Icons Unearthed: James Bond

James Bond began with real-life spy and anxious bridegroom Ian Fleming; it would take a bumpy road to bring this spy story to the screen.

With the departure of their star, Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman must find a new actor to play the super-spy.

Though diamonds may be forever, Connery was not; embracing the cultural changes of the '70s takes Bond to new heights, but for one producer it would be the end of an era.

With an aging actor in the lead and a new director in charge, the "Battle of the Bonds" divides the franchise before a new, gritty take on the character nearly drives it to ruin.

With a new generation of producers in charge and the fate of the studio in their hands, Pierce Brosnan has to defy expectations and revitalize the franchise.