“Pierce Brosnan’s “James Bond” career has been the stuff of dreams, as he smoothly went from television fame in the 1980s to film superstardom in the 1990s.
According to Deadline, the Irish actor has disclosed a roadblock when he believes a simple remark may have cost him a major recurring part.
Brosnan was the established star of the television detective series “Remington Steele” and had acted in films such as “The Fourth Protocol” and “Mrs. Doubtfire” before he auditioned for the role of “Batman” in Tim Burton’s upcoming picture.
He claimed on “The Tonight Show” that he believed a joke could help him land the part. But things went terribly wrong.
“I recall saying something ridiculous to Tim Burton,” he told Jimmy Fallon, as quoted by Deadline.
“I remarked, ‘You know, I have no idea why any man would wear his underwear outside of his pants.’”
But alas, the best candidate was hired.”
Michael Keaton ultimately secured the part, which he reprised in 1992’s “Batman Returns.”
Things didn’t turn out too terribly for Brosnan, either. Instead of “Batman,” he got James Bond, a character he portrayed four times between 1995 and 2002 and in which he is considered by many to be the definitive 007.