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Near Misses

Over the years Lewis's name has been linked to several different projects, all of which have given his fans hope of seeing him on stage or screen, and these stories continue to the present day. Sadly, most of these projects were never more than rumour, speculation or vague propositions, and many of the more substantive ones either folded or were declined. Here is a list of the known 'near misses' and why they never happened. If you can help with any of the missing information, please contact us.



2013

Production: 1066
Premise: In 2010 Lewis was attached to this film, in the pivotal r> Source: 1066 Production Team
Outcome: Lewis left the project in 2013 due to agency reasons.

2012

Production: Radio Interview
Premise: Lewis was invited to a breakfast show interview on an Irish radio station
Source: Breakfast show D.J.
Outcome: This was declined as Lewis doesn't do any interviews.

2011/2012

Production: The Unforgettable Gordon Jackson
Premise: Lewis was invited to reminisce about working with Gordon in this TV tribute
Source: North One productions
Outcome: Lewis declined to take part as he is based in LA and doesn't do this kind of thing.

2011

Production: Who Dares Wins Special Edition DVD & Blu-Ray release
Premise: Lewis was invited to take part in a film commentary for this edition
Source: Arrow Films
Outcome: Lewis declined to take part.

2010

Production: Pirates of the Caribbean: 4
Premise: Blackbeard
Source: This rumour arose from a comment in a Johnny Depp discussion forum
Outcome: Lewis's agent confirmed that he has never been approached about this.

2008

Production: Unspecified TV drama
Premise: Unknown r> Source: Request to confirm Lewis's agent's address, as a well-known production company wanted him for a specific part.
Outcome: A script was sent but no reply was ever received. Another actor was eventually cast.

2006

Production: Venus
Premise: Unknown
Source: LAMDA Alumni News
Outcome: Unknown

2005/2006

Production: Brookside
Premise: Rumours of a storyline written just for Lew
Source: Various sources
Outcome: Before Lewis could be approached, the show was axed

2005

Production: Monkey Trousers
Premise: A guest appearance on the Reeves & Mortimer sketch show
Source: Dave Matthews's site - entry on 20th May, 2005
Outcome: Lisa at Pett Productions confirms this is a completely unfounded rumour.

2004

Production: Starhyke
Premise: A production insider suggested Lewis for the part of a hologram in this sci-fi comedy
Source: "Alex"
Outcome: It's not known if the part was actually offered to Lewis

Production: Mixed Feelings
Premise: Play about a man who has a sex change
Source: Dave Matthews's site - entry on 21st December, 2003
Outcome: Lewis reportedly pulled out due to "family commitments" The r>

1998

Production: Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
Premise: Apparently Guy Ritchie mentioned in an interview at the time that he wanted Lewis for the part of Barry the Baptist
Source: Baz Taylor
Outcome: The part went to Lenny McLean

1997

Production: The New Professionals
Premise: Bodie now runs CI5
Source: Various sources
Outcome: Negotiations ended and Edward Woodward was cast instead

1995

Production: Film r>
Premise: Lewis "is discussing a star film r> Source: The Sun newspaper "Where Are They Now" article
Outcome: Unknown

Production: TV r>
Premise: "A TV show is in the pipeline"
Source: The Sun newspaper "Where Are They Now" article
Outcome: Unknown

1994

Production: The Professionals
Premise: Bodie is now Alpha 1
Source: Various newspapers of the time
Outcome: The idea was scrapped at the last moment

Production: The Bill
Premise: R> Source: The Sun newspaper
Outcome: The part went to Canadian Actor Shaun Scott

1992

Production: Essex Girls - The Musical
Premise: "A fast-moving farce with gags set to music". A proposed stage production with Lewis and Lorraine Chase to be offered the two leads.
Source: The Sun newspaper, 6/2/1992
Outcome: Unknown

1989

Production: The Saint
Premise: A new series where Simon Templar is based in New York
Source: Various magazines
Outcome: Lewis "narrowly" missed out on this one

1985

Production: Rattlers
Premise: A film about snakes, to star veteran American actor Chuck Connors and directed by Alberto de Martino
Source: BFI Film & TV Database
Outcome: Unrealised project to film in the US in 1985

1984

Production: Adventure Unlimited
Premise: A TV film about a pair of journalists who go off on exciting assignments. If successful, a TV series was to follow.
Source: Various newspaper reports
Outcome: Unknown

1983

Production: The Survivors
Premise: Lewis was reported to be starting work on this in summer 1983. To be filmed in South Africa, playing opposite Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson or Robert Mitchum. "I will be starring as an ex-Vietnamese mercenary" he said
Source: The Sun newspaper, March 1983
Outcome: Unknown

Production: 007
Premise: Lewis was frequently quoted as "the next James Bond" and he was certainly the people's choice for the r> Source: The whole of Britain
Outcome: ...Cubby didn't agree

Production: Indian Cavalry drama
Premise: Lewis was to play Wally Hamilton, who won a VC
Source: "TV Week" October 1, 1983
Outcome: Unknown

1982

Production: The Wild Geese II
Premise: Euan Lloyd's follow-up to his 1978 film, The Wild Geese
Source: Various news reports of the time
Outcome: The r><le eventually went to Scott Glenn

Production: Task Force South
Premise: a.k.a. Battle for the South Atlantic. Falklands-based war film, with Euan Lloyd
Source: Various news reports of the time
Outcome: The film was never made as there were too many other plans for the same idea.

Production: Macau
Premise: A Euan Lloyd film based on the novel by Daniel Carey
Source: Various news reports of the time
Outcome: Project became too expensive and had to be abandoned.

Production: Italian film
Premise: Unknown
Source: Sunday People newspaper, 14th November, 1982
Outcome: Lewis was reported to have turned down a "lucrative Italian film offer" to appear in panto (oh, no he didn't!)

1978

Production: Own show
Premise: After appearing with Cilla, Lewis was offered his own show
Source: Various magazines of the time
Outcome: Contractual issues with Mark-1

Production: National Theatre
Premise: After achieving television stardom Lewis was approached by the prestigious theatre group
Source: Various magazines of the time
Outcome: Contractual issues with Mark-1

Production: Unknown
Premise: Lewis was offered the film r><le of an outback farmer in Australia
Source: LWT postermag
Outcome: unknown

1977

Production: Hamlet
Premise: A Prospect Theatre Company production with Derek Jacobi in the lead r> Source: The Stage
Outcome: Lewis left Prospect to try his luck in television

Production: War Music
Premise: A Prospect Theatre Company production of a musical interpretation of Homer's 'Iliad' with Timothy West
Source: The Stage
Outcome: Lewis left Prospect to try his luck in television