond hard edged from day 1. Roger Moore never did. Brosnan was influenced by both Moore and Connery. But all of them were influenced by Connery.
@@godphoenix66x perhaps you misunderstood what I actually meant by that original statement. I was referring to James Brolin. He played the FRWL scene badly IMO. I think that Craig is a great James Bond and will be hard to replace. Brolin on the other hand was literally playing the same scene that Connery played. That is what I was commenting on.
Bond with an american accent feels extremely off. I think James Brolin looks fine as Bond but I feel like he would need to put on an English Accent if he did get the part but God knows how convincing of an accent he would have.
I'm glad we got Roger Moore back for Octopussy, not so much for A View to a Kill. Amazing all the possibilities that could have been for Bond (although that photo you showed of some Bond possibilities; except for Lazenby; looks pretty grim). I admire Cubby for thinking outside the box to consider an American actor like Brolin, but it just seems to me (even as an American) that Bond's gotta come from somewhere in the the U.K.
What an epic job interview this must be. "Alright James, we're gonna give you three scenes - in the first one, you have to throw a guy into a window then kick him by the groin into the fireplace. Next, you're going to have to sit back and let Maude Adams audition for you. Finally, you need to spend as much time as you can carefully avoiding the eyes of a massive snake that may or may not be eerily licking you the entire run."
@@calvindyson I don't know if you read this or not. Just want to say that I'm not entirly convinced about Brolin. I do think it would be fun that one James Bond Actor actually has the same exact initials as Bond himself. But I really do think it was for the better that Roger reprised his role in Octopussy. And Dalton playing bond the two movies after Roger
@@calvindyson Vijay like his character hated snakes, but for the part got on with it because he didn't want to be recast. From the screentest, you can see how he could barely conceal it.
I heard that Brolin would've affected a Mid Atlantic accent, like Moore and Brosnan. Bond of the books considered himself as a bit of a foreigner, anyway. He reflects on this in Thunderball. Of course, Fleming made him Scot on dad's side and French on mum's side. Or was she Swiss? Also, there never would have been a great 007 franchise without the American and Canadian Broccoli and Salt man, food for thought, with pepper! I always thought Bale would've been a good Bond, too. He had humor as Batman and looked good in a tux and Lamborghini. So if Brolin was a young Bale he would be OK as Bond. He had the physicality, had a likable aura and humor. Summation. Many Brit actors play Americans. The first Bond on TV was an American. Likely Fleming was still alive, so he must have considered Bond played by an Yank. Someone on yt spiced Brolin's fight test with Bond theme and it feels great.
Neill has said in later years that he didn't want to play Bond, but his agent made him go (obviously thinking of the money). He apparently regrets saying yes to going! It seems EON considered him after his starring role in the TV series Reilly, Ace Of Spies.
@@olivergiggins7931 I've always thought they have similar sounding voices. Neill like Brosnan is Irish and born there, but like B moved away as a child (B to England, N to New Zealand).
Brolin was to get his revenge for being passed over by playing super-spy P.W. Herman in "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" just two years later. In a film-within-a-film, Brolin wears a grey suit, takes a call from the President at the front desk of a posh hotel, develops some sexual tension with "Bond Girl" Morgan Fairchild, rides a motorcycle and (I believe) fights ninjas. He plays it straight (which makes it hilarious), but he shows us even more of what could of been. Only some of it is on YT, but check it out!
Could have brought a harder edge to the part,before dalton and Daniel Craig,but my personal opinion is that the producers had the Lazenby effect still in their minds and were scared to go with someone new. As a massive fan of the Professionals he would have been great 👍🏻
James Brolin instead ended up getting the lead of the TV series based on the Arthur Hailey book Hotel which premiered on 21st September 1983 3 months after Octopussy was released
James Brolin found the humor in the scene, which is a good indication he "gets it" as a professional. His appeal is a lot like Connery's, although he is not the actor Sean was. He was very good in those screen tests, and he was a very experienced actor by that time, and I thought he and Maud Adams had great chemistry. Brolin would have had a helluva film career had he booked that role. He did well as it was, but had James done Octopussy, he'd have been a much bigger star. The American accent works, especially with that bucolic quality Brolin has. I think he'd have been better than all of them except Connery, Brosnan and Craig.
I’m glad that Moore did Octopussy as he’s my favourite Bond and it’s my 2nd favourite Bond film after FYEO. Also I don’t think an American actor should play James Bond. I think he should always be played by a British actor. George Lazenby was a miscast for me.
Calvin you should do your top 10 'could have been Bond'. Your own favourites since the 60's. There are enough names to choose from. Or a video on the actors who are rumoured to have rejected approaches to be Bond. Again several actors here.
I wonder how casting an American as Bond would’ve down at the time. I think if they did so today there’d be a massive furore from many a Brit simply on principle, and from many others too. Evidentially Cubby Broccoli wasn’t concerned about it. It makes me wonder when the rule that Bond must be British came into effect. Of course, it wasn’t in effect in ‘68 when George Lazenby got the role, and it didn’t seem to affect Pierce Brosnan getting the part either (though he had lived in the UK since childhood). It seems it’s more of a concern of Barbara Broccoli than it was for Cubby, so I’m guessing it must be a fairly recent rule.
Great point! I've definitely heard interviews here and there where they say Cubby felt Bond had to be played by a British actor but at least twice he came incredibly close to just casting an American in the part with Brolin and Gavin. I don't think we'd ever see it now, part of Bond's appeal is that he's British in amongst a slew of American action heroes but interesting to think of how it might have changed expectations, again!
