TheJames Bondfilm franchise, based on the novel series of the same name by Ian Fleming, revolves around the adventures of MI6 Agent 007 AKA James Bond. The first Bond film,Dr. No,was released in 1962, starring Sean Connery as Bond. Since then, many films have followed and, as of 2023, there are a total of 27 movies. What’s more, Bond has been portrayed by several actors over the years, most notably Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and Daniel Craig.
Considering how beloved characters from the James Bond franchise are, it’s no secret that casting is the most important first step in ensuring a successful film. Indeed, perEsquire, the search is on for the next actor to play the iconic spy. Over the years, a number of big names have been featured in the Bond franchise, including Judi Dench, Christopher Lee, and Javier Bardem. While some characters have been completely forgotten, others stand out and are impossible to forget. Here are the top 10 James Bond movie casting choices.
10Jane Seymour as Solitaire
Live & Let Diewas led by Roger Moore, following Bond as he takes down a drug trafficking ring based out of the Caribbean. Solitaire was played by English actressJane Seymourat the young age of 22. Her classic slender 70s physique and long luxurious hair made her aperfect Bond girlfor 1973. Seymour went on to star in a number of miniseries and films. Her talents eventually earned her a Primetime Emmy forOnassis: The Richest Man in the Worldand a Golden Globe forDr. Quinn Medicine Woman.
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9Christopher Lee as Francisco Scaramanga
It’s unusual for fans to find Bond villains charming, but Francisco Scaramanga inThe Man With the Golden Gunis a different story. The polar opposite of Bond, the serious academic Scaramanga was portrayed by the incomparableChristopher Lee, who starred in hundreds of films up until his death in 2015. Thanks to his deep voice and his upstanding posture, Lee gave Scaramanga a different sort of evil that is more subtle than most Bond villains provide. Honestly, Lee steals the show with his performance.
8Geoffrey Holder as Baron Samedi
Yet anotherLive & Let Diecast member that blew us all away with his outstanding performance isGeoffrey Holderas the Baron Samedi AKA “the man who cannot die.” While Samedi is technically just a henchman of Kananga, he is without a doubt more memorable than any other henchmen in the Bond universe — and that is all thanks to Holder. While his filmography is limited, he acted as choreographer to many productions and even won two Tony Awards for direction and costume design ofThe Wiz. Needless to say, Holder is an entertainer through and through.
7Lois Ruth Maxwell as Moneypenny
While not technically a Bond girl, Moneypenny was featured in a total of 14 of the original James Bond films. The office secretary who works for MI6 and gives James much of his information for his assignments was portrayed byLois Ruth Maxwell. This Canadian actress may not have had a booming career before starring in the Bond series, but her performance as Miss Moneypenny is one that made the character what it is today. Unbelievably, Maxwell was almost recast after she demanded a pay raise, but the producers kept her beloved character on.
6Desmond Llewelyn as Q
MI6’s gadget expert who hooks 007 up with all his life-saving spy equipment is known as Q. The original Q was portrayed byDesmon Llewelyn, a Welsh actor. Reprising his role in 17 Bond films, Llewelyn has already starred in a number of films uncredited before featuring inDr. No.Llewelyn went on to star inChitty Chitty Bang Bang. He continued to reprise his role as Q up until his sudden death in 1999.
5Famke Janssen as Xenia Onatopp
If you’re a fan ofX-Men,Famke Janssenmay be a name you’re familiar with as she played the role of Phoenix AKA Jean Grey in the originalX-Mentrilogy. Before Janssen made her appearance in theX-Menfranchise, she starred inGoldenEyeas killer Soviet pilot Xenia Onatopp. Onatopp is known for her sexual appeal while also managing to crush her enemies between her thighs while getting a great thrill out of it. Onatopp is one of the few Bond women to ever give him a run for his money and prove to almost take out the famed 007.
Related:The Deadliest Women in the James Bond Franchise
4Javier Bardem as Raoul Silva
Javier Bardemhas historically played some of the most terrifying characters to ever hit the silver screen. His portrayal as the psychopathic Anton inNo Country for Old Menis proof enough that Bardem knows his way around a good villain, hence making him the perfect casting choice for Raoul Silva inSkyfall. This former MI6 has come a lot closer to defeating Bond than any other villain, actually doing physical harm to Bond with his own hands.
3Judi Dench as M
DameJudi Dench’s career has spanned more than six decades, earning her endless accolades. Between her experience performing Shakespeare on stage to her work on TV forAs Time Goes By, Dench rose to fame when she was cast as M inGoldenEye. Differing greatly from the previous masculine portrayals of M, Dench brings her own touch of femininity to the character, creating a whole new character. Dench went on to reprise her role as M in eight films, making one final cameo appearance inSpectre.
2Gert Frobe as Auric Goldfinger
The best Bond villain in the entire franchise is Auric Goldfinger, a bullion dealer and international gold smuggler who is best known for his obsession with hold and his mute Korean henchmen Oddjob. Cast in the role was the German actorGert Frobe, who went on to star inChitty Chitty Bang Bang. Frobe also brought us one of thebest lines in Bond history: “No Mr Bond. I expect you to die.” A line which is said cheerfully, showing just how evil Goldfinger really is. Frobe was a perfect choice for the role and no one else would have fit the bill as perfectly as he did.
1Sean Connery as James Bond
Without a doubt the best casting choice is that of the lateSean Conneryin the role of Bond. While many actors have played the MI6 agent over the years, none have done the character justice as well as Connery. While Connery played the role in eight films, less than Roger Moore, his performances are more memorable and iconic. His cigarette-smoking debonair charm mixed with his swoon-worthy good-looks made him the ideal choice for Bond. Even producers wanted Connery in many other films, includingLive & Let Die,which Connery refused.
