“I know they were seeing other actors, it was not an offer.”

Liam Neeson was apparently in the running to become James Bond before his late wife vetoed the idea.

Known for a host of action roles including Taken and Batman Begins, Neeson would have been an ideal fit in the role played most recently by Daniel Craig and Pierce Brosnan.

As well as action in taking down bad guys in the famous movies, the on-screen Bond persona is no stranger to female admirers, something that might have influenced Liam’s wi

Chatting to Ryan Tubridy on last night’s Late Late Show, the Michael Collins star discussed the speculation around him possibly taking on the Bond part in the past.

When asked by Ryan if the coveted role had ever been a serious prospect for the Antrim native, he answered:

“I was shooting a film with my wife and Jodie Foster in North Carolina.

“I was getting a couple of calls from Barbra (Broccoli, Bond Producer) to gauge my interest.

Continuing, Liam shared his wife’s reaction, and it seems Natasha had no problem making her feelings known!

Liam Neeson arrives at the UK premiere of “Marlowe” at Vue West End on March 16, 2023 in London, England. (Image: (Photo by Jo Hale/WireImage))

“Tasha said to me at one stage very seriously, ‘Liam, if you play Bond we’re not getting married’,” adding, “she meant it!”

Although it’s clear Liam was definitely a candidate for the role in producers’ minds, he also clarified that it was never officially offered to him.

“I know they were seeing other actors, it was not an offer.”

Laughing with Ryan, Liam joked that he couldn’t understand why his wife would be so opposed to him getting the part:

LONDON – OCTOBER 17: Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson arrive at the BFI 52 London Film Festival: ‘The Other Man’ Premiere at the Odeon West End on October 17, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
“It’s just a couple of pretty women who come out of the sea! What’s the problem!”

Liam and fellow actor Natasha met in 1993 while working on Broadway together and were married for 16 years until Natasha’s tragic death in 2009 following a skiing accident.