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Sean Connery Turns 80, Says He’ll Never Act Again!

Krystal Clark — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:48:46 +0000

It’s hard to believe but Sean Connery is celebrating a huge milestone today — he’s turning 80 years old. Did you ever think you’d see the day when James Bond would reach that age? For the past few years the veteran actor has been keeping a low profile by not appearing in any major films (with the exception of a few voiceover gigs). Even though you may miss his Scottish charm, you might have to cuddle up to his past works via DVD because Connery has no desire to act again. He’s throwing in the towel!

Connery has come up against several health issues, with the most recent being a fractured shoulder. He had surgery a few months ago and has been on the mend doing low-key activities like golf and swimming. Even though he’s slowly but surely getting back to his old self, he doesn’t want to return to the big screen. He wants to enjoy what he’s accomplished and leave acting in his past.

“I don’t think I’ll ever act again,” he said. “I have so many wonderful memories but these days are over.

This means that rumor that he might pop up in the next Indiana Jones film is false. If they really want Indy’s dad involved they may have to CGI him in because Connery’s living the good life. The good, retired life!

What do you think of Connery leaving the business? What is your favorite Connery film?

Source: Scotsman

Sneak Peek from Sean Connery’s Animation ‘Sir Billi!’

Mali Elfman — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 19:57:59 +0000

007 is back! And animated! And producing! We were just sent some of the first footage of Sir Billi!, a new animation film that stars Sir Sean Connery who at the age of 79 will not only be starring in the film (and making it much more than a “little” animation) but also acting as executive producer on the movie. There’s not surprise that the film has a voice-cast of strong Scottish actors such as Alan Cumming (who is not very well introduced in the trailer below, but I’m sure gives an impressive performance), Alex Norton, Ford Kiernan, Greg Hemphill and Ruby Wax.

Watch the three minute clips of them racing thru the Scottish countryside to save a beaver below!

Believe it or not this is Connery’s first time that he’s ever lent his voice to an animation. It’s hard to believe he’s saved his voice for so long, seeing as he has one of the most recognizable voices there is — apparently he was waiting for old-fashioned animations to come back into style, then have them be about his home town, and one that he could produce and hire only Scottish actors. Only a few specifications in there… None of which Hollywood would be too pleased with!

Academy Award nominated Scottish composer Patrick Doyle, who worked on Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Sense and Sensibility, wrote the score for the film and also lent his voice to the film.

Seems like it’s all Scottish all the time!

What do you think of the clip?

Henry Jones to Appear in Indiana Jones 5?

Krystal Clark — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:44:27 +0000

Is it possible that Sean Connery will return to the Indiana Jones series as Prof. Henry Jones? Sorry to spoil this for those of you who haven’t watched the last film, but his character is supposed to be dead or at least that’s what we think. Now, reports have surfaced via Ireland Online, that Indy’s dad is set to make a return to the franchise. A close source to Steven Spielberg and George Lucas has spilled the beans on Papa Jones’ involvement in the next installment.

A source said: “Steven Spielberg has been working on a script with George Lucas and there is an element of the story that could see Sean returning. Anything is possible in these movies and if Sean wants to return he will become central to the new story. The story for the new ‘Indiana Jones’ is in the process of taking form. Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and myself are agreed on what the fifth adventure will concern, and George is actively at work.”

From what I’ve heard, Connery was asked to reprise his role in The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull but he declined. The actor’s last feature role was 2003′s League of Extraordinary Gentleman, and since then he’s been unofficially retired from the movie business. Connery is knocking on 80 years old, and may not want to jump back into the action adventure film world.

On another note, just because they said Indy’s father could return, doesn’t mean their necessarily talking about Connery’s version. After the last film, we’ve noticed that this series has no problem delving into heavy sci-fi fantasy themes, therefore a younger Henry Jones could be represented by a different actor. They could go back in time, or be just be lazy and do flashbacks. The possibilities are endless!

What do you think about Henry Jones reappearing in Indiana Jones 5?

