James Bond could have been played by Lord Lucan, claims 007 expert
- The 7th Earl of Lucan was considered for the role of James Bond due to his aristocratic background and connections.
- Lucan's acting career was hindered by a failed screen test in 1966, which left him shaken and hesitant.
- Ultimately, Broccoli deemed Lucan unsuitable for the Bond role, highlighting the challenges of casting the iconic character.
In the UK, the 7th Earl of Lucan, known for his aristocratic background and connections to London society, was considered for the iconic role of James Bond. Producer Albert R. Broccoli, who had a nodding acquaintance with Lucan through shared gambling clubs, reportedly viewed him as the ideal candidate due to his looks and lifestyle. However, Lucan's acting aspirations were marred by a disastrous screen test in 1966 for an Italian film, which left him shaken and hesitant about pursuing a film career. Despite this setback, Lucan took the initiative to audition for the Bond role, but Broccoli deemed him 'too wooden' after reviewing the test results. The casting process for Bond has always been competitive and filled with unusual candidates, highlighting the lengths to which producers would go to find the perfect fit for the legendary spy character.