*Warning: Semi-spoilery for the four of you who have yet to see Skyfall
Renn covered pretty much everything this morning regarding the fallout from Skyfall’s massive opening weekend. But a cool detail has trickled out from director Sam Mendes’ Huffington Post interview that is absolutely worth sharing. According to the filmmaker, there were talks early in production that would have seen Sean Connery in the caretaker role that was ultimately inhabited by Albert Finney. Mendes explains why it didn’t happen:
“There was a definite discussion about that — way, way early on. But I think that’s problematic. Because, to me, it becomes too … it would take you out of the movie. Connery is Bond and he’s not going to come back as another character. It’s like, he’s been there. So, it was a very brief flirtation with that thought, but it was never going to happen, because I thought it would distract.”
Mendes and co. absolutely made the right decision. I reckon Connery would’ve been likely to decline even if offered, but it’s still fun to ponder in a “What if?” fashion. The thought of Craig’s 007 sharing the screen with a former James Bond, arguably the most celebrated, is a mindfuck indeed. A fun if altogether imagined prospect.
Just because it didn’t happen here doesn’t mean it never will. Do you think bringing a former Bond back in a different role would be wise in a future installment?