Sean Connery’s document deal to return as James Bond in Diamonds Are Forever

Jun 11, 2023 at 2:36 PM

Back in 1967, Sean Connery starred as James Bond in You Only Live Twice for what he thought could be the fifth and ultimate time.

The Scottish actor had develop into tired of the position and was dissatisfied along with his wage of $750,000 (virtually $7 million at the moment) with 25% of merchandise income. Announcing he would solely return for a sixth outing if paid $1 million ($9.2 million at the moment) plus field workplace income, producers refused and recast him.

Bond producers Albert R Broccoli and Harry Saltzman went with unknown Australian mannequin George Lazenby, who’d snuck into the 007 audition.

The 29-year-old starred in 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and was provided a contract for seven Bond films, however he turned all of it down.

Lazenby’s agent had persuaded him that the Bond franchise was dying out, with the Aussie even shifting away from 007’s clean-shaven picture by sporting a trendy beard and lengthy hair on the premiere. Having misplaced their new Bond, the producers began considering Americans actors from John Gavin and Clint Eastwood to Adam West and Burt Reynolds. However, the latter three stated Bond shouldn’t be performed by an American actor.

Next up, future Dumbledore Michael Gambon was thought-about however stated he was in horrible bodily form. So, in the long run, United Artists boss David Picker made it clear that Connery wanted to be introduced again, saying the cash was no object. As a end result, the Scottish star was enticed by a then-record $1.25 million wage ($9.5 million at the moment) to return for 1971’s Diamonds Are Forever. And to seal the deal on prime of that, United Artists additionally provided the 40-year-old two back-to-back films of his selection.

Connery ended up donating his $1.25 million price to ascertain the Scottish International Education Trust. The charity could possibly be utilized to by Scottish artists in want of funding with out having to go away their nation to pursue careers.

The first of Connery’s two ardour initiatives was 1973’s The Offence, directed by his pal Sidney Lumet. And the second was set to be William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, starring solely Scottish actors and with the previous Bond within the title position. However, Connery’s Macbeth was quickly deserted since Roman Polanski’s model was already in manufacturing.

Inspired by Goldfinger, the 007 producers introduced again director Guy Hamilton and Bond theme singer Shirley Bassey. Diamonds Are Forever was partly set in Las Vegas and was a field workplace hit making $116 million on a funds of simply $7.2 million.

Reviews have been optimistic however the movie has since been criticised for its tongue-in-cheek humour and camp model. Broccoli and Saltzman once more tried to steer Connery to return for 1973’s Live and Let Die however the star declined and former Bond contender Roger Moore was forged.