Liam Neeson never became James Bond because he was “taken.”
The action film star, 69, revealed that he had to pass on the iconic role of 007 if he wanted to marry his late wife Natasha Richardson, Fox News reports.
Neeson opened up during a recent interview on “The Late Late Show with James Corden,” saying he was approached for the role in the '90s and “got a couple of calls” from producer Barbara Broccoli.
"I know they were looking at various actors, and I apparently was among them," Neeson said, before revealing the ultimatum he was given.
"However, my dear, departed wife did say to me … ‘Darling, if you’re offered James Bond and you’re going to play it, you’re not going to marry me.’"
Although he wasn't officially offered the role, Neeson took his name out of contention and went on to marry Richardson in 1994. The couple later had two sons, Micheál and Daniel.
During the interview, the actor shared how after arguments with Richardson he would playfully hum the James Bond theme song while holding his hands in the shape of a gun, the outlet noted.
The role of the British secret service agent went to Pierce Brosnan in 1995, and Daniel Craig in 2006.
Richardson passed away in 2009 at the age of 45 after suffering a skiing accident that caused bleeding around the brain.
While he didn't become 007, Neeson went on to star in notable action films, including three “Taken” films between 2008 and 2014, "Non-Stop" (2014), "The Commuter" (2018), and “The Marksman” (2021).
Neeson has since said that his latest thriller will be one of his last, telling ET in January that there are “a couple in the pipeline and then I think that will probably be it.”
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