Liam Neeson turned down chance to play James Bond to marry Natasha Richardson

22 February 2023 , 09:14

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Liam Neeson turned down the Bond talks with producers back in the 90s (Image: abc)

Liam Neeson has told how he he was given a 'Bond Ultimatum' by his then fiancee Natasha Richardson.

The actor, who was at the time riding high on the wave of Oscar glory for best actor nomination for Schindler's List, was sought out by producers for the iconic 007 role.

But Neeson told how after being contacted a number of times in the 90s his future wife told him: "If you play James Bond, we're not getting married."

Talking to Rolling Stone he recalled: “She gave me a James Bond ultimatum. And she meant it! Come on, there’s all those gorgeous girls in various countries getting into bed and getting out of bed. I’m sure a lot of her decision-making was based on that!”

Neeson truly turned down any serious talks for the role but still couldn't help but tease Natasha and told how he would 'go behind her back' and hum the Bond theme and make his fingers into a gun adding: "I loved doing that shit!"

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Neeson had a history as a 'ladies man' before marrying Natasha (abc)

And although Natasha was aware of Neeson's reputation as a 'ladies' man' she didn't let that put her off.

She told the in an interview published in March 2009: “I’m pleased that women fall in love with him, because I know why."

Their romance was launched after they met in 1993 while working on Broadway’s Anna Christie .

And the following year they bought a farmhouse in New York and they tied the knot on their property.

In December 1994, the newlyweds’ first joint movie , Nell , was released and six months later welcomed their first child together Daniel.

Neeson recalled teasing Natasha by humming the Bond theme (Getty)

But Neeson was dealt a cruel blow when his wife and British actress fell coming down a beginner slope on Mont Tremblant while on a ski vacation in Québec, Canada.

The Northern Irish star was rocked by the death of his wife aged just 45, the daughter of actress Vanessa Redgrave, who had forged her own career in the movie world.

And despite the 13 years that have passed since her untimely death the actor says he still speaks to her every day.

Natasha Richardson died following a tragic accident skiing leaving behind her young boys Daniel and Michael (Greg Allen/REX/Shutterstock)

During a 2020 interview with Inquirer.net, Neeson, who lives in upstate New York, said: “I speak to her every day at her grave which is about a mile and a half down the road."

Neeson also poured himself into his work and action movie stardom followed with the phenomenal “Taken” franchise and sci-fi world with role as Qui-Gon Jinn in “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace."

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