Tom Baker was originally lined up to play movie's main villain, Hugo Drax, but when production was switched to France for tax reasons, the part went to French actor Michael Lonsdale.

In 1955, John Payne (Fred from Miracle on 34th Street) paid a $1,000/month option for 9 months on the Bond novel Moonraker. He eventually gave up the option when he learned he couldn't retain the rights for the entire series of Bond novels.

Jaclyn Smith (Charlie's Angels)turned down the part of Dr. Holly Goodhead.