Did David Niven Regret Declining Bond?

Comments

• Napoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,270MI6 Agent

  February 2019

  I'm not sure there's any evidence he was offered the role.
  
  He would have been getting on a bit in 1962 anyway. Yes, he and Niven got on, due to their shared operations in World War 2 (I believe Niv took part in the Dieppe raid fiasco, a dry run for Normandy, which was planned by Fleming) and Niven got namechecked in You Only Live Twice but I'm not sure the American producers thought he had the physique for the role.
  
  It's not so much he took those other roles because he regretted anything... Niven simply took anything that was going, he wasn't picky. Hence, I can't believe he turned down Bond, he just wasn't in a position to, ever.

  "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."
  
  Roger Moore 1927-2017
• DavidJones BermondseyPosts: 258MI6 Agent

  February 2019

  Yes, I think you're right.
• Revelator Posts: 577MI6 Agent

  March 2019

  Niven was mentioned by Fleming as a possible choice back when the latter was working on what became Thunderball with McClory, but nothing went beyond that. It should also be noted that Fleming's first recorded choice for Bond was Richard Burton.