Why Is Sean Connery Such An Old Curmudgeon?

BIG TAM

If rumours are to believed, Sir Sean has snubbed this year's 50th Anniversary Bond celebrations. Why does he seem so antagonistic towards this franchise, the one which made his name? He bangs on about being denied profits, the producers, etc but all this moaning is starting to wear a little thin.

Compare this approach to Sir Roger, an actor derided by many for lampooning the franchise but who at least remains loyal to a series of films which helped propel him into the big time.

As much as I like Connery as an actor, such a churlish approach does him no favours as far as I'm concerned.

Higgins

Connery was a grumpey man even in his young age.

He always felt being used and cheated and he does feel that Bond owes everything to him and that he does not owe anything to Bond.

Part of his universe.

Napoleon Plural

It's not unheard of, when shedloads of money are flying around, to feel you want a bigger piece, to think in terms of what you're missing out on than what you're getting.

Anyway, Broccoli and Saltzman fell out with each other too.

Sir Rog does have a different attitude, but each to his own. Rog was never gonna make it as any other movie star or actor, Sean was a good actor and of course did other A-list films, albeit eventually.

BIG TAM

I'm interested by the notion of Roger Moore being limited in range & therefore precluded from other good roles. Along with Michael Caine, he actively courted the assassin role in THE DAY OF THE JACKAL. Fred Zinnemann discounted both, preferring the more unknown Edward Fox. It would be interesting to see how Moore's career may have moved on had he got the role. Released in 1973, it's doubtful he'd have had the chance to do LIVE & LET DIE. How different things may have turned out.

welshboy78

I think he has been drinking the same juice as Han Solo (Harrison Ford)

Blackleiter

From everything I have heard and read, Connery really does feel he was screwed out of a lot of money from the Bond series, justified or not, and he has never seemed to be able to let go of the bitterness. Not that he is anti-Bond (he did, after all, return to the role in NSNA), but he is definitely holding a grudge against EON.

Napoleon Plural wrote:

It's not unheard of, when shedloads of money are flying around, to feel you want a bigger piece, to think in terms of what you're missing out on than what you're getting.

Anyway, Broccoli and Saltzman fell out with each other too.

Sir Rog does have a different attitude, but each to his own. Rog was never gonna make it as any other movie star or actor, Sean was a good actor and of course did other A-list films, albeit eventually.

The Domino Effect

Roger Moore just seems to be pure class all around. He does regular autograph signings for his fans and donates all of the proceeds to charity. In fact, he always seems to be doing things for charity when others with considerably deeper pockets than his won't do anything without a mega-fee in place. On the other hand, it's very hard to think of a positive story about Connery. I have certainly enjoyed some of Connery's post-Bond films, but I very much doubt that he'd be the household name that he is had he not done Bond.

A friend of mine used to work for a major airline and carried Connery, Moore, Brosnan and Craig. He said that Moore, Brosnan and Craig couldn't have been nicer. He said that Moore was an absolute perfect gentleman in every way, Brosnan was very warm and friendly and Craig was shy but completely down to earth. Connery was none of these things, unfortunately. I don't like to judge people on one occasion because we all have our days and our moments, but his anecdotes do seem to match the general profile of the four of them.

GordoLeiter

i think Connery just wants nothing to do with the Bond franchise this time around. Out of all the Bond actors he's the only one that never shows up at anniversaries or tribute shows to the 007 franchise.

Higgins

The Domino Effect wrote:

Roger Moore just seems to be pure class all around.

That sums it up pretty well -{

Higgins

Blackleiter wrote:

(he did, after all, return to the role in NSNA), but he is definitely holding a grudge against EON.

I think, that the fact, that the movie was not from EON together with a huge paycheck made it easier for him.

And as EON = Bond, It's still save to say, that he did and does not want anything to do with Bond.

Mr Beech

He's always seemed a bit cold off-camera to me. I wish he was happy enough with his Bond fan support to support them back at this year's events, but it doesn't make me dislike him really. I don't know what it is like to be him or what is going on in his world, so I can't do much criticizing.

