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Early on in pre-production, Skyfall director Sir Sam Mendes wanted Connery to come out of retirement to play groundskeeper Kincade in the film\u2019s third act. Aside from this being the ultimate 50th anniversary nod to the franchise, Connery would have fit the part perfectly as a native Scot working at the Bond family home.<\/p>\n
Mendes previously told Huffington Post: \u201cThere was a definite discussion about [Connery playing Kincade] way, way early on. But I think that\u2019s problematic. Because, to me, it becomes too\u2026 it would take you out of the movie. Connery is Bond, and he\u2019s not going to come back as another character. It\u2019s like, he\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
No doubt some fans would also have been confused by the 82-year-old\u2019s presence, wondering if James Bond was just a codename and Kincade was a retired 007 from the 1960s.<\/p>\n
Don’t miss… <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n In the end, Albert Finney, Connery\u2019s co-star from 1974\u2019s Murder on the Orient Express, was cast in the role instead. The actor died in 2019 at the age of 82, a year before the original Bond star. At the time Daniel Craig said: \u201cI\u2019m deeply saddened by the news of Albert Finney’s passing. The world has lost a giant. Wherever Albert is now, I hope there are horses and good company.\u201d The horses were a reference to Finney\u2019s great love of horse racing.<\/p>\n Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson said: \u201cWe are heartbroken at the loss of Albert Finney. It was a privilege to work with him and an honour to have had him as part of our Bond family.\u201d Connery himself died a year later at the age of 90.<\/p>\n
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