Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Steven Spielberg has helmed a lot of big screen masterpieces and gave birth to a legacy that probably no one can uphold after him. Yet, out of all the super-popular fan-favorite franchises he has worked with and given birth to, the James Bond franchise was never included. However, it wasn’t like he didn’t direct a Bond film by choice, but rather, because he wasn’t allowed to.
As surprising as it may seem to many, Spielberg was denied the honor of helming at least one film from the Bond franchise, as opposed to the filmmaker’s heartiest wishes, all because of one tradition followed by the franchise: that only a British director could helm the adventures of the notorious womanizer, and no one else.
Also Read:Hershey’s $1,000,000 Investment May Have Saved a Steven Spielberg Movie When Mars Refused to Let Them Use M&M’s
The Real Reason Steven Spielberg Never Helmed A James Bond Film
Also Read:Before Maestro, The Last Movie Steven Spielberg Produced 17 Years Ago Won an Oscar: Will History Repeat Itself?
Considering the perfect action-adventure genre that the James Bond films trekked on in the 1970s era, it was the most accurate franchise for Steven Spielberg to helm. And the filmmaker wanted to go for it as well!
As he shared onThe Michael Ball Show on BBC Radio 2, the director tried to desperately become a part of the franchise by offering the lateAlbert R. “Cubby” Broccoli his services–not onlyonce, but twice!
The first time was following the massive success ofJawsand he was finally being given“the final cut”.The second time was when theClose Encounters of the Third Kindcame out, which was, yet another big hit.
However, both times he was turned down by Cubby Broccoli: the first time, he was told that the producer“didn’t think [he] was right for the part,”and the second time, they told him that they simply couldn’t“afford”him.
By saying Spielberg was not“right for the part”, what Broccoli actually meant was that he wasn’t a British director, and in order to helm the adventures of the British spy, a British director was one requirement that they just couldn’t afford to mess with.
Thus, Steven Spielberg was rejected twice by a producer who himself was American just because the filmmaker wasn’t British. And the filmmaker, too, has let it go, as he mentioned in the interview:“So Barbara, forget it.”
Also Read:“No movie is worth dying for”: Steven Spielberg’s Greatest Regret is a Movie That Killed 3 Actors Including Two Children Who Were Hired Illegally
Daniel Craig’sNo Time to DieBroke This Bond Franchise Tradition
WhileSteven Spielbergwas denied the honor and privilege of directing even one movie from the James Bond franchise back in the 1970s just because he wasn’t British, the later years that followed saw this tradition inevitably getting broken.
This was done through none other than the last movie fromDaniel Craig‘s Bond film series,No Time to Die. The superhit movie, which dropped in the theatres in 2021, saw the American filmmakerCary Joji Fukunagain the director’s chair.
What’s more, is that he was brought on board by none other than the very daughter of the lateAlbert R. “Cubby” Broccoli and British-American producer,Barbara Broccoli, who praised Fukunaga for his“versatility and innovation”, as reported onXby the official James Bond handle.
“We are delighted to be working with Cary. His versatility and innovation make him an excellent choice for our next James Bond adventure,” said Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. (2/2)
— James Bond (@007)June 28, 2025
Nonetheless, Steven Spielberg still had the last laugh as not only did his rejection from the Bond franchise lead him to develop the blockbusterIndiana Jonesfranchise, but he even had the Bond portrayerSean Conneryon board his own franchise as Henry Jones, Sr. inIndiana Jones and the Last Crusade.Well played, Spielberg!
Mahin Sultan
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2478
Mahin Sultan is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, where she brings a fresh perspective to entertainment news. Having been in the field for over 3 years now, she has already written more than 2,000 articles across a variety of niches, from entertainment to health and fashion. This diverse experience has allowed her to quickly build a solid foundation and a deep understanding of the industry.
