In /Film's ranking of every James Bond movie, we rightly placed "Casino Royale" in the number one spot. Of course, those confused on the subject will likely disagree with this ranking. After all, Daniel Craig's Bond wouldn't exist without Sean Connery's iconic portrayal of the super spy, right?
Connery established the Bond blueprint when he starred in the film that kicked off cinema's most enduring franchise, 1962's "Dr. No." But the Scottish star didn't actually have that high opinion of the literary Bond and took it upon himself to somewhat reinvent the spy's persona for the big screen. It's also worth noting that much of the suave sophistication we've come to associate with 007 didn't all come from Connery. In fact, we have director Terrence Young to thank for much of Bond's urbanity. The "Dr. No" filmmaker was, as Connery once put it, somewhat of a "bon vivant," and...
Connery established the Bond blueprint when he starred in the film that kicked off cinema's most enduring franchise, 1962's "Dr. No." But the Scottish star didn't actually have that high opinion of the literary Bond and took it upon himself to somewhat reinvent the spy's persona for the big screen. It's also worth noting that much of the suave sophistication we've come to associate with 007 didn't all come from Connery. In fact, we have director Terrence Young to thank for much of Bond's urbanity. The "Dr. No" filmmaker was, as Connery once put it, somewhat of a "bon vivant," and...
- 5/4/2024
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
With Daniel Craig bowing out after his James Bond was blasted into the afterlife at the end of 2023's "No Time to Die," the question of who will take on the iconic role next has been following the franchise for quite some time. In 2024, as our cultural norms shift and evolve, there's no reason why the super spy couldn't be played by anybody — maybe even, dare I suggest, a woman?
Prior to the release of "No Time to Die," the internet was abuzz with rumors that British actress Lashana Lynch would be the next 007. When the film arrived, it was revealed that Lynch's character, Nomi, did indeed inherit the codename from her predecessor. Later in the film, however, she requests that the title be given back to Bond, after which she takes on the codename 005. So, we didn't get a female Bond, but we sort of did for...
Prior to the release of "No Time to Die," the internet was abuzz with rumors that British actress Lashana Lynch would be the next 007. When the film arrived, it was revealed that Lynch's character, Nomi, did indeed inherit the codename from her predecessor. Later in the film, however, she requests that the title be given back to Bond, after which she takes on the codename 005. So, we didn't get a female Bond, but we sort of did for...
- 4/12/2024
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
Even before the final moments of No Time to Die made abundantly clear that a James Bond of the Daniel Craig variety would not return, people began wondering about the identity of the next 007. Eon Productions has not yet answered that question, despite rumors that Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been offered the part. Whoever ends up getting the honor to be the face of a new era of Bond, expectations are very high.
It’s a time honored tradition, one that goes all the way back before the first Eon Bond movie Dr. No released in 1962. While that movie, and especially its two follow-ups From Russia With Love (1963) and Goldfinger (1964), established Sean Connery as the Bond by which every other actor is now judged, the character’s creator, the novelist Ian Fleming, had something different in mind for his super spy. In fact, Fleming didn’t want Connery at all.
It’s a time honored tradition, one that goes all the way back before the first Eon Bond movie Dr. No released in 1962. While that movie, and especially its two follow-ups From Russia With Love (1963) and Goldfinger (1964), established Sean Connery as the Bond by which every other actor is now judged, the character’s creator, the novelist Ian Fleming, had something different in mind for his super spy. In fact, Fleming didn’t want Connery at all.
- 4/9/2024
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
When it comes to the Sean Connery James Bond movies, the highest praise is usually reserved for "Goldfinger" or "Dr. No." The latter was, of course, Bond's on-screen debut, while the former introduced so many of the trademarks we've come to expect from the franchise, it's arguably even more of a Bond blueprint than "Dr. No."
