Rik Van Nutter’s story about getting the role as Felix Leiter in 1965′s Thunderball is one of the most interesting casting stories of the James Bond franchise that I’ve ever heard. At the time, he was married to actress Anita Ekberg and as Bond fans may know, Anita’s film Call Me Bwana, in which she co-starred alongside Bob Hope, was advertised in 1962′s From Russia with Love during the scene in which Kerim Bey shoots Krilencu as he attempts to climb out of the secret escape hatch of his hideout through Anita’s smiling mouth on the giant poster adorning the side of the building. Anita never asked producer Cubby Broccoli for payment in exchange for the use of her image. In return, during dinner with Anita and Rik one evening, Cubby turned to Rik and declared, “You, Rik! You’re Felix Leiter in Thunderball!”
The rest is history.
See the original story located here along with a link to writer John F. Murray’s website and personal tribute to Rik Van Nutter.
04.16.2008 @ 1:35 am
Great story! Jack Lord’s my favorite Leiter, but I like Rik Van Nutter quite a lot. I’d love to see his spy star turn in Intrigue At Suez, but haven’t been able to locate a copy yet. I know he had a contract to continue on as Felix, but that fell by the wayside when the character didn’t appear in the next couple of movies. Definitely a pity. I wish Van Nutter had been in Goldfinger and DAF!
Sark
04.16.2008 @ 11:54 pm
Very interesting. Not suprizing that it was a favor. Frankly, I always found Nutter’s portrayal very wooden. “You’re right James, we haven’t” haunts my dreams as completely monotone line.
05.03.2008 @ 8:39 pm
Thanks for all the comments!
Early Bond Fan, it was Norman Burton not Cec Linder that replaced Van Nutter in 1971′s ‘Diamonds Are Forever’.
killkenny kid
05.30.2008 @ 2:19 pm
Out of all of the earlier Leiters. I always felt, Van Nuttter was the best of the lot. A shame he didn’t appear in more Bonds.
