50 replies to this topic

[jamie00007]

It's just kind of sad that now that he's retired and no longer needs to be concerned with Bond over-shadowing his career he hasnt come to embrace Bond. It is after all going to be his real legacy and it is what made him. I totally understand why actors want to separate themselves from being known for any one role whilst they're working. It must have annoyed him when people keep asking about Bond instead of whatever movies he was doing later in his career. Its like musicians who go solo and dont want to talk about a band they were in 20 years ago for their whole life. But usually when actors and musicians reach that point in their life they come to embrace that early work and accept that that is what they're going to be remembered for. Like Paul McCartney who spent 30 years trying to ignore the Beatles existance and now plays Beatles songs and gets involved in Beatles things like the recent Remasters and the Rock Band game.

At his age its understandable if he doesnt want to travel to an Anniversary event or get caught up in it, but it would be nice if he made some contribution like doing an interview from his home or something like that. Sadly its probably going to be his last opportunity to make peace with Bond.

[Safari Suit]

He was interviewed for that South Bank Show when QOS came out wasn't he?

[Loomis]

Yes, Connery blames EON for many things, including fates that seem to have befallen him.

And credits them with absolutely nothing....

Surely Connery must realise that in snubbing events like this one, whatever it is, he isn't sticking it to Eon - he's sticking it to the fans.

Mind you, didn't he participate in that FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE video game of four or five years ago?

[Zorin Industries]

Yes... and took the cheque. I think this is a non story that may end up being mirrored for real in times to come but it is far too early to throw scorn at Connery for this one. I doubt he has even been approached by anyone. Why on earth would such an event/s be sorted right now?

[baerrtt]

Connery was interviewed about Bond on ITV during the series' 25th anniversary, was interviewed by the SOUTH BANK SHOW when QOS was released, hell showed up to visit Brosnan during the making of TWINE etc. The guy certainly doesn't mind talking about the character and films that gave him his stardom.

[JimmyBond]

Too early to comment on Connery's supposed snubbing. But if this talk of having a round table discussion with all the Bond actors is true. It's a dream come true for me then! I posted a thread about this a while back wishing that such a thing would occur.

It would be awesome seeing all six guys sitting around a table (perhaps with a mediator) just talking about the role for an hour or two. And you know what, while it will be disappointing if true, if Connery doesn't attend it will still be really neat seeing the other five guys talking about Bond as well.

And who knows, maybe they can hire Darrel Hammond to show up and play Connery for the day

[Kreivi von Glödä]

Connery was interviewed about Bond on ITV during the series' 25th anniversary, was interviewed by the SOUTH BANK SHOW when QOS was released, hell showed up to visit Brosnan during the making of TWINE etc. The guy certainly doesn't mind talking about the character and films that gave him his stardom.

I think that ol´ Seanery has come to terms with his past as Bond and - he was interviewed for that South Bank show and I didn´t detect much if any bitterness there. And he did FRWL video game... So I doubt that he hates Bond. I´d love that he´d be there with all the other actors, and we´ll see what happens - a taped greeting, etc. would be great too.
That South Bank show with Sir Sean made me a bit sad, he looked and sounded so old - sure, he´s getting there with age but since the man was nothing short of a demigod to me when I was a kid it was still sad to see that he´s aging... Guys like Sir Sean, Clint Eastwood and Christopher Lee should be eternal! When they´re gone whom do we have to look up to?

[Brian Flagg]

That South Bank show with Sir Sean made me a bit sad, he looked and sounded so old - sure, he´s getting there with age but since the man was nothing short of a demigod to me when I was a kid it was still sad to see that he´s aging... Guys like Sir Sean, Clint Eastwood and Christopher Lee should be eternal! When they´re gone whom do we have to look up to?

Welcome to CBn.

Hearing Sean's voice on that South Bank interview reminded me of how my own grandfather's voice sounded--minus the Scots inflections--in his later years. He was getting on in years, and there was also a "mellowing" of temperament that the voice indicated. I can't say that Sean will ever mellow, but based on comments in this thread, I'd surmise that he's completely at ease about his years as Bond. There have been plenty of triumphs along the way in the years since he left (and returned), so he's probably fine with talking about Bond. Someone like Moore has proven to be the definitive "007 Ambassador", so anyone else is going to look ambivalent by comparison!

As for looking up to cinematic heroes, these '60s and '70s performers have been my heroes my entire life, I don't see any reason to stop once they're gone; the work endures forever.

[Brooky]

What a miserable old git, if it wasn't for Bond I highly doubt any of us would even have heard of him.

I think RM and DC being there are a given, not sure about GL, TD & PB though.

[00 Brosnan]

Roger Moore and Craig will obviously be there. Not sure what Dalton's problem is though.

Brosnan, I don't know. I can see him eventually coming around and embracing his time as Bond, but I think it might be too soon right now. He just wants to move on and do other things at this point (like Connery). The guy is involved in numerous projects now and has had a more successful movie career outside of Bond than anyone other than Connery.

Side Note: Connery did voice Bond in EA's FRWL game a couple years ago and said he would "love" to do something like that again.

[iBond]

Side Note: Connery did voice Bond in EA's FRWL game a couple years ago and said he would "love" to do something like that again.

Exactly! That's what surprised me! But, I guess he would only be down for lending his voice and nothing else. I guess being seen in person is a whole other story for him. Who knows...

[jaguar007]

Keep in mind, The Digital Spy is the only news source that has even reported this event happening, therefore I would take the whole story (even the event actually happening) with a grain of salt.

