Renny Harlin Says He Turned Down Directing James Bond
The director met producer Barbara Broccoli but passed on the offer because Timothy Dalton was playing Bond at the time.
Director Renny Harlin has revealed that he was offered the chance to direct a James Bond movie in the early to mid-1990s and turned it down because Timothy Dalton was playing Bond at the time. Harlin discussed the offer in an interview reported by Collider.
Harlin said he met with Bond producer Barbara Broccoli about directing a film in the franchise. He explained that he would have taken the job if a new actor had been cast as Bond.
At the time of the offer, Dalton was the incumbent 007. Dalton went on to be replaced as James Bond roughly two years after Harlin declined the offer, before the next Bond film was made.
Harlin's directing credits include Die Hard 2, Cliffhanger and Deep Blue Sea.
Bond's rotating lead
James Bond has been played by six different actors across more than 60 years of movies.
Quick answers
Why did Renny Harlin turn down directing a James Bond movie?
Harlin said he passed because Timothy Dalton was playing Bond at the time, adding that he would have directed a Bond film if a new actor had been cast.
Who did Renny Harlin meet about the James Bond directing job?
He said he met with Bond producer Barbara Broccoli.
What films has Renny Harlin directed?
His credits include Die Hard 2, Cliffhanger and Deep Blue Sea.