Producer Kevin McClory wanted Howard to play Bond's secret service chief "M" when the film was being developed under the title of "Warhead" in the late 1970s. Legal delays resulted in the picture being recast and made as "Never Say Never Again" several years later.

Producer Kevin McClory wanted Welles as Ernst Stavro Blofeld when the film was being developed under the title of "Warhead" in the late 1970s. Legal delays resulted in the picture being recast and made as "Never Say Never Again" several years later.