Looking back, Gregory Ratoff relinquishing the Bond rights was the single best thing to happen to 007. Ratoff saw Bond as a one-off comedy. Broccoli and Saltzman saw a dynasty.
However, he didn't walk away empty-handed. In a move that screams "Old Hollywood," Ratoff made a gentleman’s agreement with Fleming: In exchange for waiving his renewal, Ratoff retained a small percentage of future profits and, crucially, the right of first refusal on Casino Royale specifically.
But Ratoff wasn’t interested in a franchise. He wanted a vehicle for his friend, the American actor Gregory Peck. Ratoff’s vision for Bond was reportedly much more comedic and less lethal than the character Fleming wrote. Unfortunately for Ratoff—but fortunately for history—he couldn’t get the financing off the ground.
The Forgotten Mogul: How Gregory Ratoff Relinquished the Crown Jewels of Spy Cinema
Next time you watch Bond order a vodka martini, spare a thought for Gregory Ratoff. He was the man who held the keys to the kingdom—and politely handed them back before the door was unlocked.