When fans look back at GoldenEye they often bring up the long list of rumored actors who were supposedly in the running to become the next James Bond. Names like Mel Gibson and Liam Neeson are frequently tossed into the conversation. According to Martin Campbell, none of it is true. The director behind Brosnan’s debut says the search was never as dramatic as fans imagine. Pierce Brosnan was the choice from the start and the only thing that ever kept him from the role was timing.Campbell makes it clear that the list of famous names associated with the GoldenEye casting did not come from the production. “In the back of our minds, Pierce was always going to play Bond,” he says. The team held a few basic auditions with other actors, but even Campbell admits he cannot remember who they were. The studio was not actively weighing big stars or running an extended search.The rumors grew over time because Bond fans love imagining who could take on the tux, but Campbell reveals that the decision was far simpler than the myth.Brosnan was originally going to take over the role years earlier, but his hit series Remington Steele prevented him from stepping in after Roger Moore. It was one of the most famous cases of an actor being locked out of a dream role due to contract obligations. Campbell reflected on the situation as the start of a story that eventually landed in his hands. For GoldenEye, there was no long debate or hesitation. Brosnan was finally free and the timing finally worked.Campbell explains why the filmmakers felt Brosnan carried the essence of Bond better than anyone else in consideration. “Pierce had always wanted to play Bond,” he says. Brosnan arrived determined, prepared and ready to fully inhabit the character. Campbell points out how well he fit the classic image of 007. “He was determined to make it work and threw himself into the part. And he looked so bloody good. If you were to use AI to generate James Bond, Pierce Brosnan is who you would get.”That confidence, look and attitude made him the perfect Bond for the mid 90s, just as the franchise was reentering the modern era.While the rumors of competing stars kept circulating among fans, the creative team behind GoldenEye moved forward with a clear vision. Brosnan had the classic Bond charm, the right physical presence and the enthusiasm needed to bring the franchise back after a six year gap. Campbell saw him as the natural successor who could reintroduce audiences to 007 with total ease.So, there was no dramatic shortlist or heated competition between major stars. The Bond team always had Brosnan in mind, and once his schedule opened up the path became clear. Source: GoldDerby