Antony Starr Reflects on His Infamous James Bond Audition for ‘The Boys’

Antony Starr has established a significant cultural presence in recent years, particularly as the menacing and captivating Homelander in ‘The Boys’. The New Zealand actor has become one of the most discussed performers on television.

However, before soaring through the skies in a cape, Starr was an aspiring actor, like many others, eager to land a role that seemed out of reach.

In 2005, Starr was part of a group of actors auditioning for the role of James Bond, likely in anticipation of what would become ‘Casino Royale’, the 2006 film that introduced Daniel Craig as 007.

With Pierce Brosnan’s tenure as the iconic spy concluded, the search for a new face was in full swing. Alongside other contenders like Henry Cavill, Rupert Friend, and Sam Worthington, Starr’s audition tape was part of a comprehensive casting process that ultimately chose Craig.

Earlier this year, the audition tape resurfaced dramatically. A user named Ron South uploaded the nearly five-minute clip to YouTube, claiming he discovered it in a movie studio’s recycling bin, along with another audition reel featuring Henry Cavill. The clip quickly gained traction on social media, drawing fans of ‘The Boys’ into a surreal alternate reality where Homelander might have uttered “Bond, James Bond” on the big screen.

Instead of shying away from the attention, Starr embraced it with his usual self-awareness. During an appearance on the ‘Happy Sad Confused’ podcast with Josh Horowitz, he candidly discussed the audition, admitting that it was the best he could do at the time. His perspective on the experience was both honest and humorously relatable.

He likened the situation to casting a baitless hook into a vast pond, fully aware he wouldn’t catch anything, noting that he had already sensed the outcome when Craig was cast.

Starr was equally frank about the quality of his audition. He described the tape as one of the worst interpretations of “Bond, James Bond” you could witness, calling it “a lot” and “a drag,” while acknowledging that such roles are typically suited for younger actors. He recognized that the tape did not showcase his best work but reflected his skill level at the time, emphasizing that the production was casting broadly, with him being just one of many actors involved.

On the ‘Happy Sad Confused’ podcast, Starr reiterated that he understood the role was beyond his reach back then, comparing his attempt to casting a baitless hook into a large pond. He also admitted that even if he had miraculously landed the role, he wouldn’t have been prepared for it.

Watching the tape now is genuinely intriguing, especially knowing what Starr has achieved since. The same unsettling presence that defines Homelander is evident, albeit in a raw form.

The iconic “Bond, James Bond” moment that every actor faces during auditions came across as, by Starr’s own account, about as poor as it gets. Yet, his humility adds to the enjoyment of the story. He is neither embarrassed nor defensive, simply honest about a time when his abilities had not yet matched his aspirations.

After the tape circulated widely earlier this year, Starr addressed it, calling the audition one of the worst ever while also recognizing that everyone has to start somewhere. Since that audition, he has steadily built his profile through various projects, ultimately landing the role that would define his career as Homelander in ‘The Boys’ on Prime Video.

The contrast is almost poetic. The man who once fumbled through a spy audition in a forgettable early-career tape is now one of the most recognizable faces in prestige television. As ‘The Boys’ approaches its final season, fans are preparing to bid farewell to the character that made Antony Starr a household name. Whatever lies ahead for him, it’s clear that the Bond conversation has long since passed. However, considering the internet’s reaction to this tape, it seems that no one is particularly upset about how things turned out.

Let us know in the comments whether you think Antony Starr could have pulled off James Bond, or if Homelander was always his true destiny.