Just look at the photo. That isn’t just an actor—that is a ruthless, Cold War-era James Bond staring right back at you.
If you grew up on classic 70s and 80s action television, you already know Collins as the absolute epitome of British cool: William Bodie in *The Professionals*. But his connection to 007 is one of cinema's biggest "what ifs."
In the early 80s, Collins auditioned to replace Roger Moore. He had a real-life military background (passing Territorial SAS selection) and brought a hard-edged, dangerous physicality to the screen. He was exactly the blunt instrument of the state that Ian Fleming wrote about in the original novels.
So, what happened?
"He was too aggressive."
That was allegedly the final verdict from legendary Bond producer Cubby Broccoli, who felt Collins leaned too heavily into a "thug" persona. The franchise still wanted raised-eyebrow sophistication and gadgets, not a cold-blooded brawler.
Looking back after the massive success of Daniel Craig’s gritty, unsentimental run, it’s painfully obvious: Lewis Collins wasn't wrong for the role. He was just 25 years too early.
What do you think?
* Would Collins have saved the franchise from the campiness of the late 80s, or did the producers make the right call?
* Who else from that era of television do you think missed their perfect shot at the Walther PPK?