Maud Adams, a Bond girl, almost replaced Roger Moore in the film Octopussy.

Maud Adams, a Bond girl, almost replaced Roger Moore in the film Octopussy.

THE QUESTION OF WHO WILL BE THE NEXT JAMES BOND NEVER SETS STOPS. All eyes are on who will succeed Daniel Craig, but in the 1980s, Roger Moore was on the verge of being replaced. Maud Adams, the octopussy Bond girl, even assisted one well-known actor in landing the part before it was abruptly taken away. In the meantime, Adams would go on to star in three James Bond films.

When Octopussy was released in 1983, Moore was 55 years old. After filming on his fifth 007 film, For Your Eyes Only, was completed, the producers began looking for a new actor to take over the franchise. American actor James Brolin was the favorite, ahead of British prospects like Timothy Dalton (who would have to wait another four years before making his breakthrough in The Living Daylights). He was actually signed up and ready to slip into that legendary tuxedo with the help of Maud Adams. SCROLL DOWN TO SEE JAMES BOND AS PERFORMED BY JOSH BROLIN. SCREEN TESTAdams was requested to fly to London for Brolin’s last round of testing because she already had the experience from her role in The Man With The Golden Gun. In an unexpected twist, it was the Swedish actress, not Brolin, who would play Octopussy.

“I really didn’t expect they would cast me again,” she said of her role as the smuggler and cult leader, “and I was invited to come to London to screen test with James Brolin, who they were considering for a new Bond.” I felt it would be a great opportunity to reconnect with all of my old friends. I didn’t realize until later that they were also concerned about me.” Moore had only signed a three-picture deal in the beginning and now had to negotiate each future Bond feature separately.

When news broke that a rival 007 film, Never Say Never Again, was going into production with Sean Connery, he expressed his desire to leave the role after his fifth film, For Your Eyes Only. The Bond producers were preparing to introduce a new actor when news broke that a rival 007 film, For Your Eyes Only, was going into production.

They contacted Moore with a pay raise and a higher profit-share, fearful that the return of the original Bond would entirely eclipse a new actor in the role. Moore returned once Brolin was released. He also announced “Six. “Brinkwire Summary News” in public.