First draft of Casino Royale Found, Reveals Bond's Real Name To Be James Secretan.

[Initech]

A 1952 early draft of Ian Fleming's first Bond book, Casino Royale, reveals the author had originally intended his hero to call himself James Secretan when undercover.

"Ian’s first idea was to give James Bond an assumed name as his cover," revealed his niece Kate Grimond, whose family owns the draft. "Ian typed it up that way when he [Bond] first met Felix Leiter, the CIA agent, in the casino at the Hotel Splendide."

In the typed manuscript the CIA operative introduces himself to 007 with the words: "My name's Felix Leiter. Glad to meet you."

He replies with the disappointingly long-winded: "Mine's Secretan. James Secretan."

http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/secrets-behind-james-bond-revealed-on-60th-anniversary-of-first-book-being-published/story-e6frfmvr-1226620810935

"My Name Is Secretan. James Secretan." Doesn't have the same ring to it.

[annabanana]

1. Yikes!.. Glad it was changed. . n/t

[liberal N proud]

2. That would have made it a one movie series.

It would have been a flop.

[MADem]

3. Secretan? Like SECRET AgeNt? Ugh~!!!!!

Why not CRETAGE? That's part of seCRET AGEnt, too...! Or Etage? But then, that sounds far too FRENCH for the Brits, I should think!!!

[Javaman]

4. Secretan. James Secretan...

errr, not so much.