@@calvindyson Burt Reynolds was offered the role of Bond after Sean Connery gave up playing Bond, but Reynolds turned down the role saying Bond should be played by an English guy.
@@markant9534 Adam West and Clint Eastwood were offered the part around the same time, and they turned it down for the same reason. I remember reading an interview with Burt Reynolds later on in his career where he said he regretted turning the part down and that he would’ve made a decent stab at the accent. No offence to the guy, but I’m glad things turned out the way they did.
@@BenCol The rule as I understand it is the same as the directors: They have to come from a Commonwealth country (Marc Forster snuck in because Bond is half Swiss). So technically you could have a Canadian. Now Cary Fukanaga's here, maybe the rule is over? The need for an American in the early 70's seemed to come from UA who were worried the Bond films were on the decline and needed a Hollywood star to prop them up, or at least bring in audiences. So Burt Reynolds, Clint Eastwood, Adam West, Paul Newman and Robert Redford were all considered. This appeal to American audiences though left a legacy in the Bond films of the time, with this being the reason Diamonds Are Forever and Live And Let Die are so predominantly set in the US and have a lot of American characters. Plus why they wanted to cast Jane Fonda or Faye Dunaway as Bond Girls. Funnily enough American's attraction to the Bond novels and films was in their other-ness. So giving them things they saw everyday was an odd reaction. Even Vegas is a downmarket version of the opulence you get in Monte Carlo and other exotic casino locations.
@@davidjames579 Clint could've been Two Face on Batman , IMO Jack Lord looked a lot like TF , problem is he'd demand more $ after 1 show and that would not fly with prod Dozier
There's something about Brolin's screentest that's never really sat right with me? Maybe it is the American accent? I mean, obviously he didn't get the role mostly due to the reasons you stated, especially regarding Never Say Never Again but let's just say I completely understand why they DIDN'T hire him... 👀 Very nice to see Space Suit Rog getting pride of place too hahaha! I can completely understand why you caved cos it's probably the best Bond Funko Pop they've actually released. (Also very much enjoy the floral patterning on your bookshelf!! 😂)
Would've been interesting to see how they would've handled his American accent. Usually Americans don't do British accents very convincingly although he does look convincing. Still, glad he didn't do it..
I know it's not relevant to this but I was watching OHMSS recently and the gunbarrel makes me cry. Because he gets down on one knee like he's proposing!
once again, great video Calvin! I suspect there are a great many interesting Bond "nearly-were's" . there was actually a very poignant documentary done by an Irish comedian Des Bishop about his father Mike, who was second in line to George Lazenby in 68
New appreciation for Daniela Bianchi after seeing Maud Adams in the classic From Russia With Love scene (and yes I know it was just a screen test and not even her own). The chemistry between Sean and Daniela in that scene was so palpable.
You can tell Vijay's shitting bricks carrying the snake. He was probably fearing the snake would bite him, but also fearing he probably wouldn't get the part if it didn't look like he could handle the snake. He even breaks character to say "this is impossible".
Hi, Calvin. I'm a long-time viewer, first-time commenter. I don't think its such a stretch to think an American could portray Bond. We've had 3 actors play the role who were not "English". Connery was Scottish, Brosnan Irish, and Lazenby was Australian. MI6 could recruit agents from all over the world. Perhaps Bond could have some ties to the US, or Brolin could have tried an English accent. Anyway, top marks, Calvin, on your channel. I will continue to enjoy your analysis of all things 007! 🕵🏻
Brolin was first tested in 1979 after Cubby Brocoli saw him in Capricorn One. Moore had just finished Moonraker & was knackered. Upon finding out, he quit (for the first time). Source - Paul Donovans book - 'Roger Moore'.
To clarify when it comes to screen tests, it's not just in Bond films where they are lavish productions. While auditions are usually simple affairs, the screen test is done very late in the casting process, often with one or a few candidates and the idea is to do something as close to the real thing as possible. It's basically a way to see how well it works in the wild and are usually a way to also test make-up, costume and even the look of the film, so it's basically a trial run of things to come.
John James was another American rumour. This was in 1985/6. Cubby Brocoli was keen on an American in the 70's. With rumours of Eastwood, Robert Wagner, Burt Reynolds, Newman & Redford.
You might like to check out the 1977-81 action series The Professionals. Lewis Collins (Bodie) auditioned for Bond and he was arguably the best Bond we never had. Especially his performance in the episodes "Close Quarters" and "Fall Girl". The series also had 5 episodes directed by Martin Campbell, who said this was where he picked up his direction style for Goldeneye and CR.
I must say...I think James Brolin looks the part. It does take a bit for me to get over the American accent, however, he looked really good in the tux and the scene with Vijay, he looked really good as well.
I find it weird that Cubby Brocoli refused to let Spielberg direct A James Bond movie. But seems to be fine to have an american actor to play James Bond
I think James Brolin and Sam Neill: they were both really good actors and handsome men!!! *** But, of course it's sooooooo great that finally Roger Moore was playing James Bond in 1983 & 1985 and Timothy Dalton in 1987 & 1989!!! These men are just unbeatable!!!
Brolin was a great looking guy. Remember that Christian Bale looks like James Brolin not the other way around as Brolin was established way before Bale. But you are young so you would say that. You are forgiven...
This is great, I must admit James looks the part, and may have been good if he was after Roger. I had not seen James in any film clean shaven in any film, from 1978/2000. So obviously he just shaved for the role. More fabulous work Calvin.
