Picture this: Pierce Brosnan, the suave new James Bond, wielding a knife with the precision of a master chef. As he approached the table, the faint glint of silver caught the light, and with a deft motion, the knife met the fork. "I usually stick to fruit," he said with a casual shrug, "but today, I'm craving a hearty English breakfast." And just like that, the legendary spy tucked into his meal.
Now, let's be honest—this wasn't exactly stopping Ernst Stavro Blofeld from unleashing World War III or foiling Auric Goldfinger's radioactive schemes. But for me, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Back in 1994, I was the Senior Editor at Cinescape, and somehow, we landed the rights to cover the making of the 17th James Bond film, GoldenEye. Even more mind-blowing? I was the lucky guy chosen to jet off to England and spend a few days on set at Leavesden Studios, the same place that would later become the hub for the Star Wars prequels and the Harry Potter series.
(Photo Credit: Courtesy Ed Gross)
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From Fanboy to On-Set Insider
Let me set the scene for you. Growing up, I lived and breathed James Bond. I can still remember sitting in the theater as a five-year-old, mesmerized by Thunderball. Fast forward to 1994, and I was sharing breakfast with Pierce Brosnan, the man who would become the new 007. It was surreal, to say the least. I wasn't just a fan; I was now part of the Bond legacy.
This wasn't the first time I'd crossed paths with Brosnan. Back in 1986, during the promotion of his film Nomads, there was a lot of buzz about him taking over the role from Roger Moore. When I asked him about it, he was refreshingly honest: "There’s no truth to it," he said firmly. "I’ve never been asked to play James Bond. Would I like to? Sure, but it hasn’t been a lifelong dream. Lately, though, I wish they’d make up their minds. Either cast someone else or offer me the part. Every day, someone asks, 'When are you playing James Bond?' But no one has ever said, 'Pierce, we want you to be Jimmy Bond.'"
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
A Twist of Fate
As it turned out, Pierce was offered the role shortly after that conversation, but fate intervened. NBC resurrected his canceled series, Remington Steele, at the last possible moment, hoping to capitalize on the Bond film's anticipated success. The Bond producers weren't having it, so Pierce was released from his contract, and Timothy Dalton stepped in for The Living Daylights in 1987.
Fast forward to my visit to the set, and I found myself in Pierce's trailer, trying—and failing—to contain my excitement. I asked him what it felt like to finally say, "My name is Bond. James Bond," on camera. Between bites of his breakfast, he replied with a laugh: "It's like being an actor in any play. It's not Shakespeare, but it's iconic. The whole world knows it. I catch myself brushing my teeth in the morning, muttering the lines. I practice, I say it, and I crack myself up. It's almost parody, but I keep it simple. The audience is waiting for me to say it, so I share the moment with them."
