Sean Connery, the original James Bond, walked away from the iconic role after his fifth film, You Only Live Twice (1967), driven by a combination of boredom, frustration with the role's limitations, and escalating tensions with producers. The Scottish actor, who defined 007 for a generation, cited a lack of character development across the films and growing weariness with the intense fan attention that came with global stardom.
Harassment and Tensions on Set in Japan
While filming You Only Live Twice in Japan, Connery faced particularly intrusive fan behavior. According to reports at the time, a photographer followed him into a public bathroom, and he was repeatedly pursued by a stalker. These encounters left him furious and contributed to his decision to leave the role.
Relations with producers Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman also soured. The Telegraph reported that tensions became so severe that Connery would refuse to leave his trailer if Broccoli was on set. The actor was also unhappy with his salary, which eventually reached $750,000 plus 25% of merchandising profits.
Salary Dispute and Departure
Connery made it clear that if EON Productions wanted him back for a sixth Bond film, he demanded $1 million plus a percentage of the film's gross. The producers refused, recasting the role with Australian model George Lazenby for 1969's On Her Majesty's Secret Service. However, Lazenby quit after just one film, and Connery was later offered even more than his original demands to return for Diamonds Are Forever (1971).
You Only Live Twice airs on ITV1 at 3:15pm this Sunday.
