I thought it went like this...
Dalton was the first choice. He was offered but couldn't do it because he was doing a play. They went to Brosnan. They offered him the role, but ABC had an 8 day option to extend his Remington Steele contract. Nobody thought they would as the show's ratings were falling. But the heat generated by Brosnan's signing made ABC extend the contract. This made it difficult/ impossible for Brosnan to take the role, but ABC vowed to work it out with Broccoli so Brosnan could do both. But Broccoli thought nobody would pay to watch a Bond they could see on TV, so he withdrew the offer.
Whilst they were waiting out the 8 day option, Eon had to delay filming. Which meant Dalton's play was finished, and a film he was making, Brenda Starr, would be finished up a few days before the start date of the Bond film. So Dalton it was.
Does anyone have anything to add?
Edited by manfromjapan, 23 February 2006 - 12:56 AM.