Timothy Dalton is best known as the fourth James Bond in the 007 franchise, but Dalton almost played 007 a few times before debuting as Bond in The Living Daylights. The rising star was approached several times for the role of 007, first in 1967 after Sean Connery left following You Only Live Twice, followed by a number of times throughout the 1970’s and early 1980’s before legendary Bond producer Albert “Cubby” Broccoli finally secured Dalton as the face of the franchise with The Living Daylights.
Upon the completion of You Only Live Twice, Broccoli sought a replacement for Connery and expressed interest in a young Dalton to play James Bond. Dalton was screen-tested for the role, but it was Dalton who thought he was too young to play the famous spy. Dalton, who was in his mid-twenties, thought Bond should be played by a much older actor, and was reluctant to take the part of Bond while so young. He was intimidated by taking over after Connery, whose successful run as Bond proved lucrative for the franchise. Dalton said, “After Dr. No, after From Russia With Love, after Goldfinger… I don’t know how many more he did, but to me, those were always the three great ones. You don’t take over. So of course I said no.” He was approached for Diamonds Are Forever, but again declined due to his young age.
After Moonraker, Roger Moore considered leaving the role and Dalton was approached again. Producers were looking into possible replacements for Moore’s potential departure, but it was pure speculation and no script had been written for a following Bond film. Having been asked to do Flash Gordon, coupled with the vague proposition from Bond producers, Dalton declined yet again to take on the role of 007. Part of the reason was also due to the direction that he felt the Bond films were taking. Dalton was an avid reader of Ian Fleming’s novels and saw the character as real and gritty, whereas the films were taking a more playboy-like approach as Bond sipped martinis and stopped fantasy plots centered around world destruction. With a successful franchise like 007, producers were constantly looking for the next big thing, but Dalton saw a more realistic approach that just wasn’t there.
Dalton was re-contacted for Octopussy, but trouble loomed in the Bond world as the “Battle of the Bonds” took over. Screenwriter and producer Kevin McClory was at the helm of Never Say Never Again, which was set to star none other than Sean Connery. Eon Productions and Broccoli had Octopussy lined up to shoot, but Moore was uncertain if he wanted to continue. With Moore on the verge of retirement, and Connery’s involvement with Never Say Never Again announced, Broccoli was convinced that if Moore reprised the role of Bond, it would be enough to compete. Moore agreed, and Octopussy emerged more successful both critically and commercially. Dalton was kept on the short list and was asked to star in A View To Kill, but was unable due to other commitments. It would take another four years for Dalton to dawn the famous tuxedo and Walther PPK.
Dalton’s chance finally arrived in 1987 when he was cast as 007 in The Living Daylights. Dalton and Broccoli agreed that Bond would be portrayed like the rough, authentic character described in Fleming’s novels and Dalton was contracted for three films. He would star in License To Kill, but after legal disputes arose, Dalton retired the role after only two Bond films. His road to Bond was extensive, but the legal disputes were enough to turn off the once sought after actor from continuing. Free from his contract, he pursued other opportunities and when GoldenEye hit theatres in 1995, Pierce Brosnan was the man holding the gun.