MovieChat Forums > On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) Discussion > Do you agree with the notion that George...

Do you agree with the notion that George Lazenby was in essence, blacklisted post-Bond?

posted 3 years ago by TMC-4 (20483)
12 replies | jump to latest

Lazenby himself, has alluded to this in the past:
https://www.google.com/search?q=blacklisted+george+lazenby&sxsrf=ALiCzsYubmC-eF5E-75a3V1lA2X6-t0E8w:1658656104160&ei=aBXdYuq1Cay1qtsPusy_iAM&start=0&sa=N&ved=2ahUKEwjqiZK_n5H5AhWsmmoFHTrmDzE4ChDy0wN6BAgBEDg&biw=1600&bih=757&dpr=1

The following comment puts things in the proper perspective:

https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/q30j5m/comment/hfubgjr/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

George Lazenby. He became the biggest star in the world almost overnight when he was cast as James Bond. Then he quit after just one movie and could only get work in d-grade kung-fu movies.

[–] DeathbySnuSnu (1013) 3 years ago

I think he killed his own career. He had a big chance and was terrible in this. His only roles before this were in commercials I believe. So he was out of his depth at this level. Like a non league player signing for Barcelona.
This was still one of the best Bond films despite his wooden performance. Imagine Connery in this film. Would have been up there with From Russia with Love (my personal no. 1 Bond flick.)

[–] TMC-4 (20483) a year ago

I was just watching George Lazenby be interviewed on Vice's Icons Unearthed: James Bond, and he said that after he departed from the Bond role, he had a hard time getting decent work in Hollywood. I don't remember all of the details right now but Lazenby once saw Harry Saltzman, who intentionally blew him off despite obviously, remembering and recognizing him.

[–] TMC-4 (20483) a year ago

I'm always fascinated by George Lazenby because to the best of my knowledge, he wasn't a trained actor had any real acting experience or credits before he landed the Bond role. He was I believe, a male model and he was in these adverts for Fry's Chocolate Cream. He for all intents and purposes, conned and BSed his way into the Bond role. At least, that's the simplest way to explain it.

[–] Otter (24464) 3 years ago

If he thinks he was blacklisted, he doesn't know what "blacklisting" means.

He just wasn't in demand, and I don't see any reason he should have been in demand.

[–] marktayloruk (2589) 3 years ago

Had some crazy conspiracy theory ideas.

[–] hyperjet (751) a year ago

I think 'blackballed' is more appropriate. He won the role of a lifetime and threw it out to become a hippie, leaving the producers in a bind. Also his childish antics onset and rebellious attitude when promoting the film probably gave him a bad name. It's a shame. I think he would have been an ideal Bond for the 70s.

[–] Otter (24464) a year ago

He won the role of a lifetime, and the resulting work totally failed to impress either audiences or the industry power structure.

Whatever else was going on in his life didn't really matter, if he'd devoted his post-OHMSS life to doing nothing but impressing the Hollywood suits... he still wouldn't have been in demand.

[–] hyperjet (751) a year ago

He failed to impress so much, he was offered a seven film contract.

[–] BKB (11265) a year ago

Lazenby followed by Timothy Dalton were the worse

[–] Melton (5533) a year ago

Dalton’s the best Bond. No discussion.

[–] BKB (11265) a year ago

Dalton wasn't suave, wasn't dashing and wasn't a good enough BOND to continue on

[–] Melton (5533) a year ago

He was Flemming’s Bond and he nailed the role, and The Living Daylights is the best Bond film.