Alfred Hitchcock was first choice to direct Bond film

In a telegram sent to mutual friend and novelist Eric Ambler in 1959, Fleming asks whether the horror master was available to make 'Thunderball', reported Contactmusic.

Alfred Hitchcock

The message reads, "Would Hitchcock be interested in directing?" Fleming goes on to outline the film's plot in the telegram, which has been published on a website, but Hitchcock turned down the offer because he was busy working on 'Psycho'.

Filmmaker Terence Young stepped in after it was decided 'Dr. No' would be the first Bond movie, starring Sean Connery as the superspy. 'Thunderball' later became the fourth Bond movie in the series.u00a0