When Harrison Ford and George Lucas made Steven Spielberg’s ‘007’ dream come true.

SUMMARY

After gaining prominence in Hollywood following the success of ‘Jaws’, Steven Spielberg wanted to direct a James Bond movie.
Approaching the ‘007’ producer, Steven Spielberg faced rejection, which later steered him towards the ‘Indiana Jones’ films.
In the 1984 Indiana Jones sequel, Spielberg made Harrison Ford wear a Bond outfit, to add a direct reference to ‘007’ movies.

Although it’s difficult to imagine that someone would say no to Steven Spielberg – the guy who changed cinema with 1975’s Jaws, Eon studios apparently rejected him.

According to reports, after earning popularity and experience following Jaws, Spielberg wanted to direct a James Bond movie.

But unfortunately, despite begging producer Cubby Broccoli for a chance, the filmmaker was turned down.

Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
But surprisingly, Steven Spielberg’s love for his childhood hero James Bond, and his desire to direct a Bond movie came true after he collaborated with his best bud George Lucas.

Working on Lucasfilms’ adventure film series Indiana Jones starring Harrison Ford, Spielberg went on a mission to make his dream come true and took a cheeky 007 dig in Temple of Doom.

James Bond Producer Turned Down Steven Spielberg

Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels had a massive fanbase, which only got expanded after the titular spy character was adapted onscreen, by Eon Productions.

Being a die-hard fan of 007, and considering the British spy as his childhood hero, acclaimed filmmaker Steven Spielberg once tried directing an installment of the franchise.

Watching the big-budget spectacles – Goldfinger in 1964 and Thunderball in 1965, Steven Spielberg tried his shot, after the success of Jaws raised his status in Hollywood.

Gaining fame and momentum in the entertainment industry, Spielberg thus approached producer Cubby Broccoli for an opportunity to direct a James Bond sequel.

A still from Steven Spielberg’s Jaws (1975)

“I called up Cubby and offered my services but he didn’t think I was right for the part… [Once] again I tried to get on a Bond film, and now they can’t afford me.” Spielberg told The Independent in 2016.

Rejected twice, as Steven Spielberg revealed Cubby Broccoli’s decision to the public, modern moviegoers found the decision ridiculous.

Eventually, for someone so passionate about film as Spielberg, the rejections came as a blow. Saddened by the news, the director confided in his disappointment to an old friend, George Lucas.

Steven Spielberg’s Cheeky 007 Reference in Harrison Ford’s Movie

After speaking with his buddy George Lucas about his rejection from directing James Bond, Steven Spielberg was offered the Indiana Jones project.

According to Far Out Magazine, upon listening to his friend’s complaints, Lucas came up with the idea of the adventure film series and hired Spielberg for the directorial role.

“Well, look, Steven, I’ve got a James Bond film. It’s great— it’s just like James Bond but even better.” Lucas responded.

Thereafter, doubling down on their American roots and updating the adventure series they loved as children, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg came up with the Indiana Jones films.

Although the first movie – Raiders of the Lost Ark, failed to compete with the 007 sequel For Your Eyes Only, Harrison Ford-starring Indiana Jones eventually achieved a grand success.

Steven Spielberg and George Lucas from an interview with Time
However, despite the achievements, Steven Spielberg never shook his love of Bond. Thus, when the second installment of the Indiana Jones franchise began its production, the filmmaker added a cheeky reference to the 007 films.

Opening Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, with a sequence right out of a Bond movie, Spielberg made Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones wear a crisp white tuxedo with a black tie and a red flower lapel on his breast, much like Sean Connery wore in Goldfinger.
Harrison Ford’s James Bond outfit in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
As per Express UK, Harrison Ford’s outfit was a direct nod to the 1964 James Bond movie, which initially sparked Spielberg’s love for the franchise.

Later on, after both George Lucas and Ford helped the filmmaker’s dream come true of associating with 007 films, Spielberg hired Sean Connery to be Henry Jones Sr. in The Last Crusade.