Steven Spielberg has revealed that he was consistently turned down when he asked to direct a James Bond film. The 79-year-old filmmaker, known for blockbusters such as Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, expressed his regrets during an appearance on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast.
Spielberg's Attempts to Join the Bond Franchise
Spielberg explained that he first approached producer Albert 'Cubby' Broccoli after the success of Jaws in 1975. 'I approached Cubby Broccoli after Jaws was a big hit. I'd always wanted to make a James Bond film from the day I saw Dr No. So I called Cubby after Jaws and volunteered. I said, 'If you need a director, I would love to direct one.' And he said, 'No,' and he moved on,' Spielberg recounted.
He made a second attempt following the release of Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Broccoli requested permission to use the film's iconic five-note musical sequence for the Bond film Moonraker. Spielberg saw this as an opportunity to negotiate. 'I said, 'I'll make you a deal. I'll give you permission to use the five notes if you let me direct a Bond film.' And he said, 'No.' But I gave him the five notes anyway,' Spielberg said. 'So, they consistently turned me down. He never explained why he wasn't letting me into the Bond family.'
How Rejection Led to Indiana Jones
Spielberg then recalled discussing his experience with George Lucas, which led to the creation of the Indiana Jones franchise. 'That's when George said, 'I have something better than Bond. It's called Indiana Smith,' which is what it was called at the time. He told me the premise of the Indiana Jones series, and that's how I got that job,' Spielberg said.
Now, Spielberg joked that he would reject any offer to direct a Bond film. 'If they ever asked me to make a Bond film now, my answer would be, 'You can't afford me.''
Bond Franchise Changes
In February 2023, longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson announced that Amazon MGM Studios would take creative control of James Bond. The next film is expected to be written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight and directed by Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve.
Spielberg also mentioned that he previously turned down an offer to direct Harry Potter to spend time with his family. 'There were several films I chose not to make. I chose to turn down the first Harry Potter to basically spend that next year-and-a-half with my family, my young kids growing up. So, I'd sacrificed a great franchise, which today looking back I'm very happy to have done, to be with my family,' he said in a 2023 interview.
