Steven Spielberg reveals he twice asked to direct a James Bond film
Synopsis
Steven Spielberg wanted to direct a James Bond film so badly he twice asked producer Albert 'Cubby' Broccoli — once after Jaws, and once by offering the iconic Close Encounters five-note sequence as a bargaining chip for Moonraker. Both times, Broccoli said no. The consolation prize: George Lucas offered him Indiana Jones instead.
Key Takeaways
Steven Spielberg revealed he twice asked producer Albert 'Cubby' Broccoli to direct a James Bond film and was rejected both times.
His first approach came after Jaws became a hit; the second was a direct trade offer — permission to use the Close Encounters five-note sequence in Moonraker in exchange for the directing job.
Broccoli accepted the five-note licence but still refused Spielberg the directing role, never explaining his decision.
The Bond rejections led directly to George Lucas pitching what became the Indiana Jones franchise, originally titled Indiana Smith .
Spielberg described Francis Ford Coppola as 'our Godfather' and called The Godfather 'the greatest American film ever made.'
Award-winning director Steven Spielberg has disclosed that he harboured a long-standing ambition to helm a James Bond film — and was rejected not once but twice by franchise producer Albert 'Cubby' Broccoli. The 79-year-old filmmaker made the revelation during an appearance on the podcast The Rest Is Entertainment, responding to a fan question about his career regrets.
The First Rejection: After Jaws
Spielberg recounted that his first approach came on the heels of Jaws becoming a blockbuster hit. 'I approached Cubby Broccoli 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 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,' Spielberg recalled. The rejection, by his own account, was swift and unexplained.
The Second Attempt: A Five-Note Bargain
A second opportunity arose after Spielberg's 1977 sci-fi thriller Close Encounters of the Third Kind became another major success. Broccoli contacted Spielberg seeking permission to use the film's iconic five-note musical sequence — the motif used to facilitate communication between humans and aliens — in the Bond film Moonraker. Spielberg saw his opening. 'I said, 'I'll make you a deal. I'll give you permission to use the five notes if you let me direct a Bond film.' And he said, 'No.' But I gave him the five notes anyway,' Spielberg said, adding that Broccoli 'never explained why he wasn't letting me into the Bond family.'
How Indiana Jones Was Born From the Rejection
Spielberg shared that recounting his Bond disappointments to friend and collaborator George Lucas, now 82, proved to be the pivotal turning point of his career. Lucas responded by pitching an original adventure franchise of his own. 'That's when George said, 'I have something better than Bond,'' Spielberg recalled, noting that the project — which would become the Indiana Jones franchise — was originally conceived under the name Indiana Smith. The rest, as cinema history shows, became one of Hollywood's most enduring adventure series.
Spielberg on Lucas, Coppola, and the 1970s New Hollywood
Elsewhere in the conversation, Spielberg addressed a fan question about whether he ever felt 'jealousy' toward Lucas or Francis Ford Coppola during the pre-Jaws years of the 1970s. He was unequivocal: the thought 'never' crossed his mind. 'Francis was our Godfather. We looked up to Francis, he was our leader throughout the '70s,' Spielberg said of Coppola, now 87, describing The Godfather as 'the greatest American film ever made.' Of Lucas, he added simply: 'We were best friends from the day we met.'
Spielberg's Parting Shot to the Bond Franchise
Asked whether he would still consider directing a Bond film today, Spielberg delivered a characteristically wry response: 'If they ever asked me to make a Bond film now, my answer would be: 'You can't afford me.'' The remark drew laughter but underscored a genuine career what-if — one that ultimately redirected the trajectory of modern adventure cinema.
Point of View
Never explained, kept Bond's directorial identity tightly controlled at a time when Spielberg was arguably the hottest filmmaker on the planet. The irony is rich: the rejection that stung Spielberg enough to mention it to Lucas is the same rejection that gave the world Indiana Jones. Hollywood's most beloved adventure hero exists, in part, because a Bond producer said no.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Steven Spielberg never direct a James Bond film?
Spielberg says he was turned down twice by franchise producer Albert 'Cubby' Broccoli — first after Jaws and again when he offered the Close Encounters five-note musical sequence as a bargaining chip for Moonraker. Broccoli never provided a reason for the refusals.
What was Spielberg's deal offer involving Close Encounters of the Third Kind?
After his 1977 film Close Encounters of the Third Kind became a hit, Broccoli approached Spielberg for permission to use the film's iconic five-note sequence in Moonraker. Spielberg offered to grant that permission on the condition that he be allowed to direct a Bond film. Broccoli declined the directing offer but still received the five-note licence.
How did Spielberg's Bond rejection lead to Indiana Jones?
Spielberg recounted his Bond disappointments to George Lucas, who responded by pitching an original adventure project he believed was 'better than Bond.' That project, originally called Indiana Smith, became the Indiana Jones franchise.
What did Spielberg say about Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas?
Spielberg said jealousy toward Coppola or Lucas 'never' crossed his mind. He described Coppola as 'our Godfather' and the leader of their generation, and called The Godfather 'the greatest American film ever made.' Of Lucas, he said they were 'best friends from the day we met.'
Would Spielberg direct a Bond film today?
Spielberg quipped that if the Bond franchise approached him now, his answer would be: 'You can't afford me.' The remark, made during The Rest Is Entertainment podcast, was delivered in jest but reflects his awareness of how dramatically his standing has changed since those early rejections.
