Question: Why was Felix played by another actor in this movie?
Chosen answer: The Living Daylights" was the first James Bond film with Timothy Dalton as Bond. The only actors from the Roger Moore era who continued their roles were Robert Brown as "M" and Desmond Llewelyn as "Q." Younger actors were cast for other familiar characters, including John Terry, who played Felix Leiter in "The Living Daylights." He followed David Hedison, who had played Leiter in "Live and Let Die" with Roger Moore. Apparently, producers felt Terry lacked sufficient chemistry with Dalton and preferred a more recognisable actor who could convey greater emotional depth. They recast Hedison as Leiter for Dalton's second (and final) Bond film, "Licence to Kill.
Answer: The other answer has a few errors. First of all, "Licence to Kill" followed this film, not the other way around. Second, John Terry played Leiter in this film, and was then replaced by David Hedison in "Licence to Kill." The recasting of Leiter was nothing new; Terry was the seventh actor to play him, and it was actually more unusual that Hedison was brought back; he was the first actor to play the role more than once, and the only one to do so until Jeffrey Wright took over the role in the Daniel Craig era.
Thanks. I corrected this. I inadvertently transposed the two "L" titles.
raywest ★