Yes, I can see that too, Adam West as Bond. He has that suave manner like Roger Moor. He would have fit right into The Persuaders too. Would being American have been an issue with the 007 narrative?
It is hard to say. Would the character still have been British, just with an American actor playing the role (George Lazenby was Australian, not British), or would he have become an American agent, just as he did in the 1950s US TV version ? In the Western series Maverick, when Roger Moore replaced James Garner, he played British cousin Beau Maverick, explaining away the fact he was British. Perhaps they might have done something similar with James Bond, had Adam West taken over the role.
I can certainly see Adam West in The Saint or The Persuaders. It is a pity his career stalled after Batman, as he was a good actor, and could do comedy as well as drama.
American actor John Gavin was signed as Bond for Diamonds Are Forever. He actually had the gig until Sean Connery decided to return, whereupon John Gavin's services were relinquished. I believe he was paid in full. Same thing happened with James Brolin in Octupussy. He had the role until Roger Moore decided to do it at the last moment. So Cubby Broccoli was definitely prepared to cast an American in the role - if he had to. As for Adam West, I doubt he was actually offered the part, though his name may have been briefly considered as one among many.
The character in the commercial is certainly James Bond. Good fun.
ReplyDeleteYes, I can see that too, Adam West as Bond. He has that suave manner like Roger Moor. He would have fit right into The Persuaders too. Would being American have been an issue with the 007 narrative?
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to say. Would the character still have been British, just with an American actor playing the role (George Lazenby was Australian, not British), or would he have become an American agent, just as he did in the 1950s US TV version ? In the Western series Maverick, when Roger Moore replaced James Garner, he played British cousin Beau Maverick, explaining away the fact he was British. Perhaps they might have done something similar with James Bond, had Adam West taken over the role.
ReplyDeleteHmm. Definitely ways round it. Would West have made a good Saint or Persuader? How did Tony Curtis get his role?
DeleteI can certainly see Adam West in The Saint or The Persuaders. It is a pity his career stalled after Batman, as he was a good actor, and could do comedy as well as drama.
ReplyDeleteI think of Adam West's second banana role in Robinson Crusoe on Mars...
ReplyDeleteAmerican actor John Gavin was signed as Bond for Diamonds Are Forever. He actually had the gig until Sean Connery decided to return, whereupon John Gavin's services were relinquished. I believe he was paid in full. Same thing happened with James Brolin in Octupussy. He had the role until Roger Moore decided to do it at the last moment. So Cubby Broccoli was definitely prepared to cast an American in the role - if he had to. As for Adam West, I doubt he was actually offered the part, though his name may have been briefly considered as one among many.
ReplyDeleteFascinating Kid. I didn't know Americans had been cast as 007. Thanks for the info.
ReplyDelete