Steven Spielberg recalls failed attempt to direct James Bond: 'I have regrets!'

Steven Spielberg wanted to direct a James Bond film, but the franchise producers declined.

​During a recent chat on the Wednesday, June 10 episode of The Rest Is Entertainment, the 79-year-old award-winning director revealed that he was rejected to direct a James Bond film after he reached out to film producer Albert Romolo Broccoli more than one time.

​“I have regrets [that] they didn’t approach me to do a Bond film,” he replied to a fan question.

The ​Jurassic Park director recalled, “I approached Cubby Broccoli after Jaws was a big hit. I’d always wanted to make a James Bond film from the day I saw Dr. No. So I called Cubby after Jaws and volunteered. I said, ‘If you need a director, I would love to direct one.’ And he said, ‘No,’ and he moved on.”

​Spielberg, who is the highest-grossing film director of all time, per Forbes, said he again asked Broccoli to direct a James Bond film in 1997 after the success of his film Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

​And again the producer said, "No."

​"Cubby called me a few years after Close Encounters and said, ‘We’d like to use the five notes in Moonraker," Spielberg shared, adding, “I said, ‘I’ll make you a deal. I’ll give you permission to use the five notes if you let me direct a Bond film.’ And he said, ‘No.’ But I gave him the five notes anyway.”

​After James Bond bosses "consistently turned him down", the Disclosure Day director shared that Broccoli "never explained why he wasn’t letting" Spielberg into the Bond family.

​But the rejection led him to George Lucas and later Spielberg got involved with the Indiana Jones franchise.

​Will he now be interested in directing a James Bond film? Spielberg responded, "If they ever asked me to make a Bond film now, my answer would be: ‘You can’t afford me."

Spielberg's most latest film is Disclosure Day, which is all set to hit cinema on June 12. 

Watch the trailer below!