20 Things You Didn’t Know About Live And Let Die (1973)

20. Back Looking For Shells?

The decision to remain as faithful as possible to Ian Fleming’s 1954 novel, Live And Let Die, whilst updating it for a modern audience led to ideas of recalling the early days of the James Bond film franchise.

In particular, the filmmakers considered asking Ursula Andress to reprise her role as Honey Ryder from Dr. No (1962) before rejecting the idea because the concept of her romancing another Double-0 Seven was implausible. It was also important to distinguish Roger Moore's James Bond from his predecessor, Sean Connery, as the producers wanted to ensure that Moore would last in the role of Double-0 Seven and build his own popularity.

Therefore, a brief exchange of dialogue between Bond and treacherous CIA agent, Rosie Carver (Gloria Hendry) in which Double-0 Seven explains that he and Quarrel Junior’s (Roy Stewart’s) father had fought “a doctor named No” several years earlier was also struck from the script.

Despite these decisions, however, at times Live And Let Die (gladly) feels like a bigger budget remake of Dr. No, exploring similar themes to the earlier film, but leaving its own irrefutable mark upon the franchise.