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
James Bond in film in the Academy Award-winning song "The Windmills of Your Mind"—and was performed by Lani Hall. Fleming's estate, financially backed by Eon Productions and MGM, made a final attempt to block the film in the High Courts in London in the spring of 1983, but this was thrown out by the court and "Never Say Never Again" was permitted to proceed. When "Never Say Never Again" was released, it grossed $9.72 million ($ million in dollars) on its first weekend, which was reported to be "the best opening record of any "James Bond" film" up to that point and surpassing "Octopussy"s