James Bond Producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson attended a private event at Pinewood Studios to celebrate the official opening of The Sean Connery Stage.
Sir Sean Connery’s granddaughter, Saskia Connery opened the stage on behalf of the Connery family and previous cast and crew from a number of the films joined the celebrations, including; Actresses, Maryam D’Abo (The Living Daylights), Carole Ashby (A View to a Kill), Madeline Smith (Live And Let Die), Caroline Munro (The Spy Who Loved Me), and Martine Beswicke, who starred in From Russia With Love with Connery in 1963, and Director John Glen.
James Bond actresses Madeline Smith, Caroline Munro, Martine Beswick, Carole Ashby and Maryam D’Abo | © Tim WhitbyThe official James Bond 60th Anniversary logo was projected on the side of the new stages and The Roger Moore Stage, and will remain in place until Global James Bond Day on 5 October, 2022.
An Aston Martin DB5 and Goldfinger’s 1937 Rolls Royce Phantom III were on display inside the 30,000sq ft stage, both models first seen in Goldfinger (1964) which starred Sean Connery.
The Aston Martin DB5 is a replica of the model that featured gadgets including an ejector seat, and the Rolls-Royce was the actual car as seen on screen in Goldfinger.
The Sean Connery Stage stands proudly at the entrance to the Studios with a new entrance feature and is located on the corner of Goldfinger Avenue, named after the famous scene in the film where James Bond (Sean Connery) activates the ejector seat in the Aston Martin DB5.
Speaking on the occasion, James Bond producer, Michael G. Wilson said: “Barbara and I are grateful to Pinewood for acknowledging this screen legend and honoured to have been invited to celebrate this evening along with Sir Sean’s granddaughter Saskia.”
Saskia Connery said: “I am so proud of my grandfather both on screen and for who he was and meant to all of us at home. He would have been humbled and honoured to now have his own stage at Pinewood Studios.”
Barbara Broccoli, Andrew M. Smith, Saskia Connery and Michael G Wilson | © Tim WhitbyDr. No, the first official James Bond film, was shot at Pinewood Studios with Sean Connery in the lead role and opened in cinemas across the globe on 5 October 1962. Since Dr. No, Pinewood’s relationship with James Bond has continued throughout the 60 year history of the franchise with 23 of the 25 official films shooting at our Studios and all of the actors to play the lead role, passing through our gates.
Andrew M. Smith, Corporate Affairs Director said: “This evening marks an extra special celebration for our studios, remembering our heritage, honouring Sir Sean Connery, our long relationship with the James Bond films and, at the same time, celebrating our development and looking to the future as a world-leading film and TV studio.“
