Oliver Reed Almost Starred in James Bond and Jaws

There are plenty of stories of missed out roles or different casting choices that can leave one’s head spinning; we were this close to living in a reality where Burt Reynolds played Han Solo. It is always interesting to wonder what could have been, but we don’t always focus on why it turned out that way. For some actors, they made a mistake thinking the movie part was not for them. For others, it was just a conflict of schedule that had them missing out from landing that iconic role.

There is also a darker side to this, and some actors end up finding themselves turned down because of their behavior off and on set. This is certainly the case with British actor Oliver Reed, who lost out on roles like James Bond, and turned down a part in Jaws, due to his problems with drinking and for his scandalous behavior. We will look at the contentious figure that drank his way out of what could have been one of the greatest careers of all time.

The Fast and Wild Life of Oliver Reed

Born on February, 13, 1938 in Wimbledon, London, Oliver Reed was quick to rise as one of the most prominent British actors of his generation despite his lack of any formal training. The ’60s and ’70s were particularly kind to the actor, landing critically acclaimed roles in films such as Oliver! (1968) and Women in Love (1969), and The Three Musketeers (1973). A friendship with equally contentious filmmaker Ken Rusell, would also see him starring in many of his works, including the much maligned, banned and censoredThe Devils (1971).

However, many of Reed’s accomplishments are underscored by his wild lifestyle, with the actor from a young age favoring pubs and being known for binge-drinking and outrageous behavior. In the book What Fresh Lunacy Is This?: The Authorized Biography of Oliver Reed, the actor even recounts barroom antics like putting cigarette butts and mustard in his mouth and having a showdown with another patron for a prolonged kiss, spewing out the contents in a bid to win. However, stardom led to him having more bad habits and being caught up in more scandals; counting among his friends Lee Marvin and Keith Moon did not help his indulgence in drink.

Online, there is no shortage of Oliver Reed drunk or misbehaving on talk TV shows, being inapropriate towards women. He was outspoken against women’s liberation rights, quick to make misogynistic comments, and when he was drinking he was quick to get into fights. This was happening at the height of his career, with stories of extreme binges always circulating about the actor throughout his entire career. Yet, as the decades went on, Reed became visibly bloated and struggling to maintain sobriety in a way that was problematic for his career. In some of the actors’ later roles, he was a shadow of himself and working on low-budget throw-away features.

Reed was given a chance at redemption and a potential comeback when he was cast in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, playing the role of Proximo, a former gladiator turned slave owner. At this point, the actor had been essentially persona non grata, and the acclaimed Hollywood action-movie was his chance to gain back some semblance of professional candor. Reed had to promise to stay sober for the role, but ended up staying sober on set and drinking during the weekends. On May 2, 1999, during a break from filming, he challenged British Sailors to a drinking contest, consuming 8 pints of German beer, 12 doubles of rum and half a bottle of whiskey. He would die of a heart attack later that day at the age of 61. Gladiator was completed with his role being filled in by body doubles, and CGI costing the production $3.2 million extra.

Scandals Led Oliver Reed to Lose Out On Many Roles

With Oliver Reed at the height of his fame, there was still hesitancy to cast the actor; you got the rebellious and unpredictable nature of the man along with the potentially movie-defining performance. Still, many did not want to take that chance. After Sean Connery stepped down from Bond, there were discussions as to who would replace him, and one of the names being discussed was Oliver Reed.

With his strong physique, charismatic persona, and rugged looks considered to be ideal to take on the legacy of 007. However, producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman felt that his “Hellraiser” moniker on and off the screen was too big of a gamble, and they did not want to “spend the time or money needed” to reshape Reed into Bond.

At the same time, Oliver Reed made claims that he had turned down notable roles. Oliver Reed turned down a role in Jaws, stating he was not interested in the role or moving to shoot the film. However, actor Robert Shaw later stated that Reed did not turn down the role but that his lack of respect for other actors cost him the part.

Reed also claimed to have turned a role down in 1973’s The Sting, yet other accounts point to him losing the part after a night of partying with Steve McQueen and vomiting all over the actor. Unfortunately, those suffering with addiction often learn to lie or distort the truth in order to hide the fact that they have a problem, and these lost roles point to potential behavior problems over Reed being picky with his parts.

Oliver Reed Still left a Legacy behind

Oliver Reed was a troubled figure, and one that was constantly controversial, as his profound command of the screen was always undermined by his behavior. His opinion against women’s groups, his violent behavior when drinking, and public embarrassments while intoxicated all made him a hard person to appreciate; though those who knew him touted his kind nature and intelligence, which seemed to escape him when under the influence. Still, one can not understate just how much of a profound acting talent Reed was. While his only notable awards came posthumously, winning a BAFTA and SAG award for his role in Gladiator, it is hard to overlook the impressive filmography across multiple genres.

Oliver Reed’s performances were defined by unrestrained energy and an intensity that saw him go in between many different roles and genres. He could manage complex and troubled characters with such conviction that he became the focal point of any scene he was in. Career highlights include The Devils (1971), where Reed played Urbain Grandier, a priest accused of witchcraft, chronicling the fall from a respected religious figure to a broken man killed in the name of God, to the more maniacal Dr. Heckyl and Mr. Hype (1980), which saw the actor bounce between comedy and a dark brooding persona.

It is difficult to pick a defining performance, but these are some of Oliver Reed’s best:

• The Damned (1962) — Supernatural horror movie, available for rent on FlexFling.
• Oliver! (1968) — Academy Award-winning musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ novel, available to rent on Apple TV or Prime Video.
• Women in Love (1969) — Exploring the complex relationships and sexuality of two couples, currently unavailable.
• The Devils (1971) — A controversial film directed by Ken Russell, banned for years for its critique of religion, currently unavailable.
• Sitting Target (1972) — A gritty crime drama and tale of revenge, available to rent on Apple TV.
• Revolver (1973) — Euro-crime thriller from Italy, stream on Tubi or Plex.
• The Three Musketeers (1973) — A spirited adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ classic tale, stream on Plex.
• Burnt Offerings (1976) — A horror film where Reed stars alongside icon Karen Black, stream on Screenfix or Pluto TV.
• The Brood (1979) — Reed plays a psychologist in the Cronenberg body horror movie, stream on Max of the Criterion Channel.
• Dr. Heckyl and Mr. Hype (1980) — Reed plays split personalities in this comedic take on the classic horror movies, stream on MGM+ or Prime Video.
• Gladiator (2000) — Reed’s final role in the award-winning Ridley Scott action film, stream on Paramount+.