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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sean Connery as 007: 12 Behind the Scenes Images of Bond at His Best
Here are 12 behind the scenes photos of Sean Connery — the first and best James Bond, aka 007 — to appear in films. From his debut in Dr. No to his surprise return in Never Say Never Again, Connery personified Ian Fleming's dashing, wry super secret agent and set the standard for all James Bond actors to come. Here are the behind the scenes images of Sean Connery's 007. Related Headlines Lisa Dahl: Blessed by Grace Recounts a Mother's Journey From Tragedy to Nourishing Others To Make 'Toots,' My Sensitive Film About Aging, I Needed the Perfect Fart Noise 11 Shameless 2000s Comedies That Just Don't Care If You're Offended A Working-Class Spy Nicholas Shakespeare's excellent new biography Ian Fleming: The Complete Man investigates the author who created James Bond — but also recounts the casting of Sean Connery in the role. Shakespeare notes: "Connery's background – naval boxer, lifeguard, art class model – was a marketable asset. He was brought up in a Scottish slum, like Ian's grandfather. His father was a truck driver, his mother a cleaning lady." He adds: "Among choice biographical details: He had delivered milk to Bond's second school Fettes, and acted at the Oxford Playhouse as an aristocratic diplomat in Pirandello's Naked. Above, that's Fleming, left, with Connery, right, on the set of the first Bond movie, 1962's Dr. No. The Right Man for the Job? Shakespeare's book notes that according to Fleming's film agent, Robert Fenn, Fleming was initially shocked because Connery "couldn't speak the Queen's English. Fleming said, 'He's not my idea of Bond at all, I just want an elegant man, not this roughneck.'' Later, according to the book, Fleming would call Connery an 'over-developed stuntman' and wonder if he had 'the social graces' to play his hero. Above, Connery is fitted for 1962's From Russia With Love. License to Kill Fleming, obviously, needed a woman's perspective. His friend Ivar Bryce's cousin, Janet Milford Haven, was known as a good judge of people — and men — and offered her input after a lunch with Fleming and Connery. Her opinion of Connery? 'I said, 'I think that fellow is divine. He's not too good-looking, he looks masculine, he looks like a proper man and one that would be used to that life. He looks like he is very clever, he looks like he would know how to do everything, who could kill,'' said Haven, according to Shakespeare's book. Above: Connery and Shirley Eaton in Goldfinger. A Real Charmer Shakespeare writes that Fleming finally became convinced that Connery was the right Bond, writing to his muse and mistress, Blanche Blackwell: 'the man they have chosen for Bond, Sean Connery, is a real charmer – fairly unknown but a good actor with the right looks and physique.' Above: Sean Connery with Ursula Andress and Fleming in a publicity image for Dr. No. Athleticism Whether or not he was an "over-developed stuntman," Connery's athleticism was a key component of his success as 007. Above, he cavorts on a Jamaican beach with Ursula Andress, who played Honey Ryder in Dr. No. Here are 13 Behind the Scenes Images of Ursula Andress in Dr. No. Chemistry His chemistry with Andress on Dr. No was a huge part of the first Bond film's success, and would provide a template for Bond's dynamics with legions of future "Bond girls." The chemistry came through even though Andress' voice was dubbed for the role. (Andress' languages include French, German, and Italian, but her English was accented.) "He was very protective towards me, he was adorable, fantastic," Andress said in a 2020 interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera after Connery's death at 90. "He adored women, He was undoubtedly very much a man.'' Friends Andress, who was married to John Derek while making Dr. No, added of Connery in the Corriere della Sera interview: 'We spent many evenings together and he would invite me everywhere, Monte Carlo, London, New York, from when we met until now we always remained friends. Friends, friends.'" Good as Gold Connery played Bond in seven films in all. What's the best? For our money, it's 1964's Goldfinger, in which Connery starred opposite Honor Blackman as Pussy Galore. Above, they rehearse an infamous scene that, let's admit, has aged badly. Here Are 12 Behind the Scenes Images From Goldfinger. Shakespeare While later Bond actors would lean into the campier aspects of the character, Connery played him seriously. He once said that 'portraying Bond is just as serious as playing Macbeth on stage,' according to Shakespeare. (Ian, not William.) Above: Connery enjoys some downtime on the set of 1965's Thunderball. Buoyant Despite his serious approach to the role, Connery had just the right mix of seriousness and levity to play the deadly superspy who treats