Encouraged by the broadcast, Ratoff exercised his full option in March 1955. For a mere , he purchased the film rights to Casino Royale "in perpetuity". This modest sum, which Fleming famously used to buy a Ford Thunderbird, would later be remembered as one of the most lopsided deals in Hollywood history. The Female Bond Concept
With the rights in hand, Ratoff began developing a James Bond film, tentatively titled "Dr. No." Interestingly, this title would later become the basis for the first James Bond film produced by Eon Productions, released in 1962. Ratoff planned to adapt Fleming's novel of the same name, with a screenplay written by him and Terence Young, a British film director and writer. gregory ratoff james bond film rights relinquished
Despite his persistence, Ratoff was never able to secure the necessary funding before his death from leukemia on December 14, 1960. Because Ratoff owned the rights "in perpetuity," they did not revert to Fleming upon his passing. Instead, Ratoff's widow, , and his partner Michael Garrison became the stewards of the property. Encouraged by the broadcast, Ratoff exercised his full
The relinquishment of rights from Ratoff's estate to Feldman created a major roadblock for the official Bond series: The Female Bond Concept With the rights in
The relinquishment was not a sale for millions. It was a buyout for a relatively modest sum—rumored to be around $75,000 to $100,000 (roughly $700,000 today). In exchange, Ratoff’s estate agreed to formally and permanently relinquish all claims to the James Bond film rights. They signed a document that effectively said: We have no future interest in this character or his stories.