Why did Moore stick around for so long?

Comments

• Napoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,467MI6 Agent

  February 2013

  Money. Unlike other Bond actors, he had no illusions about doing better or greater work, or rather, being offered any.
  
  Possibly he did one more after OP to equal Connery's tally.
  
  And the producers were on to a sure thing, it's business. A new actor would always be a risk.

  "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."
  
  Roger Moore 1927-2017
• Moore Than EnglandPosts: 3,173MI6 Agent

  February 2013

  Napoleon Plural wrote:

  Money. Unlike other Bond actors, he had no illusions about doing better or greater work, or rather, being offered any.
  
  Possibly he did one more after OP to equal Connery's tally.
  
  And the producers were on to a sure thing, it's business. A new actor would always be a risk.

  
  Money was a factor, no doubt. But Roger really enjoyed being Bond and always gave his best. He was grateful of the status and lifestyle that the role brought to him. He likely would have finished after For Your Eyes Only if Sean Connery had not returned in Never Say Never Again. Indeed, Cubby Broccoli knew when he was on to a sure thing.

  Moore Not Less 4371 posts (2002 - 2007) Moore Than (2012 - 2016)
• Silhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,845MI6 Agent

  February 2013

  Yes, actually Moore's contract ran out after MR - every Bond film thereafter (FYEO, OP, AVTAK) was done on a contact-by-contact basis. Moore and Broccoli renegotiated the contract film by film each time sweetening the pot a little bit more - rather like their games of backgammon!
  
  Money talks, as they say, but in Moore's case it might even have sang! )

  "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
• Bodie Posts: 211MI6 Agent

  February 2013

  As already stated from Rog's point of view the money but also the producers were reluctant to let him go. From what I have read there were 2 reasons for this:
  
  1. After getting their fingers burned with Lazenby they were putting off the evil moment when they had to find a successor to a successful actor as they had to do with Connery.
  2. With NSNA appearing as competition they did not want to go up against Connery with a new Bond actor.
• Nick37 Posts: 270MI6 Agent

  February 2013

  Other sources indicate he definitely stayed for Octopussy because EON wanted a familiar Bond to go up against Connery's in NSNA. As for A View to a Kill, I don't know. One or two sites have claimed it was because Cubby wanted to stick it to Connery by having Moore do 7 official films to Connery's 6, but I've never seen that confirmed anywhere.

  "I've had a few...Optional extras installed."
• davidelliott101 Posts: 165MI6 Agent

  February 2013

  Having just watched the special features the other night on the Octopussy Ultimate Edition.. I can answer definitively...
  
  James Brolin was pretty much set to play Bond in Octopussy. There is a cool interview with him and three screen tests (one with Brolin and Vijay, in fact). The fact that Connery was doing NSNA was a HUGE factor in Moore returning for OP. Actually, Cubby didn't want any one else in the role. Moore came back for OP. Why he did AVTAK, not sure yet. I need to get that disc!
  
  I recall at the time, Moore was reportedly done after FYEO. Surprised he was doing OP, but it was logical with NSNA up against it. Shocked when he did AVTAK. Maybe he did one more until they could get Brosnan?
• Moore Than EnglandPosts: 3,173MI6 Agent

  February 2013

  I do not believe that Cubby Broccoli signed on Roger Moore for A View To A Kill just to annoy or stick two fingers up at Sean Connery. I am much more inclined to believe it was because he was very happy with Roger's performance in Octopussy, and delighted with the box office victory over Never Say Never Again.

  Moore Not Less 4371 posts (2002 - 2007) Moore Than (2012 - 2016)