everything like a game. That's him behind the scenes of Thunderball with Claudine Auger, who played Domino. Also Read: All 007 Bond Actors, Ranked Of Course Given the technology of the time, sometimes Connery was forced into Roger Moore levels of silliness. That's him behind the scenes of 1967's You Only Live Twice, above. It only adds to the charm. Forever Sean Connery left the Bond franchise after You Only Live Twice, and George Lazenby took over for 1969's On Her Majesty's Secret Service, perhaps the most tragic of all Bond movies, given its bummer ending. But Connery returned for 1971's Diamonds Are Forever. Above, he shares a laugh on the Diamonds Are Forever set with Jill St. John. Never Say Never? That was it for Sean Connery as James Bond — until 1984, when he was lured back one last time. 1983's Never Say Never Again was a reference to Connery's 1971 quote that he would never again play Bond. Like Thunderball, it is based on Ian Fleming's Thunderball — yes, that's right. Is it a remake? Kind of, but it's updated with Bond frequently referencing his advancing years. (Connery was 52 at the time of filming, and would live for another 38 years.) Never Say Never Again was released by Warner Bros. rather than the usual Bond distributor, United Artists, because of a completed rights dispute we don't have to get into here. Above, Connery waits in the water with Kim Basinger, the new Domino. Liked These Behind the Scene Photos of Sean Connery as the First James Bond, Agent 007? We bet you'll also like these Behind the Scenes Images of Goldfinger, and this excerpt from Nicholas Shakespeare's aforementioned — and excellent — Ian Fleming, The Complete Man. Main image: Sean Connery and Ursula Andress in a promotional image for Goldfinger. United Artists. Related Headlines Lisa Dahl: Blessed by Grace Recounts a Mother's Journey From Tragedy to Nourishing Others To Make 'Toots,' My Sensitive Film About Aging, I Needed the Perfect Fart Noise 11 Shameless 2000s Comedies That Just Don't Care If You're Offended Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Yes, Josh Brolin's Dad Almost Replaced James Bond During a Pivotal Franchise Moment
In 1983, moviegoers were treated to the bizarre moment in which two James Bond movies were, briefly, pitted against each other. Sean Connery returned as 007 for the unofficial non-canonical Bond outing Never Say Never Again, while Roger Moore was back as Bond in his sixth Bond film, Octopussy. But, in some alternate dimension, Moore was replaced by an American actor as Bond, James Brolin. This 007 factoid, long-known to Bond aficionados, has recently resurfaced as James Brolin, father of actor Josh Brolin, recently gave a new interview to People, published on July 12. "He [Roger Moore] was out, so I flew over and I met all the people. And I got my apartment and I started working with the stuntmen and Cubby Broccoli hired me."Brolin is referring to Albert "Cubby" Broccoli, longtime Bond producer and father of Barbara Broccoli, who, earlier this year, handed the keys to the Bond kingdom over to Amazon/MGM. But, back in 1982, in pre-production for Octopussy, Moore had decided to leave the role, and thus, EON (the Bond production company) had to hire a new 007. "We hadn't signed any papers yet," Brolin explains to People. Meaning, when Moore changed his mind, the deal fell through. Had history gone another way, Brolin's Bond would have had to face Connery at the box office. Instead, starting in 1983, Brolin starred in the leading role of Peter McDermott in the popular TV series, Hotel. Had Brolin been hired, he would not have been the first American Bond. In 1954, a TV version of Casino Royale featured an American James Bond played by Barry Nelson. Would Brolin have made a good Bond? Screen tests of him in the role have been circulating for years. You can watch one rough fight scene from his never-made version of Octopussy below, courtesy of 007 Magazine. Yes, Josh Brolin's Dad Almost Replaced James Bond During a Pivotal Franchise Moment first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 13, 2025
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The James Bond hotel at the centre of a spy battle with China
