Here are the cast and characters of the original, star-studded 1967 version of James Bond's Casino Royale. In 2020, Casino Royale is widely known as the film that launched Daniel Craig's 007 career and breathed new life into the franchise, but the same story was adapted decades previously. The original Casino Royale is often overlooked because it isn't part of recognized James Bond continuity. Ian Fleming sold the rights to his Casino Royale novel in 1955, eventually finding their way into the hands of Charles K. Feldman who valiantly attempted to get the film made.
Once Feldman saw that Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman had released their own James Bond movie with Dr. No in 1962, he switched Casino Royale from a straight 007 adaptation to a comedic parody. Although the film itself is often ignored, Casino Royale boasts a strong cast, featuring faces that many James Bond fans will recognize.
David Niven as James Bond
The forgotten Bond, Niven plays a retired 007 dragged back into action to deal with SMERSH, a spoof of SPECTRE. Niven was actually Ian Fleming's choice to play Bond in the Eon movies instead of Sean Connery, and was well received as the iconic spy, even in a more comedic guise. Niven is widely known for his role as Sir Charles Lytton in The Pink Panther.
Ursula Andress as Vesper Lynd
While Feldman couldn't tempt Connery to appear in Casino Royale, Ursula Andress was cast as Vesper Lynd after famously portraying the archetypal Bond girl, Honey Ryder, in Dr. No. Lynd is a millionaire and former spy recruited by Bond for his casino mission. Although Andress enjoyed a long career in film, she remained widely associated with 007.
Classic Bond Characters in Casino Royale
- Orson Welles as Le Chiffre - Famous for Citizen Kane and his chilling radio adaptation of The War of the Worlds, Orson Welles played Casino Royale villain Le Chiffre, the role taken by Mads Mikkelsen in the more recent version.
- Barbara Bouchet as Moneypenny - The daughter of the original Moneypenny, Bond's long-suffering secretary serves much the same role as her mother. Bouchet has appeared in Gangs of New York and Star Trek: The Original Series.
- John Huston as M - The iconic role played by the likes of Bernard Lee and Judi Dench is brief in Casino Royale, but played by John Huston, who wrote and directed classics such as The Maltese Falcon.
- Geoffrey Bayldon as Q - As Q, Bayldon parodies the traditional Desmond Llewelyn version of the character, tired of the agents humorous quips. Bayldon almost played Doctor Who's first Doctor.
New Characters in Casino Royale
- Peter Sellers as Evelyn Tremble - Essentially giving his own Bond portrayal, Tremble is hired as a gambling expert by Niven's actual Bond. The two actors know each other very well, as Sellers played Inspector Jacques Clouseau in The Pink Panther.
- Woody Allen as Jimmy Bond/Dr. Noah - Renowned director and actor behind films such as Annie Hall, Allen has become a somewhat controversial figure of late. Allen plays Bond's nephew in Casino Royale, and the film's villain.
- Deborah Kerr as Agent Mimi - The multi-time Oscar nominated Kerr parodies the Bond girl who starts out bad but changes sides thanks to 007's charms. Agent Mimi is one of Kerr's last big screen roles.
- Joanna Pettet as Mata Bond - The daughter of James Bond and Mata Hari, it's no surprise that Pettet's character is in the spy game too. Pettet is a character in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, played by Rumer Willis.
- Daliah Lavi as The Detainer - Lavi plays one of several impostor Bonds throughout Casino Royale and ultimately defeats Dr. Noah. Her stint in 007's world is arguably Lavi's biggest cinematic role.
- Bernard Cribbins as Carlton Towers - Now known to Doctor Who fans as the indomitable Wilfred Mott, a much younger Cribbins appeared in Casino Royale as a taxi driver.
- Ronnie Corbett as Polo - British comedian and one half of The Two Ronnies double act, Corbett is Polo in Casino Royale, the assistant of Frau Hoffner and a parody of Bond henchmen.
- Terence Cooper as Coop - Another of Casino Royale's various 007s, Cooper was an actor Feldman had lined up as a potential James Bond star long before the 1967 comedy.
