Liam Neeson Revealed Late Wife Natasha Richardson’s Ultimatum: ‘If You Play James Bond, We’re Not Getting Married’

Feb 27, 2023 by apost team

Liam Neeson had conversations with the producers of the James Bond films about his interest in taking on the iconic role but his late wife, Natasha Richardson, gave him an ultimatum that led to his passing on the chance to become Agent 007 on the big screen in the 1990s. 

Months before the release of the Neeson-led Oscar-winning movie "Schindler's List" in 1993, the actor met Richardson. Around that time, a new Bond film, "GoldenEye," was also in the works to revive the franchise with a new actor after Timothy Dalton. 

Neeson revealed in an interview with Rolling Stone in February 2023 that fresh off the success of "Schindler's List," he had phone calls with Barbara Broccoli, the daughter of EON Films producer Albert Broccoli, who made the Bond movies. However, Richardson told him up front that she was not on board.

Neeson and Richardson had nearly 16 years of marriage tragically cut short by an accident that led to her death in 2009. Richardson, who was born in London, was the daughter of actress Vanessa Redgrave and director Tony Richardson. She was trained as a theater actress but made her big screen debut in 1986 in the movie, "Gothic."

Richardson met Neeson in the stage production of "Anna Christie" and they also worked together in the movie "Nell" with Jodie Foster. Their marriage produced two sons, Micheál and Daniel, born in 1995 and 1996.

In March 2009, Neeson and Richardson and their children were on a ski holiday in Montreal, Canada when she sustained a head injury during a beginner's lesson. She was flown to a New York hospital after complaining of severe headaches hours after the accident. Two days later, the family announced that she died of epidural hematoma.

Speaking with Rolling Stone in 2023, Neeson said that Richardson knew he was interested in the Bond role but she gave him the "James Bond ultimatum."  

"My lovely wife, God rest her soul, said to me while we were shooting Nell down in the Carolinas, "Liam, I want to tell you something: If you play James Bond, we’re not getting married," the actor revealed, adding that the gorgeous Bond girls paired with all the Bond actors could be her reason for letting him know that she was against the role. 

However, Neeson also said he enjoyed teasing Richardson about the role, even if he never made a follow-up call to Barbara. He would go behind his wife’s back, hum the theme to the James Bond character, and then make fingers with his gun. 

The "Taken" star also opened up about healing from the loss of his wife. He said he didn't know how he was able to thrive all these years but Richardson's mother and her sister, actress Joely Richardson, were also moving on from the loss because life had to go on for them.

In 2014, Neeson told Anderson Cooper on “60 Minutes” that Richardson's death didn't feel real to him five years later. 

"Anytime I hear that door opening (in our New York residence), I still think I’m going to hear her,” he said.

In 2016, Neeson shared on social media that those years with his wife taught him "how to love unconditionally" and reminded his followers to pause and thank their spouses before they are gone. He also said the biggest life lesson he learned from losing his wife was to "live and love everyday like it's your last.”

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Natasha Richardson's accident crushed Liam Neeson. What can you say about his revelations on the James Bond role? Do you think he'd make a great Bond? Tell us your thoughts and pass this tale along to your friends!