Dr. No: Sean Connery stars as James Bond in 1962 David Niven, Patrick McGoohan, James Mason, Rex Harrison, Stewart Granger and Richard Burton. All were approved by James Bond creator Ian Fleming to play the role of his secret agent.
All fell through. Producers Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, meanwhile, actually lined up Cary Grant to launch the 007 franchise. Unfortunately, at 58, he was only interested in making one film, not a series.
The casting process became increasingly torturous, with adverts placed in trade magazines. A young Roger Moore was even considered. Everyone seemed to agree that someone suave and sophisticated was required to bring the gentleman spy to big screen life.
Everyone, that is, except for the wives and secretaries of the filmmakers – and they would much rather have had a former boxer, bodybuilder and milkman Don't miss...
James Bond: 'Terrified' Sean Connery was drunk for iconic scene [LATEST] Sean Connery in 1957 (Image: GETTY) Sean Connery (centre) at a bodybuilding contest in 1950 (Image: GETTY) Eunice Gayson, who played Bond's at home girlfriend Sylvia Trench in the first two films, said: "In the beginning, Sean (Connery) didn’t think he was going to get the part. He did the test which was terrific..
. We all knew that one day that Sean would make it big, big time. He just needed that break.
.. But none of us knew what a break this was going to be.
" Fleming was absolutely adamant Sean Connery wasn't right for James Bond but Broccoli's wife .
