Because each James Bond actor departs from the role of 007? Adapted from the literary works of British author Ian Fleming, James Bond has been a staple of cinema for almost 60 years. Fleming had been trying to bring his stylish MI6 agent to the big screen for several years when Albert Broccoli and Harry Saltzman stepped in to buy the rights to the James Bond movie. Their collaboration resulted in the 1962 Dr. No and the creation of a global brand that has written history and spans a decade. Of course, the most influential factor in 007’s initial success was casting the right actor, and Sean Connery proved to be an inspired choice.
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Sadly, not even Connery was bigger than Bond. Eon Productions envisioned its franchise as an endeavor that would span a generation and sought immortality through a revolving door of lead actors, with 007 getting a new face every few years. Bond holdings range from a lone movie to more than a decade, with equally diverse critical and commercial fortunes. Some outings were messier than others, too, but each and every Bond actor brought something worthwhile to the role, and it’s fondly remembered for one reason or another.
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As safe as the sun rises in the east and martinis should always be shaken instead of shaken, every James Bond actor is simply a temporary custodian. Sooner or later, every 007 must hang up his Walther PPK; Here’s why each of the main actors in Eon’s movie stopped playing Bond.
sean Connery
The original, and many would say he is the best, Sean Connery is still the incarnation of James Bond. After going through various Bond options, Saltzman and Broccoli met Connery and the Scotsman was chosen shortly after, but an air of doubt remained, especially from Ian Fleming himself. Connery’s performance in Dr. No banished any lingering ideas that he was not suitable for Bond, and Fleming was delighted that he was proven wrong. With Connery at the helm, 007 went from strength to strength on From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball and You Only Live Twice. He would later make one-off returns for Diamonds Are Forever and Never Say Never Again, and the outpouring of respect that followed Connery’s death serves as a testament to his legacy.
The decision to leave after You Only Live Twice was largely up to Connery. Playing Bond had made the actor a household name, but Connery would later describe his disdain for his most famous character: the limitations of the role, the missed career opportunities, the intense public scrutiny. After a fifth outing, Connery’s relationship with Bond and the producers of the franchise deteriorated and his departure became inevitable. Connery’s departure was aided by moderate reviews from You Only Live Twice, who noted the actor’s less enthusiastic performance.
George Lazenby
Replacing Sean Connery as the face of James Bond would be a daunting task for any actor, which is why Saltzman and Broccoli chose not to cast an actor at all. George Lazenby worked primarily in modeling prior to his casting for On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, but after being singled out by Broccoli for his looks, presence and demeanor, the second 007 was cast, a little-known Australian with minimal acting experience. . Lazenby would only play Bond in a single movie, and the reviews of the day were critical, with many struggling to reconcile the idea of James Bond without Sean Connery. Regardless, Eon planned to keep Lazenby as his protagonist until, once again, 007 walked away. Lazenby believed his Bond debut would lead to bigger and better things, and several cast members admitted to clashing with the actor on set, including Diana Rigg. In more recent years, Lazenby has expressed regret for not sticking with James Bond, citing bad decisions and bad professional advice.
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Roger Moore
Roger Moore was one of the original names considered for Dr. No, although the actor claimed that he was not actually aware of this initial interest. But after Connery’s departure, Lazenby’s experiment, and a slight comeback from Connery, Roger Moore finally landed the role of James Bond, debuting in 1973’s Live & Let Die and taking his final bow in A View To A Kill 12 Years. then. Although Moore has since been eclipsed as the longest-running 007, he still boasts the most individual credits, appearing in a total of 7 adventures. Moore’s James Bond was characterized by a lighter tone, but as the 1980s drew in, critical opinion quickly soured and the actor’s age became increasingly problematic. Moore would later admit that his last Bond movie was a mistake. Reports vary on whether Roger Moore voluntarily dumped Bond or whether Albert Broccoli made the decision for him. While the producer claimed that A View To A Kill triggered the recast, Moore claimed to have left after realizing that his age looked awkward against younger female co-stars.
