James Bond filmography by Connery, was selected as the third-greatest hero in cinema history by the American Film Institute. When Sean Connery had been cast in November 1961, David Niven had been Fleming's choice for the role as the actor reflected his image of the character. In 1965 producer Charles Feldman signed Niven to play Sir James Bond for "Casino Royale", a film not made by Eon Productions. Connery and Peter Sellers had both turned down the role. Niven was 56 when he played Bond and his characterisation was that of an elderly man who had won the Victoria Cross at the Siege
David Niven role. Niven also became heavily involved in American TV as a partner in Four Star Television, a company he established with Dick Powell and Charles Boyer. It ended up producing a considerable number of shows, in several of which Niven appeared. Niven's next few films were made in England: "The Love Lottery" (1954), a comedy; "Carrington V.C." (1954), a drama which earned Niven a BAFTA nomination for Best Actor; "Happy Ever After" (1954), a comedy with Yvonne de Carlo which was hugely popular in Britain. In Hollywood he had a thankless role as the villain in an MGM swashbuckler "The