7. Burt Reynolds
Year Considered: 1970
Reason He Didn't Get The Role: Thought Bond Needed To Be British Burt Reynolds was a huge star in his time, which naturally meant he would be considered for the role of James Bond when Sean Connery bailed in the '70s, whether he was right for the character or not. Luckily he declined for the same reason that Adam West did: he felt that Bond should be inhabited by a British actor. Still, that doesn't mean that ol' Burt doesn't regret this decision. Apparently, he's still having nightmares about turning down the role, and can be glimpsed awaking at all sorts of unsociable hours uttering the words "Bond, James Bond." I wouldn't put that past Burt Reynolds, of course, because I've got a sneaking suspicion that he's insane. Anyway, despite your later grievances Burt, we're glad that you didn't sign on to play Bond. If I try to imagine it, I genuinely can't. And that's not a very good sign.