Timothy Dalton
After failing to land Pierce Brosnan, the producers finally cast Timothy Dalton as the fourth James Bond lead after much deliberation. Deliberately moving away from its predecessor, Dalton’s late 1980s Bond era was much darker, closer to Ian Fleming’s work in style and tone. The Living Daylights and License To Kill are seen as improvements over Roger Moore’s later efforts, and there were plans in the works for a third 007 mission starring Timothy Dalton, who was looking to combine the best of his first two films into a defining third installment. . Michael G. Wilson and Alfonse Ruggiero wrote a treatment for this elusive Dalton story, which was then turned into a full script that was eventually undone.
Timothy Dalton’s departure for James Bond was sparked by a complicated combination of legal disputes and the actor’s own uncertainty. In the early 1990s, the James Bond film rights were subjected to a disorderly sale and various lawsuits, delaying production on Dalton’s third film. By the time everything was settled in the courtroom, Dalton’s contract had expired and his willingness to return for one more film did not match Barbara Broccoli’s long-term vision. With the two parties at odds, Timothy Dalton resigned, leaving his Bond story curiously unfinished.
Pierce Brosnan
Needing a new James Bond, the producers turned to one of their original options to succeed Roger Moore. With its debut in 1995’s Goldeneye, Brosnan’s Bond felt modern, fresh, and exciting, and this was reflected in the film’s impressive box office. Critics mostly praised the new era of James Bond, with Brosnan appearing in Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, and eventually Die Another Day. While Goldeneye is widely considered Brosnan’s crowning achievement in 007, 2002’s Die Another Day is routinely counted among the worst in the entire franchise, embracing the character’s silliness with too much enthusiasm. This likely influenced Barbara Broccoli’s decision to leave Brosnan before Bond 21. Although the first negotiations for a fifth Brosnan film happened, the Bond producers stopped discussions and regrettably informed the actor that their services were no longer needed.
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Daniel Craig
Today’s James Bond, Daniel Craig’s occupation of the iconic role will come to an end with the premiere of No Time To Die… whenever that is. Acknowledging the mistakes of Die Another Day and the changing tastes of the new millennium, James Bond was effectively rebooted in 2006, with Casino Royale being the closest 007 to an origin story. The Daniel Craig era marked a drastic change in tone, moving into intense, sandy territory, and this continued through Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, and Specter. While Craig’s Bond’s previous catalog isn’t entirely made up of hits, the modern era of 007 has been defined by critical and commercial prosperity, with Casino Royale and Skyfall among the best in the franchise.
Like some of his predecessors, Daniel Craig hasn’t always been complimentary about his James Bond experience, infamously stating that he would rather cut his wrists than play Bond again after 2015’s Specter. As such, many were shocked when Daniel Craig agreed to return in No Time To Die, and not all were surprised when the actor formally revealed Bond 25 as his farewell. While Craig might have gotten tired of playing the world’s most famous spy, his story has come to a natural conclusion, with a cohesive arc stretching from Casino Royale to No Time To Die, beginning with Bond retired, replaced as 007.
More: The 8 Actors Who Have Played James Bond In A Movie
No Time to Die / James Bond 25 (2021)Release Date: Apr 02, 2021
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Craig Elvy (2348 articles published)
Craig began contributing to Screen Rant in 2016, several years after graduating from college, and has been ranting ever since, mostly to himself in a dark room. Having previously written for various sports and music outlets, Craig’s interest soon turned to television and film, where a constant science fiction and comic book education eventually became a reality. Craig has previously been posted on sites like Den of Geek, and after many coffee-soaked hours hunched over a laptop, part-time night work has finally turned into a full-time career spanning everything from the zombie apocalypse to the spaceship Enterprise through the TARDIS. Since joining the Screen Rant group, Craig has been involved in breaking news and slightly controversial ranking lists, but now works predominantly as an article writer. Jim Carrey is Craig’s top acting pick and favorites include superheroes, anime, and the unrecognized genius of the High School Musical trilogy.
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