The film industry was plunged into mourning on Monday (July 13) following news that actor Sam Neill had passed away at 78, with his family releasing a heartfelt statement. Known best for playing Dr. Alan Grant in Jurassic Park and Alisdair Stewart in The Piano, the New Zealand-born performer died with his loved ones by his side.
"It is with immense sadness that the whānau of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday July 13, in Sydney, Australia," the family stated. "Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life. The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free."
Sam Neill's James Bond Audition Footage Re-emerges
In his latter years, Sam featured in the crime drama Peaky Blinders as Chief Inspector Chester Campbell. Yet his Hollywood journey could have taken a completely different turn had he secured the James Bond role after a screen test in 1986. Video of his audition has re-emerged on social media following his death, sparking movie lovers to discuss why he may have missed out.
"Sam Neill originally auditioned for James Bond in The Living Daylights (1987)," one X user wrote. "He later admitted he knew almost immediately he wasn't right for the role, which ultimately went to Timothy Dalton."
Another fan noted: "Sam Neill was also *this close* to being James Bond. I think he would have been well received in the part as Roger Moore's successor."
A third shared: "Reminder that Sam Neill once auditioned to become James Bond, even though he apparently didn't want to. Eventually Pierce Brosnan got it - which delighted Sam as the two were friends."
While a fourth wrote on Reddit: "Neill had already played a real life super-spy Sidney Reilly [in Reilly: Ace of Spies] and was awesome in the role. A real super-spy wouldn't be up to his standards at that point since both American and British audiences were already acquainted with his portrayal of a secret agent whose adventures outclassed any of those featuring either George Smiley, Ethan Hunt or James Bond."
Neill's Own Words on the Audition
Speaking to Den of Geek in 2022, Sam revealed: "First of all, I wouldn't have taken the role if they'd asked me to do it. It was the last time that I was bullied into doing a screen test. My agent insisted that I go and do it, [saying] it would be rude otherwise. So reluctantly I went out to Pinewood [Studios] and did this silly thing for a part I never wanted to do."
He went on to say: "It was a part that my friend Pierce Brosnan was mad keen to do, and he was very good at it. I wouldn't have been any good and I wouldn't have enjoyed it. And I certainly wouldn't have enjoyed being recognized as that James Bond you didn't like. So it was never a question."
Health Battle and Memoir
Sam disclosed in 2023, meanwhile, that he'd been diagnosed with stage three angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, an uncommon type of blood cancer. While he later announced the disease had gone into remission, he carried on receiving chemotherapy treatments each month. In 2023, Neill published his memoir, 'Did I Ever Tell You This?' where he openly discussed both his distinguished acting career and his fight against cancer.
