Taken star Liam Neeson was approached by a producer to potentially play the famous James Bond in the 1990s – but his wife gave him an ultimatum.
The actor opened up about how his late wife Natasha Richardson wasn’t keen on the idea when he was being considered for the part.
Ultimately, he was never chosen for the 007 character but said he was approached by producer Barbara Broccoli after appearing in Schindler’s List in 1993.
Neeson said even if he was offered the part he’d most likely had turned it down while appearing on The Late Late Show with James Cordon.
(Image: FilmMagic)
The 69-year-old added: “I know they were looking at various actors and I apparently was among them. However, my dear, departed wife did say to me … ‘Darling, if you’re offered James Bond and you’re going to play it, you’re not going to marry me.’
Richardson died in 2009, aged 45, after suffering a head injury while skiing at Quebec’s Mont Tremblant.
(Image: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
The actress experienced blunt force trauma after falling on a beginner’s slop while out with an instructor and refusing initial medical treatment after the accident.
The love between the pair remains evident 12 years after the tragic fall.
Neeson, with eldest son Micheál, featured in a film, Made In Italy, which looks into a father and son’s relationship as they cope with the death of the family matriarch.
(Image: Sygma via Getty Images)
Micheál, who changed surname to Richardson in 2018 to honour his late mum, said he “felt” her presence on set.
“When you lose somebody so close to you, sometimes you just push it away and out of your head because the thought of them hurts,” Micheál told People previously.
“But I found that’s an unhealthy thing to do. You have to remember them.”
(Image: PA)
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Daniel Craig’s final role as 007 is coming to a close with No Time to Die set to hit theatres in October.
The film has seen several delays and setbacks due to Covid restrictions causing cinemas to shut down for multiple lockdowns.
Craig is leaving the successful franchise with the new Bond role not yet filled by the next star.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
