A new biography on the author Ian Fleming shares a fascinating fact about the character James Bond. According to the book "Ian Fleming: The Complete Man," producers considered casting a female lead as James Bond.

An Unconventional Casting Idea

In this thorough biography, Nicholas Shakespeare reveals that Oscar-winner Susan Hayward was considered for possible casting as Bond by film producer Gregory Ratoff. Ratoff had attempted to produce a film adaptation of "Casino Royale" in the 1950s. Shakespeare discloses that numerous renowned actors, including Richard Burton, James Stewart, and James Mason, were considered for the part of James Bond. 

In a 2012 interview with Variety, screenwriter Lorenzo Semple Jr., who worked with Ratoff on a script, revealed that they entertained portraying Bond as a woman. Semple explained that they found the character of Bond unbelievable and somewhat foolish. Consequently, Gregory suggested 'Jane Bond' and planned to cast Hayward in the role.

Hayward is an acclaimed actress. She won an Oscar for her role as Barbara Graham in "I Want to Live!" and received another nomination as Lillian Roth in "I'll Cry Tomorrow." Her career started with an audition for Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone with the Wind." 

Casting Challenges and Reflections

According to Daily Mail, Fleming, the author behind the Bond series, seemed to disagree. Fleming's preference for the role was reportedly Burton, who declined the offer. Shakespeare's book also reveals that other actors like Peter Finch, Trevor Howard, Cary Grant, and Roger Moore were considered for the iconic role.

Robert Fenn, Fleming's film agent, told Shakespeare they approached 20 or 30 actors, but none were willing to commit to more than one film. They needed a leading actor's commitment to secure a deal with a distributor.

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Sean Connery eventually became the quintessential Bond despite Fleming's initial skepticism due to his Scottish accent. Connery portrayed Bond in several Eon Productions films, shaping the suave spy persona that has become synonymous with the character. 

Bond producer Michael G. Wilson pondered Connery's crucial impact on the franchise, recognizing that Connery's depiction was ideal for its era and played a substantial role in its worldwide acclaim. Co-producer Barbara Broccoli echoed this sentiment, underscoring Connery's unwavering assurance and charm, which embodied the essence of James Bond.

Broccoli reiterated that Bond will continue to be portrayed as a male character, stressing the significance of crafting compelling female characters rather than modifying established male roles. Former Bond actress Rosamund Pike advocated for developing spin-off stories centered around Bond Girls. Fellow Star Ana de Armas also emphasized the need to foster original female characters rather than appropriating existing male ones.

Daily Mail reported that British actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson has reportedly been offered the coveted role of 007, with producers showing strong determination to enlist him. Insiders asserted that Broccoli is solely focused on Taylor-Johnson for the role, with preparations such as costume fittings already in progress.

"Ian Fleming: The Complete Man," scheduled for release by HarperCollins on April 9, promises an intriguing exploration of James Bond's evolution and the captivating casting considerations surrounding the iconic character.

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