5 Movie Characters Who Improved After Recasting (And 5 Who Didn't)
2. Worse - George Lazenby As James Bond
George Lazenby was the "GoBots" to Sean Connery's "Transformers". He kinda looked and kinda acted like Connery's James Bond, but to audiences he was no Sean Connery.
From 1962 to 1967, Scottish actor Sean Connery took the world by storm as agent 007. He had a charming and suave demeanor as Bond. Even Connery's accent became associated with 007.
In 1965, Connery stated "Bond's been good to me, so I shouldn't knock him." before admitting he was "fed up to here with the whole Bond bit." He even reportedly once said, "I have always hated that damned James Bond. I'd like to kill him.". Disputes over salary and creative direction finally led to Connery calling it quits. After five successful Bond movies, Connery would say the words "Bond... James Bond" no longer.
George Lazenby was an Australian model with no acting experience when he was cast as the new 007 for On Her Majesty's Secret Service. The film was met with mixed reviews and was a financial disappointment. Long-time Bond producer Albert Broccoli told the Los Angeles Times that casting Lazenby was the “biggest mistake in 16 years."
It was Lazenby's first and last appearance as 007. He quit after the one film, a decision he has since admitted to regretting. Connery stepped back in one more time as Bond before handing the reins to Roger Moore.