Arabic version: ستيفن سبيلبرغ رُفض مرتين لدور إخراج فيلم جيمس بوند

Steven Spielberg revealed that he was turned down twice by the producers of the James Bond films, stating that they can no longer afford him. Speaking on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast, Spielberg recounted his attempts to direct a Bond movie after the success of his films Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

According to The Guardian, Spielberg first approached legendary Bond producer Albert “Cubby” Broccoli after the release of Jaws in 1975. He expressed his desire to direct a Bond film but was met with a firm rejection.

Years later, following the success of Close Encounters, Broccoli reached out to Spielberg to request the use of the film’s iconic five-tone musical theme for the 1979 film Moonraker. Spielberg agreed to allow the use of the theme on the condition that he be allowed to direct a Bond film. Once again, he was turned down.

This series of rejections ultimately led Spielberg to work on Raiders of the Lost Ark. During a conversation with George Lucas, Spielberg shared his experience with Broccoli, which prompted Lucas to offer him a new project that would later become the Indiana Jones series. Spielberg humorously noted that if Broccoli were to approach him now for a Bond film, his response would be: “you can’t afford me.”