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Extensive tests on
Lazenby and his four competitors began in April 1968, with Peter Hunt and
George Leech presiding. Leech, who had previously worked as an assistant
to the series’ stunt and fight arranger Bob Simmons, was in control of the
action on the new film since Simmons was busy elsewhere, ironically
working with Sean Connery on the western Shalako in Almeria, Spain.
Two scenes from the script had been chosen for the audition piece, Bond’s
hotel love scene with Tracy and a brutal fight with her bodyguard. A set
was specially constructed and Russian wrestler Yuri Borienko hired as the
heavy; doing so well that he eventually won a role in the movie, as
Blofeld’s henchman Grunther. |
