Fan Fare
Entertainment behind the scenes
Sean Connery turns 80, acting days “over”
Suave Scot Sean Connery turns 80 today and tells a newspaper that his acting days are over.
The landmark anniversary has prompted a general outpouring of love and appreciation in the media for a man best known for his portrayal of super sleuth James Bond. His six official outings as 007 established him as the definitive Bond in many people’s eyes, including his closest rival for the title, Roger Moore.
“I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to Sean for having been the best Bond and really launching the Bond phenomenon,” Moore, 82, told the Scottish edition of the Sun tabloid. “And an even bigger thank you for having left after Diamonds (“Diamonds Are Forever”), leaving me the chance to don the tuxedo, pack a Walther PPK, and
romance many beautiful Bond ladies.”
Connery, an Oscar winner for his turn in “The Untouchables”, has been laying low at a time when he was likely to be hounded by the press even more than usual. He did speak to Scotland’s Daily Record, however, from his home in the Bahamas.
Hugh Jackman, Daniel Craig to star on Broadway – report
Wolverine meet Bond, James Bond.
Hugh Jackman, who recently starred in the title role of action film “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” and Daniel Craig, the most recent British double-agent in “Casino Royale” and “Quantum of Solace,” are planning to take their acts to the Broadway stage later this year in a new play, the New York Post reported on Wednesday, citing unnamed sources.
They will star together in a drama called, “A Steady Rain,” about two Chicago cops whose long-term friendship is put to the test. It is being produced by Barbara Broccoli, who also produced Craig’s 007 roles in “Quantum of Solace” and “Casino Royale.”
First glimpse of new James Bond movie, “Quantum of Solace”
One prefers his martinis in a glass and the other drinks his whisky straight from the bottle. They could not be more opposite, but this Wednesday movie superhero Hancock (Will Smith) and superspy James Bond (Daniel Craig) will be paired together when the first versions of a promotional “trailer” for upcoming Bond flick “Quantum of Solace“roll out alongside the premiere of “Hancock.”
“Hancock” tells the story of a self-loathing, hard-drinking superhero who is given a chance to redeem himself. It is widely expected to become a box office hit, and leading up to its debut, the movie has been heavily promoted. (That’s Will signing autographs at the U.K. premiere of “Hancock.”)
Where would Bond be without Reuters?
Visiting the Ian Fleming exhibition at the Imperial War Museum London this week, it was interesting to see how important he and his relatives thought his time as a reporter with Reuters was. His niece, Kate Grimond, suggested his stint with the news agency helped him settle down after leaving school and taught the writing skills that would serve him well when he came to write the hugely successful James Bond series. Fleming himself once said: “Reuters was great fun in those days … above all, I have to thank Reuters for getting my facts right.”
It was a slight shame that the company name in the quote, printed in large letters on one of the exhibition walls, was misspelled as “Reuter’s”. One of the press officers promised to have that put right, so I shall go back and check some time.
