This was not part of the film series produced by MGM and Danjaq. Executive producer Kevin McClory, who was producer and co-writer of Thunderball (1965), won a legal battle against Ian Fleming to make his own Bond movie. The settlement stipulated that it had to effectively be a remake of Thunderball.
A young Steven Seagal was the movie's martial arts instructor. One day, he got so angered by Sir Sean Connery during a training session that he broke his wrist. Connery went along with that injury for a number of years, thinking it was just a minor pain.
George Lazenby was considered by executive producer Kevin McClory to play Bond, but was dropped from consideration when Sir Sean Connery confirmed he wanted the role.
Barbara Carrera turned down the title role in Octopussy (1983) to play Fatima Blush because she wanted to work with Sir Sean Connery so badly.
Pat Roach: As Count Lippe, the large villain in the health clinic (equivalent of Guy Doleman's role in Thunderball (1965)). Roach is the only actor to deliver severe beatings to James Bond and Indiana Jones, having terrorized the latter in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984).
Amy Irving: Uncredited voice of the computer when Gavan O'Herlihy (Captain Jack Petachi) gets his eye scan.