Lee: 'Fleming wanted Mason for Bond'

Late James Bond creator Ian Fleming originally wanted James Mason to play the suave spy.

Star wars actor Christopher Lee, who counted Fleming as a cousin, is convinced Bond has never been captured on screen properly - and wishes Fleming had been allowed to cast the North By Northwest actor.

Lee says: "I know who Ian thought was the best person to play Bond: James Mason, who would have been marvelous.

"He had all the right qualities. I don't think anyone has ever succeeded in putting Ian Fleming's James Bond up on the screen. The closest in my opinion is Pierce Brosnan."