Rutger Hauer was a Dutch actor who was offered the role of a villain in a James Bond film three times, but he declined each time. He was approached for the roles of Max Zorin in A View to a Kill (1985), Kamal Khan in Octopussy (1983), and General Koskov in The Living Daylights (1987).
Hauer’s reasons for declining the roles are not entirely clear, but he has said that he did not want to be typecast as a villain. He also said that he was not interested in playing a role that was too one-dimensional.
Despite never appearing in a James Bond film, Hauer is still considered to be one of the greatest actors of his generation. He is best known for his roles in films such as Blade Runner (1982), Flesh+Blood (1985), and The Hitcher (1986).
Hauer died in 2019 at the age of 75. He is still missed by fans of cinema around the world.
It is a shame that Hauer never appeared in a James Bond film, as he would have made an excellent villain. He was a charismatic and talented actor who could have brought a lot to the role.