The casting of James Bond has consistently sparked public debate, with even the first actor to play the iconic spy, Sean Connery, facing skepticism. November 3, 1961, marked the 65th anniversary of Connery's announcement as the cinematic Bond, a time when media reactions highlighted his relative obscurity.
Sean Connery Announced November 3, 1961
In the early 1960s, James Bond was a literary phenomenon, boosted by President John F. Kennedy's known admiration for the character. With anticipation high for the big-screen adaptation of Dr. No, the selection of Scottish actor Sean Connery, who was largely unknown at the time, was met with the question: "Who?" Headlines from the era often branded Connery as an unknown, a label he shed as he achieved global superstardom through the franchise. While Connery became synonymous with the role, some early critical reactions offered a stark contrast to his later legendary status.
George Lazenby Announced October 7, 1968
Following Connery, George Lazenby, an Australian-born model with no acting experience, took on the unenviable task of succeeding the established Bond. Media coverage at the time heavily emphasized his lack of acting background and past careers. Lazenby's tenure was brief, culminating in a single film, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, before producers opted to bring Connery back.
Roger Moore Announced August 1, 1972
Roger Moore entered the role as a more established figure, widely recognized for his television work on shows like The Saint and The Persuaders. Despite his fame, some press coverage still notably referred to him primarily as a "TV Actor," reflecting a persistent distinction between television and film careers at the time.
Timothy Dalton Announced August 6, 1986
The casting of Timothy Dalton, a classically trained Shakespearean actor, was met with surprise. Dalton had been considered for the role in the past, and by the time he accepted, he had the considerable challenge of following Roger Moore, who had held the role for 12 years. Pierce Brosnan was initially slated for the part, but a television contract prevented his participation, a situation reminiscent of Tom Selleck's missed opportunity for the role of Indiana Jones.
Pierce Brosnan Announced June 8, 1994
After a six-year hiatus due to legal disputes over screen rights, Pierce Brosnan was finally cast as James Bond for GoldenEye. Brosnan, who had spent years in the role of the suave Remington Steele, was older and felt better prepared for the part, aiming for a Bond less constrained by the political correctness of Dalton's portrayal.
Daniel Craig Announced October 14, 2005
Daniel Craig's casting as the first blond Bond was widely reported, often with headlines playing on "Blond, James Blond." This was followed by significant criticism, comparable to the reaction to Michael Keaton's casting as Batman. A dedicated fan website, CraigNotBond.com, emerged to voice opposition, even years after Craig's departure from the franchise. Despite the initial backlash, Craig's performance in Casino Royale largely won over critics and audiences, establishing him as the longest-serving Bond actor.
Future Bond actors will likely face similar scrutiny, as the franchise's casting process has a long history of public debate and passionate fan opinions.