Post by B5Erik on Aug 20, 2015 18:25:52 GMT
Bond producers Albert Broccoli and Harry Saltzman initially had a hard time casting James Bond. Cary Grant and David Niven were both asked, and while Grant showed some interest in doing one Bond movie he declined to sign on for a multi-picture deal. Broccoli and Saltzman regrouped and started looking around. Patrick McGoohan was considered, but reportedly turned down the role. Broccoli and Saltzman held a, "Find James Bond," contest to try and find an unknown for the role, but the winner of the contest proved problematic and they had to regroup yet again.
Broccoli and Saltzman were familiar with Sean Connery's recent work (Marnie, Darby O'Gill and the Little People), and set up a meeting/audition. They were impressed with Connery, despite his being more than a bit rough around the edges. Connery got the role and a five movie deal to play James Bond. But before he could play the suave, sophisticated spy he would have to be polished up. Enter director Terence Young.
Young had worked with Broccoli previously, and Broccoli knew that Young could introduce Connery to the world of the upper class and prepare him for the first Bond movie, Dr. No. Young started by taking Connery to his tailor to get him proper suits, then to the barber who would give Connery a, "Proper," haircut. From there it was casinos and country clubs for the two of them, and Connery quickly learned to fit in. He was ready - he WAS James Bond. Connery hit the ground running in Dr. No, and many of the classic Bond-isms were already present.
Connery would go on to do five more, "Official," Bond movies, and the unofficial Never Say Never Again in 1983.
But, certainly, in 1962 no one could have forseen what a phenomenon the James Bond movies would have become, and no one could have imagined that over half a century later James Bond would remain hugely popular and wildly successful at the box office.
Broccoli and Saltzman were familiar with Sean Connery's recent work (Marnie, Darby O'Gill and the Little People), and set up a meeting/audition. They were impressed with Connery, despite his being more than a bit rough around the edges. Connery got the role and a five movie deal to play James Bond. But before he could play the suave, sophisticated spy he would have to be polished up. Enter director Terence Young.
Young had worked with Broccoli previously, and Broccoli knew that Young could introduce Connery to the world of the upper class and prepare him for the first Bond movie, Dr. No. Young started by taking Connery to his tailor to get him proper suits, then to the barber who would give Connery a, "Proper," haircut. From there it was casinos and country clubs for the two of them, and Connery quickly learned to fit in. He was ready - he WAS James Bond. Connery hit the ground running in Dr. No, and many of the classic Bond-isms were already present.
Connery would go on to do five more, "Official," Bond movies, and the unofficial Never Say Never Again in 1983.
But, certainly, in 1962 no one could have forseen what a phenomenon the James Bond movies would have become, and no one could have imagined that over half a century later James Bond would remain hugely popular and wildly successful at the box office.