1. He Quit
After Licence to Kill was released in 1989, it was expected that Dalton would finish his three picture contract by returning to play Bond in what would be Goldeneye. Then the going got bumpy as Eon Productions landed into a legal fistfight with United Artists and MGM. The suit would last four long years. Bond was put out of commission for a while. Timothy Dalton found both the delay and the harsh criticism Licence to Kill received to be irritating. He was a very talented actor who was known in the circles of both theater and television as well as movies. Basically, he did not want to be Bond for forever. When production of Goldeneye was held back further still by development, he did what he thought best and walked out. To this day his decision is still shocking and a bit more than disappointingly sad. It's hard to say where the franchise would be today if the legal battle, which delayed the making of Goldeneye by five years had not occured. How many more Dalton films would the audience have to enjoy? However, that's what makes Dalton truly great. He quit. He didn't stay on until he was no longer wanted. He performed brilliantly and then moved on when the time came. If you haven't watched The Living Daylights or Licence to Kill yet give them both a try. A die hard Bond fan won't be let down.