Steven Spielberg has revealed the brutal five-word response he has lined up if he’s ever asked to direct a James Bond film.
The legendary Oscar-winning filmmaker admitted that after being repeatedly turned down by the producers of the 007 franchise earlier in his career, his final response to an offer today would simply be: “You can’t afford me.”
The director shared the candid admission during an appearance on The rest is entertainment podcast while promoting his latest science fiction thriller, Disclosure Daywhich opens in theaters on June 12.
Spielberg explained that he had actually tried to land the desired gig on several occasions in the past, starting right after he changed Hollywood forever with his 1975 killer-shark blockbuster.
Having been a massive fan of Britain’s favorite secret agent since watching Dr. NoSpielberg personally called iconic Bond producer Cubby Broccoli after Jaws became a global sensation for volunteering his services, only to be flatly rejected.
A few years later, Broccoli initiated contact with Spielberg after the success of Close encounters of the third kindbut it wasn’t to offer him a job.
Instead, the producer wanted permission to use the sci-fi film’s iconic five-note musical melody for a scene in the 1979 Bond film Moonraker.
Recognizing a golden opportunity, Spielberg tried to negotiate, offering the rights to the scores on the strict condition that he finally be allowed to direct a 007 film.
Broccoli turned down the deal, though the director generously allowed them to use the tune anyway.
Spielberg noted that Broccoli consistently rejected him without ever giving an explanation as to why he was kept out of the Bond family.
Fortunately, the repeated rejections paved the way for one of cinema’s most beloved adventures.
When a frustrated Spielberg told George Lucas about his Bond rejections while vacationing in Hawaii in 1977 while awaiting the release of Star Wars: A New HopeLucas told him he had a concept even better than Bond.
Then called Indiana SmithLucas set the tone for what was to come Indiana Jones series, and hands Spielberg the job on the spot.
James Bond is not the only film giant the director has crossed paths with over the decades.
Spielberg also revealed that he originally co-directed the very first one Harry Potter film. However, he ultimately chose to pass on the wizarding franchise to ensure he could spend a year and a half at home watching his young children grow up.
Reflecting on this choice in a 2023 interview, the filmmaker stated that he was incredibly happy to have sacrificed such a massive franchise for the sake of his family.