Thanks very much, Dale! Hadn't occured to me about him being clean shaven but you're right... I best know him from Amityville where he of course has a full beard
If I may make a suggestion for your next Bond-cast-reunion-in-a-non-Bond-film review: _Capricorn One._ It stars James Brolin and during the movie's climax Telly Savalas plays a key role. Obviously, it's light on actors who appeared in Bond movies, but its overall story line bares a strong similarity to a certain scene from _Diamonds Are Forever._
When I first saw these screentests on the Octopussy dvd, I was struck that both John Glen and Michael G. Wilson were impressed with Brolin's performance. Wilson's observation that Brolin had a "mid-atlantic" quality is correct. If Roger had opted out, I would have cast him. Also in regards to Brolin being an American, we've had a Tsunami of British (Scottish, Irish, Australian...) actors playing American roles. If we can have Christian Bale and Tom Holland as Batman and Spider-man, we could have had a James Brolin/James Bond.
Richard Armitage won a poll for the next Bond on the 'Alternative 007' site a few years ago. He is too old now but not sure why he wasn't concided in 2005.
If we couldn’t have Moore in Octopussy I would have been happy with an early start for Dalton. Any excuse for more Dalton. I’d like to see him get his third film even today.
Hot Take: the bond films always film in exotic locales with foreign actors - usually who they dub over later a la Ursula Andress. Is the VJ scene a test of how good the bond actor can act with someone who’s dialogue they will 100% have to rerecord later?
Shows how old I am; I remember James Brolin as motorcycle-riding Dr. Steve Kiley on "Marcus Welby, M.D." and ill-fated tourist John Blaine in the original "Westworld" when they were first shown.
Oh joy! Calvin reviews the Brolin screentest. I had the exact same reactions. He looks like Bale his voice although American wasn't too distracting because he has a nice deep tone and Maud Adams really does star in the FRWL scene. He did a good job but lost me with the snake test and not just because the snake is distracting. He's playing it like Connery - he did well in the Connery scenes but can't handle the snake. I'm reminded of Roger in the behind the scenes footage where he's walking along with Vijay with the snake in the basket and he's having fun knocking the basket and scaring the crap out of Vijay. It's impossible to imagine anyone other than Roger in Octopussy. He delivered on every front and not just cool. It would have been half the film without him in it. Brolin would have been decent enough but I don't think I'd have seen Octopussy if he'd been in it. I actually watched both Octopussy and NSNA at the Cinema and would have gone with Connery if Roger was replaced and he'd kept making more Bond films. Brolin can only be a Connery type...only Connery can be Connery. I think they should revise the Bond Screen tests to include scenes from other movies with other Bonds. Otherwise they're gonna be stuck with looking for someone who has Connery qualities. Brolin passed the Connery test but failed the Moore one so maybe the snake test wasn't so daft after all. Even though it's nuts. LOL
i have 5 james bond pops, sean connery 007, roger moore 007, jaws, blofeld and oddjob. All worth getting. I want to get more bond pops such as craig 007
He really has the Bond look, and the burr of the voice is along the lines of Pierce not really sounding English. I still think he would have had to work on the accent. It's an interesting question, could Bond be American. I think Casino Royale 1954 answered that....... No seriously, I personally think the reason Bond always has to be British and sound British because he's a British icon like Harry Potter. We also have few British action heroes, so keep him British. I would add it's also a major selling point to international audiences, including Americans.
I wonder what made the producers choose daniel craig as Bond. He is a good actor allright but he is awfully uncharmed and definitely has bad features. I think that the true reason is because he is Barbara Broccoli´s friend. Sincerely.
Lewis Collins was a favourite contender in the early 80's. Had a cheeky grin & tough guy good looks. Women used to camp outside his house. But by the mid 80's he had fallen out of contention although he did meet Cubby Brocoli.
Gavin and Brolin had those flat accents, somewhat Mid Atlantic. Gregory Peck had that kind speech inflection. As long as one speak certain words in a British pronunciation, it could work.
I agree with you. James Brolin did surprisingly well in the screen tests, But I’m glad we got Roger Moore again. I do think that if James Brolin had gotten the role he would’ve played it less seriously than Timothy Dalton dead, but may be a little more seriously than Roger Moore.
I thought it was just me getting Christian Bale vibes and I’m definitely glad we got another great Roger Moore film
Watch Westworld (1973) and there he really looks like Christian Bale. Funnily enough Bale vacated a role that was then played by Brolin's son, Josh. George W Bush in W.
The Spy Who Loved Me is the only good Moore movie. He was a terrible Bond
@@redram5150 But a brilliant Roger Moore
My first thought was "American Psycho" and than Calvin put his finger on it with Christian Bale. Kinda weird vibe for a Bond movie.
Young James Brolin looks like a cross between Christian Bale and Tom Cruise.
He looks a lot closer to Christian Bale in the original WestWorld movie.
Neeson?
@@TomGallagherSuperboyBeyond he is Christian Bales doppelganger, I reckon he would have a made a better bond than Roger Moore thou. Roger Moore was good but a bit too much humour in his bond
Paul Smith or a Felix letier
and Dumbo!
Ooh please do one for Sam Neill's screentest too! Speaking of alternate universes....imagine one where Sam Neill does The Living Daylights and Timothy Dalton is in Jurassic Park.
I would prefer Timothy Dalton in Jurrasic Park than in James Bond movie.
@@cesarzpontu8886 i would prefer Timothy in both films
@Randy White he isn't likeable
Wild. I can see Sam Neill as 007 but not instead of Timothy Dalton. And Dalton in Jurassic Park? Wow, fanfiction writes itself!
The best!!
If an American was gonna play Bond, Brolin was the best choice, he had the look and was a good actor. He was believable in the fight scenes which is a good thing too.
