Steven Spielberg has revealed the blunt five-word response he would have planned if he was ever asked to direct a film. James Bond movie.
The legendary Oscar-winning filmmaker confessed that after being repeatedly rejected by the producers of the 007 franchise earlier in his career, his definitive response to an offer today would simply be: “You can’t afford me.”
The director shared this candid admission during an appearance on The rest is entertainment podcast while promoting his latest sci-fi thriller, Disclosure daywhich hits theaters on June 12.
Spielberg explained that he had actually tried to land the desired job several times in the past, starting right after changing Hollywood forever with his 1975 killer shark blockbuster.
I’ve been a huge fan of Britain’s favorite secret agent ever since watching Dr. NoSpielberg personally called iconic Bond producer Cubby Broccoli after Jaws became a global sensation by offering his services, only to be flatly refused.
A few years later, Broccoli contacted Spielberg following the success of Close Encounters of the Third Kindbut it was not 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 attempted to negotiate, offering the rights to the musical notes on the strict condition that he would finally be allowed to direct a 007 film.
Broccoli rejected the deal, although the director still generously allowed them to use the tune.
Spielberg noted that Broccoli constantly turned him down without ever explaining why he was kept away from the Bond family.
Fortunately, the repeated rejections paved the way for one of cinema’s most beloved adventures.
When a frustrated Spielberg recounted his Bond rejections to George Lucas while on vacation in Hawaii in 1977 while they awaited the release of Star Wars: A New HopeLucas told him he had an even better concept than Bond.
Then I called Indiana SmithLucas launched the premises of what would become the Indiana Jones series, handing the job over to Spielberg on the spot.
James Bond is not the only cinema giant that the director has encountered over the decades.
Spielberg also revealed that he was originally set to direct the very first Harry Potter movie. 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 said he was incredibly happy to have sacrificed such a massive franchise for the sake of his family.
