Sean Connery called George Lazenby a ‘shit award’ for leaving Bond

It was and still is the most important role in the history of cinema. It was certainly a golden ticket for an Australian model most famous for a chocolate ad. However, after just one film with a contract for six more, George Lazenby drastically left the James Bond franchise before On Her Majesty’s Secret Service hit theaters. Even more perplexing is the undeniable fact that the film was a smash hit, grossing $82 million on a $7 million budget, and Lazenby’s textured interactions with Diana Rigg’s Tracy di Vicenzo were years ahead of the standard relationship of the film. secret agent with his Bond Girls. His reasons for abruptly walking away at the time were rather hazy, and it angered or puzzled those around him, but these days the actor has made his peace with them.

When Connery told the producers he was quitting after You Only Live Twice, Broccoli’s attention was caught by the model starring in Fry’s Big Fry chocolate TV ad. You can see it below.

Lazenby was called in to audition and spent all his savings on a Rolex watch and a Saville Row suit that had actually been made for Connery but was never collected. When he got the part, director Peter R Hunt said; “We wanted someone who oozes sexual confidence, and we think this guy has that. Just wait until women see him on screen…I’m not saying he’s an actor. There’s a big difference between an actor and a star.” cinema.”

Lazenby was offered a seven-film deal, but then the unthinkable happened.

Broccoli said, “It was my biggest mistake in 16 years. I just couldn’t deal with success. He was so arrogant. He had the stature and looks of a Bond, but Lazenby couldn’t get along with the other performers and technicians.”

However, even Lazenby admitted: “I was totally out of control” during filming, causing the producers a headache by partying, throwing bottles of alcohol into the air and shooting them on set and chasing the women. “You had four or five girls a day,” she boasted, but it was another form of companionship that ultimately caused the problems.

Lazenby’s own personal beliefs, combined with the advice of his agent, Ronan O’Rahilly, meant that he believed the role of 007 was outdated and about to go out of style. He thought being Bond would hurt his fledgling film career and wanted to make films like Peter Fonda’s spiritual Easy Rider about contemporary drug and hippie culture.

Lazenby dismissed the relevance and credibility of Bond, saying: “Fantasy doesn’t interest me. Reality does. Anyone who comes into contact with children knows what’s going on, knows the mood. Watch pop music and learn what’s going on. it’s going to happen. Most filmmakers don’t watch and don’t get in touch.”

Years later, the actor added: “Ronan convinced me that Bond was everywhere…I would be in danger of becoming part of the Establishment. Something he rebelled against. Easy Rider was supposed to be the way to go.” and I could do three or four of those kinds of movies for all the Bonds. I wanted to be a free spirit, make love, not war. Ronan wouldn’t let me sign the Bond contract, he kept sending it. Who knows what would have happened if Ronan wouldn’t have had a check on my brain? But I don’t regret a day of my life.”

Instead, the Bond films continued to be huge hits and Lazenby found it difficult to find work, which did not help to turn the influential Broccoli against him. In 1978, the actor issued a public statement hoping to rebuild his credibility and his career.

He said: “It hasn’t been easy, trying to get back up… I admit I acted stupid. It went to my head, everything that was happening to me. But remember, it was my first film… Now what? I have to do is live my past, convince people that I’m not the same person who made a fool of himself all those years ago. I know I can do it. All I need is the opportunity.”

Unfortunately, few substantial opportunities came his way on the big screen, while over the years he took on small-screen roles in shows like Baywatch, Hawaii Five-0, and General Hospital.

While promoting the 2017 Making Bond docudrama, Lazenby looked back on it all, saying: “Do I regret anything? Only when I was broke… But I thought about what my life would be like if I continued. I would have had three wives in Beverly Hills, mansions and addict to drugs. I thought, well, I think I did the right thing.”