‘Now they can’t afford me’: Steven Spielberg was turned down to direct Bond – twice

Steven Spielberg revealed that he was rejected twice by the producers of the James Bond film franchise. He approached Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, the producer of Bond films from 1962's Dr. No to 1989's License to Kill, after the significant success of his 1975 film Jaws. Spielberg expressed his long-standing desire to direct a Bond movie, stating he contacted Broccoli after Jaws to offer his services as a director. However, Broccoli declined his offer. Spielberg also mentioned he approached Broccoli again after the release of his 1982 film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, but was again turned down. He shared these details during an appearance on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast, humorously adding that the Bond producers likely could not afford him now.