tHe hiStoRy Of JeAms BoNd

James Bond 007 is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. The character has also been used in the longest running and most financially successful English language film franchise to date, starting in 1962 with Dr. No. The character came from the mind of author Ian Fleming, who wrote a series of stories about the spy. Since then, all of these have been adapted for film and Bond has become the longest running movie franchise in history, with six actors taking on the role since it first began.

Sean Connery (1962 to 1967):

The first Bond film, Dr No, starred Sean Connery, who was selected for the role over other notable actors of the time. It was the beginning of a legend - Connery started all the things we expect of Bond from the lovely ‘Bond girls’ to the signature theme tune that always appears. Connery, in the eyes of many fans, is the definitive Bond. Something about the way he carried the role was more special than any other that has followed. His voice alone fitted the agent perfectly - it was mysterious and charming, plus the lazenby_bond first time he said the words ‘Bond, James Bond’ while puffing on a cigarette, a special moment in cinema was made.

George Lazenby (1969):

After five films Connery decided to give up on being Bond and George Lazenby was selected as the next actor to play the role. However, Lazenby’s performance in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service was met with severe criticism, meaning he did not return for any more films as Bond. Connery was then brought back for one final outing in Diamonds are Forever, where he finally beat one of the franchises’ most notorious villains, Blofeld, known for always appearing with his signature white Persian cat.

Roger Moore (1973 to 1985):

It was then timmoore5ae for a new actor to be drafted in, and judging by Lazenby’s poor performance, this wasn’t going to be an easy selection. Roger Moore received the honour, who delivered an excellent performance as Bond - a more light-hearted performance than Connery’s. Moore used a new style by tending to use more witty remarks. It was a formula that would prove successful, as Moore’s outing as Bond gained rave reviews from critics and made huge amounts at the worldwide box office. An iconic villain came into the Moore films - the metal toothed ‘Jaws’, who appeared in both The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker. Roger starred in a total of six Bond movies before ending his stint as the character in 1985 in A View to A Kill, passing on the torch of Bond to another new actor, this time Timothy Dalton.

Timothy Dalton (1987 to 1989):

Like Lazenby this was to be a short-lived experience, who only starred in two films before resigning as the character only this time both the films - The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill - enjoyed success at the box office. Dalton’s Bond was slightly more realistic with plausible plots than some of Moore’s outings. After his resignation, the series then took a six year break before Pierce Brosnan stepped up in 1995, in GoldenEye.

Pierce Brosnan (1995 to 2002):

This Bond saw a new take on the franchise, designed for a modern audience. It had more over the top gadgets, more flash cars and more beautiful Bond girls than ever before and this formula continued for a total of four films. Fans started to think that things were getting a bit too over the top, and the movies started to attract plenty of negative criticism. Die Another Day in 2002 would be Brosnan’s last in the role as he felt he was becoming too old to continue with the stress of playing the character. An extensive casting process to find a new Bond began, with actor Daniel Craig chosen as a result. At first, the media slated Craig as Bond, saying he was unfit for the role, but they were soon silenced as Craig produced a stellar performance in Casino Royale, which showed a grittier, more mature side to Bond than ever seen before.

Daniel Craig (2006 to Till date):

Daniel Craig as James Bond, Craig's physical training for his reprise of the role placed extra effort into running and boxing, to spare him the injuries he sustained on his stunts in the first film. Craig felt he was fitter, being less bulky than in the first film. He also practiced speedboating and stunt driving. Craig felt Casino Royale was physically "a walk in the park" compared to Quantum of Solace, and required a different performance from him because Quantum of Solace is a revenge film, not a love story like Casino Royale.