What if Moore had played Bond in Dr No?

[Kristatos]

We've done other alternate histories, so i thought I'd try one. It's pretty well-known that Roger was in contention to play Bond in 1962, but like Pierce in 1986, was scuppered by his TV obligations. But what if he'd found a way to wriggle out of his Saint contract? Would he have stuck with Bond until 1985, as in real life? Would the tone of the earlier films have been lightened to play to his strengths (eg would the killing of Dent have been handed differently)? Thoughts, anyone?

[Count_Lippe]

[The Saint 007]

Wasn't Christopher Lee considered to play the part of Dr. No? It would have been interesting to have Roger Moore and Christopher Lee in Dr. No. While I've heard people say that Moore played Simon Templar more better/seriously than James Bond, I've also heard others say that his Bond portrayal was basically the same as Simon Templar. I too think that if Moore had played Bond in Dr. No, it would not be much different from his Simon Templar portrayal.

I suppose the films would have started as down-to-earth spy thrillers, before they would have gradually got more humorous/outlandish. Some will say that Moore can't play Bond seriously, but For Your Eyes Only shows that's not the case. No, I can't see him being an overly dark and gritty Bond, but along the lines of his performance in For Your Eyes Only. As for Moore staying in the role until 1985, it's hard to say. Moore is much more enthusiastic about the series than Connery, so there may have been a slight chance of him staying in the role for that length of time. Or perhaps briefly retiring from the role, and then returning later.

[Count_Lippe]

[The Saint 007]

[The Saint 007]

I guess another question is would Roger Moore be more respected by critics and fans if he was the first James Bond?

[Kristatos]

As for Moore staying in the role until 1985, it's hard to say. Moore is much more enthusiastic about the series than Connery, so there may have been a slight chance of him staying in the role for that length of time. Or perhaps briefly retiring from the role, and then returning later.

He's also famous for his work ethic. When asked for tips for young actors starting out, the first thing he said was "never turn down work". I think it was only the feeling that he was getting too old that made him quit after AVTAK, so I don't see why he wouldn't have stayed on.

What's mo(o)re, in getting out of his Saint contract, he could have set a precedent for Pierce to follow in 1986. it's quite amusing to imagine a scenario in which Daniel (actually, what the hell - it's my scenario, let's make it Henry!) became only the third actor ever to play Bond in the franchise's 50-year history.

In this timeline, though, I could imagine the casting of Brosnan being as controversial as the casting of Craig. An Irishman as Bond? Bond is English, dammit! Especially as, with Roger in the role from the beginning, Fleming wouldn't have felt the need to retcon Scottish ancestry for Bond. I've a feeling that his obituary in YOLT would have made him as English as roast beef.

[Count_Lippe]

I think the first few films suited Connery very well, but I think Moore could have been good in OHMSS actually.

I'm not too sure about Connery's Bond getting married, being romantic, etc.

[Count_Lippe]

[Count_Lippe]

[Kristatos]

Do you only have the one picture of Sir Roger, Count?

[The Saint 007]

[Count_Lippe]

Awesome poster The Saint 007.

Could you do one for OHMSS also?

[The Saint 007]

Awesome poster The Saint 007.

Could you do one for OHMSS also?

I didn't make that poster myself, I just happened to find it on a James Bond art site. Any James Bond related artwork I personally do is drawn and coloured by hand.

[Dr. No]

I can't picture him as Bond in Dr. No. I know he was thought of and Ina Fleming like him. On strange scene where Sean Conney is under water in Dr. No almost look like Pierce Brosnan.

[Kristatos]

Has everyone seen this?

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYkTwXAyOBU[/video]

[The Saint 007]

Yes, I've seen that video. I think it's one of the special features on the Live And Let Die DVD.

[Dr. No]

In this timeline, though, I could imagine the casting of Brosnan being as controversial as the casting of Craig. An Irishman as Bond? Bond is English, dammit! Especially as, with Roger in the role from the beginning, Fleming wouldn't have felt the need to retcon Scottish ancestry for Bond. I've a feeling that his obituary in YOLT would have made him as English as roast beef.

I doubt he'd ever be as controversial still Connery did make the role and being english was not teh defining factor if Moore had defined Bond who know it could be a factor.

[Kristatos]

I doubt he'd ever be as controversial still Connery did make the role and being english was not teh defining factor if Moore had defined Bond who know it could be a factor.

Precisely my point. I'm asking you to imagine a scenario where Brosnan took over in TLD after Moore had played Bond in 14 films over 22 years.

[The Saint 007]

Just came across this: