Susan Hayward Almost Cast as First Female James Bond, New Biography Reveals

Decades before Lashana Lynch's 007 role, producer Gregory Ratoff considered Oscar-winner Susan Hayward for the iconic part.

A new biography on Ian Fleming uncovers that Susan Hayward was almost cast as James Bond, predating Lashana Lynch's groundbreaking role.
Producer Gregory Ratoff's idea in the 1950s to cast a woman as Bond was seen as a solution to the character's 'unbelievable' nature.
Susan Hayward, known for her Academy Award-winning performance in 'I Want to Live!', was the choice for the role.
Ian Fleming's top choice for Bond was Richard Burton, though many actors were considered before Sean Connery's iconic casting.
The biography also touches on Fleming's initial shock at Connery's casting, not fitting his idea of an 'elegant man'.