Sir Sean Connery, who sadly passed away in 2020, rose to prominence by portraying the iconic character James Bond, becoming the first and arguably the most beloved Bond on the big screen. Connery’s portrayal of Bond spanned several movies in the franchise, and his charisma and demeanor served as a blueprint for those who followed in his footsteps as 007.
Despite having a varied acting career, his role as James Bond propelled Sean Connery to stardom, ultimately leading to his knighthood in 2000. Ironically, Connery grew weary of playing the suave secret agent and even regretted the role in his later years. However, Connery once broke his wrist while filming a Bond movie, but he wasn’t sure who was responsible.
Who Broke Sean Connery’s Wrist While James Bond Shooting
According to the Independent, Sir Sean Connery, who held a black belt in karate, did not shy away from intense fight choreography. Steven Seagal, an aikido expert, was similarly skilled in combat, and during Connery’s training for another James Bond movie, he broke Connery’s wrist. This incident marked Connery’s last appearance as James Bond in the 1983 film Never Say Never Again, as he decided to retire from the role after the injury.
During the film’s production, Connery intended to showcase aikido moves in James Bond’s fight sequences and sought out Steven Seagal’s expertise to refine his technique. As an accomplished martial artist, Seagal seemed like the perfect choice for the job. However, Connery’s previous martial arts experience proved to be a double-edged sword, and he faced unexpected consequences during the training that followed.
“I got ahold of Steven, and we had this training in the building where I had an apartment, and he was really very, very good and everything. And I got a little cocky because I thought I knew what I was doing because the principle is it’s defense, so it’s a pyramid, and I got a bit flash,” Connery told Leno. Raising his arm close to his face, he said, “I did that, and he broke my wrist.”
Sean Connery Didn’t Even Notice His Broken Wrist
Despite his reputation as a tough individual, Sean Connery did not immediately realize that his wrist had been broken. It may seem surprising, given the intense pain that often accompanies such an injury, but Connery only became aware of the severity of the damage during a doctor’s appointment in 1995, a year before his interview with Jay Leno. According to Connery, the wrist had not fully healed by the time of the interview, indicating that the break may have been relatively minor.
Sean Connery’s portrayal of James Bond in the early films of the franchise set a high bar for all future actors who would take up the iconic role. His suave demeanor, sharp wit, and ability to handle himself in any situation made him the quintessential Bond.
Connery’s portrayal of Bond was a departure from the suave and sophisticated character of the books, instead portraying a more rugged and dangerous version of the character. His portrayal of Bond significantly impacted the franchise and set the tone for the films that followed.
Never Say Never Again is available for rent and purchase on Google Play and Amazon Instant Video.
Also Read: James Bond: Iconic Baddies In Sean Connery 007 Movies
Source: Looper
