Henry Cavill: I Would 'Absolutely Jump' at Playing James Bond

Henry Cavill may be known these days as Superman, but he almost became James Bond instead of Daniel Craig. With Craig preparing to turn in his license to kill after five Bond films, Cavill says he is still down to play 007.

In an interview with GQ in support of his latest film “Enola Holmes,” Cavill was asked about his thoughts on potentially succeeding Craig as Bond. At the age of 22, Cavill auditioned for the role after longtime Bond producer Barbara Broccoli decided to reboot the series following the critical panning of Pierce Brosnan’s final film, “Die Another Day.” With the next film set to be based off of the first Ian Fleming 007 novel, “Casino Royale,” Cavill was in the running to play a young Bond, but was told by director Martin Campbell that he was “a little chubby” for the role.

Also Read: 'No Time To Die': Meet Rami Malek's 'Unsettling' Bond Villain in New Teaser (Video)

The upcoming Bond film, “No Time to Die,” will be Craig’s final film as Bond, and rumors are already spreading about who will replace him. In the years since, Cavill has worked off that chubbiness preparing for films like “Man of Steel” and “Mission: Impossible — Fallout.” Some fans are already imagining him as the Seventh Bond, and so is he.

“If Barbara and Mike [co-producer Michael G. Wilson] were interested in that, I would absolutely jump at the opportunity,” he told GQ. “At this stage, it’s all up in the air. We’ll see what happens. But yes, I would love to play Bond, it would be very, very exciting.”

Also Read: 'No Time to Die' New Trailer: Daniel Craig's 007 Faces Off Against Supervillain Rami Malek (Video)

For now, Cavill is starring in “Enola Holmes” as famed detective Sherlock Holmes. But in this adaptation of Nancy Springer’s YA novel series, the spotlight is on Sherlock’s younger sister, Enola, played by “Stranger Things” star Millie Bobby Brown. As strong-willed and brilliant as her brother, Enola sets out to find her missing mother (Helena Bonham Carter) but ends up caught in an assassination attempt against a young viscount.

“Enola Holmes” is available to stream on Netflix. Cavill will also return to play Superman in the upcoming “Snyder Cut” of “Justice League,” which will be released on HBO Max next year.

“No Time to Die” is set to be released in theaters November 20.

Beyond Bond: Sean Connery's 14 Most Memorable Non-007 Film Roles

A look back at the Scotsman's storied career outside of the James Bond franchise.
"Darby O'Gill and the Little People" (1959)

Sean Connery's first major Hollywood role came in this Disney film about a wily Irishman battling local leprechauns. The New York Times dismissed his performance, as a Dubliner who woos Darby's daughter as "merely tall, dark and handsome."

Disney
"Marnie" (1964)

After breaking out big time as James Bond in 1962's "Dr. No" and the 1963 sequel "From Russia With Love," Connery snuck in a role in this Alfred Hitchcock thriller as a wealthy widower who both falls for a mysterious woman with a checkered past played by Tippi Hedren.
Universal/Getty Images
"The Hill" (1965)

In this BAFTA Award-winning Sidney Lumet drama, Connery starred as a former squadron leader who bucks against authority in a British Army prison during World War II.
(Photo by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Getty Images)
"Murder on the Orient Express" (1974)

Connery is one of many standouts in this star-studded ensemble mystery based on Agatha Christie's classic novel.
(Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
"The Man Who Would Be King" (1975)

Connery teamed with his old pal Michael Caine in this John Huston film, playing an adventure-seeking Brit who is improbably elevated as a god by locals in Kafiristan.
(Photo by Columbia/Getty Images)
"Robin and Marian" (1976)

Playing Robin Hood, Connery earned raves for his onscreen chemistry with Audrey Hepburn as Lady Marian.
(Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
"Time Bandits" (1981)

Connery plays King Agamemnon in Terry Gilliam's fantasty film. In the original script, in fact, his character was described this way: "The warrior took off his helmet, revealing someone that looks exactly like Sean Connery, or an actor of equal but cheaper stature."
AVCO Embassy Pictures
"Highlander" (1986)

While American-born actor Christopher Lambert played the Scottish warrior hero, Connery curiously was cast as his mentor, a Spaniard originally from Egypt named Don Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez. The film spawned several sequels as well as TV spinoffs.
Twentieth Century Fox
"The Name of the Rose" (1986)

Connery starred as a medieval monk-turned-detective in this drama based on Umberto Eco's best-selling novel, with a young Christian Slater as his assistant. The film was a box office dud, but Connery won a BAFTA Award for his troubles.
Twentieth Century Fox
"The Untouchables" (1987)

Connery earned his only Academy Award for his supporting role as an Irish-American cop who helps Kevin Costner's Eliot Ness take down both corrupt cops and gangster Al Capone in Prohibition-era Chicago.
Paramount
"Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" (1989)

Steven Spielberg decided to bring one of the inspirations for Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones on board for the series' third film, playing the father of Jones -- an adventure-seeking professor who equally obsessed with hunting for treasures like the Holy Grail. He even earned a Golden Globe nomination for the role.

Paramount
"The Hunt for Red October" (1990)

Connery plays the commander of a Russian submarine who goes rogue, sparking confusion among both the Soviets and the Americans unclear about his intentions.
Paramount
"The Rock" (1996)

In this Michael Bay action blockbuster, Connery plays the only inmate ever to escape from Alcatraz prison -- who is recruited (with the promise of a pardon) to help Nicolas Cage and the feds when a group of ex-Marines seize the island and demand ransom for the 81 tourists they've taken hostage.
Buena Vista
"Finding Forrester" (2000)

In one of his final big-screen roles, Connery played a reclusive J.D. Salinger-like author who takes a promising Black teenager (Rob Brown) under his wing. Connery also delivers the immortal line: "You're the man now, dog."
Sony