[iBond]

But, I wouldn't be surprised if it were true since it is the 50th anniversary come next year. But yeah, anything is possible.

[jaguar007]

Connery retires from public appearances:
http://www.scotsman....t-80.6747972.jp

I'm retiring at 80 to spend more time on golf course, says Sir Sean Connery
Sean Connery is taking it easy having decided not to appear at a Scotland Week event
By Stephen McGinty

He has exchanged the bright glare of the spotlight for the cool shade of the clubhouse. After 50 years of red carpets and press conferences, Sir Sean Connery has confirmed he will no longer make official public appearances, however this does not exclude the golf course.

Yesterday Scotland's political leaders were united in their praise for his contribution and wished him well in the future.

The former James Bond actor had been expected to attend the Dressed to Kilt charity fashion show in New York on Tuesday night but pulled out.

The leader of the Labour Party Iain Gray last night said: "Sir Sean Connery distinguished himself as a world-famous actor and brought credit to Scotland for not only his performances but the manner in which he conducted himself in public life. We wish him will in stepping down from public engagements."

While Annabel Goldie, the leader of the Scottish Conservative Party said: "Sean Connery and James Bond have become inseparable iconic figures and Sir Sean is probably the best known Scottish and British actor of all time.

"If he has now decided to put his feet up and take things easier then I send him my best wishes and thank him for his magnificent contribution to cinema and to Scotland."

An SNP spokesperson said: "Sean is a great supporter of Scotland and the causes he believes in, and will continue to be so."

The 80-year-old failed to turn up at Dressed to Kilt, a key event of the Scotland Week programme in New York on Tuesday night, which led to speculation about his health. His publicist Nancy Seltzer said the actor was playing golf at his home in the Bahamas.

She said: "I've left word for Sean, who is on the golf course. He told me he wasn't attending and had retired from public appearances."

When asked specifically about his health by The Scotsman, Ms Seltzer replied: "Sean is in great health, mentally and physically. Thank you for asking. When he turned 80 he decided to retire from making public appearances. I do truly think he's earned the right to do so without speculation."

The actor had been expected to attend the event with his wife and his stepson, Stephane Connery and together they would have watched his granddaughter, Saskia Connery, 15, make her modelling debut. In the end Saskia Connery did not attend either as she had "an educational commitment".

Sir Sean is co-founder of the Friends of Scotland charity, which organises Dressed to Kilt. A source was yesterday quoted as saying: "Just earlier this week we had no doubt Sir Sean would be coming in his capacity as our honorary chairman. Then we got a call to say he wasn't coming. Apparently he's on the golf course.

He's made no secret of his passion for Dressed to Kilt over the years and his name was definitely on the guest list. It's all a bit odd."

Fears for the actor's health began last year when he cited an undisclosed health reason for missing a court hearing in Spain. He had been called to give evidence over the sale of a private villa, which was demolished to make way for flats valued at £45 million.

In 2003, it was reported that he had cataract operations on both eyes while in 2006 he had a kidney tumour removed. In 2009 he was diagnosed with a heart condition. Yet this did not prevent him from dancing on stage at last year's Edinburgh International Film Festival, where his 80th birthday was celebrated with a screening of his film, The Man Who Would Be King.

[scaramunga]

Connery Snub's Bond's 50th Anniversary

Predictable but disappointing.

Nobody does it better!!!

LOL!!

[Hotwinds]

Connery did participate on a Bond Special and commented that Danial Craig "really gets it" reffering to the danger element. That was around the Casino Royale timeframe.
It makes me feel better reading the post about retiring from the public app. etc.

Edited by Hotwinds, 21 April 2011 - 10:45 PM.

[J B]

I'm a fan of Sean Connery, but I don't exactly get him, either. It's pretty disappointing that he could not be any more enthusiastic or positive about his James Bond role, which in my opinion is the best.

[The Shark]

It's pretty disappointing that he could not be any more enthusiastic or positive about his James Bond role, which in my opinion is the best.

It's hard for fans like us to understand, but him it stemes from an entirely different perspective. From what he's said, time and time again, his Bond years weren't a happy chapter in his life. The media exposure, paparazzi, and the tight grip on his career that Broccoli and Salztman kept, helped end his first marriage to Diane Cilento.

It's hard for him to objective like us, when he lived through it all.

[jaguar007]

It's pretty disappointing that he could not be any more enthusiastic or positive about his James Bond role, which in my opinion is the best.

It's hard for fans like us to understand, but him it stemes from an entirely different perspective. From what he's said, time and time again, his Bond years weren't a happy chapter in his life. The media exposure, paparazzi, and the tight grip on his career that Broccoli and Salztman kept, helped end his first marriage to Diane Cilento.

It's hard for him to objective like us, when he lived through it all.

Very true. Yes, Bond made him a household name, but the guy has been in nearly 90 movies, only 7 of them were James Bond movies. Bond was only a decade of his 50 year career.

[Davy]

I don't think he's the sort to gush about ANY of his films. From interviews I've seen, he seems to prefer chatting about golf, Scotland and co-stars to the films themselves. Parkinson ried to get him to talk about The Hill in 2003 and Sir Sean cut him off. I would have liked to hear his thoughts on that film.

[Miles Miservy]

I don't mean to sound a morbid tone here, but to be fair to Sean, at 80 years of age, he's perhaps entitled to not want to plan TOO far ahead these days...

Roger Moore is older.