Kissy Suzuki

I think it's all down to the fact that he went bald at a relatively young age ... He probably holds Bond and EON responsible! B-)

Le Samourai

I've always thought Connery comes off as something of an ass, and, frankly, not too bright in interviews. There are his comments about slapping women, the unattractiveness of Japanese females, "bobbits," … and that's just off the top of my head.

Napoleon Plural

Odd, really, there was a time when Connery was the cred Bond, as an actor too, as he diversified and took things more seriously unlike the 'silly' Roger Moore films. He seemed to be the guy who had integrity, discernment and cool. Didn't suffer fools gladly mind, but you do get to meet an awful lot of fools if you're famous. They're the ones who push themselves forward.

SilentSpy

Le Samourai wrote:

I've always thought Connery comes off as something of an ass, and, frankly, not too bright in interviews. There are his comments about slapping women, the unattractiveness of Japanese females, "bobbits," … and that's just off the top of my head.

What are bobbits? I never heard Connery talk about Japanese women. Strange since he was in a movie with all those beautiful Japanese women. I've read about him feeling stiffed over Bond. Some people don't forget that. Maybe he's very private too. I recall Cary Grant saying something about how he wanted to be remembered as Cary Grant when he was getting older.

Napoleon Plural

It was in a press junket while filming YOLT at the height of Bond mania, he was asked if he found Japanese women attractive, he said no or something generally ill advised.

minigeff

Napoleon Plural wrote:

It was in a press junket while filming YOLT at the height of Bond mania, he was asked if he found Japanese women attractive, he said no or something generally ill advised.

think that's classed as 'doing a romney' aint it? )

Le Samourai

SilentSpy wrote:

Le Samourai wrote:

I've always thought Connery comes off as something of an ass, and, frankly, not too bright in interviews. There are his comments about slapping women, the unattractiveness of Japanese females, "bobbits," … and that's just off the top of my head.

What are bobbits? I never heard Connery talk about Japanese women. Strange since he was in a movie with all those beautiful Japanese women. I've read about him feeling stiffed over Bond. Some people don't forget that. Maybe he's very private too. I recall Cary Grant saying something about how he wanted to be remembered as Cary Grant when he was getting older.

Connery was approached to play Gandalf in Lord of the Rings, and went off in some interview about being confused by the script and kept making references to bobbits. While I certainly don't expect everyone to have read Tolkein, it seems like you would have to be living under a rock for the last 60 or so years to have never even have heard the term hobbit.

As for Japanese women, yes, it was on the press junket for YOLT.

Higgins

minigeff wrote:

think that's classed as 'doing a romney' aint it? )

Says AJB's King of Romneys.. 8-)

Mr Beech

I had heard about him passing on Gandalf because of the script being confusing. That said, I heard the main reason was actually because he didn't want to move to New Zealand for the 18-month film shoot.

MANDY1

As pointed out earlier Connery returned after 12yrs to make non-EON flick NSNA and as Markus stated it was probably the huge paycheck which made it easier, but what about FRWL videogame which he lend his voice for after being away from the franchise for over 20yrs ?:) Maybe the fact that Connery himself thought it was his best performance as 007 back in 1963? Huge paycheck? Any thoughts on this?

GordoLeiter

Teppo wrote:

As pointed out earlier Connery returned after 12yrs to make non-EON flick NSNA and as Markus stated it was probably the huge paycheck which made it easier, but what about FRWL videogame which he lend his voice for after being away from the franchise for over 20yrs ?:) Maybe the fact that Connery himself thought it was his best performance as 007 back in 1963? Huge paycheck? Any thoughts on this?

In an interview for the game he said that he thought video games were a great new form of entertainment, apparently he was enthusiastic about video games. Ive also figured it wouldnt make sence to have his likeness but someone else doing the voice.

Napoleon Plural

I wouldn't disagree with him about LoTR, it's just them going after the ring isn't it... Not a great plot imo. And who'd say Connery would be better than McKellan? Connery was just phoning it in then anyway. Plus he hates long shoots.

