In case you haven’t already seen it, the man who has been linked with being the next James Bond for what feels like the past decade, Henry Cavill, has seen his audition tape for the role leaked online.
Well, it’s an old tape from when he was first put up for the role but still, we always love watching these.
The Superman, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and former Witcher star has been in contention to replace Daniel Craig as Bond for almost as long as Idris Elba has/was, and while the latter may have drifted from the conversation somewhat in the past few years, Cavill’s only seems to have grown.
Now a fully-fledged Hollywood star, his career’s come a long way since the days of his long-haired audition for 007 nearly two whole decades ago…
He was given three different variations of scenes to perform. Director Martin Campbell can be heard saying his audition was “tremendous”.
Yes, what you see above is a video by YouTuber Ron South revealing Henry Cavill’s audition for Casino Royale: a remake of the 1967 original film released back in 2006 which effectively rebooted Bond for the modern, more serious era.
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Uploaded from an original VHS audition tape filmed just a decade into Barbara Broccoli and co’s tenure in charge of the franchise, having taken over from her father in 1995 (we have no idea how he got his hands on, so don’t ask), you get to see a good seven minutes of Henry Cavill as James Bond.
The first thing to note is that besides the flowing mane of dark hair, the soon-to-be leading man was much younger during this recording; he was just 22 when the tape was made and considered too young for the part at the time.
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Ironically, many believe Cavill might be at the very least verging on too old, even though all three of Pierce Brosnan (42), Roger Moore (45) and Timothy Dalton (41 – the same age) were older than him when they first took up the tuxedo and very specific taste for martinis.
Regardless of whether he is the ‘right age’ now or not, the clips being leaked online have divided opinion, to say the least, with many suggesting that while he may not have been ready for the role then, he and his acting chops have matured significantly in the 20 years that have passed.
Henry is barely suited to ACTING if we’re keeping it real
It’s also worth stating that opinions are just that and some are definitely less popular than others; for instance, many in the comments underneath social media posts said Daniel Craig – the man who famously did get the job back in 2006 – was “overrated” and “only had one good film.”
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Come on, Craig wasn’t even our first Bond and you’ve got to admit even if he isn’t your favourite, he was excellent and gave the series a refreshing, grittier spin.
But wait, we haven’t even got to the best part yet: Ron South has also uploaded four other actors’ James Bond audition tapes besides Henry Cavill which you can find HERE – all of which give off a very different vibe. The question is, were any of them right for the iconic character, or are they perhaps now?
What did you make of this glimpse at Henry Cavill as James Bond in his old audition tape and you think he’s still the ‘favourite’ in your eyes for the world’s most famous spy?
Featured Images — EON Productions Limited/MGM/Ron South (via YouTube)
TV & Showbiz
Elbow get behind campaign to save Jodrell Bank from closure
Danny Jones
Manc band Elbow are among the latest to get behind the campaign to save Jodrell Bank Observatory from closing permanently.
The Greater Manchester natives famously played a sold-out gig at the important scientific and cultural landmark for a very special live album recording well over a decade ago, and know all too well the site’s national and, indeed, global heritage.
Choosing the Observatory and the rare chance to perform a show in the shadow of the world-renowned James Lovell Telescope, it probably remains one of their most significant standalone UK date ever.
With that in mind, the local lads have been left just as worried by the news of its impending closure as everyone else, and have therefore issued a fresh appeal to help keep it open.
Posting a timely statement on social media, the group wrote: “Jodrell Bank has long been close to elbow’s heart. In 2012, the band played beneath the Lovell Telescope for one of the most memorable shows in our history.
“The recent news that funding for the e-MERLIN radio telescope network is set to end in 2028 puts the future of the scientific work at Jodrell Bank under serious threat. It is a remarkable place, with an extraordinary history, and one that continues to play an important role in science, culture and education.”
In addition to reliving clips and images from the historic live set all the years later, they also pointed people towards their ‘elbow – Live at Jodrell Bank‘ album documentary, which has now been made available online for the very first time as part of wider efforts to raise awareness around the cause.
Directing people to key online resources shared by the institution and astrophysics centre itself following their unfortunate update late last month, the push to not only find the funding but sustain support for the facility continues to ramp up throughout the world of science, arts and industry.
For anyone who somehow missed the news – 2028 being the current deadline handed down as per budget cuts across the sector – concerned parties here in the North West and all over the country have since started petitioning to save Jodrell Bank Observatory from shutting down for good.
In addition to being described as a “huge blow” to the field by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), some have even gone so far as to describe the decision as a form of “vandalism” when it comes to research and British culture as a whole.
Having also served as the host venue for the annual bluedot Festival since 2016, the multi-genre science and arts celebration could soon be forced to find a new home.
The battle is far from over yet, and the community has time to rescue Jodrell Bank Observatory from its fate, but it will take lots of money and more notable public figures to make it happen.
Once again, you can do your bit by signing the petition mentioned above right HERE.
Featured Images — Emma Farrer (via Wikimedia Commons)/The Manc Group
TV & Showbiz
New BBC series based on bestselling book to film in Manchester with big-name actors
Emily Sergeant
A new BBC series based on a bestselling book is set to begin filming in Manchester.
The new series, titled You Are Here, is described as being an ‘honest, witty, and tender’ love story based on David Nicholls’ critically acclaimed novel of the same name – with the author having also written the eight-part adaptation set to be directed Lenny Abrahamson, who is best known for BBC‘s cult-classic miniseries Normal People, and the Oscar-nominated Room (2015).
Set along the Coast to Coast walking trail from the Lake District to Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire, You Are Here tells the story of Marnie and Michael.
When a mutual friend throws them together, Marnie and Michael unexpectedly find themselves setting off on an epic walk.
Against the odds, they end up on the brink of a relationship that neither was looking for, but might be exactly what they both need.
Treading the tricky path from loneliness to love, Marnie and Michael go coast-to-coast across the stunning English countryside, navigating an undeniable attraction along the way that is just as exhilarating as it is terrifying.
📚 Claire Foy and Matthew Macfadyen lead the cast of You Are Here, adapted from David Nicholls' best-selling novel
Producers say the series is about finding a connection when you least expect it and overcoming the obstacles of midlife.
Set to be filmed across Manchester and the Lake District, it has been announced that respected actors Claire Foy and Matthew Macfadyen will take on the lead roles of Marnie and Michael.
“I’m so delighted to be working on You Are Here with Element, the BBC, Starz, and Lenny, whose work I’ve admired for many years,” commented David Nicholls.
“And Matthew and Claire are both just dream casting, wonderful in comedy and drama, so detailed and thoughtful and sympathetic.
“The intention with the novel was to write a close-up study of a relationship, but set against this magnificent landscape, and that’s our ambition here too – to make something both intimate and epic, funny and dramatic, a romantic comedy with real emotion.
“We can’t wait to bring Marnie and Michael’s journey to the screen.”
Featured Image – Juankr and Josh Wool (via BBC Press Office)
Danny Jones -
11th February 2025 
