In August 2005 a few newspapers in Australia announced that Alex auditioned for the role of James Bond. We gather that these pictures were taken because the media needed some new pictures of Alex for these reports.
Article scan from unknown publication:
- Alex O’Lachlan: Alex recently filmed screen tests for Martin Campbell, who will direct Casino Royale.
- Popularity: Starred in the Oyster Farmer, he is a good actor and a great looker. And he’s excited about the possibility of playing 007, saying: “I’m spinning out of my brain about it …. Picture it. Pictureit! It’s James Bond, need I say more?”
- Licensed to thrill?: Alex has a huge female fan club which will only increase if he wins the role of the dashing James Bond.
According to our knowledge, these pictures were taken at the docklands in Melbourne by photographer Nicole Clearly, who was working for the news agents at the time.
Article scan from Daily Telegraph:
00-Heaven for Aussie in line for Bond
by Michael Bodey
For The Daily Telegraph
8 August 2005
Yet another Australian is being mooted as the next James Bond. But this time it’s for real.
Alex O’Lachlan is one of four actors who auditioned for cinema’s best known role in England last month.
“I’m spinning out of my brain about it,” the 28-year-old star of The Oyster Farmer told The Daily Telegraph.
“I flew to London, stayed on Picadilly and was looked after beautifully. [I was] fitted out at Hugo Boss for a tuxedo, had my hair cut and filmed two scenes.”
O’Lachlan was up against ER’s Goran Visnjic, Henry Cavill and Scotsman Ewan Stewart, 47. They filmed a series of screen tests at the Pinewood studios for Martin Campbell who directed Golden Eye, and will helm the next film, Casino Royale.
Australians Eric Bana, Hugh Jackman and Nip/Tuck star Julian McMahon had previously been mentioned as possible contenders for the role, although only McMahon was seriously approached.
O’Lachlan said:
“The reality is I may not get the role, which is the conundrum for all actors, but at the end of the day, I’m incredibly grateful just to be considered.”
Producers of the Bond franchise are looking for a relatively unkown actor who can take over the role from Pierce Brosnan.
Another article scan from an unknown publication:
(My guess would be that it was shortly after 14 October 2005, when Daniel was announced as Bond)
Secret Agents
Now that blond Daniel Craig has been confirmed as the new James Bond, it’s time to clear up rumours about Aussie casting for the part.
Neither Eric Bana nor Hugh Jackman auditioned for the iconic role. Both were merely floated as possibilities by the film’s publicity-savvy producers.
The two Aussies who did audition for the role in London were Oyster Farmer’s Alex O’Lachlan (pictured) and Somersault star Sam Worthington.
You can also read more of the short articles in our post about it here:
Alex O’Lachlan Confirms Screentest – August 2005
Alex O´Loughlin ~ An Intense Study 