Blackleiter

More of Connery's thoughts on Bond:

"Connery came to the Bond franchise as a relative unknown, but the series launched him into superstardom. Although he left the role in 1967, to pursue other kinds of movies, he said of the part, "I never disliked Bond, as some have thought. Creating a character like that does take a certain craft. It's simply natural to seek other roles."

http://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-talk/sean-connery-became-james-bond-204900836.html

Teppo wrote:

As pointed out earlier Connery returned after 12yrs to make non-EON flick NSNA and as Markus stated it was probably the huge paycheck which made it easier, but what about FRWL videogame which he lend his voice for after being away from the franchise for over 20yrs ?:) Maybe the fact that Connery himself thought it was his best performance as 007 back in 1963? Huge paycheck? Any thoughts on this?

Le Samourai

Napoleon Plural wrote:

I wouldn't disagree with him about LoTR, it's just them going after the ring isn't it... Not a great plot imo. And who'd say Connery would be better than McKellan? Connery was just phoning it in then anyway. Plus he hates long shoots.

Actually, the heroes are trying to destroy the ring, not go after it. And the story is about far more than that. Though of course the films are nowhere near the complexity and depth of J.R.R. Tolkien's masterwork.

Mr Beech

Le Samourai wrote:

Napoleon Plural wrote:

I wouldn't disagree with him about LoTR, it's just them going after the ring isn't it... Not a great plot imo. And who'd say Connery would be better than McKellan? Connery was just phoning it in then anyway. Plus he hates long shoots.

Actually, the heroes are trying to destroy the ring, not go after it. And the story is about far more than that. Though of course the films are nowhere near the complexity and depth of J.R.R. Tolkien's masterwork.

They definitely didn't become classics for having "not a great plot". Very great books (and a great film trilogy) that are still discussed because they are well done.

I'm sure Connery knew of the series, but he may have specifically not felt a connected understanding between himself in the script (along with the idea of shooting for a year and a half in New Zealand).

Dutchfinger

The Domino Effect wrote:

A friend of mine used to work for a major airline and carried Connery, Moore, Brosnan and Craig. He said that Moore, Brosnan and Craig couldn't have been nicer. He said that Moore was an absolute perfect gentleman in every way, Brosnan was very warm and friendly and Craig was shy but completely down to earth. Connery was none of these things, unfortunately. I don't like to judge people on one occasion because we all have our days and our moments, but his anecdotes do seem to match the general profile of the four of them.

Holy ****! That must have been quite an expierence to carry four of the major Bond actors... But that raises a question. Why were the four Bond actors on a plane together anyway? Where were they going?

Moore Than

Dutchfinger wrote:

The Domino Effect wrote:

A friend of mine used to work for a major airline and carried Connery, Moore, Brosnan and Craig. He said that Moore, Brosnan and Craig couldn't have been nicer. He said that Moore was an absolute perfect gentleman in every way, Brosnan was very warm and friendly and Craig was shy but completely down to earth. Connery was none of these things, unfortunately. I don't like to judge people on one occasion because we all have our days and our moments, but his anecdotes do seem to match the general profile of the four of them.

Holy poo! That must have been quite an expierence to carry four of the major Bond actors... But that raises a question. Why were the four Bond actors on a plane together anyway? Where were they going?

I am almost certain you mis-understood what The Domino Effect meant. I believe he meant that his friend worked for an airline (as a pilot or steward?) and the four Bond actors were passengers on his plane. Passengers on separate occasions, not together at the same time.

Dutchfinger

Moore Than wrote:

I am almost certain you mis-understood what The Domino Effect meant. I believe he meant that his friend worked for an airline (as a pilot or steward?) and the four Bond actors were passengers on his plane. Passengers on separate occasions, not together at the same time.

I see, I did misunderstood, sorry about that...
But still, pretty cool to have carried them as passengers on separate occasions as well!

Tobias

Connery has said that FRWL is his favourite film and Roger's is TSWLM and New Zealand is quite a long way

Blood_Stone

I respect Sean Connery as an actor and he'll always be my 2nd favorite Bond, but the guy is a pissy jerk and comes off as one of those people who can't forget and forgive.

I can't stand actors who shun the characters that made them a star.