The truth behind George Lazneby’s feud with James Bond co-star: “I’m tired or reading those paranoid statements”
Diana Rigg might be the most important Bond girl ever, even if most people forget that it was George Lazenby playing James Bond across from her in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. She was the first woman he cared about, the one that he married–the love of his life, who died in his arms. If you remember anything from any George Lazenby role, from his entire career, it’ll probably be him saying “we have all the time in the world” as his wife bleeds out.
The reason that Casino Royale is considered one of the best Bond movies in the franchise is because it rips off the plot of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service but leaves out the winter sports scenes. And the Austin Powers cravat. But it’s still one of the more heartfelt Bond films, one that humanizes the drunkest and most bloodthirsty characters in cinema hitherto, showing that there was a heart beneath those starched shirts.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case behind the scenes, depending on who you ask. Dianna Rigg wasn’t happy with her treatment on set. She played Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo, eventually Teresa Bond (although not for long) and doesn’t remember the experience fondly. Rigg would go on to become a well decorated actress and found success well into her last years before her death in 2020 at 82 years old.
Express reports that there was a feud on set between Rigg and Lazenby, the actors not really getting along. They tell us “This included rumours of Rigg deliberately eating huge amounts of garlic before her love scenes with Lazenby to throw him off.” However, “Rigg accused them of inventing the allegation.”
Diana Rigg went so far as to say: “I’m tired of reading those paranoid statements to the press wherein you were solely surrounded by hostile people. I agree that by the end of the film most of the crew were hostile, but only because of your extreme behaviour. Why else would your dresser threaten to hand in his notice?” Whether it was because of Lazenby’s behavior or because the clothes were embarrassing is up for debate.
Speaking more about the hostile work environment, she says “Why else would three chauffeurs leave you within a week? Why else was one member of the unit restrained from striking you after one inexcusable and crude outburst against one of the girls in the film?”She continues: “No, George, I did not eat garlic on purpose. No, George, I was not, as you said, guzzling champagne in some warm bar when we had the row.”
We still don’t know who the next James Bond will be now that Daniel Craig’s tenure is over. There have been theories, people have been talking about Idris Elba forever, there were rumors flying around about Aaron Taylor Johnson. But looking back, for Lazenby’s part, he just says that Rigg is a “bright lady” and the rumors didn’t come from him. Whatever happened–and whatever happens next in the Bond Franchise–is anyone’s guess.
