James Bond released the first cinema adaptation of an Ian Fleming novel, "Dr. No", featuring Sean Connery as 007. Connery starred in a further four films before leaving the role after "You Only Live Twice", which was taken up by George Lazenby for "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". Lazenby left the role after just one appearance and Connery was brought back for his last Eon-produced film "Diamonds Are Forever". In 1973 Roger Moore was appointed to the role of 007 for "Live and Let Die" and played Bond a further six times over twelve years before being replaced by Timothy Dalton for
Roger Moore was in two all-star comedies: 'Sunday Lovers' (1980) which flopped at the box office and "The Cannonball Run" (1981) which was a hit. In the latter he spoofs his fame by playing a millionaire so obsessed with Roger Moore that he had had plastic surgery to look like him. It featured an ensemble cast, including Jackie Chan, Burt Reynolds, Dean Martin, Dom DeLuise, Sammy Davis Jr, and Farrah Fawcett. Moore returned for his fifth outing as Bond in "For Your Eyes Only" (1981). Following this film he expressed a desire to leave the role, and other actors were screen tested,