After starring in five James Bond movies, Sean Connery quit the role that had defined his Hollywood career.
When shooting 1967’s You Only Live Twice, which is on ITV1 this afternoon, the 007 actor was far from happy.
The Scottish legend became bored with the role, especially due to what he saw as a lack of character development across the films. He also got fed up with all the fan attention he received as a huge celebrity.
While filming You Only Live Twice in Japan, the Bond star was followed into a public bathroom by a photographer and repeatedly pursued by a stalker. Understandably, both encounters left him furious.
According to The Telegraph, Connery was not exactly getting on with 007 producers Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman. With tensions at an all-time high, their fights became so bad that the Bond star would refuse to leave his trailer if Cubby was on set. In addition to all this, the star was unhappy with his salary, which ended up at $750,000, with 25 per cent of merchandising profits added on top.