Sean Connery’s last official James Bond film in the Eon Productions series was Diamonds Are Forever (1971). While he later returned to the role in Never Say Never Again (1983), that film was produced independently of Eon and is considered non-canonical by many Bond purists.
Connery’s Departure and the Return
The path to Sean Connery’s last portrayal of 007 is a story riddled with contractual disagreements, creative differences, and ultimately, a substantial paycheck. After five iconic films – Dr. No, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, and You Only Live Twice – Connery had grown weary of the relentless pace, the pressures of fame, and what he perceived as the formulaic nature of the Bond franchise. His relationship with producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman had become strained.
George Lazenby took over the role for On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969), but after just one film, he declined to return, leaving the producers scrambling for a new Bond. The studio needed a star, and Connery, despite his previous reservations, was lured back with a then-unprecedented salary of $1.25 million (equivalent to nearly $9 million today), coupled with a percentage of the film’s gross profits. He famously donated his entire salary to a Scottish educational trust he established.
While Diamonds Are Forever was a commercial success, grossing over $116 million worldwide, many critics and fans consider it a step down from Connery’s previous Bond outings. The film embraced a more comedic tone, reflecting a shift in the franchise’s overall approach. The story, involving diamond smuggling and a plot by Ernst Stavro Blofeld to build a space-based laser, felt somewhat outlandish even by Bond standards.
Never Say Never Again: An Unofficial Encore
Despite his earlier weariness, Connery did eventually return to the role of James Bond in 1983 with Never Say Never Again. This film, however, was produced by independent producers, including Kevin McClory, who had co-written the original Thunderball screenplay and retained the rights to the story. It was a remake of Thunderball, offering Connery a chance to revisit the role on his own terms.
The production of Never Say Never Again was fraught with legal battles and behind-the-scenes drama, primarily centered around the rights to the Bond character and the competing official Eon Productions Bond film, Octopussy, which was released the same year starring Roger Moore. While Never Say Never Again performed well at the box office, it remains a footnote in the official Bond canon. Its unofficial status stems from the fact that it wasn’t produced by Eon Productions, the company that has consistently controlled the Bond film franchise since its inception. Thus, while Sean Connery indeed played Bond in this film, it’s not considered part of the official Eon-produced film series.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into Connery’s Bond Legacy
What motivated Sean Connery’s initial departure from the role of James Bond?
Connery cited several reasons for his initial departure after You Only Live Twice, including creative differences with the producers, burnout from the demanding schedule, and a desire to explore other acting roles. He also felt increasingly typecast as James Bond and wanted to avoid being defined solely by that character.
How much was Connery paid to return for Diamonds Are Forever?
He was paid a then-record-breaking $1.25 million (approximately $9 million today), plus a percentage of the film’s gross profits.
What did Sean Connery do with his salary from Diamonds Are Forever?
Connery donated his entire salary to the Scottish International Education Trust, a charitable organization he established to provide educational opportunities for underprivileged Scottish children.
Was Diamonds Are Forever critically well-received?
While commercially successful, Diamonds Are Forever received mixed reviews. Some critics praised Connery’s performance, while others criticized the film’s lighter tone and less compelling plot compared to his previous Bond films.
What is the significance of Never Say Never Again not being considered an official Bond film?
Its significance lies in the fact that it was not produced by Eon Productions, the company that has exclusively controlled the James Bond film franchise since its inception. Never Say Never Again was produced independently due to legal disputes over the rights to the Thunderball story.
Who owned the rights that allowed Never Say Never Again to be made?
Kevin McClory, who had co-written the original Thunderball screenplay, retained certain rights to the story and character, which allowed him to produce Never Say Never Again.
How did Eon Productions react to the production of Never Say Never Again?
Eon Productions, led by Albert R. Broccoli, was strongly opposed to the production of Never Say Never Again and engaged in legal battles to try and prevent its release, fearing it would dilute the brand and undermine the official Bond series.
How did Never Say Never Again perform at the box office compared to Octopussy, the official Bond film released the same year?
Never Say Never Again performed reasonably well, but ultimately grossed slightly less than Octopussy globally. Both films were successful, but Octopussy retained the title as the official Bond film of that year.
Did Connery have any regrets about returning to the role for Never Say Never Again?
While Connery enjoyed revisiting the role of Bond and working with different filmmakers, the production was notoriously difficult and fraught with problems. It’s believed he had mixed feelings about the experience.
Why is Diamonds Are Forever so tonally different from Connery’s other Bond films?
The change in tone reflected a conscious decision by the filmmakers to incorporate more humor and campiness into the Bond formula. This shift was influenced by the success of films like Batman (1966) and a desire to appeal to a broader audience.
What happened to the rights that allowed Never Say Never Again to be produced?
After years of legal battles and negotiations, Eon Productions eventually acquired the rights to Thunderball from Kevin McClory effectively preventing any further remakes of the story.
Beyond James Bond, what other notable roles did Sean Connery play?
Sean Connery enjoyed a long and varied career, appearing in films such as The Man Who Would Be King, Murder on the Orient Express, Highlander, The Untouchables (for which he won an Academy Award), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Hunt for Red October, and Finding Forrester, showcasing his versatility as an actor.