Clint Eastwood Confirms That He Nearly Played Superman AND James Bond!

Clint Eastwood Confirms That He Nearly Played Superman AND James Bond!

The legendary Dirty Harry star explains why he turned down the roles of both Superman and James Bond and reveals his favourite comic book character from when he was a kid...

By JoshWilding - Sep 07, 2010 01:09 PM EST
Filed Under: Superman
Source: IGN Movies

"Thank God that I didn't have to do that," Eastwood told <> when asked about the role that winded up going to Christopher Reeve who he said was "excellent" as the Man of Steel. "I can remember – and this was many years ago – when Warner Bros. President Frank Wells came to me about doing Superman. So it could have happened. This was when they first started to think about making it. I was like, 'Superman? Nah, nah, that's not for me.' Not that there's anything wrong with it. It's for somebody, but not me."

Image and video hosting by TinyPic


Although the iconic actor was clearly not too keen on playing the DC superhero, he did reveal that he has nothing against those sorts of characters and said he was a big fan of a certain aquatic Marvel character when he was younger: "The Sub-Mariner, that’s the one I always liked. I had all of those comics when I was a kid."

Superman wasnt the only well known role he turned down though. I was also offered pretty good money to do James Bond if I would take on the role. This was after Sean Connery left. My lawyer represented the Broccolis and he came and said, ‘They would love to have you.’ But to me, well, that was somebody else’s gig. That’s Sean’s deal. It didn’t feel right for me to be doing it."




Image and video hosting by TinyPic



Warner Bros. Pictures' Future May Hinge On SUPERMAN's Success; Is Peter Safran Set To Leave DC Studios?
Related:

Warner Bros. Pictures' Future May Hinge On SUPERMAN's Success; Is Peter Safran Set To Leave DC Studios?

SUPERMAN Director James Gunn Shares New Look At María Gabriela De Faría As The Sinister Engineer
Recommended For You:

SUPERMAN Director James Gunn Shares New Look At María Gabriela De Faría As The "Sinister" Engineer

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

1 2
marvel72
marvel72 - 9/7/2010, 2:04 PM
maybe a kingdom come batman,i don't know about superman though.
DaenerysTargaryen
DaenerysTargaryen - 9/7/2010, 2:05 PM
When you google the word Bad ass, it says "Dont you mean Clint Eastwood"
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 9/7/2010, 2:08 PM
We know he could've been SUPERMAN years ago!!!!

Though didn't know BOND ... interesting lol! : P

SHOCKER @ Yeah dude heh heh!
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 9/7/2010, 2:10 PM
Old BRUCE WAYNE in a Batman Beyond movie!
charbelelnasr
charbelelnasr - 9/7/2010, 2:10 PM
when they make the sub-mariner movie they should give him a cameo
FrankLeeGitnit
FrankLeeGitnit - 9/7/2010, 2:11 PM
Old BRUCE WAYNE in a Batman Beyond movie!
Eviltwin
Eviltwin - 9/7/2010, 2:16 PM
Good find Josh!

Interesting, I never knew about him being offered those roles.

@FrankLee and LEEE

I 3rd that! I've been thinking for years that he'd be a great old Bruce Wayne in a Batman Beyond movie.
marvel72
marvel72 - 9/7/2010, 2:16 PM
@ leee777

old bruce wayne in kingdom come movie,didn't like batman beyond.
Ryden
Ryden - 9/7/2010, 2:18 PM
A young Clint would have made an excellent Sub-Mariner...I like that he's into a character that not many people outside of comic book community really know.

I had heard about the Superman thing but Bond? An American Bond would have caused total uproar!
Hawksblueyes
Hawksblueyes - 9/7/2010, 2:19 PM
Eastwood is da man! Having said that, I am overjoyed that he knew better than to try either one of these characters.
MassExecutions
MassExecutions - 9/7/2010, 2:20 PM
Clint Eastwood, MARVEL FAN. Unless of course it was still Timely or something back then.

Man, that would have been one intimidating Superman.

@Shocker - Yeah, now that Charlton Heston is dead Clint would probably be my first choice for Nick Fury.
LucasMend
LucasMend - 9/7/2010, 2:29 PM
Bond? Oh [frick] he would have been great :(
Superman not sure if he would be good
And yeah he must be the old Bruce Wayne on a Batman Beyond Movie!
Denn1s
Denn1s - 9/7/2010, 2:38 PM
he would own wolverine
RichardTheNerd
RichardTheNerd - 9/7/2010, 2:39 PM
Clint Eastwood for Saint of Killers!
marvel72
marvel72 - 9/7/2010, 2:39 PM
@ taboo13

hi ya,blacksad i believe they're making a live action verison.

i can't wait,the artwork is amazing.
panther505
panther505 - 9/7/2010, 2:42 PM
Sub-Mariner makes sense, he was life guard in the navy before he started acting I seem to remember.
ecksmanfan
ecksmanfan - 9/7/2010, 2:49 PM
@LEEE- He would make an epic Bruce Wayne in Batman Beyond! Where do I sign up for that?!
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 9/7/2010, 3:09 PM
ECKS @ well we should make a petition! ; P

EvilTwin @ Hellz yeh!!

deadpool @ Dude, he'd be epic in that role too, nice one!

