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Although it’s difficult to imagine that someone would say no to Steven Spielberg – the guy who changed cinema with 1975’sJaws, Eon studios apparently rejected him. According to reports, after earning popularity and experience followingJaws, Spielberg wanted to direct aJames Bondmovie. But unfortunately, despite begging producer Cubby Broccoli for a chance, the filmmaker was turned down.
But surprisingly, Steven Spielberg’s love for his childhood hero James Bond, and his desire to direct aBondmovie came true after he collaborated with his best bud George Lucas. Working on Lucasfilms’ adventure film seriesIndiana Jonesstarring Harrison Ford, Spielberg went on a mission to make his dream come true and took a cheeky 007 dig inTemple of Doom.
James BondProducer Turned Down Steven Spielberg
Ian Fleming’sJames Bondnovels had a massive fanbase, which only got expanded after the titular spy character was adapted onscreen, by Eon Productions. Being a die-hard fan of 007, and considering the British spy as his childhood hero, acclaimed filmmakerSteven Spielbergonce tried directing an installment of the franchise.
Steven Spielberg Wasn’t Allowed to Direct James Bond for 1 Tradition That Was Broken by Daniel Craig’s No Time to Die
Watching the big-budget spectacles –Goldfingerin 1964 andThunderballin 1965, Steven Spielberg tried his shot, after the success ofJawsraised his status in Hollywood. Gaining fame and momentum in the entertainment industry,Spielberg thus approached producer Cubby Broccolifor an opportunity to direct aJames Bondsequel.
“I called up Cubby and offered my services but he didn’t think I was right for the part… [Once] again I tried to get on a Bond film, and now they can’t afford me.” Spielberg toldThe Independentin 2016.
Rejected twice, as Steven Spielberg revealed Cubby Broccoli’s decision to the public, modern moviegoers found the decision ridiculous. Eventually, for someone so passionate about film as Spielberg, the rejections came as a blow. Saddened by the news, the director confided in his disappointment to an old friend,George Lucas.
Steven Spielberg’s Cheeky 007 Reference in Harrison Ford’s Movie
After speaking with his buddy George Lucas about hisrejection from directingJames Bond, Steven Spielberg was offered theIndiana Jonesproject. According toFar Out Magazine, upon listening to his friend’s complaints, Lucas came up with the idea of the adventure film series and hired Spielberg for the directorial role.
“Well, look, Steven, I’ve got a James Bond film. It’s great— it’s just like James Bond but even better.” Lucas responded.
Harrison Ford Would Have Possibly Lost His Role of Indiana Jones Without Steven Spielberg
Thereafter, doubling down on their American roots and updating the adventure series they loved as children, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg came up with theIndiana Jonesfilms. Although the first movie –Raiders of the Lost Ark, failed to compete with the 007 sequelFor Your Eyes Only,Harrison Ford-starringIndiana Joneseventually achieved a grand success.
However, despite the achievements, Steven Spielberg never shook his love of Bond. Thus, when the second installment of theIndiana Jonesfranchise began its production, the filmmaker added a cheeky reference to the 007 films. OpeningIndiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, with a sequence right out of aBondmovie, Spielberg made Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones wear a crisp white tuxedo with a black tie and a red flower lapel on his breast, much likeSean Connerywore inGoldfinger.
As perExpress UK, Harrison Ford’s outfit was a direct nod to the 1964James Bondmovie, which initially sparked Spielberg’s love for the franchise. Later on, after both George Lucas and Ford helped the filmmaker’s dream come true of associating with 007 films,Spielberg hired SeanConnery to be Henry Jones Sr. inThe Last Crusade.
Krittika Mukherjee
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3217
Krittika Mukherjee is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on films, TV shows, and celebrity news with over 3,000 articles published. With an educational background in Journalism, and a keen interest in filmmaking, Krittika blends factual precision with creative flair, when crafting her editorials, or dissecting fan theories.Her coverage often includes news and analyses of critically acclaimed films, celebrity news, and franchises like the Wizarding World, LOTR, DC, and MCU—particularly Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, Superheroes, and fan theories. As a Wizarding World aficionado, Krittika has spent countless hours exploring hidden backstories, unadapted book moments, spells, and trivias surrounding J.K. Rowling’s lore.An imaginative writer with a way with words, Krittika has worked as an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a web content writer for a year. She brought her experience and expertise to FandomWire to pursue her desire for sipping coffee while dissecting films and tracking celebrity drama.
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George LucasHarrison FordSean ConnerySteven Spielberg
