The wait is almost over. After months of anticipation, Bond fans will finally be able to stream the Hulu documentary, Becoming Bond, which will officially be available on May 20.
The film, directed by Josh Greenbaum, recounts the exploits of George Lazenby during his rise and fall as James Bond. Most Bond fans are already aware of Lazenby’s story. He was an Australian model with no acting experience who managed to convince producers Albert Broccoli and Harry Saltzman to cast him as Sean Connery’s replacement, in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. It turned out to be his only film as Bond.
Hulu’s press site describes the film this way:
"A unique documentary/narrative hybrid chronicling the stranger-than-fiction true story of George Lazenby, a poor Australian car mechanic who, through an unbelievable set of circumstances, landed the role of James Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969), despite having never acted a day in his life. Then after being offered the next six Bond films and a $1 million signing bonus, he turned it all down…"
Josh Lawson will portray Lazenby in the film’s re-enactments. The cast also includes Dana Carvey, Jeff Garlin, and former Bond girl Jane Seymour.
Josh Greenbaum’s directing credits include the Hulu docuseries, Behind the Mask, about sports mascots. He also directed three episodes of the Fox series New Girl. Earlier this year, Greenbaum directed Daniel Craig in his “Puppies” promotional spot for the United Nations Mine Action Service.
Becoming Bond had screened in March, at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin. In his review of the film, Joe O’Connell called it “an enjoyable ride.”
Look for our own full review of the film on May 20.