The Forgotten Bond: David Niven

Julio Gagne — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:16:58 +0000

Did you realize that the Daniel Craig, Bond reboot, “Casino Royale” is the THIRD version of Iam Fleming’s kick-off Bond novel? The first is an oddball entry, though technically the first time Bond was filmed. That was back in 1954 on American television when CBS aired a one hour episode of “Climax!” their weekly suspense show. However, for this, the first ever filming of a James Bond story, Bond was portrayed NOT as a British Secret Service agent, but one from the CIA! Felix, his CIA compadre in so many films was the Brit instead. Holy through the looking glass, Batman! For you trivia types, Peter Lorre played Le Chiffre in this early, b&w, TV version.

Okay, but David Niven. Before the first real Bond movie began filming, Ian Fleming stated to EON productions (the group that has produced the “official” Bond movies) that he preferred him to Sean Connery. Alas, it was not to be for Sir David and the part went to the Scotsman. However, in 1967, Niven had the last laugh, playing James Bond in a parody version of the spy films. Five, count them, FIVE directors worked to make this erratic mess of a psychedelic comedy. Along with Niven you have John Huston, William Holden, Peter Sellers, Orson Welles, Ursula Andress (a Bond girl!), Woody Allen and Charles Boyer hamming up the screen. The plot barely makes sense, but somewhere in there is the bare bones of arms deals and gambling and…I can’t begin to describe the weirdness of this film, but maybe the trailer will give you an idea. Enjoy the perky Burt Bacharach / Herb Alpert soundtrack goodness:

Economic Downturn? Invest in Bonds!

Julio Gagne — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:27:26 +0000

More dependable than your 401k, this coming Friday, James Bond returns for his 23rd adventure in “Quantum of Solace”. It’s been well reviewed so far with a positive tomatometer, should lead the box office this weekend and has already broken box office records in the UK. Initially most were skeptical that Daniel Craig would prove a fitting heir to the Bond throne, but the popularity and boffo revenues from “Casino Royale” has put that skepticism to rest. However, how does Craig’s reboot of the venerable series compare to the others on an economic basis? Or to put it another way, which Bond gives more bang for the buck?

Now, everyone has their favorite Bond. Some prefer the original Connery, some the tongue in cheek Moore and many these days (my wife included) the chiseled, hard ass, Craig. But acting and looks is one thing and money another. To compare them economically I first updated the US grosses of all their films to 2008 dollars and then averaged for Connery films, Moore films, etc… Looking at things that way, the very respectable $167 MM ($179 MM in 2008 dollars) of “Casino Royale” only comes in seventh on the list behind such classics as “Goldfinger” and “Thuderball” but also such dogs as “Moonraker”. Doing the math, Connery is the champ with a per film average of $244 MM followed by Craig with $179 MM, granted for only one film. To beat Connery, QofS will have to gross $310 MM which seems highly unlikely. Check out the chart for all the Bonds’ returns.

If you are a Timothy Dalton fan, I’m very sorry.

And here’s how the films’ US box office come out in 2008 dollars.

Thunderball – Connery – $436 MM
Goldfinger – Connery – $356 MM
You Only Live Twice – Connery – $279 MM
Diamonds are Forever – Connery – $234 MM
Moonraker – Moore – $209 MM
Die Another Day – Brosnan – $193 MM
Casino Royale – Craig – $179 MM
From Russia With Love – Connery – $173 MM
Live and Let Die – Moore – $172 MM
Tomorrow Never Dies – Brosnan – $168 MM
The Spy Who Loved Me – Moore – $167 MM
The World is Not Enough – Brosnan – $164 MM
Goldeneye – Brosnan – $151 MM
Octopussy – Moore – $147 MM
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service – Lazenby – $134 MM
For Your Eyes Only – Moore – $130 MM
Never Say Never Again – Moore – $120 MM
Dr. No – Moore – $113 MM
A View to a Kill – $101 MM
The Living Daylights – Dalton – $97 MM
The Man With the Golden Gun – $92 MM
License to Kill – Dalton – $60 MM

Poll: Who is Your Favorite Bond?

Mali Elfman — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:51:58 +0000

Let the Bond week begin! In celebration of the upcoming film Quantum of Solace, we’re beginning Bond week, with new Bond posts every day.

Today we start broad by asking a very simple, and yet complex question…

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

ScreenCrave.com » sean connery

Sean Connery Turns 80, Says He’ll Never Act Again!

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