Speaking with an American accent would immediately take you out of the believability he was British.
@@treadstone1970 His name is Streisand , Mister Streisand
Brolin could have made a great Felix if they wanted to do a proper Bond/Felix team up movie
Good point. Brolin Would have nailed it as Felix.
To quote Brolin's son "This does put a smile on my face."
Brolin in that third screen-test has the best disguise Bond’s ever worn. I don’t think Bond has ever been that well camouflaged before or since. The only time Bond’s been harder to see is the Toby Stephens radio dramas where he literally can’t be seen.
Also, I can’t help but think of Connery’s line in NSNA: “Take full advantage of the natural cover!”
All I could see was Brolin's head levitating through the scene. I thought the Bond films had changed genre.
Bond should be ,male, British, and white.! Brolin was not suave enough, he could be great as a CIA agent however.
For me, hearing James Bond without a British accent was just way too distracting & wrong. It made it impossible for me to seriously consider James Brolin as Bond, he just came off as the bland lead in some generic 1970's TV Detective show.
Brolin said they would have gone for a mid atlantic accent.
@@adamcollins915 Hmmm..., pretty sure the whole “Mid-Atlantic accent” thing was pretty much dead by this time, I suspect what he really meant was he hoped to come up with something passable as an English accent to US ears, even as he knew the UK audience would be rolling their eyes hard.
@@briangonigal3974 Speculation by you. Not fact. You don't know what they would of gone for and obviously they would of gone for Brolin. Accent or not
Amen
I'm an American- actually I'm really a Native New Yorker with a think New York Accent who still lives in New York. Bond has to have an English Accent. There are so many English or even Irish actors who are great in faking American Accents. They had to find an American Actor who could also do a great English Accent.
A British accent gives the character class, Roger moore every time
Exactly. Moore will always be my favorite.
Brolin had class and came across sophisticated but everybody knows that Bond is a British character so the American Bond simply would not have really worked.
Now it is possible that Brolin may have done a British accent for the role.
You can see that James Brolin had a sense of humor about the scenes--especially in the third screen test, where he slightly smiled and looked away to avoid completely laughing at VJ's handling of the snake. I think James Brolin's Bond would've been a natural successor to Roger Moore's Bond.
If Brolin getting the part meant we never got Dalton, then I’m perfectly happy living in this timeline. I mean, it’s not the best timeline (what with Dalton’s third and subsequent films being cancelled) but it’s good enough.
If he'd have gotten the part, I would assume that'd mean he'd be contracted for a minimum of four as they often are and as such he'd have taken us right through the rest of the 80s... Weird to think how different things might have been if Kevin McClory had just settled out of court!
@@calvindyson Lewis Collins who was a huge TV star in the early 80`s after starring in The proffessionals also auditioned for the part of Bond in Octopussy but was turned down for playing Bond in an aggressive manner, they still have found a role for him in that movie in some way cause he was so charismatic.
Same here. While I think Brolin would have been not too bad as Bond, despite Octopussy and A view to a kill being my two favourite Moore Bond movies, I'm afraid that we wouldn't have gotten the 2 Dalton movies and that would be a shame.
Had Moore been rotated off after either #10 or #11, Calvin's personal all-time favourite (he was initially contracted for just 3 entries, in contrast to 6 for Connery in the '60s) someone else would have been in the midst of his tenure - meaning no audition for Brolin or anyone else, at least not for Octopussy 📼📅
@@bonghunezhou5051 From what I’ve heard, Dalton was approached to replace Moore after Moonraker, but Dalton wasn’t happy with the direction the films were going in at that point and turned the offer down. Which, in hindsight, is a little unfortunate considering FYEO would end up being the kind of return to Fleming that he advocated for during his tenure.
He just seems a bit average to me personally, and the American accent only confounds matters. Thank goodness they got Roger back, I don't think Octopussy would've been as great as it was without him!
Yeah Brolin may look the part but that's about as far as it goes. Otherwise incredibly wooden.
@@Muskateering
He was not Wooden at all.
I'm guessing they would have got a dialogue coach to teach him how to speak with a British accent. But maybe they would have just dubbed his voice. They had a history of doing that in the Bond films, after all..
Isn't that what they did with George Lazenby? It was actually him doing his voice but still. And if you listen, Brolin is KIND OF doing a British accent, it's just subtle.
@@spencerkindra8822 They only dubbed Lazenby for the Hilary Bray impersonation. Also struck me as a bit pointless. Bond with glasses doesn't look exactly like Bray, so why does he need to sound exactly like him. A Bond actor who was always dubbed would be ridiculous.
They did it a lot with even English actresses Jane Seymour and Caroline Munro being two examples.
@@davidjames579 I guess I shouldn't have used to word dubbed. They had Lazenby ADR his voice in the sound booth after the scenes were shot is what I meant. And great question about Bond having Bray's voice. Maybe to show Bond was really good at impersonating Bray to make us think he's very good at being undercover? I don't know.
@@davidjames579 It's interesting to listen and pick the exact point they start and stop the Hillary Bray voice.
This was awesome to see, Calvin! If you want to see what Brolin would have been like as 007, look up the show "Castle" and find the episodes that have Brolin as a guest star. He plays a spy/assassin like Bond but with the caveat of being the main character's absent father. It's quite the watch!
Thanks for the heads up on this! I will definitely check it out!
I love how Calvin's mouth squiggles when Brolin does the first fight scene! He's got a definite Charlie Brown wobble there!
He kind of comes across as an American Dalton. Meaning in an alternate universe, Dalton is a Welsh James Brolin.
