‘Kingsman’ Was Nearly Led By John Boyega & Daniel Kaluuya, Says Director Matthew Vaughn

Over the weekend at the New York Comic-Con, filmmaker Matthew Vaughn (“X-Men: First Class”) was doing a panel chat to help promote his upcoming Apple/Universal spy comedy “Argylle” and gave some insight into the casting process for “Kingsman: The Secret Service” as Taron Egerton wasn’t the only up-and-coming talent considered for the lead role.

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Vaughn has now stated during a chat with Collider at that panel that other young British actors were considered for the lead role of Gary “Eggsy” Unwin, a London hooligan who becomes a reformed gentleman secret agent taking a bit of a cue from the Roger Moore era of the James Bond franchise meets “My Fair Lady.” Those two actors who nearly led the franchise named by the director were John Boyega (“Attack The Block”) and Daniel Kaluuya (“Black Mirror”), who landed on their feet with their own franchise roles in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “Black Panther” respectively.

While Boyega and Kaluuya are obviously compelling and talented leading men actors, I don’t think they’re terribly upset they missed out on doing the “Kingsman” given the blockbusters and various awards-caliber projects they have made since those auditions. Kaluuya may not be all that thrilled with the idea of making spy movies anyhow; while chatting with Yahoo! Entertainment to promote Jordan Peele’s “Nope,” he took himself out of the James Bond race after a fan online campaign wanted to see him as the next 007.

Without giving many details, the director also updated “Kingsman 3” and “The King’s Man 2,” which apparently are still in active development at 20th Century Studios. Although, we’re not holding our breath that they end up crossing the finishing line. It would be nice if these “Kingsman” movies had space for more women and minority characters; then again, is there a hunger from audiences and the studio for more of this franchise? Time will tell.

“Argylle” stars Bryce Dallas Howard as a spy novelist who learns from Sam Rockwell’s character that her books have been predicting espionage missions and will be released in theaters on February 2.