James Bond icon Sean Connery would have failed basic requirement to become a spy in MI5
Sean Connery remains one of the most popular actors to take on the role of James Bond, but the 007 star would fail to be accepted into MI5 in real life over one simple requirement
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Diamonds Are Forever (1971) official trailer – Sean Connery
Sean Connery was the first actor to portray beloved secret agent James Bond on the silver screen, but the 007 favourite would have failed one fundamental requirement to become an MI5 spy.
The Scottish actor was armed with a license to kill and starred in seven Bond films between 1962 and 1983, though his appearance would have stopped him from being a real-life spy.
MI5 is on the lookout for some new recruits to professionally keep tabs on terrorists and have released a series of basic requirements for the role.
The £37,757-a-year role is largely focused on “blending into the environment naturally wherever you are”.
That means 007 hopefuls can’t be too tall or have any distinguishing features such as neck, face and hand tattoos.
Sean Connery is recognisable as the first 007
Image:
( Bettmann Archive)
The actor was a very tall man
Image:
( Getty Images)
Men applying for the role must be under 6ft 2in, while women need to be under 5ft 10in. That means Sean would have been on the very edge of the scale at 6ft 2in and unlikely to have landed the job.
The most recent actor to take on the role of James Bond, Daniel Craig, would fit the bill at 5ft 10in.
The job description for the MI5 role reads: “You’ll need to be able to remain completely alert sometimes during long spells of inactivity but remain ready to step up several gears when it all starts happening.
Daniel Craig would be perfect for the job
Image:
( MGM/Eon/Danjaq/UPI/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)
“Situations can happen fast in this role.”
The race to be the next James Bond is still underway, after 54-year-old Daniel left the secret agent film franchise following his starring role in No Time to Die.
One hugely popular British actor has been the fan favourite to take on the role for quite some time.
Luther star Idris Elba has odds of 5-2 at William Hill to become the next 007, however the 49-year-old is said to have withdrawn from talks.
Idris Elba is well-known for the role of Luther
Image:
( Des Willie)
He reportedly wants to focus on his own projects, having recently confirmed a feature-length Luther film. This will see him reprise the role of DCI John Luther after 10 years of the BBC show.
“Fans and Barbara wanted Idris but he wants to create something for himself. However, he’s put forward names to play 007,” a source told The Sun.
“He’s ‘informally’ in the decision-making process as he’s been in talks with producers for so long.”
While at the premiere of his movie The Harder They Fall in 2021, Idris had said: “No, I’m not going to be James Bond.”
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