Fun fact: Brolin played the Command Pilot of Capricorn One, a faked Mars landing, seven years after Connery's Bond stumbles upon a fake Moon landing.
I would love to see the Moore, Brosnan and Craig tests. Especially want to see Brosnan doing that FRWL scene
Moore is the only 007 who didn't have screen tests
I started watching you not long after you began this Bond stuff. I watched as you updated your videos, eventually reviewing all the Bond movies. I figured that would be it for the channel, but you have taken it to levels I couldn't even have imagined. EXCELLENT WORK sir! I love watching these videos as much as I love the Bond films themselves!
For me, it's really simple: There are many, many good choices for a Bond style character, and this is a great example, but if the actor's not from the UK (Or not convincingly British), they just can't be James Bond.
Facts.
This right here. Brolin clearly looked the part and would have been amazing in all things Bond….but if he couldn’t pull the accent, it’s just not gonna happen.
Sean Connery's legendary status seems to grow every time I see someone try to do the same thing he did yet do it badly
Connery was overrated.
@@godphoenix66x yet Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig have "borrowed" from him
@@spyboy1964 really? You say that as though it's documented fact. It's OK to be a Connery fanboy but give it a rest with the Connery influence. All three actors you mentioned put their own spin on Bond. You give Connery waaaaay too much credit for influence.
@@godphoenix66x Sean Connery played bond hard edged from day 1. Roger Moore never did. Brosnan was influenced by both Moore and Connery. But all of them were influenced by Connery.
@@godphoenix66x perhaps you misunderstood what I actually meant by that original statement. I was referring to James Brolin. He played the FRWL scene badly IMO. I think that Craig is a great James Bond and will be hard to replace. Brolin on the other hand was literally playing the same scene that Connery played. That is what I was commenting on.
Brolin doesn't have that cheeky sarcasm that Moore had
Extremely wooden I can see why they stuck with Roger Moore.
Bond with an american accent feels extremely off. I think James Brolin looks fine as Bond but I feel like he would need to put on an English Accent if he did get the part but God knows how convincing of an accent he would have.
Shean Connery managed without putting on an English acshent
Maybe it would've been explained that his Bond is a British citizen via immigration.
@@explorer806 probably because Bond isn't English. He's Scottish-Switz.
@@treadstone1970 Scottish dad, English public school.
@@explorer806 Scottish by birth means Scottish regardless of educational background.
Can you really imagine Bond saying Yoghurt incorrectly
He was actually saying hello to the actor who played Goldfinger.
Not to mention saying Nottingham. Americans would pronounce it as Noddingham.
@@davidjames579 oh well done!☺👏
@Tim Hands. I pronounce it as Nottingham.🇺🇸
I'm glad we got Roger Moore back for Octopussy, not so much for A View to a Kill. Amazing all the possibilities that could have been for Bond (although that photo you showed of some Bond possibilities; except for Lazenby; looks pretty grim). I admire Cubby for thinking outside the box to consider an American actor like Brolin, but it just seems to me (even as an American) that Bond's gotta come from somewhere in the the U.K.
What an epic job interview this must be. "Alright James, we're gonna give you three scenes - in the first one, you have to throw a guy into a window then kick him by the groin into the fireplace. Next, you're going to have to sit back and let Maude Adams audition for you. Finally, you need to spend as much time as you can carefully avoiding the eyes of a massive snake that may or may not be eerily licking you the entire run."
Obviously that Snake was the real star in the third screen test. Once you see that snake you can't take your eyes off it
I honestly could focus on any of the dialogue or what they were talking about. I was just nervous for Vijay!
@@calvindyson I don't know if you read this or not. Just want to say that I'm not entirly convinced about Brolin. I do think it would be fun that one James Bond Actor actually has the same exact initials as Bond himself. But I really do think it was for the better that Roger reprised his role in Octopussy. And Dalton playing bond the two movies after Roger
@@calvindyson Vijay like his character hated snakes, but for the part got on with it because he didn't want to be recast. From the screentest, you can see how he could barely conceal it.
@@davidjames579 I think he breaks character at one point, with his "this is impossible".
@@WhiteJarrah I can't decide if he's breaking character or staying in character while reacting to the snake's behavior.
I would have loved James Brolin in the role. I love Brolins work. A great actor he is.
I heard that Brolin would've affected a Mid Atlantic accent, like Moore and Brosnan.
Bond of the books considered himself as a bit of a foreigner, anyway. He reflects on this in Thunderball. Of course, Fleming made him Scot on dad's side and French on mum's side. Or was she Swiss?
Also, there never would have been a great 007 franchise without the American and Canadian Broccoli and Salt man, food for thought, with pepper!
I always thought Bale would've been a good Bond, too. He had humor as Batman and looked good in a tux and Lamborghini.
So if Brolin was a young Bale he would be OK as Bond. He had the physicality, had a likable aura and humor.
Summation. Many Brit actors play Americans. The first Bond on TV was an American. Likely Fleming was still alive, so he must have considered Bond played by an Yank.
Someone on yt spiced Brolin's fight test with Bond theme and it feels great.
I didn't know Sam Neill tried out as Bond, that would have been interesting
It shows they were going for a particular type as he's very Brosnan-y.
Its on the living daylights documentary on the DVD. Apparently everyone but Cubby liked him so that was the end of the matter!
Neill has said in later years that he didn't want to play Bond, but his agent made him go (obviously thinking of the money). He apparently regrets saying yes to going! It seems EON considered him after his starring role in the TV series Reilly, Ace Of Spies.
