Clive Owen has said that he was never offered the role of James Bond, despite being heavily linked to the series for several years.
The Knick star suggested that it was his role in crime thriller Croupier that helped kick-start his career and put him in people's minds for 007.
"If I hadn't worn that tux in Croupier, I'd still be begging for the parts on cop shows Robson Green turned down!" he told The Express.
Owen was rumoured for the Bond role prior to Daniel Craig's casting in Casino Royale, but reports at the time said that he was turned down after demanding box office profit points in his contract.
"It's easy to keep saying no to a role you're not being offered," Owen added. "Am I going to be the next Sean Connery? No, I'll just be the next Clive Owen."
Owen's new show The Knick will air in the UK on Sky Atlantic and is currently being broadcast in the US on Cinemax. Watch an extended preview below:
Movies Editor
Simon has worked as a journalist for more than a decade, writing on staff and freelance for Hearst, Dennis, Future and Autovia titles before joining Cision in 2022.