But while it might not be considered the greatest James Bond film, Connery's fourth outing in the tux, "Thunderball," is a significant entry in the saga. The fourth Bond movie made $141 million, making it the most successful Bond at the time — a title it retained (adjusting for inflation) until 2012's "Skyfall." "Thunderball" was also the last time director Terrence Young would oversee a 007 movie, having helped define the character's fashion sense, humor, and bon vivant persona with "Dr. No." But the fourth Bond outing is also significant for the behind-the-scenes controversy that accompanied it.
But while it might not be considered the greatest James Bond film, Connery's fourth outing in the tux, "Thunderball," is a significant entry in the saga. The fourth Bond movie made $141 million, making it the most successful Bond at the time — a title it retained (adjusting for inflation) until 2012's "Skyfall." "Thunderball" was also the last time director Terrence Young would oversee a 007 movie, having helped define the character's fashion sense, humor, and bon vivant persona with "Dr. No." But the fourth Bond outing is also significant for the behind-the-scenes controversy that accompanied it.
- 9/19/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
The James Bond saga is about as well-established a film franchise as you can get. But somewhere, there's an alternate timeline in which the first ever Bond movie was directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
Today, there's a lot of discussion surrounding whether or not Christopher Nolan will finally be given a crack the secret agent. Nolan certainly seems up for directing a 007 entry, and has been for quite some time. With the Daniel Craig era drawing to a divisive close in "No Time To Die," there's every chance the revered British filmmaker could bring his cerebral approach to the next Bond outing. Of course, that would require producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson allowing him the complete creative control he demands.
But this isn't the first time a highly-regarded British director with a penchant for meticulous oversight has been touted as the ideal filmmaker to take on England's greatest spy.
Today, there's a lot of discussion surrounding whether or not Christopher Nolan will finally be given a crack the secret agent. Nolan certainly seems up for directing a 007 entry, and has been for quite some time. With the Daniel Craig era drawing to a divisive close in "No Time To Die," there's every chance the revered British filmmaker could bring his cerebral approach to the next Bond outing. Of course, that would require producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson allowing him the complete creative control he demands.
But this isn't the first time a highly-regarded British director with a penchant for meticulous oversight has been touted as the ideal filmmaker to take on England's greatest spy.
- 9/3/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
There are few casting decisions in cinema history as important or impactful than that of Sean Connery as James Bond in "Dr. No." Ian Fleming's novels introduced us to the now-iconic MI6 spy 007, but it wasn't until 1962, when the first cinematic adaptation of those texts arrived, that the world at large came to know Bond, James Bond. Connery's casting is, perhaps, more than any other part of Terrence Young's seminal film, credited for its success. And even though Connery was a not terribly well-known actor at the time, he had a couple of demands that needed to be met before agreeing to take the part.
Published in 2015, Matthew Field and Ajay Chowdhury's book "Some Kind of Hero" chronicles the history of the "James Bond" films in great detail. In covering "Dr. No," the book contains an excerpt from an interview with Connery, who recalled how his journey as 007 began.
Published in 2015, Matthew Field and Ajay Chowdhury's book "Some Kind of Hero" chronicles the history of the "James Bond" films in great detail. In covering "Dr. No," the book contains an excerpt from an interview with Connery, who recalled how his journey as 007 began.
- 8/21/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Among James Bond movies, "Goldfinger" stands as the film that cemented 007's status as a global icon. Guy Hamilton's 1964 effort has since become known as the blueprint for all future Bond films, establishing longstanding tropes that still define the franchise today. A globe-spanning adventure, "Goldfinger" introduced that gadget-filled Aston Martin DB5 alongside legendary Bond girl Pussy Galore, played by the late Honor Blackman. Then there was that famous laser beam scene, in which Sean Connery's Bond is strapped to a table and forced to await an inexplicably slow death.
