Discover the origin of Thunderball and Never Say Never Again and the legal dispute that arose over the James Bond rights between Ian Fleming and Kevin McClory

Did you know that one of the most iconic James Bond films, Thunderwas not only a box office success, but also the epicenter of a legal conflict that lasted more than half a century? The story behind this creative face-off reveals the dangers of film collaborations, where the contributions of the people involved are often important. they are not recognized as they should be. What started as a collaboratively written screenplay has become a novel and then a film that will mark the beginning of a long dispute over the rights to James Bond.

In 1961 Ian Fleming, already famous for his James Bond novels, published Thundera work that, although attributed exclusively to him, has its roots in a screenplay he had developed with Kevin McClory and Jack Whittingham. Fleming, taking advantage of the ideas in the screenplay, decided to transform it into a novel without giving credit to his collaborators. This did not go unnoticed McClory, who, having realised the omission, took legal action This triggered a clash that would last for decades.

A novel that unleashed the storm

At the moment when Thunder By the time it reached the bookstores, McClory had already started legal proceedings. Fleming, weakened both physically and creatively, had not foreseen the extent of the trouble he had gotten himself into. The legal battle began with the research of McClory and Whittingham the recognition and rights they considered theirs. Finally, in 1963, McClory won a significant victory: a deal that gave him £35,000 and the rights to film and television adaptations of the storywhile Whittingham, exhausted by the expenses, withdrew from the cause.

With these rights in hand, McClory has been positioned as the sole producer of the film adaptation of Thunder in 1965. The film was a resounding success, grossing $141 million and further cementing the image of James Bond in the cinema.. However, this triumph was not enough for McClory, who still saw opportunities to exploit his involvement in the Bond world.

Thunderball is reborn as Never Say Never Again

Nearly two decades after the premiere of Thunder, McClory has decided to revive the story. In 1983 he produced Never say never againa reinterpretation of the same original material. This film, which once again starred Sean Connery in the role of Bond, was produced without the participation of MGMTherun parallel to Octopuswith Roger Moore. The film was not only well received by critics, but It also raised $160 million, proving that McClory still had the ability to impact the franchise..

But the success of Never say never again This did not mark the end of the conflict. McClory continued his legal battle, this time attempting to claim part ownership of the James Bond character.. However, in 2000, the court dismissed his lawsuit due to the delay in filing it. Six years later, McClory died without having obtained all that he sought.

The end of the battle

Finally, in 2013, after litigation lasting more than half a century, MGM and Danjaqthe company that owns the rights to the franchise, has regained full control over the James Bond character. This resolution puts an end to one of the longest legal disputes in the history of cinema, closing a chapter that has been present since the dawn of the most famous spy in the world.

The story of Thunder and its legal implications not only It’s a reminder of the complications that can arise in creating collaborative work.but also an example of how conflicts over rights can persist and evolve over decades. For James Bond fans, it’s a fascinating look behind the scenes of the franchise, revealing how disagreements about paternity and rights can shape, or in this case destabilize, even the most successful productions.

Next time you see Thunder the Never say never againremember that these movies are more than thrilling spy stories; They are also pieces of a complex legal puzzle. which took more than 50 years to solve. Who knew that behind the elegance and action of James Bond was one of the longest legal battles in the history of cinema?