The white sands and spacious lobby of the British Colonial Hotel in Nassau have twice provided a sumptuous backdrop for James Bond. Now the iconic hotel is at the centre of a real-life espionage battle as China buys up property and land in the Bahamas, barely 50 miles from the Florida coastline. China had spent the past two decades mixing economics with geopolitics in the Caribbean, giving it the perfect platform to spy on American space launches, the US embassy, and an underwater warfare facility, said Rear-Adm Peter Brown, former Homeland Security adviser to president Donald Trump. 'The unique geography of the Bahamas poses a special opportunity to the United States, but it also creates risk if the People's Republic of China takes over the best friend role to the government of the Bahamas,' he said. The Trump administration has taken notice. It sent a warning recently to Caribbean governments to avoid deals that could be exploited by the Chinese Communist Party. Nowhere is the potential risk more obvious than the British Colonial Hotel, said Adm Brown. At 100 years old, it is a Nassau landmark. It was popular with the Duke of Windsor and his wife Wallis Simpson during the Second World War when he was appointed governor of the Bahamas, in part to keep their suspected Nazi sympathies as far from Europe as possible. If its old world charm and glamorous soirees were good enough for exiled members of the Royal Family, then it was certainly good enough for the very suavest of MI6 agents. The hotel was dressed up as a casino for the 1965 movie Thunderball, and was used in scenes where Sean Connery took on eyepatch-wearing Emilia Largo at baccarat. Connery returned to the hotel for 1983's Never Say Never Again. Its private beach was where Fatima Blush, played by Barbara Carrera, waterskis into Bond's arms. It has been owned by the China State Construction Engineering Corporation since 2014. Rear Adm Brown said its position, just around the corner from the US embassy, gave it huge strategic importance. 'The hotel kind of commands the high ground with its upper floor, so the ability to electronically surveil not only the embassy itself, but also the people coming and going to and from the embassy and neighbouring businesses, means that diplomatic or governmental interests of the United States are vulnerable,' he said. The 700 or so islands of the Bahamas are best known to Americans for their golden sands and cocktail spots. But they occupy a key strategic location on the western edge of the Caribbean. China hawks have long warned that Washington has missed a trick, allowing Beijing to build favour, particularly with aid, grants and investment in the wake of 2019's devastating Hurricane Dorian. The list of Chinese interests is extensive. Beijing provided a $40 million grant for construction of a national stadium in 2012. The state-owned China Export-Import Bank poured $2.5 billion into the Baha Mar resort and casino — with its 2200 rooms and more than 9000 square metres of gaming space. A $3 billion megaport was built with Chinese money and is operated by a Hong Kong-based company. It all gives China a ringside seat at US space launches in Florida, said Adm Brown, as well as the US Navy's Atlantic Underwater Testing and Evaluation Center, where submarine captains and crews are put through their paces between three islands of the Bahamas in an area known as the 'Tongue of the Ocean.' 'It has for decades been an important site for us, with submarine and anti-submarine warfare testing, and Chinese entities have purchased properties, including entire islands, in the vicinity of the Tongue of the Ocean,' he said. The move has not been lost on Washington. Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, met prime ministers from seven Caribbean nations earlier this month to warn of the dangers. 'Secretary Rubio urged our partners to make responsible, transparent decisions when selecting vendors and contractors for critical infrastructure projects, ensuring they are not vulnerable to privacy and security risks and exploitation by malign actors like the Chinese Communist Party,' said Tammy Bruce, his spokeswoman. American officials say cooperation with Caribbean nations help secure the nation's maritime border, as well as tackle drug and people smugglers. And although Chinese investments might not be made with hostile intent to the US, they could be used for multiple purposes in times of conflict. 'China's predatory tactics have left many countries with excessive debt, undermining their development, stability, and sovereignty,' said a State Department spokesman. 'We will continue to work with The Bahamas and other Caribbean nations to ensure they are aware of the risks associated with accepting Chinese investments.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
The James Bond film that shot Sean Connery to fame is airing on TV tonight
