James Bond “can’t afford” Steven Spielberg anymore

There for a point in history where famed director, Steven Spielberg, could’ve directed a 007 film or two. But, in the end, it was out of his hands, with franchise producer, Cubby Broccoli, said “no.”

Speaking with The Rest Is Entertainment, Spielberg said how he approached Broccoli about directing a James Bond film following the success of Jaws, but that didn’t move forward. He also pitched himself the director a few years later after Close Encounters of the Third Kind. He even tried striking a deal that they could use the five-note musical melody from Moonraker if he was allowed to direct a film and even that didn’t work, but they still got permission to use the melody.

“I have regrets that they didn’t approach me to direct a Bond film. I approached Cubby Broccoli [James Bond franchise producer] after Jaws was a big hit. I’d always wanted to make a James Bond film from the day I saw Dr. No, so I called Cubby Broccoli after Jaws and volunteered. I said, ‘If you need a director, I would love to direct one.’ And he said no and he moved on.”

Granted, who knows if Spielberg would’ve been the same success that we know him today, as there’s always a chance that he would’ve never found himself directing the iconic franchise that is Indiana Jones. Now, if he were to be asked to direct a James Bond film, he’d simply have to tell them “‘you can’t afford me.’”