10 More Insane Reasons Actors Didn't Return For Sequels

Right now, one of the biggest mysteries in Hollywood is surrounding the identity of the next actor to play James Bond. In the wake of Daniel Craig leaving, just like when every other actor left the role, the whole world wants to know who is next.

This wasn't the case originally, however. When Sean Connery brought the legendary spy to life in the 1960s, there was no way of knowing that there would be five more actors and counting that would follow (six if you count David Niven). That only started when Connery left the role and was replaced by George Lazenby for On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

Much like Daniel Craig in recent years, Sean Connery grew tired of playing James Bond, but arguably even more so than the most recent 007. After being replaced by Lazenby, Connery returned to the role for Diamonds Are Forever after being offered a sum of money he found acceptable, but this didn't endear the character to him any more than before.

After his sixth appearance as Bond, Connery admitted that he had always hated the character and that he wanted him to die. There's not enjoying a role anymore, and then there's Sean Connery levels of wishing death upon a character - so much so that he reportedly turned down a staggering $5.5 million to return in Live and Let Die.