Clint Eastwood James Bond decision became a notable turning point in film history, as Eastwood declined the chance to succeed Sean Connery as James Bond during the franchise‘s uncertain years. Instead, Eastwood forged his own path, demonstrating in “The Eiger Sanction” why passing on 007 helped preserve both his unique persona and the enduring identity of one of cinema’s most iconic characters.
Eastwood’s Opportunity to Play Bond and Hollywood’s Search for a New 007
After Sean Connery’s departure upended James Bond’s future, producers considered a wide range of new actors, confident that the character surpassed any specific star. Among the names floated were Terence Stamp, Oliver Reed, John Richardson, and even the young Timothy Dalton, well before he eventually took the role. Eastwood, already gaining traction from his performances in the Dollars trilogy and films like “Where Eagles Dare,” became a strong contender to step into Connery’s shoes. Despite his rising profile, George Lazenby ultimately won the part for “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.”
Eastwood, while best known as a force in Westerns and thrillers, had only dabbled in the espionage genre before. Nevertheless, “The Eiger Sanction,” released in 1975, marked his closest engagement with the world of spy thrillers. This selection proved significant in how his on-screen identity could have clashed with the established Bond formula.
Eastwood’s Unique Spin on the Spy Thriller with “The Eiger Sanction”
Based on the novel that intentionally parodied James Bond adventures, “The Eiger Sanction” gave Eastwood—who also directed—a rare chance to inhabit the world of espionage fiction. In this film, he plays Jonathan Hemlock, a retired assassin and art professor, forced back into covert operations to track a killer embedded within a mountaineering team ascending the perilous Eiger mountain. Before Eastwood took the role, Paul Newman was considered for the lead, underscoring producers’ willingness to experiment with established stars.
Unlike most of his prior work, Eastwood’s character traveled internationally, engaged in death-defying action, and mirrored much of 007’s suave demeanor—even encountering over-the-top figures, such as a villainous albino ex-Nazi known as Dragon. Notably, George Kennedy, who played a key supporting role, had already worked with Eastwood in the film “Thunderbolt and Lightfoot” a year earlier.
The film’s tone is a blend of straight-faced thriller and satirical take on spy genres, featuring elaborate set pieces and real mountain climbing stunts performed by Eastwood himself. Despite its ambition, “The Eiger Sanction” remains a lesser moment in his 1970s filmography, more interesting as a curiosity than a critical triumph.
Why Eastwood Passed Up the Role of James Bond
By 2010, Eastwood openly reflected on his brush with Bond, explaining in interviews reported by Hero Complex that he was offered “pretty good money” to take over after Connery’s exit. Eastwood’s lawyer, who also represented Bond producer Cubby Broccoli, confirmed the producers‘ eagerness. However, swapping cowboy hats for tuxedos and embodying a quintessentially British agent simply did not appeal to Eastwood, despite the generous offer.
But to me, well, that was somebody else’s gig. That’s Sean’s deal. It didn’t feel right for me to be doing it.
—Clint Eastwood, via Hero Complex/Irish Independent
Eastwood’s reasoning was rooted in both respect for the established persona attached to Connery’s Bond and a clear understanding of his own strengths as an actor. Accepting the role could have brought material reward, but a poor reception might have damaged Bond’s longevity and undermined Eastwood’s own emerging brand.
The prospect of Eastwood sipping martinis and delivering Bond’s iconic introduction to co-stars like Diana Rigg seemed, even in retrospect, like a misfit of the highest order—one that neither audience nor actor would have fully embraced.
How “The Eiger Sanction” Revealed Eastwood’s Limitations as a Bond-Type Spy
Insights from
“Conversations with Clint: Paul Nelson’s Lost Interviews with Clint Eastwood, 1979-1983”
reveal that, while Eastwood found the shoot physically challenging, he never considered the film among his notable favorites. He described the main romance with Vonetta McGee’s Jemima Brown as “cutesy” for his tastes and said he tried to ground the story at a more serious level than the spoofish novel intended.
“The Eiger Sanction” is marked by a tone at odds with Eastwood’s core screen persona. The film often veers into politically incorrect territory weighed down by humor, which doesn’t always sit comfortably in his hands as a director. Eastwood recognized the comedic intent behind the source material yet remained unsure how to balance tongue-in-cheek parody with the intense mountaineering sequences that anchor the film. This tonal uncertainty underscores why the spy genre, and especially James Bond’s combination of smooth wit and kinetic action, required a different touch.
Ultimately, despite Eastwood’s undeniable charisma and on-screen presence, his performance as a Bond-like spy feels at odds with his usual style. Where Connery established a blend of charm, menace, and effortless sophistication, Eastwood’s more stoic, grounded persona struggled to channel the same energy. Paul Newman may have been the more natural fit for this type of role in that era. Eastwood would return to espionage in “Firefox” (1982), but once again, he approached it on his own terms, favoring the quiet intensity that defined so many of his other characters.
Bond’s American Prospects: Not Eastwood’s First or Last Contender
James Bond’s journey from Ian Fleming’s novels to the big screen was fraught with challenges, and even Fleming himself once licensed “Casino Royale” for a television adaptation starring American actor Barry Nelson as “Jimmy Bond.” This unusual casting only highlighted the discomfort many felt when an American portrayed the quintessentially British 007, an experiment the franchise has seldom repeated.
In the years following, producers continued to keep American actors in mind. John Gavin was nearly cast as Bond for both “Diamonds Are Forever” and “Live and Let Die,” only for Connery and then Roger Moore to reclaim the part due to external pressures. During the 1970s, figures such as Adam West and Burt Reynolds considered, then declined, the role, believing Bond should remain British. Mel Gibson was reportedly shortlisted for “The Living Daylights.” There was even a fleeting concept to cast Sharon Stone in a gender-flipped “GoldenEye.”
James Brolin came as close as any American, having screen-tested for “Octopussy” in 1983 before producers reverted to Moore due to competition from Connery’s unofficial franchise return in “Never Say Never Again” that same year. Each of these near-misses, including Eastwood’s, demonstrates how the enduring mystique of James Bond was shaped as much by who didn’t play him as by those who did.
How Eastwood’s Decision Shaped Careers and the Bond Franchise
Clint Eastwood’s choice not to become James Bond preserved both his own career trajectory and the franchise’s distinct identity. By pursuing projects like “The Eiger Sanction,” Eastwood developed a strong, individual presence in Hollywood and left open the role of Bond for actors more tailored to the British agent’s flair.
For Bond, this meant the continuation of the uniquely British identity established by Connery, which proved critical for the franchise’s global brand and long-term survival. Meanwhile, Eastwood continued to define a legacy on his terms, influencing genres from Westerns to gritty thrillers and even dabbling in espionage when it suited him. The episode underscores how a single casting decision can reverberate across film history, impacting characters, franchises, and the very idea of Hollywood stardom.
