Sunday, August 27, 2006

And Liz Could Have Played Moneypenny

JAMES BOND - BURTON WAS FIRST CHOICE BOND: "Late JAMES BOND creator IAN FLEMING originally wanted Welsh star RICHARD BURTON to play the superspy instead of SIR SEAN CONNERY. Newly-discovered correspondences from the writer to his film production boss IVAR BRYCE revealed his true wishes, which were ignored by producers HARRY SALTZMAN and ALBERT R. BROCCOLI. Fleming wrote, 'I think that Richard Burton would be by far the best James Bond.' The letters also show Fleming wanted legendary film director ALFRED HITCHCOCK to direct the first Bond movie. In a cable to a friend he wrote: 'Would Hitchcock be interested in directing first Bond film?'"

3 comments:

Writeprocrastinator said...

I could understand Hitch directing it, though he'd turn it down. But "Burton Big Head Shakespeare?" He's strictly villain material, "Where Eagles Dare," off the top of my head.

Anonymous said...

Boy, even I have to I'm glad Fleming didn't get to make the call on that casting choice! Hitchcock would have been a good choice, but Dr. No would have been a completely different movie.

Cap'n Bob said...

I've always thought of Liz as Pussy Galore.