Due to portraying James Bond, Sean Connery gained widespread recognition. However, it’s intriguing as to why he decided to part ways from the series. Starting with 1962’s “Dr. No,” Connery played the original 007 in six official franchise movies (plus the non-Eon produced film “Never Say Never Again” in 1983) spanning over two decades. Immediately following his debut, he made three sequels in a row, each one outperforming its predecessor at the box office. Once they reached this level of success, the filmmakers were eager to continue, but Connery was already planning his departure from the franchise.
Nowadays, it’s common knowledge that the James Bond role changes actors after several films, but have you ever wondered about the origins of this tradition? Here’s the reason behind Sean Connery’s decision to part ways with his iconic character.
Why Sean Connery Stopped Playing James Bond
Despite the success of the James Bond series, Sean Connery grew increasingly disenchanted with the franchise as it progressed. Reports suggested he felt fatigued from filming a fresh installment every year and wasn’t fond of the focus on Bond’s signature gadgets. Moreover, Connery disliked the demanding press tours required for each movie promotion. It shouldn’t surprise those who closely observe Hollywood franchises that Connery sought to depart; after playing the same role repeatedly for so long, he simply tired of being James Bond repeatedly and wanted a change. Acting offers the allure of tackling new roles, but Connery’s schedule was largely occupied by Bond duties.
During the planning stage of “You Only Live Twice,” Sean Connery initially considered declining the project. Finances played a role as well, with the actor believing he should receive a bigger cut of the profits from the James Bond films. However, he eventually accepted (with an increased salary), but emphasized that this would be his last appearance. During the production of “You Only Live Twice,” Connery publicly announced his intention to step down from the James Bond role, putting the franchise in a period of transition.
In a surprising turn of events in 1969’s “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” George Lazenby took over the role of Bond from Connery. Interestingly, this was Lazenby’s sole outing as 007, and he was subsequently replaced by none other than Sean Connery again. One might wonder why the original Bond decided to return after such a dramatic departure?
Why Sean Connery Returned for One More (Official) Bond Movie
Following Lazenby’s refusal of a deal for numerous Bond sequels, the role had to be recast anew for the movie that eventually became “Diamonds Are Forever” in 1971. Perhaps motivated by a wish to recover from the lackluster box office performance of “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”, United Artists president David Picker pushed for Connery’s return, regardless of cost. The original Bond actor eventually signed a contract worth $1.25 million (equivalent to over $10 million in 2025 inflation), which he utilized to establish the Scottish International Education Trust. To further entice him, United Artists also agreed to work with Connery on two non-Bond films.
In “Diamonds Are Forever,” the Bond series made a comeback, raking in $116 million at the box office. Producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman tried to persuade Sean Connery to reprise his role for more films, but he declined and sought new ventures instead. For the 1973 release “Live and Let Die,” they chose Roger Moore as Bond’s replacement, marking his debut in the series with seven subsequent appearances.
In 1983, Sean Connery made a comeback to portray Bond one last time in “Never Say Never Again,” a James Bond film not produced by Eon Productions. Following the completion of this movie, Connery continued his career with great success until his retirement in 2003, gracing the screens in beloved films like “The Untouchables” (for which he received an Oscar), “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” “The Hunt for Red October,” and “The Rock.
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2025-03-11 04:40