Sean Connery became a global star as James Bond, but one of his most famous missed opportunities involved a fantasy franchise.
The Scottish actor played the British secret agent in seven films, beginning with Dr. No in 1962. His career also included acclaimed performances in The Untouchables, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and The Hunt for Red October.
However, in the late 1990s, Connery turned down the role of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings trilogy because he could not understand the story. New Line Cinema offered him the role of the wise wizard who guides Frodo Baggins and his companions.
Based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels, the three films follow Frodo and a fellowship of allies on a mission to destroy a powerful ring. They must succeed before its creator, Sauron, can reclaim it and dominate Middle-earth.
The role eventually went to Ian McKellen, whose portrayal became one of the trilogy’s defining performances.
Why Sean Connery Turned Down Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings
Connery reportedly received an offer of $30 million for the trilogy, plus a 15% share of the trilogy’s box-office returns. The three films grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide. Later reports estimated that the deal could have earned him as much as $450 million.
In a 2005 interview with the New Zealand Herald, the award-winning actor admitted that Tolkien’s fantasy world never made sense to him.
“I read the book. I read the script. I saw the movie. I still don’t understand it,” Connery said.
Even as he turned down the role, Connery graciously praised McKellen’s performance, saying, “I believe [he] is marvelous in it.”
In a later interview with Empire, Jackson reflected on the casting decision and explained why he thought McKellen was a better fit for the production.
“Look, I’m only speculating. But I just can’t imagine Sean Connery being as supportive as Ian McKellen was, and being as willing to do whatever we wanted as Ian was, and being as tolerant as Ian was,” he said.
Connery’s decision became a notable example of a missed opportunity in Hollywood. The Lord of the Rings trilogy became one of cinema’s biggest critical and commercial successes. Across the three films, the franchise received 28 Academy Award nominations and won 17 Oscars.
The Return of the King, the trilogy’s third and final film, won all 11 Academy Awards for which it was nominated, including Best Picture. This achievement tied the record for the most Oscar wins by a single film.
