Liam Neeson turned down James Bond role because late wife Natasha Richardson said she wouldn't marry him if he took it

 THE INDEPENDENT
JESS DENHAM  Author Biography   Friday 07 March 2014

Liam Neeson was “heavily courted” for the role of James Bond, but turned down the martinis and bikinis because of his late wife’s wishes.

The Irish actor, whose latest film Non-Stop is top of the US box office, is renowned for his work in action movies.

But when his wife Natasha Richardson told him she would not marry him if he played 007, Neeson decided against taking up the high-profile part.

“I was heavily courted, let’s put it that way, and I’m sure some other actors were too,” the 61-year-old told the Hull Daily Mail.

“It was about 18 or 19 years ago and my wife-to-be said, 'If you play James Bond we’re not getting married'. And I had to take that on board because I did want to marry her.”

Oscar-nominated Neeson insists that he has never regretted passing on any film roles.

Recently, the actor spoke candidly about his grief after Richardson died five years ago in a skiing accident.

READ MORE HERE; http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/liam-neeson-turned-down-james-bond-role-to-marry-natasha-richardson-9176657.html

Michelle Dockery reveals she won't be leaving Downton Abbey for Hollywood any time soon

EXPRESS
By: Kelby McNallyPublished: Fri, February 28, 2014

FANS of period drama Downton Abbey were left happy this morning after Michelle Dockery revealed that she has no plans to leave the drama for the bright lights of Hollywood.

The actress, who has become a household name thanks to her role as Lady Mary, admitted that so long as the producers keep on making the episodes then she will be a part of it.

"I am sticking with the show for however long the producers want it to go," she revealed in an interview on This Morning.

"We don't know how long it's going to go on for. We're on series five now."

READ MORE HERE:http://www.express.co.uk/news/showbiz/462394/Michelle-Dockery-reveals-she-won-t-be-leaving-Downton-Abbey-for-Hollywood-any-time-soon

'Downton Abbey's' Michelle Dockery recalls funny fan encounter ... with the Rolling Stones

 ZAP 2 IT
By Andrea Reiher    February 28, 2014 10:30 AM ET
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Michelle Dockery on the red carpet (WENN)

"Downton Abbey" star Michelle Dockery was on "Chelsea Lately" Thursday (Feb. 27) to promote her new movie, "Non-Stop," which co-stars Liam Neeson and Julianne Moore.

Below, Dockery regales host Chelsea Handler with a story from the set of how Moore would make fun of how massive Neeson is: "There he goes, texting away with his giant thumbs." Side note: Dockery does a killer Julianne Moore voice.

Dockery also had two very funny anecdotes about the Rolling Stones, who are big "Downton Abbey" fans.

Apparently, at the Met Gala, Mick Jagger came "straight over" to Dockery and co-star Laura Carmichael and just says, "Hello, I'm Mick." Dockery displays for Handler the huge grin she got on her face, totally star-struck, and says she rather disbelievingly said to him, "I know!"

READ MORE HERE: http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2014/02/downton-abbeys-michelle-dockery-recalls-funny-fan-encounter-with-the-rolling-stones.html

Downton Abbey's Michelle Dockery Happy To Lose Husband Matthew Crawley With Dan Stevens' Departure

HUFF ENTERTAINMENT
Caroline FrostBecome a fan
Caroline.Frost@huffingtonpost.com



'Downton Abbey's Lady Mary Crawley may have been left reeling from the sudden death of her husband Matthew Crawley, but actress Michelle Dockery admits she was far more agreeable to the changes it brought to her character.

"We all had that choice to stay or go for Series four and five," she tells HuffPostUK. "I respected Dan Stevens’ decision, we all did. There’s positives to everything. I think for the storyline, I wonder where it could have gone with Mary and Matthew had Dan decided to stay. Happiness... ?" she shrugs, acknowledging that such contentment doesn't make for great drama.

Instead, viewers have watched Lady Mary sleepwalk around the house for the last series, with Michelle glad she's finally emerging from her year of widowed gloom.

"Towards the end of Series 4, Mary had a little bit of mojo coming back," she laughs. "That sharper wittier edge coming back. Her sense of humour is returning, so I’m really excited to see where it goes."

In the film 'Non-Stop', in cinemas this week, Michelle acts alongside Liam Neeson and Julianne Moore in an airborne thriller, where they must work to save the passengers' lives when one traveller goes very much rogue. As air stewardess Nancy, Michelle is warm and purry, a million air miles from Lady Mary's porcelain veneer, something Michelle seems relieved about...

READ MORE HERE: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/02/24/michelle-dockery-downton-abbey-lady-mary-crawley_n_4846568.html

Liam Neeson in negotiations for crime thriller "The All Nighter" Liza Foreman Reuters 5:31 p.m. CST, November 16, 2012 (CHICAGO TRIBUNE)

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Liam Neeson is in negotiations to star in the crime thriller "The All Nighter (AKA Run All Night)" a person familiar with the situation has told TheWrap.

The story follows an aging hit man who, in order to protect his wife and son, must take on his former boss in a single night. He then winds up on the run from the mob and the authorities with his estranged son.

The film is being produced by Vertigo Entertainment's Roy Lee, along with Brooklyn Weaver for Warner Bros. which declined to comment. The studio acquired Brad Ingelsby's spec script "The All Nighter" in January for a reported six figure sum.

Neeson's upcoming films include "Non-Stop" and "A Walk Among The Tombstones." He will also be featured in a voice role in the upcoming film "Lego: The Piece of Resistance."


READ MORE: http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/sns-rt-us-liamneeson-theallnighterbre8af1m8-20121116,0,2726995.story