David Niven, Patrick McGoohan, James Mason, Rex Harrison, Stewart Granger and Richard Burton. All were approved by James Bond creator Ian Fleming to play the role of his secret agent. All fell through.

Producers Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, meanwhile, actually lined up Cary Grant to launch the 007 franchise. Unfortunately, at 58, he was only interested in making one film, not a series.

The casting process became increasingly torturous, with…