Sean Connery’s ‘Never Say Never Again’ Nightmare: Why He Hated Making This Bond Movie

Sean Connery’s return to the iconic role of James Bond in Never Say Never Again should have been the perfect comeback for the actor, but instead, it turned into one of the most stressful and chaotic experiences of his career. Despite the star-studded cast, a respected director in Irvin Kershner, and the film’s high anticipation from fans, Connery later described the production as a “Hollywood mess” and openly admitted that he hated making the film.

A Troubled Return to Bond

By the time Connery agreed to reprise his role as 007 in Never Say Never Again in 1983, he had already left the official Bond franchise after Diamonds Are Forever in 1971. At that time, Connery was weary of the role and the intense media spotlight, frequently clashing with producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman.

However, Connery’s return for Never Say Never Again wasn’t part of the official Eon Productions Bond series. Instead, it was an independent remake of Thunderball, stemming from a long-running legal dispute between Ian Fleming and Irish screenwriter-producer Kevin McClory. In the 1950s, McClory had collaborated with Fleming on an original Bond screenplay, which ultimately served as the basis for Fleming’s Thunderball novel. After a legal battle, McClory was granted the rights to the story, allowing him to remake the film after a set number of years. This legal dispute led to what the public dubbed the “Battle of the Bonds,” as McClory’s independent production would go head-to-head with the official Bond film, Octopussy, starring Roger Moore.

Connery, intrigued by the prospect of revisiting his iconic role, agreed to return under the condition that he would have significant creative input, including script and casting approval. Unfortunately, what should have been a smooth production quickly became a turbulent and frustrating experience.

A Chaotic Production

What Connery had envisioned as a smooth and collaborative process quickly spiraled into chaos. Despite the involvement of experienced professionals, including director Irvin Kershner, the production was riddled with problems. In interviews, Connery described the making of Never Say Never Again as “so much incompetence, ineptitude, and dissension” that the film “could have disintegrated.” The actor found himself thrust into a much more hands-on role than he anticipated, managing everything from production delays to conflicts between cast and crew. Connery himself admitted, “I ended up getting in the middle of every decision. The assistant director and myself really produced the picture.”

The set tensions were exacerbated by poor communication and lack of cohesion between departments, which took a toll on both morale and efficiency. From the beginning, Never Say Never Again was embroiled in legal drama. Eon Productions attempted to block the film, arguing that it would damage the official Bond franchise. However, McClory’s legal rights to the Thunderball story allowed the film to proceed, ultimately leading to the two Bond films being released within months of each other in 1983.

The “Battle of the Bonds”

Despite Never Say Never Again having a larger budget than Octopussy, it struggled to surpass its competition at the box office. While it garnered decent returns and received positive reviews for its darker, more grounded take on Bond, Octopussy ultimately outperformed it in terms of earnings and continued to enjoy stronger support from fans, being part of the official Bond continuity.

Though Connery’s portrayal of Bond in Never Say Never Again was generally praised, the behind-the-scenes turmoil made the experience unforgettable—though not in a good way. Connery, reflecting on the production, called it “just the kind of Hollywood mess that I abhor.” His frustration with the film’s chaotic nature, combined with the personal toll it took, led him to make a firm decision: Never Say Never Again would be the last time he played the iconic role of James Bond.

A Bitter Farewell to Bond

Connery’s departure from the Bond franchise after Never Say Never Again marked the end of an era. His decision to leave was not solely due to the problematic production of the 1983 film but also his long-standing dissatisfaction with the intense pressure and chaos that came with playing 007. While Connery is forever remembered as the quintessential Bond, Never Say Never Again remains a bittersweet chapter in his career—a film that, despite its intriguing premise and star power, became a symbol of the actor’s strained relationship with the role that made him famous.

Ultimately, Never Say Never Again will be remembered not just for its place in Bond history, but as the culmination of Connery’s complicated journey with the character, marking his final exit from the world of secret agents and shaken martinis.