Steven Spielberg is one of Hollywood’s most celebrated filmmakers, known for directing some of the most iconic films of his decades-long career. Despite his huge success and numerous awards, the director has revealed that he was repeatedly rejected from directing James Bond films, something he really wanted to do at one point. Now Spielberg shares how he would react if approached to direct a James Bond film.
In an episode of “The rest is entertainment’ podcast, Steven Spielberg spoke with Richard Osman and Marina Hyde to talk about his latest film, ‘Disclosure Day’, and to answer some fan questions.
Someone asked: “Were you ever approached to make a Bond film? Do you regret not doing so?” Spielberg made it clear that he was never approached to direct a Bond film. Instead, he was the one who approached the late Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, the lead producer of the James Bond franchise.
The director said he had always wanted to direct a Bond film ever since he saw ‘Dr. No’ from 1962, and after the success of ‘Jaws’ in 1975 he approached the producer. “I called Cubby Broccoli after ‘Jaws’ and volunteered. I said, ‘If you need a director, I’d be happy to direct one.’ And he said no,” Spielberg revealed.
The director tried to make a deal with Cubby Broccoli
That wasn’t the last time Spielberg was rejected. Years later, Broccoli contacted Spielberg and asked for a favor. After the release of his 1977 science fiction film, ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’, Broccoli asked his permission to use the famous five-note sequence played throughout the film. The producer wanted to use the notes for ‘Moonraker’, the James Bond film released in 1979.
Spielberg took that opportunity to make a proposal to the producer. “I said, ‘I’ll make a deal with you. I’ll give you permission to use the five notes if you let me direct a Bond film.’ And he said no.” Despite not agreeing to his proposed deal, the director still allowed Broccoli to use the series.
“So they consistently rejected me. He never explained why he didn’t let me into the Bond family,” Spielberg said.
Steven Spielberg confided in George Lucas
Spielberg confided in fellow filmmaker and friend George Lucas after being rejected again by Broccoli in 1977. The two were in Hawaii after the release of “Star Wars: A New Hope,” and upon hearing the director’s woes, Lucas said he had “something better” for Spielberg.
Lucas then told him about a character he created named Indiana Smith (later changed to Jones), a professor of archeology and a daring treasure hunter. The Indiana Jones franchise has since had five feature films, four of which Spielberg directed. He served as executive producer for the fifth episode.
“He told me the premise of the Indiana Jones series, and that’s how I got that job. So if they ever asked me to do a Bond movie now, my answer would be, ‘You can’t afford it,'” Spielberg said jokingly.
James Bond wasn’t the only franchise the director was interested in
The acclaimed director is also a gamer, as his son Max revealed in 2024. According to Max, Spielberg likes the first-person shooter video game series ‘Call of Duty’ and plays it on a computer using a keyboard and mouse. “He loves gaming. He’s the one who got me involved. He plays games. He’s a big PC gamer so that’s kind of our bonding point as well,” Maximum shared.
In 2015, Activision Blizzard, the company behind the ‘CoD’ franchise, launched a film and TV division to create a live-action ‘Call of Duty’ cinematic universe. While the first attempt was scrapped, the project was revived in partnership with Paramount and a film is in the works.
Spielberg reportedly wanted to direct the film, but Paramount and Activision rejected him because he wanted complete control over production and marketing. Instead, Pete Berg was chosen to helm the project, which is expected to be released in 2028.
The illustrious career of Steven Spielberg
Spielberg is considered one of the most influential filmmakers, with a career spanning more than five decades. Over the years, the director has directed some of the most iconic films across a variety of genres, including ‘ET the Extra-Terrestrial’, ‘Jurassic Park’, ‘Schindler’s List’ and ‘The Color Purple’, to name a few.
He has earned three Academy Awards, including two for Best Director for “Schindler’s List” and “Saving Private Ryan,” and one for Best Picture for “Schindler’s List.”
Spielberg’s latest project, “Disclosure Day,” a sci-fi film starring Emily Blunt and Josh O’Connor, will be released in U.S. theaters on June 12.
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