Ralph Fiennes

While he took over from Dame Judi Dench as ‘M’ in 2012’s ‘Skyfall’, Ralph Fiennes was very nearly James Bond himself!

The ‘Harry Potter’ star had met with long-time franchise producer Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli to discuss his potential casting as 007 following Timothy Dalton’s exit from the series in 1989 with ‘Licence to Kill’.

Fiennes said: “There was an early conversation. There was a conversation that was great, and a meeting with Cubby Broccoli that was terrific. I think that’s all I can really say, except that it didn’t lead to anything on both sides.

“I don’t think I felt ready to commit, and I think they were looking at Pierce. I think I would have been a terrible Bond anyway.”