9 replies to this topic

[ImTheMoneypenny]

I don't know if anyone has ever heard this about Michael York and if you've already talked about it, forgive me for bringing it up again. I think this is the right spot for it as it involves him being offered the 007 role in EON films.

In his autobiography, 'Accidentally On Purpose' York said right after Logan's Run came out, in 1976 or theres about, he was approached to play Bond. He was extremely flattered but said he couldn't picture himself in the role and turned it down.

As much as I love Micheal York, Three and Four Musketeers is high on my list and don't get me started about how much I love Logan's Run or Cabaret, I can't see him as James Bond either. Though he can play a baddie on occasion, now that he's older, he's still got a naive quality about him.

Is it just me? Does anyone think York could have pulled it off?

[TheSaint]

I can't see York as Bond, and I wonder about the timeline. Roger was filming or was due to film TSWLM
in 1976 so, why approach someone then?

[Mr. Blofeld]

Perhaps they wanted him for XXX's lover; it's certainly a Bondian role...

[ImTheMoneypenny]

I can't see York as Bond, and I wonder about the timeline. Roger was filming or was due to film TSWLM
in 1976 so, why approach someone then?

That I'm not sure. York does bounce around a little in his book, so I might be wrong on the exact year. I associated it with York talking about Logan's Run which came out in '76 and he suddenly found himself very sought after. I should see if I can find my copy of Accidentally on Purpose and nail down the passage.

[MkB]

Well, I can't really see him as Bond either...
About the timeline, if he was sought after after Logan's Run, he may have been contacted in '77, with the producers thinking of a Bond film a couple of years later, i.e. in '79 or '80. This would make sense, given Roger's age.
I can't remember when the last quest for the new Bond began, but if memory serves it was about two years before Casino Royale came out, wasn't it?

[ImTheMoneypenny]

Perhaps they wanted him for XXX's lover; it's certainly a Bondian role...

He definitely said the Bond role, but he'd have been better suited as XXX's lover, you're right.

Well, I can't really see him as Bond either...
About the timeline, if he was sought after after Logan's Run, he may have been contacted in '77, with the producers thinking of a Bond film a couple of years later, i.e. in '79 or '80. This would make sense, given Roger's age.
I can't remember when the last quest for the new Bond began, but if memory serves it was about two years before Casino Royale came out, wasn't it?

Yes I love Michael but Bond he's not, he's too much of a sweetheart like Ioan Gruffudd. Loves everyone, York does. You're probably right about the time-line, he was in his mid-thirties but because of his holistic ways he has aged really well, he was in good shape though a bit too skinny, and he's got that smashed nose since he was about two or three years old. I could see why they thought he could do it, but he's just not tough enough, bless him.

I think the last big Bond search was the two years before Casino Royale as I assumed Brosnan was a lock because they'd wanted him for years. Boy was I wrong that day in my opinion when they chose Craig. I can't mea culpa him enough!

[Royal Dalton]

Michael York as Bond?

Hmmm. It's probably best not to think about it.

[ImTheMoneypenny]

Michael York as Bond?

Hmmm. It's probably best not to think about it.

Good one!

[DamnCoffee]

I thought that name sounded familiar! York as Bond? I admire the man for turning it down.

EDIT: Hang on..... why the hell would he be approched in 1976! Moore was contracted as Bond.

[Blonde Bond]

Smashing Basil, but not smashing Bond.

I wonder how it would've worked, if he would have been in the role of Bond before his 'exposition' in that another spy series from the swinging 90's and early 00's.

edit: Here's me trying to say that I'm not that familiar with his early work.