RUMOR: Sean Connery, Bond Villain, Same Sentence

So, Sean Connery didn't return for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Perhaps the role wasn't big enough to bring the star out of retirement, or perhaps they just weren't going to pay him enough. You gotta admit, at the age of 77 and entirely retired, it would take a lot to get any of us out of retirement. Health issues have got to play some kind of part and with Indy I am sure the physicality of the role would have also played a part. However, all roles aren't physical, such as...
AcesShowBiz got their hands on an un-sourced press release (which always bothers me) in which Connery says he wouldn't mind returning to the James Bond film series, but not as Bond, "I wouldn't mind coming back as a Bond villain. But I don't think they would pay me enough. They don't pay the money for other parts, only for the Bond character, although that wasn't the case when I was doing it."

The site goes on to say that "allegedly" Connery has been negotiating a role as the villain in what would be the 23rd film in the Bond franchise, but without sources it all seems a bit odd, if not, however, an interesting rumor.

Who knows if it will all work out, but if I was a betting man I would put my life savings on him not coming back. As exciting as it would be it doesn't sound like it would make much sense considering Bond films can actually be made readily cheap considering their blockbuster status and then turn around and make a lot of money at the box. Why pay Connery a huge sum to be in the movie? Just doesn't make good business sense, even if it would appease the fans.

The next Bond film, Quantum of Solace, hits theaters November 7th.