An old audition of Henry Cavill trying out for the part of James Bond has gone viral on the internet amid rumors that the former Superman star could succeed Daniel Craig as the next lead in the long-running franchise. The footage dates back to 2005, which means that Cavill was actually vying against Craig for the iconic role before the latter eventually got his hands on the part. The 20-year-old audition has sparked an intense discussion on social media, with fans debating whether Henry Cavill would be the right choice to portray James Bond in the current day and age.

Henry Cavill’s James Bond audition convinces fans why Daniel Craig got the role

The video, shared by Ron South on YouTube last month, showcases Cavill enacting a conversational scene and has already garnered around 150K views on the platform.

In the audition, 22-year-old Henry Cavill can be seen sporting long, slicked-back hair as well as a leather jacket while he utters lines written for James Bond. The snippet has drawn mixed reactions from fans, with many claiming that Craig was clearly a better choice than Cavill.

In the comments, one user wrote, “Daniel Craig is much better and brings a new flavor to the character.” Meanwhile, another stated, “I can see why he didn’t get the part.” They then expanded their critique of Henry Cavill in the James Bond audition, adding, “He also doesn’t have an aura of confidence about him. He is emphasizing and or not emphasizing the dialogue in a weird way.”

On the other hand, a significant faction of viewers pointed out that Cavill has matured as an actor over the years and would be an ideal candidate for the role now. “I think he did ok then. Now? He’d nail it,” wrote one fan. “Henry Cavill would make a perfect addition to the list of JAMES BOND 007 stars,” read another comment.

Notably, Casino Royale (2006) director Martin Campbell also hailed Henry Cavill’s attempt to land the role of James Bond in a 2023 interview with The Express, stating, “He looked great in the audition. His acting was tremendous. And look, if Daniel didn’t exist, Henry would have made an excellent Bond.” However, Campbell eventually explained why the actor lost the part to Craig, noting, “He just looked a little young at that time back then.”

At the time of writing, James Bond producers have yet to officially name a successor to Daniel Craig in the franchise.