Actor Ben Starr, known for his roles in Final Fantasy XVI and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, revealed that several years ago he auditioned for the role of James Bond in the game 007 First Light. However, he said he was glad he didn't get the role in the end.
Speaking to journalists during Summer Game Fest, Starr admitted that he participated in the casting during the early stages of the project's development. For the audition, he was asked to perform a scene from GoldenEye, after which the actor received an invitation for a follow-up meeting with the development team.
I auditioned for James Bond many years ago. I would never have gotten it. It was terrible.
Starr admits that he couldn't handle the pressure during the audition.
I literally crumbled under that pressure. I couldn't deliver what they wanted from me, and I'm incredibly glad that I didn't even come close to that role, because, oh my god, Patrick Gibson is just incredible. He's amazing.
According to Starr, he has great respect for Gibson's work and believes that he was the perfect choice to embody a young James Bond in 007 First Light.