In an astonishing revelation that has the potential to redefine the legacy of one of cinema’s most enduring characters, a forthcoming biography on Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, discloses that the iconic spy role could have been portrayed by a woman decades before Lashana Lynch briefly assumed the 007 moniker in No Time to Die. The biography, titled Ian Fleming: The Complete Man and penned by Nicholas Shakespeare, is set to shed new light on the creative deliberations surrounding the James Bond franchise.
The revelation stems from Gregory Ratoff, the producer of the original Casino Royale, who in the 1950s envisaged transforming the quintessentially male spy into a female character. Ratoff’s innovative vision included casting Susan Hayward, an Oscar-winning actress known for her role in I Want to Live!, as the lead in what would have been a groundbreaking adaptation of Fleming’s work.
According to IndieWire’s coverage of Shakespeare’s biography, Ratoff and screenwriter Lorenzo Semple Jr., who was commissioned to pen the script, considered the idea of a female James Bond — tentatively dubbed “Jane Bond” — as a solution to what they perceived as the character’s lack of believability and the criticisms aimed at the first two Bond films, Thunderball and Casino Royale.
The concept, however audacious for its time, was ultimately not realized, and the role of James Bond went to Sean Connery, whose portrayal catapulted the franchise to global fame. Despite Fleming’s initial reservations about Connery’s suitability for the role, the Scottish actor’s performance won over audiences worldwide, establishing a cinematic legacy that has thrived through the years, with actors like Roger Moore, George Lazenby, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig subsequently taking up the mantle of the suave MI6 agent.
This newly uncovered aspect of the Bond saga underscores the series’ enduring capacity for evolution and reinvention. It also highlights an early instance of filmmakers considering more diverse and inclusive casting choices, a topic that has gained significant traction in the entertainment industry in recent years.
The biography, Ian Fleming: The Complete Man, is anticipated to offer further insights into the life and imagination of Fleming, as well as the untold stories behind one of his most famous creations. Set for publication by HarperCollins on April 9, the book promises to be an essential read for fans of the James Bond series and cinema historians alike, providing a detailed account of the creative processes that have shaped the franchise’s storied history.
As the James Bond series continues to evolve, with discussions about the future of the iconic character ongoing, Shakespeare’s biography serves as a timely reminder of the innovative thinking that has always been at the heart of the franchise. This revelation about a female James Bond, while a historical footnote, represents the limitless possibilities for reinvention that lie within the world of 007.