Henry Cavill has been fan-casted for iconic roles, some (The Witcher, Superman, Wolverine) already fulfilled. The leaked audition tape offered a glimpse of what could have been if he was the fifth James Bond.

Director Martin Campbell said Henry Cavill’s James Bond audition tape was “kind of” made for GoldenEye, not Casino Royale. That needs to be clarified because Cavill was 12 years old when GoldenEye came out. Regardless, that adds Cavill to A-list actors reportedly tapped to play 007 including Mel Gibson, Hugh Grant, and Liam Neeson; they all rejected GoldenEye. Paul McGann (Withnail and I) would’ve starred in the film if Pierce Brosnan opted out (he initially declined). Cavill might not be an official 007 but he still looks the part; speaking to Screen Rant, Campbell said fans should be wary of another Bond casting leak coming out.

“I’m sure that’s bull***t,” he asserted. “Look, anything you actually hear about Bond, whether it be the casting, anything you read online, don’t believe a word of it. I’ve been through this on two Bond films [GoldenEye, Casino Royale], right, and you’d be amazed about the stuff that comes out. None of it is true.” That puts Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s casting in perspective; he was previously rumored as the next 007. Actors Idris Elba, Tom Hiddleston, and Tom Hardy were also fan-favorite contenders. Campbell said rumors should be taken with a grain of salt, because some are half-truths or needed clarification. He said Cavill’s audition tape was case in point.

Martin Campbell Addresses Henry Cavill’s Leaked James Bond Audition

“I mean, [the rumors are] almost a hundred percent wrong, honestly,” he clarified. “And I sometimes read, there’s a hilarious thing I watched on YouTube, which was Henry Cavill’s Casino Royale audition. Well, it’s bull***t. I mean, he’s doing an audition, but it was kind of for GoldenEye, it had nothing to do with Casino. They make this bull***t up all the time, and it’s rubbish, quite frankly.” Details on the next James Bond or what’s next for the franchise are still up in the air, but Campbell said the actor picked for Bond 26 has to be young enough to handle a five-film contract.

Campbell previously hinted that Cavill would have starred in Casino Royale if Daniel Craig didn’t turn up. “[Cavill] looked great in the audition,” he told Express. “His acting was tremendous. And look, if Daniel didn’t exist Henry would have made an excellent Bond. He looked terrific, he was in great physical shape… very handsome, very chiseled. He just looked a little young at that time back then.” Cavill was 23 years old in 2006 when Casino Royale came out ( he’s now 41). Craig reprised Bond across five films between 2006 and 2021; debuting 007 at 38 years old, he retired from the role (in No Time to Die) after a 15-year run.

GoldenEye and Casino Royale are streaming on Apple TV+.