007 Flashback: Bond Stars Reflect on Iconic Role
In celebration of Global James Bond Day -- marking the Golden Anniversary of the 007 franchise with the release of Dr. No 50 years ago today -- we've got vintage ET footage of all six 007 actors discussing the responsibilities and enduring nature of one of cinema's most iconic roles, as well as showing their appreciation for others inhabiting the timeless tuxedo of Ian Fleming's master spy.
Video: Brosnan on His Pivotal 'Bond, James Bond' Moment
"For me, Sean [Connery] was the guy, and for a lot of people Sean was the main man; I mean, he was Bond," Pierce Brosnan told ET of his favorite 007 during an Esquire magazine photo shoot for his own first outing, GoldenEye. "But then there's a whole generation that came afterwards; Roger Moore did it, and Roger did an incredible job. He made seven films and made it his own." Asked about his own pending contribution to the series, the Irish actor replied, "When the movie comes out, comparisons will be made. But nobody has seen Brosnan as Bond yet. … Ask me then."
When asked, a game Connery cast his vote in favor of Brosnan taking over the franchise from the retired Timothy Dalton, telling ET, "He's very good casting, Pierce," adding, "I just hope that he's got a very good and original script, sort of witty, and it has to be surprising."
Moore was also in favor of Brosnan, but before Pierce was cast in GoldenEye, Moore also threw his support behind Sam Neill, who was a top candidate to play Bond thanks to his memorable turn in 1983's Reilly, Ace of Spies miniseries. Asked if he'd be willing to step in again to play Bond, Moore quipped, "I think those days are long gone by. They've run out of stuntmen who are old enough to look as though they could be knocked down by me."
Pics: 007 Posters Through the Years
Jumping back a few years to the 1987 set of The Living Daylights, a humble Dalton told ET, "I would never have dreamed of taking over from Connery, because he was so good. Now, being the fourth [James Bond], these movies, they're like populist cinema classics, you know? Other actors could go on again and again and again taking over."
Interestingly enough, one-time Bond George Lazenby told ET that he wanted to have another chance at the role once Moore retired and it was up for grabs. The star of On Her Majesty's Secret Service explained, "I would've had another go then and I would've been a much better Bond with the experience I have now as an actor and what I know. I could've given a much deeper portrayal of the guy, and more fun."
And jumping to current 007 Daniel Craig, during the Casino Royale shoot we asked him to name his favorite Bond, but he deflected with a laugh, "It's too much of a loaded question. I can't answer that." In explaining how he intended to fill such large shoes, he declared earnestly, "My job is not to repeat what somebody else has done. But believe me, I love Bond; we all grew up with it, and it's very precious to me, so I'm trying to look after it, and I'm trying to take it somewhere else, so that with or without me, it lasts another how many years -- so that's the deal here."
Craig returns for his third Bond outing, Skyfall, in theaters November 9.