# In 1972, an actor failed their James Bond audition. Nine years later, they became the only one who played a Bond villain instead

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1972-an-actor-failed-their-james-bond-audition-nine-years-later-they-became-the-only-one-who-played-a-bond-villain-instead/
- Published: 2026-11-06T15:15:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-06T21:08:36+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/actor-failed-james-bond-audition-nine-years-later-played-villain-instead/
- Topics: Business, Celebrity, Entertainment, Markets

## Key points

- Glover tested for Bond in 1972.
- He played villain Aristotle Kristatos in 1981.
- He says he would rather the test stayed unseen.

## Summary

Julian Glover screen-tested to play James Bond in 1972, but did not get the role. Nine years later, he joined the franchise as the villain Aristotle Kristatos in *For Your Eyes Only*, making him the only actor in the article’s account to have auditioned for Bond and later played one of his enemies.

Glover was appearing in the BBC espionage series *Spy Trap* when producers Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman invited him to test as a possible successor to Sean Connery. He recalled feeling terrified and doubting he was suited to the part; Roger Moore ultimately became Bond instead. Glover later said he would not want his audition footage shown.

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