Sean Connery played the iconic role of James Bond from 1962 to 1983 - and ITV are taking it all the way back to beginning as they air the movie that shot him to fame tonight The movie that shot James Bond legend Sean Connery to fame is airing on TV tonight (Friday, May 23). The legendary actor was the first actor to play the famous role of James Bond in 1962 - leading the role in seven films in the world famous franchise. Connery originated the role of 007 in 1962's Dr. No, and then went on to star in fan favourite, From Russia with Love just a year later. After a break following Diamonds Are Forever in 1971, the star's final movie was Never Say Never Again in 1983. To this day, there has been a total of 27 James Bond films and seven actors. Fans could argue forever about the best film in the series - but there's always something special about the first. ITV will be taking fans all the way back to the start tonight, as they air Dr. No. The blockbuster will be broadcast on ITV1 at 10.45pm, straight after the ITV News at 10. Due to adverts, the two hour film will wrap up at 12:35 am. In the film that spawned the world's most famous franchise, British Secret Service agent James Bond is sent to Jamaica on a mission to investigate the recent murder of a fellow operative. The mysterious murder seems to have a connection to a series of recent failures in the U.S. space program. His investigation leads him to evil genius Dr. Julius No, who is planning to disrupt an early American space launch from Cape Canaveral. The film grossed $59.5 million at the box office worldwide and paved the way for all future Bond films. Sean was 32 years old when he debuted as James Bond and was 53 during his final stint in Never Say Never. James first left the movies in after five movies and decided he was done with the 007 role. However, he later returned for two more before bowing out for good. By the end of Sean's fifth movie, You Only Live Twice, it was said that he grew tired of the role, and didn't want to be typecast in later role. Following his exit from the franchise, Sean went on to star in in films including Marnie, The Hill, and The Man Who Would Be King. Sean died in October 2020 at the age of 90. The star died peacefully in his sleep in the Bahamas, having been "unwell for some time", his son said.
Daily Record
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Sir Sean Connery's incredible French Riviera Bond mansion on market for £20m
Sir Sean Connery 's former mansion in the French Riviera has gone on the market for £20 million. The late James Bond icon lived in the property on the C te d'Azur near Nice with his wife, Micheline Roquebrune, a painter from the area, whom he met in the 1970s. The 1920s Villa Le Roc Fleuri is set on a hillside over six storeys and overlooks the port of Nice. The 10,000 sq ft five bedroom property was previously put up for sale in 2020 for £26.7 million but the owners later took it off the market after it failed to find a buyer. The Scots star, who died aged 90 at his home in the Bahamas in October 2020, lived in the house with his wife - who he married in 1975 - in the 1970s and 1980s. It even featured in the Edinburgh-born actor's last outing as 007 in 1983's Never Say Never Again and neighbours still refer to it as "the Bond villa". The home includes an indoor infinity pool, a landscaped terraced garden with another swimming pool, a spa, gym, wine cellar, suites and two guest villas, writes Press Team. Chuck McKee, sales agent at Savills, said: "Roc Fleuri is undoubtedly the most desirable property in Nice right now and always has been - the sheer size and proportions of the villa, its rich history and the location just above the waterline puts it in a category of its own." A sales brochure for the property reads: "Step inside the legendary former French Riviera home of Sir Sean Connery, where cinematic history meets timeless architecture and appeal. "Welcome to Roc Fleuri, with gardens stretching down to the shimmering coastline high above the shimmering coastline of Nice, this historic Belle poque villa, blends timeless French elegance with the mystique of a Hollywood great. "Featuring sweeping views over the city and Mediterranean, extensive accommodation, a luxurious spa, pool and gym, in addition to stunning grounds and guest accommodation, this property is as unforgettable as 007 himself." The home also boasts a grand reception, mosaic tiled flooring, floor to ceiling windows and a roof terrace which offers "the most spectacular view available in Nice". There is also a lift, a television room, a home office, a walk-in dressing room and parking for five cars. Oscar-winner Connery died peacefully in his sleep at home following a battle with dementia. Connery's close friend opened up on the famed Scots actor's final days in a new book. Brendan Lynch visited the original James Bond star regularly before he passed away. He was one of the few people who spent time with the legendary actor ahead of his death and sat by his bedside, after the star's wife Micheline Roquebrune asked him to drop in "as much as possible" in the hope it would spark some familiarity. Lynch shared his heartbreaking memories of the final days as he said: "I was crying at times to see this mountain of a man — this monumental human achievement in such a terrible state — frail (mentally and physically) unable to carry on a conversation or finish off a sentence. 'To see his body weak and flawed at the end… it was very sad. We tried to have a conversation. I tried to tell him what was going on in the sporting world, despite knowing that he wasn't actually taking it all in.'
