Late James Bond creator IAN FLEMING originally wanted James Mason to play the suave spy.

Star Wars actor Christopher Lee, who counted Fleming as a cousin, is convinced Bond has never been captured on screen properly - and wishes Fleming had been allowed to cast the North By Northwest actor.

Lee says, "I know who Ian thought was the best person to play Bond: James Mason, who would have been marvelous.

"He had all the right qualities. I don't think anyone has ever succeeded in putting Ian Fleming's James Bond up on the screen.

"The closest in my opinion is Pierce Brosnan."

25/03/2005 17:43