@@olivergiggins7931 I've always thought they have similar sounding voices. Neill like Brosnan is Irish and born there, but like B moved away as a child (B to England, N to New Zealand).
@@davidjames579 Didn't know that. Shame the agent put Neill though that
Brolin was to get his revenge for being passed over by playing super-spy P.W. Herman in "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" just two years later. In a film-within-a-film, Brolin wears a grey suit, takes a call from the President at the front desk of a posh hotel, develops some sexual tension with "Bond Girl" Morgan Fairchild, rides a motorcycle and (I believe) fights ninjas. He plays it straight (which makes it hilarious), but he shows us even more of what could of been. Only some of it is on YT, but check it out!
would love to see lewis collins of the professionals screentest,he would have been a superb bond.
he was certainly very bondish in who dares wins/the final option! :D
Could have brought a harder edge to the part,before dalton and Daniel Craig,but my personal opinion is that the producers had the Lazenby effect still in their minds and were scared to go with someone new. As a massive fan of the Professionals he would have been great 👍🏻
James Brolin instead ended up getting the lead of the TV series based on the Arthur Hailey book Hotel which premiered on 21st September 1983 3 months after Octopussy was released
James Brolin found the humor in the scene, which is a good indication he "gets it" as a professional. His appeal is a lot like Connery's, although he is not the actor Sean was. He was very good in those screen tests, and he was a very experienced actor by that time, and I thought he and Maud Adams had great chemistry. Brolin would have had a helluva film career had he booked that role. He did well as it was, but had James done Octopussy, he'd have been a much bigger star. The American accent works, especially with that bucolic quality Brolin has. I think he'd have been better than all of them except Connery, Brosnan and Craig.
I’m glad that Moore did Octopussy as he’s my favourite Bond and it’s my 2nd favourite Bond film after FYEO. Also I don’t think an American actor should play James Bond. I think he should always be played by a British actor. George Lazenby was a miscast for me.
Bruce Lee kinda played 007 in Enter Dragon
@@Blobby192 yeah Jimmy, Bonds nephew.
Yes I was definitely getting an overwhelming sense of Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman!
Calvin you should do your top 10 'could have been Bond'.
Your own favourites since the 60's. There are enough names to choose from.
Or a video on the actors who are rumoured to have rejected approaches to be Bond. Again several actors here.
I wonder how casting an American as Bond would’ve down at the time. I think if they did so today there’d be a massive furore from many a Brit simply on principle, and from many others too. Evidentially Cubby Broccoli wasn’t concerned about it. It makes me wonder when the rule that Bond must be British came into effect. Of course, it wasn’t in effect in ‘68 when George Lazenby got the role, and it didn’t seem to affect Pierce Brosnan getting the part either (though he had lived in the UK since childhood). It seems it’s more of a concern of Barbara Broccoli than it was for Cubby, so I’m guessing it must be a fairly recent rule.
Great point! I've definitely heard interviews here and there where they say Cubby felt Bond had to be played by a British actor but at least twice he came incredibly close to just casting an American in the part with Brolin and Gavin. I don't think we'd ever see it now, part of Bond's appeal is that he's British in amongst a slew of American action heroes but interesting to think of how it might have changed expectations, again!
@@calvindyson Burt Reynolds was offered the role of Bond after Sean Connery gave up playing Bond, but Reynolds turned down the role saying Bond should be played by an English guy.
@@markant9534 Adam West and Clint Eastwood were offered the part around the same time, and they turned it down for the same reason.
I remember reading an interview with Burt Reynolds later on in his career where he said he regretted turning the part down and that he would’ve made a decent stab at the accent. No offence to the guy, but I’m glad things turned out the way they did.
@@BenCol The rule as I understand it is the same as the directors: They have to come from a Commonwealth country (Marc Forster snuck in because Bond is half Swiss). So technically you could have a Canadian. Now Cary Fukanaga's here, maybe the rule is over?
The need for an American in the early 70's seemed to come from UA who were worried the Bond films were on the decline and needed a Hollywood star to prop them up, or at least bring in audiences. So Burt Reynolds, Clint Eastwood, Adam West, Paul Newman and Robert Redford were all considered. This appeal to American audiences though left a legacy in the Bond films of the time, with this being the reason Diamonds Are Forever and Live And Let Die are so predominantly set in the US and have a lot of American characters.
Plus why they wanted to cast Jane Fonda or Faye Dunaway as Bond Girls. Funnily enough American's attraction to the Bond novels and films was in their other-ness. So giving them things they saw everyday was an odd reaction. Even Vegas is a downmarket version of the opulence you get in Monte Carlo and other exotic casino locations.
@@davidjames579 Clint could've been Two Face on Batman , IMO Jack Lord looked a lot like TF , problem is he'd demand more $ after 1 show and that would not fly with prod Dozier
The next Bond didn't have to go through a screen test. She just ticked boxes
How can James Bond be a "she"?
the love scene he FELT like a robot....
Would fit the evil Terminator in T2
There's something about Brolin's screentest that's never really sat right with me? Maybe it is the American accent? I mean, obviously he didn't get the role mostly due to the reasons you stated, especially regarding Never Say Never Again but let's just say I completely understand why they DIDN'T hire him... 👀
Very nice to see Space Suit Rog getting pride of place too hahaha! I can completely understand why you caved cos it's probably the best Bond Funko Pop they've actually released. (Also very much enjoy the floral patterning on your bookshelf!! 😂)
Thanks Matthew! Upcycled the bookshelf myself with wallpaper and always been quite pleased with it haha!
