The Legacy of 'Never Say Never Again': An Unofficial James Bond Film

"Never Say Never Again" was an unofficial non-Canon James Bond movie starring Sean Connery. It was made with the intention of starting an alternative Bond franchise. Despite its critical and commercial success, there never seemed to be a sequel. Why was that? This article explores the intricacies of this movie, delving into its production, legal issues, and its lasting impact on the Bond film series.

Production Constraints and Sean Connery's Perspective

When the film was released, actor Sean Connery noted that the movie was only 80 percent of what it could have been due to an incompetent producer. Connery appeared uninterested in returning for a sequel. Additionally, the Film's producer, Kevin McClory, had legal limitations due to the rights to tell certain Bond stories. His rights to Thunderball meant he could only produce films based on that specific story. This restriction meant that iconic villains like Blofeld, who was created for the novel Thunderball, did not appear in McClory's production.

The Officialization of Blofeld

Eventually, the legal issues were resolved, and Blofeld returned to the official Bond films. This indicates that while unofficial remakes could exist, they encounter significant legal challenges that often prevent them from being continued. The Thunderball storyline and characters were legally protected, ensuring that the official continuation of the Bond series could reintroduce key figures.

The Commercial Success and Production of 'Never Say Never Again'

The film was a remake of the canon Bond film Thunderball made 17 years previously. Due to a legal dispute involving Irish screenwriter Kevin McClory, he was granted the rights to a potential remake as part of a settlement. This set the stage for the production of Never Say Never Again.

In 1983, with a budget of 36 million dollars, Warren Beatty hired Connery to star in what was initially planned for a summer release. However, production delays pushed the release date to October of the same year. Despite the delay, the film was a financial success, taking in more than four times its budget at the box office.

Limited Potential for More Unofficial Bond Films

With the commercial success of Never Say Never Again, one might assume that there could have been more unofficial Bond films. However, there were two significant factors that prevented this from happening:

The movie was expensive to produce, making it a risky venture for potential producers. Sean Connery, while 53 at the time, was not interested in returning for another series of films and had only signed on for the one movie. This further limited potential for another unofficial series.

McClory did attempt to make another move, having discussions with Timothy Dalton in the 1990s, but nothing came of it. Additionally, Sony Pictures expressed interest in remaking Casino Royale, but legal complications prevented this from happening.

By 1997, the negative film rights were sold to MGM, who were using United Artists, the distribution company of the canon Bond films since 1962. This signalled the end of the unofficial Bond series and reverted control back to the official production company.

Conclusion

The legacy of Never Say Never Again lies in its role as a milestone in unofficial Bond film productions. Despite its success, it set precedence for the stringent legal and financial hurdles that would prevent further unauthorized Bond films. The film series, while unofficial, left a significant mark on the world of Bond and its status remains as a notable exception in the broader canon of the series.