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 action film "The Guns of Navarone" (1961). This seemed to lead to him being cast in war and/or action movies: "The Captive City" (1962); "The Best of Enemies" (1962); "Guns of Darkness" (1962); "55 Days at Peking" (1963) with Charlton Heston. Niven returned to comedy with "The Pink Panther" (1963), another huge success at the box office. Less so was the comedy "Bedtime Story" (1964) with Marlon Brando. In 1964, Boyer and he appeared in the Four Star series "The Rogues". Niven played Alexander 'Alec' Fleming, one of a family of retired con-artists who now fleece villains in the interests