Liam Neeson: Refusing to Play James Bond for Love
Staff Editor Liam Neeson recently revealed that his late wife, Natasha Richardson, gave him an ultimatum when he was offered the role of James Bond. “She said to me: ‘If you play James Bond we’re not getting married!’ And she meant it!” Neeson recalled with a laugh.
The couple met in 1994 and were married two years later in a private ceremony at their home in Millbrook, New York. They remained happily together until her untimely death from head injuries sustained while skiing in 2009.
Although Neeson never got to be 007 – Pierce Brosnan took on the role instead – he did star as Ra’s al Ghul alongside Christian Bale’s Batman Begins (2005). He also played Qui-Gon Jinn opposite Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi for Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999).
Neesons’ other credits include Schindler’s List (1993), Taken franchise (2008–2014), and Silence (2016). He is currently filming Made In Italy with his son Micheál Richardson which will be released next year.
It seems that Liam made the right decision by choosing love over fame; something many people struggle to do today!
Read more at The Independent
