Michael Fassbender reveals he suggested Daniel Craig should play James Bond instead of him when auditioning for the role

Michael Fassbender revealed that during his own audition for Casino Royale, he inadvertently promoted Daniel Craig to the role of James Bond.

Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Fassbender reflected on his meeting with producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, admitting that he wasn’t entirely focused on selling himself.

Fassbender recalled, “I met with Barbara Broccoli just, you know, through passing, and I actually went into an audition phase before Daniel [Craig] was cast, but I don’t think I was ever in the mix.”

He went on, “But I remember going into that room and meeting with her and [Michael G.] Wilson, and I think I was like, ‘Daniel Craig is…’ I don’t know why I was promoting him.”

“I should have been promoting myself.”

Fassbender acknowledged that his audition didn’t make much of an impact, describing himself as “terrible at auditions.”

He even shared that he once ruined his chance at Mad Max: Fury Road by arriving at the Warner Bros. lot an hour late.

Reflecting on Craig’s eventual success as Bond, Fassbender added, “Obviously Daniel did a fantastic job and went on to be, I think, the most successful Bond in history. But that was it really, there was never a conversation after that.”

Fassbender was one of several actors who auditioned to replace Pierce Brosnan after Die Another Day.

Henry Cavill was another notable contender but was ultimately considered too young for the role.

Director Martin Campbell, who helmed Casino Royale, praised Cavill’s audition in an interview with Express UK last year.

“He looked great in the audition. His acting was tremendous. And look, if Daniel didn’t exist, Henry would have made an excellent Bond.”

“He looked terrific, he was in great physical shape… Very handsome, very chiseled.”

“He just looked a little young at that time.”