@@calvindyson Omg! Lawrence Llewellyn Dyson
Would've been interesting to see how they would've handled his American accent. Usually Americans don't do British accents very convincingly although he does look convincing. Still, glad he didn't do it..
Burt Reynolds
Clint Eastwood
Adam West
They were asked and all said Bond should be British
Enough said I think
Yes and Napoleon Solo should be American
I read that Mel Gibson had a similar reaction
as long as they can pull off a good British accent I really dont care
i would've like to see Adam West for at least one movie
@@scottbuckley823 with Burt Ward as Felix Leiter 😁
I know it's not relevant to this but I was watching OHMSS recently and the gunbarrel makes me cry. Because he gets down on one knee like he's proposing!
once again, great video Calvin! I suspect there are a great many interesting Bond "nearly-were's" . there was actually a very poignant documentary done by an Irish comedian Des Bishop about his father Mike, who was second in line to George Lazenby in 68
New appreciation for Daniela Bianchi after seeing Maud Adams in the classic From Russia With Love scene (and yes I know it was just a screen test and not even her own). The chemistry between Sean and Daniela in that scene was so palpable.
Thank god Roger returned for what is one of my favourite Bond films! They would have had to tidy all the wood up after Brolin finished each scene.
What kind of wood , pine ?
Excellent video!!!! Great job, Calvin.
You can tell Vijay's shitting bricks carrying the snake. He was probably fearing the snake would bite him, but also fearing he probably wouldn't get the part if it didn't look like he could handle the snake. He even breaks character to say "this is impossible".
Christian Bale IS James Brolin AS James Bond in "The Making of Octopussy."
Is there anywhere to find Craig's screen tests? That still has got me intrigued
Hi, Calvin. I'm a long-time viewer, first-time commenter. I don't think its such a stretch to think an American could portray Bond. We've had 3 actors play the role who were not "English". Connery was Scottish, Brosnan Irish, and Lazenby was Australian. MI6 could recruit agents from all over the world. Perhaps Bond could have some ties to the US, or Brolin could have tried an English accent. Anyway, top marks, Calvin, on your channel. I will continue to enjoy your analysis of all things 007! 🕵🏻
Brolin was first tested in 1979 after Cubby Brocoli saw him in Capricorn One.
Moore had just finished Moonraker & was knackered. Upon finding out, he quit (for the first time).
Source - Paul Donovans book - 'Roger Moore'.
This is so interesting, also the background music bringing me right back to one of my favorite JB games on PS1 8:20
So, if these are screen tests, can I assume that fight scene was Brolin without any stunt double? If so, impressive.
To clarify when it comes to screen tests, it's not just in Bond films where they are lavish productions. While auditions are usually simple affairs, the screen test is done very late in the casting process, often with one or a few candidates and the idea is to do something as close to the real thing as possible. It's basically a way to see how well it works in the wild and are usually a way to also test make-up, costume and even the look of the film, so it's basically a trial run of things to come.
John James was another American rumour. This was in 1985/6.
Cubby Brocoli was keen on an American in the 70's. With rumours of Eastwood, Robert Wagner, Burt Reynolds, Newman & Redford.
Brolin certainly has talent, but I’m happy we got the movies we have. I like them just as they are. Thanks for the video!
Brolin actually would have been the Perfect Felix Leiter!
As an American, I think no American should ever play the part of James Bond.
You might like to check out the 1977-81 action series The Professionals. Lewis Collins (Bodie) auditioned for Bond and he was arguably the best Bond we never had. Especially his performance in the episodes "Close Quarters" and "Fall Girl".
The series also had 5 episodes directed by Martin Campbell, who said this was where he picked up his direction style for Goldeneye and CR.
I must say...I think James Brolin looks the part. It does take a bit for me to get over the American accent, however, he looked really good in the tux and the scene with Vijay, he looked really good as well.
I find it weird that Cubby Brocoli refused to let Spielberg direct A James Bond movie. But seems to be fine to have an american actor to play James Bond
In hindsight that's fine, we wouldn't have gotten Indiana Jones any other way.
I think James Brolin and Sam Neill: they were both really good actors and handsome men!!! *** But, of course it's sooooooo great that finally Roger Moore was playing James Bond in 1983 & 1985 and Timothy Dalton in 1987 & 1989!!! These men are just unbeatable!!!
Brolin was a great looking guy. Remember that Christian Bale looks like James Brolin not the other way around as Brolin was established way before Bale. But you are young so you would say that. You are forgiven...
I'm surprised they didn't just cast James Brolin as Felix Leiter as a consolation prize.
Sadly there was no role for Felix. Till The Living Daylights.
@@davidjames579 They could have squeezed him in. Maybe he's undercover as a patron at the US Air Force base.
Brolin was quite a big name at the time. He went on to star in the successful tv show HOTEL just after this
He did a show Pensacola in the 90s
This is great, I must admit James looks the part, and may have been good if he was after Roger. I had not seen James in any film clean shaven in any film, from 1978/2000. So obviously he just shaved for the role. More fabulous work Calvin.
Thanks very much, Dale! Hadn't occured to me about him being clean shaven but you're right... I best know him from Amityville where he of course has a full beard
If I may make a suggestion for your next Bond-cast-reunion-in-a-non-Bond-film review: _Capricorn One._ It stars James Brolin and during the movie's climax Telly Savalas plays a key role. Obviously, it's light on actors who appeared in Bond movies, but its overall story line bares a strong similarity to a certain scene from _Diamonds Are Forever._
When I first saw these screentests on the Octopussy dvd, I was struck that both John Glen and Michael G. Wilson were impressed with Brolin's performance. Wilson's observation that Brolin had a "mid-atlantic" quality is correct. If Roger had opted out, I would have cast him. Also in regards to Brolin being an American, we've had a Tsunami of British (Scottish, Irish, Australian...) actors playing American roles. If we can have Christian Bale and Tom Holland as Batman and Spider-man, we could have had a James Brolin/James Bond.
