Why Ian Fleming Didn’t Want Sean Connery as Bond
Ian Fleming never pictured Sean Connery as James Bond, but the actor’s performance changed the author’s mind and even influenced the character’s backstory.
James Bond stands as one of the most recognisable figures in film history, with a legacy that’s spanned decades and seen a string of top actors take on the role. From Pierce Brosnan to Daniel Craig, each new Bond has brought something different to the table. Still, for many, Sean Connery remains the gold standard. With Daniel Craig’s recent exit after No Time to Die, there’s been plenty of chatter about what’s next for the franchise. Some punters are keen for a shake-up, suggesting a woman or even a non-binary actor could take the lead. Others reckon Bond should stick to his roots, arguing he’s a symbol of classic masculinity and shouldn’t stray too far from tradition.
But here’s a twist: Ian Fleming, the bloke who created Bond, wasn’t sold on Connery at first. In a chat with the New Yorker, Fleming revealed he’d imagined Bond as a pretty ordinary sort of fellow who just happened to land in wild situations.
“When I wrote the first one, in 1953. I wanted Bond to be an extremely dull, uninteresting man to whom things happened…”
He went on to explain how he picked the name from a birdwatching book, thinking it was the most boring name he could find.
“One of the bibles of my youth was Birds of the West Indies, by James Bond, a well-known ornithologist, and when I was casting about for a name for my protagonist, I thought, My God, that’s the dullest name I’ve ever heard, so I appropriated it. Now the dullest name in the world has become an exciting one. Mrs Bond once wrote me a letter thanking me for using it.”
Connery’s Casting: Not What Fleming Had in Mind
When the idea of casting Connery for Dr. No came up, Fleming wasn’t exactly thrilled. He thought Connery didn’t fit the bill at all.
“He’s not what I envisioned of James Bond looks. I’m looking for Commander Bond and not an overgrown stunt man.”
Fleming’s hesitation wasn’t just about Connery’s looks or presence. He’d always pictured Bond as a bit of a blank slate, someone who blended in rather than stood out. Connery, with his confidence and physicality, threatened to turn Bond into a larger-than-life figure, which was never the plan in the books.
Bond was meant to be a regular bloke caught up in extraordinary events, not a superhero or a show-off. Fleming’s original vision was for a character who let the action speak for itself, not someone who stole the spotlight just by walking into a room. Connery’s take on the role risked making Bond too flashy, at least in Fleming’s eyes.
How Connery Changed Bond Forever
Despite his doubts, Fleming eventually came around. Watching Connery on screen, he realised the actor brought something special to the role. Connery’s mix of danger, charm, and authority gave Bond a new edge, one that audiences couldn’t get enough of. This shift didn’t just make Bond more appealing on screen—it changed how people saw the character altogether.
Connery managed to bridge the gap between Fleming’s understated creation and the demands of the big screen. He proved that Bond could evolve and still keep his core identity intact. The character became more than just a cipher; he was now a force to be reckoned with, thanks to Connery’s performance.
Fleming’s Change of Heart
After the film’s release, Fleming was so impressed by Connery’s portrayal that he started weaving bits of the actor’s background into Bond’s story. The author recognised that Connery had made the role his own, and he was happy to let that influence the books moving forward. What started as reluctance turned into admiration, and Connery’s Bond became the benchmark for all who followed.