By Lee Pfeiffer
Clint Eastwood has revealed that producers Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman once offered him the role of James Bond when Sean Connery quit the series. Connery actually quit twice- after You Only Live Twice in 1967 and again after Diamonds Are Forever in 1971. (George Lazenby filled the gap in one film, On Her Majesty's Secret Service.) Eastwood doesn't say in what time frame he was offered the part, but says he rejected the offer. He tells Britain's Express newspaper, "I thought James Bond should be British. I am of British descent but by
that same token, I thought that it should be more of the culture there
and also, it was not my thing." Chances are the offer was made to him after Lazenby quit the series and production was gearing up for Diamonds Are Forever. Broccoli and Saltzman entertained the idea of casting an American actor in the part of Bond, and considered Adam West for the role before actually signing John Gavin for the series. However, when Connery was convinced to return to the part of 007, Gavin was released from his contract. As much as we admire Eastwood, we have to agree with his decision. Thankfully, Broccoli and Saltzman never made the mistake of casting an American as Bond, though they did revisit the idea when they felt Roger Moore might leave the series. James Brolin was called in to film some screen tests. Clint Eastwood has occasionally dabbled in the world of cinematic espionage, starring in the spy thrillers The Eiger Sanction and Firefox. For more click here