On October 7, 1968, when Eon Productions, the producer of 007 Films, announced that George Razambe would play James Bond in the latest episode of The Queen's Secret Envoy, almost everyone was asking the same question: Who is Razambe?
George Razambe
Born in Australia in 1939, he moved to London in 1963 to follow his first love girlfriend. He started his career as a second-hand car salesman, and he did a good job in this business, and later jumped to a Mercedes-Benz store. A photographer who came to buy a car took a group of photos of the handsome and tall Razanbe, which helped him enter the advertising circle and become a hot advertising star.
A chocolate commercial shot by Razambe
Later, Razambe became acquainted with an advertising model agent. This person is also well-connected in the film and television industry, and she strongly recommends that Razanbe go to audition for the new 007 film "The Queen's Secret Envoy". Because of Sean Connery's resignation, they are auditioning for the new James Bond cast. She believes that Razanbe's height of 187 centimeters, elegant appearance, and especially the temperament of dragging are very suitable for this role.
Razambe audition footage
Filming and commercialing are not the same thing at all, and Razambe has no acting experience and is a complete novice. However, during the audition, he brilliantly knocked down a martial arts expert, which impressed the producers with his good skills, and finally decided to award the big name role to the fledgling young man who was only 29 years old. However, out of caution, he was not given a film contract.
By the way, the later fourth 007 actor, Timothy Dalton, also auditioned for The Queen's Secret Envoy, but he was born in 1946 in his early twenties and was too young to be selected.
The final box office of "The Queen's Secret Envoy" is more than $22 million, deducting more than 7 million production costs, even if there are other expenses, it should be profitable. But compared to the $43 million box office success of the previous "Thunder Valley", it is indeed a bit insufficient.
Bond wedding clip from The Queen's Secret Envoy
Although some people did criticize Razanbe's acting skills, the pot at the box office could not all be thrown at him. In The Queen's Secret Envoy, James Bond is actually married! The lonely hero who goes deep into the tiger's den suddenly falls into the cliché of marriage, which is somewhat uncomfortable. Especially at the end of the film, Mrs. Bond is assassinated by the enemy right under his nose – in other words, Bond is actually defeated in the movie! This is not very consistent with his previous image of being invincible and invincible, making it emotionally difficult for many loyal fans to accept - these are the reasons that affect the box office.
The Queen's Secret Envoy ends
In fact, as early as the film had just finished shooting and had not yet premiered, the producers immediately put the contract of six films (not counting "The Queen's Secret Envoy") and a million pounds in front of Razambe, and did not consider the box office matter at all. This shows that at least the producers are very impressed with his performance. However, to everyone's surprise, Razanbe actually refused!
It turned out that the contract was fourteen pages thick! At first, Razanbe also wondered why it was so expensive to write on the top, but when he looked closely, he was angry! The contract details the precautions that Razambe must observe in his daily life as james bonder, the famous actor. For example, he can't grow a beard and long hair; what clothes can and what he can't wear; and although he is allowed to take on other roles, there are clear rules on what roles can and can't be taken on —all to maintain Bond's screen image. The young razabe felt that his freedom had been interfered with and offended, and he regarded it as a deed of sale, so he refused without hesitation!
At this point, Razambe's performance is actually quite reliable, after all, if he really values personal freedom above all else, there is nothing to say. However, his next series of operations are incomprehensible. First of all, the premiere of "The Queen's Secret Envoy" was scheduled for December 1969, and he was impatient to announce his resignation 007 in November! Then immediately grew a beard and long hair, and the front was hard and hard to produce! Is this necessary?
Razambe of "Bearded Mingzhi"
The move infuriated the producers, who kicked Razambe directly out of the film's American publicity list, the U.S. who followed him out of his own pocket. Later, Razanbe was completely banned by the British film and television circle, and could only return to his hometown in Australia to shoot TV dramas, and even ran to Hong Kong to sign three film contracts with Jiahe: "Iron King Kong Breaks the Purple Sun View" (1974), "Straight Pounding the Yellow Dragon" (1975) and "Crocodile Pond Heroes" (1976).
Fragment of "Crocodile Pool Heroes"
Years later, when asked by a reporter if the elderly Razambe regretted the sloppiness of his youth, he said: "I have been doing what I think is right, although my perception is not always right, but in the circumstances I think it is right." 」 To be honest, now that I think about it, I should have made two more films, I just wanted to let everyone know that it wasn't them who fired me. It's a mistake, but in a way, that's who I am."
The translation is: "Lao Tzu's intestines are repentant!" In fact, Razambe's "vigor" lasted less than two years at most, because he had asked the producers to let him star in "Diamond Diamond", which was released in December 1971, and was rejected!
It is conceivable that if Razanbe could control his temper and sign the contract, then his life would definitely be very different.
Although, people today are saying, "Aren't you still called young people?" ”
However, there is a price for youthful exuberance, and freedom has no banknotes in the end!