In March 1955, Ian Fleming sold the film rights of his novel "Casino Royale", the first book featuring the character of James Bond, to the producer Gregory Ratoff for $6,000 ($ in dollars). after Ratoff had bought a six-month option the previous year. Ratoff commissioned Lorenzo Semple Jr., to write a script but both men thought Bond was unbelievable and stupid. According to Semple, Ratoff considered the project needed Bond to be female and wished to cast Susan Hayward as 'Jane' Bond. In 1956, "The New York Times" reported Ratoff had set up a production company with Michael Garrison to produce a film adaptation, but he was unable to find financial backers before he died in December 1960.