I picked KEATON myself, check it out and see what you think?


ELSEWORLDS KINGDOM COME
InFamouslyCool
InFamouslyCool - 9/7/2010, 3:30 PM
...cant picture it. bond, or even batman, maybe. not superman.
TrueBlue
TrueBlue - 9/7/2010, 3:34 PM
Is anyone surprised that he liked Namor than Superman?
JoshWilding
JoshWilding - 9/7/2010, 3:43 PM
Thanks guys! :) I'd heard about him being offered Superman in the past but had no idea about James Bond! Either way, despite the fact that I'm a big Clint Eastwood fan, I dont think he'd be right for either role. As for an older version of Superman or Batman though (maybe even the Joker!?!) I could definitely see that.
marvel72
marvel72 - 9/7/2010, 4:01 PM
@ leee777

i've left a comment on your fancast for kingdom come,it looks like you've commented on what i said before i posted the comment.

@ elguason

good call on the dark knight returns.

i want zack snyder to direct it.
gunner
gunner - 9/7/2010, 4:29 PM
If they ever do return of the Dark night A.K.A. Frank miller One word PERFECT !!!
He would be incredible as Bruce Wayne/Batman , no way around it :)
shiftysharp
shiftysharp - 9/7/2010, 4:45 PM
i know he is too tall and blah blah, but i think he would have been a superb wolvie in his day, any time i read a wolvie comic it is eastwoods voice i hear in my head :D
Sparrowsabre7
Sparrowsabre7 - 9/7/2010, 4:51 PM
I think he'd make a great Old Man Logan. Have you seen some comparison pics between him and Jackman? Uncanny
RedDevil
RedDevil - 9/7/2010, 4:52 PM
Lol! This was totally unexpected. I can't picture him as Superman nor Bond but he is badass and could be an old Bruce Wayne.
UnfriendlySpidey
UnfriendlySpidey - 9/7/2010, 4:57 PM
Wow The Eastwood could've been Bond AND Superman??? Just goes to show ya just how EPIC he really is :D
BrotherQStark
BrotherQStark - 9/7/2010, 5:11 PM
He would have been a dark Superman
RockNRollCC
RockNRollCC - 9/7/2010, 5:36 PM
Eastwood IS Old Man Batman!
THEHAWK
THEHAWK - 9/7/2010, 5:39 PM
Wow, I ahd heard the others before, but I would have never pegged him as a Submariner fan. Huh...maybe Vigilante, but Namor? Interesting.

MARVEL listen closely to me. I will not repeat myself. Cast him in some role in the Submariner movie. NOW!
scurvydog
scurvydog - 9/7/2010, 5:46 PM
Ah,here's the question:would Clint DIRECT a Namor movie? That would be VERY interesting....

MagnaSolaris
MagnaSolaris - 9/7/2010, 6:12 PM
Totally agree with Eastwood as Old Bruce Wayne in a Batman Beyond movie. I can imagine him speaking as Bruce Wayne in the darkness of the batcave and beenig a total a-hole: "The only thing that matters is The Mission Terry, you know that! Are you about to quit? It doesn't really surprise me..."
Kalabog
Kalabog - 9/7/2010, 6:43 PM
Great find JoshW. The man couldnot have so eloquently said it. About superman "he (Reeve) was excellen" and on Bond ("... that was somebody else’s gig. That’s Sean’s deal. It didn’t feel right for me to be doing it").

Eastwood's tough persona may be perfect for the Batman, but can you imagine Clint wearing a cowl, tights and cape? Old Bruce Wayne maybe or any character who is not into wearing masks.
AlexDeLarge87
AlexDeLarge87 - 9/7/2010, 7:09 PM
ElGuason@ He would have been perfect Wolverine!:D

Star@ DIRTY HARRY RULES!!!:D

Lee@ CLINT as old Bruce Wayne in BATMAN BEYOND live action movie!
ROMACK
ROMACK - 9/7/2010, 9:36 PM
Josey Wales the original bada$$!
FrankGarret
FrankGarret - 9/8/2010, 3:06 AM
Old Man Logan is Unforgiven with super-heroes, so yeah.
claybo4131
claybo4131 - 9/8/2010, 4:38 AM
I knew about SUperman, but I am surprised he was offered Bond, I didnt know they wanted to go with an American to play 007
1 2
View Recorder