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
Motifs in the James Bond film series next film to be produced was also usually named, in the format "James Bond will return..." or "James Bond will be back", although these were sometimes incorrect: "The Spy Who Loved Me" promised James Bond would return in "For Your Eyes Only", but after the success of "Star Wars", the producers decided to make "Moonraker" instead and "For Your Eyes Only" followed in 1981. The first Bond film, "Dr. No", included the introduction of the character of James Bond. Bond was introduced in an exchange near the beginning of the film in a "now-famous nightclub sequence featuring Sylvia Trench", to