As Amazon MGM Studios closes in on its next James Bond, an IndieWire retrospective revisits the last time the franchise replaced its star with an unknown, and argues the gamble produced one of the series’ best films. That film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, reached theaters in December 1969 with George Lazenby, an Australian former model with no film acting experience, in the role Sean Connery had left.
Director Peter Hunt spent over a year interviewing and screen-testing hundreds of candidates, among them a young Timothy Dalton, who took the part nearly two decades later. Lazenby claimed at his first meeting to have acted in Germany and Hong Kong, then admitted the lie the next day. Hunt and the producers liked his look anyway. They sent him through voice coaching to shed his accent and stunt training, and committed a few weeks before shooting began.
Lazenby did not stay. His contract ran seven years, with clauses he felt would restrict his life, and he had not signed it when filming wrapped. His agent, Ronan O’Rahilly, reportedly convinced him that a tuxedoed spy would look dated in the 1970s. Lazenby later stressed that he did not announce his own exit, but he showed little appetite to continue.
Reviews at release were mixed. The film’s standing has climbed since. Christopher Nolan and Steven Soderbergh count themselves admirers, and one fan poll once crowned it the best Bond. Diana Rigg as Tracy, Telly Savalas as Blofeld, John Barry’s score and a downbeat ending, in which Bond loses his new wife, all carry the case. Producer Albert Broccoli once remarked that Lazenby could have been the best Bond had he stayed. Lazenby retired from acting and public appearances in July 2024, announcing it on X at age 84. He turned 87 in September.
The history carries weight now. Amazon MGM opened its search in May, with Denis Villeneuve directing, Steven Knight writing and casting director Nina Gold running auditions. Final screen tests are reportedly under way, with Callum Turner and Jack Lowden said to be in the mix and an announcement expected before year’s end. The studio says it will not discuss details during casting, and representatives for Turner and Lowden did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the reports.
