7. Ralph Fiennes
Looking for a posh, refined, excellent actor? Ralph Fiennes actually auditioned for GoldenEye following his Oscar-nominated turn in Schindlers List but lost out to Pierce Brosnan. Perhaps Fiennes was so convincing as the SS Officer they felt he would have made a controversial choice. Fiennes allegedly auditioned again for 2004s Casino Royale but was unavailable for when the filming started. Fiennes is certainly not the most popular choice as Bond. He isnt an actor who is close to our hearts, being something of a colder, more elusive man of the acting aristocracy. Yet in terms of sheer competence, surely Fiennes would be tenfold what Craig or Brosnan were. Interestingly Ranulph Fiennes (Ralphs cousin) was also lined up as a potential Bond but failed due to having hands that were too chunky and for looking like a farmer. Whether Ranulph was as good an actor as Ralph well never know but we could all see him coping with those snowmobiles rather well.