While James Bond ultimately became synonymous with a male character with endless charm treading on danger, the notion of gender-swapping the role was in the talks from the beginning. Yes, the idea was pitched over six decades ago.
We finally saw the first woman James Bond in 2021, played by actress Lashana Lynch in ‘No Time To Die’. And, debates have stirred up over the years over whether the world needs a female Bond or not. Through author Ian Fleming’s biography, written by Nicholas Shakespeare, we know that it was a possibility all along.
Susan Hayward Almost Played Bond
In ‘Ian Fleming: The Complete Man,’ it was confirmed that the producer Gregory Ratoff had pitched the idea of actress Susan Hayward portraying Bond. According to the novel, Hayward was to portray Bond in the film adaptation of the first novel, ‘Casino Royale’.
This ultimate secret reads, “Since the mid-1950s, many well-known actors had been approached to play Bond. Gregory Ratoff had the arresting idea of having Bond played by a woman, Susan Hayward.”
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Hayward was a well-known Oscar-winning actress. She had her personal battles and died at the age of 57 in 1975. Many fans have wondered what she would’ve been like as 007.
As for Fleming, he wanted Robert Burton to be the first James Bond. However, Burton declined the role. No big actor was ready to be Bond for more than one movie. Ultimately, the first Bond was portrayed by Sean Connery in 1962’s ‘Dr. No’.
Ian Fleming Was “Shocked” By Sean Connery’s Casting As James Bond
Ian Fleming surely had a vision for his leading man. He wanted someone elegant to play Bond in the first movie. However, he did not feel that Connery was the right fit for the role after meeting him. “He’s not my idea of Bond at all, I just want an elegant man, not this roughneck,” he said. Fleming’s biggest grievance? Connery “couldn’t speak the Queen’s English.”
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But Connery proved Fleming wrong and became the ultimate James Bond, winning over fans with his charisma and style. Even Bond producer Michael G. Wilson talked about how Sean’s portrayal helped establish the character’s legacy: “If it hadn’t been Sean, who knows? Would it have captured the attention of the whole world? It was the sheer self-confidence he exuded.”
After Connery, Roger Moore, George Lazenby, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig have all played 007. Now, the greatest mission is to carry Bond’s legacy forward with another actor (or maybe actress), who can do justice to the character.
