You probably know Sam Neill from his star turns in Jurassic Park or Hunt For The Wilderpeople, but the New Zealand actor and Aussie favourite was almost cast as the world's most famous spy: James Bond.

Key points: Sam Neill details the 'mortifying' screen test he did in the 1980s to play Bond

Sam Neill details the 'mortifying' screen test he did in the 1980s to play Bond He says Roger Moore told him 'you should have been Bond'

He says Roger Moore told him 'you should have been Bond' The Kiwi actor weighs in on the debate over who should be the next 007

As film fans are whipped into a frenzy with the release of the first trailer for the 25th instalment in the Bond franchise — titled No Time To Die — Neill details how he was almost thrust into the role.

A role he never wanted, he insists.

"My agent shoved me into a really embarrassing test," he told the ABC.

"It was one of the most mortifying times of my life, because I really didn't want to play James Bond."

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It was the mid 1980s and Roger Moore had wrapped on his seventh and final Bond film, A View To A Kill.

Neill was already known for films like The Final Conflict — a sequel to the hit horror movie The Omen — and starring alongside Mel Gibson in the war drama, Attack Force Z, when he was put forward to take on the job of agent 007.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 1 minute 1 second 1 m 1 s Sam Neill names his pick for the next James Bond

An audition tape shows Neill enter a bedroom, gun at the ready, as a woman reclines in bed using the sheets to cover herself.

It is a scene that would look right at home in any of the Bond films from the era and gives Neill the chance to introduce himself with the classic catchphrase: "My friends call me Bond. James Bond."

Neill is far from the only person to be attached to the role, with the likes of Clint Eastwood, Cary Grant, Gibson and Hugh Jackman all having their names touted at various points.

Australian actor George Lazenby did manage one outing as Bond — in 1969's On Her Majesty's Secret Service — but fans have generally chosen to forget that one, and Sean Connery was brought out of Bond retirement for the next instalment.

Needless to say, Neill wasn't called up for the job. But a while later he did cross paths with Moore.

Roger Moore starred as Bond from 1973-1985. ( AP, file )

"[It was] at a restaurant in the south of France. He passed me and we caught eyes and he said, 'You should have been Bond'," Neill recalled.

"And I said, 'I didn't want it!' but he was gone.

"It wasn't a job that I would have enjoyed."

Neill nominates the next Bond

Daniel Craig has played a gritty version of the spy in five films now — including the upcoming title — after a reboot of sorts took the story back to basics in 2006.

As his time draws to a close the inevitable debate around who should replace him has ramped up.

Idris Elba caused a stir with a tweet suggesting he could take a lead, while Gillian Anderson also sent the internet into a meltdown with her own mock poster.

Is this a clue of things to come? ( Twitter: @idriselba )

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Neill — fresh off receiving a lifetime achievement award at the AACTA ceremony in Sydney last night — offered up his own pick.

Australian actor Rob Collins, who has starred in lauded Australian dramas including Cleverman, Glitch and Total Control — the last of which was named best drama series at the AACTAs.

'Charismatic' Rob Collins would make a good Bond, according to Neill. ( ABC )

"He's so good looking, he's charismatic, he can jump buildings. You know, there's nothing he can't do," Neill said.

"Don't you think he'd be good?"