But it wasn't just gadgets and Bond girls with dodgy names that "Goldfinger" brought to the table. Richard Maibaum and Paul Dehn's script also introduced more subtle staples to the 007 saga, including an opening sequence seemingly unrelated to the film's main plot and a testy relationship between the titular spy and Desmond Llewelyn's Q that established the pair's dynamic going forward.
But it wasn't just gadgets and Bond girls with dodgy names that "Goldfinger" brought to the table. Richard Maibaum and Paul Dehn's script also introduced more subtle staples to the 007 saga, including an opening sequence seemingly unrelated to the film's main plot and a testy relationship between the titular spy and Desmond Llewelyn's Q that established the pair's dynamic going forward.
- 8/14/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
It's no secret that despite generally being seen as the ultimate on-screen James Bond, Sean Connery had a rocky relationship with the character that made his career. Landing the role of 007 proved to be a double-edged sword for the actor, who at various points has seemed to resent his association with the franchise. Most infamously, he was heard to remark -- per The Hollywood Reporter -- that he had "always hated that damn James Bond" and would "like to kill him."
Initially caught off-guard by the level of fame that came with portraying the English super-spy, Connery would, over time, soften on Bond. By the time IndieWire spoke to him in 2020, he was, as the outlet noted, "full of pride," when talking about his most famous role — emphasizing how the films' "refreshing" style resonated with audiences in the '60s. Bond's impeccable style, combined with his strength and wit made for an irresistible product.
Initially caught off-guard by the level of fame that came with portraying the English super-spy, Connery would, over time, soften on Bond. By the time IndieWire spoke to him in 2020, he was, as the outlet noted, "full of pride," when talking about his most famous role — emphasizing how the films' "refreshing" style resonated with audiences in the '60s. Bond's impeccable style, combined with his strength and wit made for an irresistible product.
- 3/12/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
With Daniel Craig bowing out as 007, we're all awaiting the announcement of a new James Bond. Taron Egerton might be out of the running, but there are still plenty of names doing the rounds as potential Craig replacements. Thus far, longtime Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have revealed little about their plans beyond confirming they're looking for a 10 to 12 year commitment from the new Bond actor. But by this point, whoever does take on the super-spy's mantle will have the pressure of trying to put a new spin on a character who's been a cultural mainstay for 60 years.
Back in 1962, however, when the first Bond movie, "Dr. No" debuted, audiences hadn't seen anything like Bond before. Neither had they seen an actor combine classic movie star sophistication with a more rough-edged demeanor in the way Sean Connery did. The leading man had taken the long road to acting,...
Back in 1962, however, when the first Bond movie, "Dr. No" debuted, audiences hadn't seen anything like Bond before. Neither had they seen an actor combine classic movie star sophistication with a more rough-edged demeanor in the way Sean Connery did. The leading man had taken the long road to acting,...
- 3/12/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
It’s an unusual sight for James Bond fans. Standing in a gloriously green Technicolor field by a California stream intended to pass for Ireland, Sean Connery cuts a more rugged approximation of Walt Disney masculinity, taking breaks between a swing of his scythe to sing, “She’s my dear, my darling one, my smilin’ and beguilin’ one, I love the ground she walks upon my darling Irish girl.”
To be charitable, Connery’s attempt at an Irish lilt was no more convincing in 1959’s Darby O’Gill and the Little People than it would be three decades later for his Oscar winning turn in The Untouchables. Nevertheless, there was something charming, beguiling even, about both performances, with the musical one proving strangely important to Connery getting the role of Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007.
That might be in large part because Dr. No producer Cubby Broccoli anticipated Fleming,...
To be charitable, Connery’s attempt at an Irish lilt was no more convincing in 1959’s Darby O’Gill and the Little People than it would be three decades later for his Oscar winning turn in The Untouchables. Nevertheless, there was something charming, beguiling even, about both performances, with the musical one proving strangely important to Connery getting the role of Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007.
That might be in large part because Dr. No producer Cubby Broccoli anticipated Fleming,...
- 11/2/2020
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.