Richard Armitage won a poll for the next Bond on the 'Alternative 007' site a few years ago. He is too old now but not sure why he wasn't concided in 2005.
There always seems to be a requisite toss of a body into furniture during a Bond fight scene.
I would like the YOLT fight as a screen test with Bond using a couch, when lesser men use flimsy wooden chairs.🍸
The Blu Ray extras are the same as the 2006 Ultimate Edition DVD
If we couldn’t have Moore in Octopussy I would have been happy with an early start for Dalton. Any excuse for more Dalton. I’d like to see him get his third film even today.
There's no reason why EON can't make an animated 3rd Dalton , if the price was right then TD would voice it , I bet
Hot Take: the bond films always film in exotic locales with foreign actors - usually who they dub over later a la Ursula Andress. Is the VJ scene a test of how good the bond actor can act with someone who’s dialogue they will 100% have to rerecord later?
Shows how old I am; I remember James Brolin as motorcycle-riding Dr. Steve Kiley on "Marcus Welby, M.D." and ill-fated tourist John Blaine in the original "Westworld" when they were first shown.
Yeah when I saw cover photo of this video, I definitely thought he was Christian Bale. He was also offered the Bond role
James Bond is a British secret agent working for the British Secret Service. ‘Nuff said.
At least George Lazenby and pierce Brosnan had the decency to at least attempt a British accent.
@@Jabber-ig3iw Brosnan was educated in London so passes very well. George Lazenby not so much. Looked the part but acted like a wardrobe.
Oh joy! Calvin reviews the Brolin screentest. I had the exact same reactions. He looks like Bale his voice although American wasn't too distracting because he has a nice deep tone and Maud Adams really does star in the FRWL scene. He did a good job but lost me with the snake test and not just because the snake is distracting. He's playing it like Connery - he did well in the Connery scenes but can't handle the snake. I'm reminded of Roger in the behind the scenes footage where he's walking along with Vijay with the snake in the basket and he's having fun knocking the basket and scaring the crap out of Vijay. It's impossible to imagine anyone other than Roger in Octopussy. He delivered on every front and not just cool. It would have been half the film without him in it. Brolin would have been decent enough but I don't think I'd have seen Octopussy if he'd been in it. I actually watched both Octopussy and NSNA at the Cinema and would have gone with Connery if Roger was replaced and he'd kept making more Bond films. Brolin can only be a Connery type...only Connery can be Connery. I think they should revise the Bond Screen tests to include scenes from other movies with other Bonds. Otherwise they're gonna be stuck with looking for someone who has Connery qualities. Brolin passed the Connery test but failed the Moore one so maybe the snake test wasn't so daft after all. Even though it's nuts. LOL
I also completely agree with Calvin that hearing those From Russia with Love lines without Connery’s accent was just weird lol!
Maud Adams was there to probably test the chemistry with Brolin as they would be two of the main stars in octopussy
i have 5 james bond pops, sean connery 007, roger moore 007, jaws, blofeld and oddjob. All worth getting. I want to get more bond pops such as craig 007
He really has the Bond look, and the burr of the voice is along the lines of Pierce not really sounding English. I still think he would have had to work on the accent. It's an interesting question, could Bond be American. I think Casino Royale 1954 answered that....... No seriously, I personally think the reason Bond always has to be British and sound British because he's a British icon like Harry Potter. We also have few British action heroes, so keep him British. I would add it's also a major selling point to international audiences, including Americans.
I love Sam Neil. He’s a fantastic actor, but I cannot fathom him as Bond
I wonder if we are ever going to get to see the Brosnan and Craig screen tests.
It’d be cool to see Sam Neill’s screen tests, I think he would’ve made a good Bond.
BenCol It's on YT.
@@BenCol It's also on the Inside the Living Daylights DVD documentary
I wonder what made the producers choose daniel craig as Bond. He is a good actor allright but he is awfully uncharmed and definitely has bad features. I think that the true reason is because he is Barbara Broccoli´s friend. Sincerely.
Thank goodness he wasn’t hired to play Bond.
Loved Octopussy and couldn't imagine anyone but Moore doing it. I'm pleased they saw sense.
He lacked the wry humor but had the charisma and presence.
Swell done, Calv!
Lewis Collins was a favourite contender in the early 80's. Had a cheeky grin & tough guy good looks. Women used to camp outside his house.
But by the mid 80's he had fallen out of contention although he did meet Cubby Brocoli.
Does anyone else think Brolin's screen test was awful? So glad that they didnt go with him!
I’m glad James Brolin didn’t get the part because Roger is the BEST!!!!
Calvin you are my favorite channel on youtube you deserve more subscribers (=
Gavin and Brolin had those flat accents, somewhat Mid Atlantic. Gregory Peck had that kind speech inflection. As long as one speak certain words in a British pronunciation, it could work.
He spoils it when he says yow gurt instead of yogurt 😂
James Brolin played 007 really well in that movie with Morgan Fairchild where he went by PW.
I agree with you. James Brolin did surprisingly well in the screen tests, But I’m glad we got Roger Moore again. I do think that if James Brolin had gotten the role he would’ve played it less seriously than Timothy Dalton dead, but may be a little more seriously than Roger Moore.
to be fair James Brolin did a cracking job .👍👍👍👍