James Bond in film not to produce any other films based on the "Thunderball" story for a period of ten years following the release of the Eon-produced version in 1965. After the interruption of McClory as producer, Albert Broccoli and Harry Saltzman returned to produce once again. The first four Bond films had been popular in Japan, and Eon decided to take advantage of the market by producing "You Only Live Twice". The film included progressive elements of Japanese culture as part of the background. Lewis Gilbert was appointed director and Ken Adam returned as production designer; Adam built a volcano hideaway set for
You Only Live Twice (film) a hiatus, he returned in 1971's "Diamonds Are Forever" and later 1983's non-Eon Bond film "Never Say Never Again". "You Only Live Twice" is the first Bond film to be directed by Lewis Gilbert, who later directed the 1977 film "The Spy Who Loved Me" and the 1979 film "Moonraker", both starring Roger Moore. "You Only Live Twice" was a great success, receiving positive reviews and grossing over $111 million in worldwide box office. An American NASA spacecraft is hijacked from orbit by an unidentified spaceship. The United States suspect it to be the work of the Soviets, but the