Speaking to The AV Club, Madsen spoke fondly of his time on the ill-fated film, recalling his first meeting with Bond producer Barbara Broccoli and how she “loved” the filmmaking experience. Apparently, none of this would have happened if it weren’t for the fact that “Reservoir Dog” alumni Madsen and Brosnan happen to be neighbors. The actor recounted how he made it into the 20th 007 show due to a chance relationship with the Bond star:
“I’m friends with Pierce [Brosnan] because we live on the same beach, and our kids play together, and one day I joked with him about being in a Bond movie. I thought it would be very interesting to include it on a resume. And Barbara Broccoli flew me to London just to meet her and talk about this little bit. My mom and sister really fell in love with Judi Dench, and Pierce was my friend, so I went to see Barbara, and next thing you know, I got the role.”
The veteran actor went on to recall shooting at Pinewood Studios — the old home of Bond films — where he apparently rode his bike around the “big set” and enjoyed reconnecting with his “Mulholland Falls” director Lee Tamahori. And it seems the novelty of it all isn’t lost on Madsen, who notes how “you have to know more than a few people involved to get you in.” In his case, knowing Bond himself was enough.