Playing 007 is one of those career-changing roles, one that’s often coveted by actors. But Liam Neeson was one actor who turned down the role for love. The late Natasha Richardson was Neeson’s partner at the time, but they were not yet married. And, she warned, were likely to stay that way if Neeson took on the role of the suave super spy.
“‘Schindler’s List’ had come out and Barbara [Broccoli] had called me a couple of times to ask if I was interested, and I said, ‘Yes, I would be interested,'” Neeson told Rolling Stone. “And then my lovely wife [Natasha Richardson], God rest her soul, said to me while we were shooting ‘Nell’ down in the Carolinas, ‘Liam, I want to tell you something: If you play James Bond, we’re not getting married.’”
It’s kind of adorable in a way. Given the revolving door of Bond girls that actors play opposite, it’s not wholly unreasonable Richardson might have been uncomfortable. Dealing with the constant stress on-screen chemistry with femme fatales wasn’t something she wanted to deal with. Naturally, Neeson’s affection for Richardson was far stronger than any leading role.
Better as Bryan Than Bond
Besides, Neeson got his time to shine and stand out as grizzled Bryan Mills in “Taken.” Which is almost better than the role of Bond. Neeson seemed an unlikely choice for an action hero, but showed everyone what a bad-ass he could be. And that was without being clad in a tux with gadgets to help him.
“She gave me a James Bond ultimatum,” Neeson added. “And she meant it! Come on, there’s all those gorgeous girls in various countries getting into bed and getting out of bed. I’m sure a lot of her decision-making was based on that!”
Pierce Brosnan would go on to pick up the 007 mantle in 1995’s “GoldenEye.”
