9 Actors You Had No Idea Almost Played James Bond
7. Dick Van Dyke
Dick Van Dyke's career is nothing short of astounding, spanning close to seven entire decades. Among his innumerable iconic roles are his performances in Disney's Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, for which he has since been dubbed by Disney a certified Legend.
Which makes it all the more curious, then, that he was seriously considered for the role of James Bond, given how his characters tended to be less charming and suave and more goofy and hilarious.
Van Dyke was considered around the time that Sean Connery was looking to bow out. He was contacted by producer Albert R. Broccoli, a nice bit of serendipity given he had just finished working on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, adapted from the novel by Ian Fleming.
It wasn't until Broccoli heard Van Dyke's attempt at a British accent, however, that he decided he wasn't right for the role.