Why Sean Connery returned to play James Bond one last time in 1983
In short: After vowing he would never again play the iconic spy, Sean Connery returned to the role in 1983 for a film produced outside the official Eon Productions series. The title of this rogue entry was suggested by his wife, Micheline, directly referencing his earlier, definitive declaration of retirement.
The 1983 film Never Say Never Again was the result of a decades-long legal battle over the rights to Ian Fleming's 1961 novel, Thunderball. Producer Kevin McClory, who had co-written the original story with Fleming and Jack Whittingham, retained the rights to the material after a 1963 court settlement. While Eon Productions had adapted the story in 1965, McClory eventually sought to produce his own version, leading to years of litigation that restricted his ability to use certain Bond trademarks, such as the famous gun barrel sequence or the iconic theme music.
Sean Connery, who had last played Bond in 1971's Diamonds Are Forever, was initially hesitant to return. He only agreed to the project after producer Jack Schwartzman became involved in 1980 and secured the necessary legal clearances. Connery negotiated a $3 million fee, script approval, and a share of the profits. At 52, Connery was older than his contemporary Eon replacement, Roger Moore, a fact the script leaned into by depicting an aging, disillusioned agent. The production was notoriously difficult, with Connery later describing the experience as a 'Mickey Mouse operation' due to budget issues and internal tensions.
The film's development was marked by constant script revisions. Writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais were hired by Connery to rewrite the screenplay during production, often changing scenes daily. Despite the chaotic process, the film was a commercial success, grossing $160 million. However, it faced stiff competition from the Eon-produced Octopussy, released the same year. Retrospective critical reception has remained mixed, with many viewing it as a weaker entry in the broader Bond canon, though it remains a unique artifact of a time when the franchise's ownership was fiercely contested.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Never Say Never Again
- Also: Wikidata — Never Say Never Again · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Never Say Never Again · CC0
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