JAMES BOND - CHRISTOPHER LEE: 'FLEMING WANTED MASON FOR BOND'

Late JAMES BOND creator IAN FLEMING originally wanted JAMES MASON to play the suave spy.

STAR WARS actor CHRISTOPHER LEE, who counted Fleming as a cousin, is convinced Bond has never been captured on screen properly - and wishes Fleming had been allowed to cast the NORTH BY NORTHWEST actor.

Lee says, "I know who Ian thought was the best person to play Bond: James Mason, who would have been marvelous.

"He had all the right qualities. I don't think anyone has ever succeeded in putting Ian Fleming's James Bond up on the screen.

"The closest in my opinion is PIERCE BROSNAN."