Sir Sean Connery set for return to screen … by degrees

Published on Wednesday 25 August 2010 17:51

SIR Sean Connery is to come out of retirement to help Scotland's oldest university celebrate its 600th anniversary.

The James Bond icon - who holds an honorary degree from St Andrews - has agreed to front a film charting its official history. Sir Sean, who turned 80 yesterday, is expected to narrate the documentary, and it is hoped he will also appear on screen.

It is being produced by the independent film-maker Murray Grigor, Sir Sean's long-time collaborator, and co-writer of his memoirs.

The documentary will be used to help attract overseas students to St Andrews, promote fundraising initiatives and boost the anniversary celebrations in the run-up to the official anniversary date in 2013.

It will chart the origins of the university, from its roots within the Augustinian priory at St Andrews Cathedral, which go back to 1410, and explain how the Pope had a key role in the official incorporation of the university.

The film will explain how the university has maintained its position as one of the most sought-after in the UK, and it is hoped many of the university's best-known graduates will feature. Former students include First Minister Alex Salmond, novelist Fay Weldon, astronomer James Gregory, Prince William, and actors Ian McDiarmid and Siobhan Redmond.

The university film would be Sir Sean's first on-screen appearance since being coaxed out of retirement to appear in the promotional film for the 2009 Year of Homecoming.

He has also worked on a voice-over for a Scottish animated feature flm, Sir Billi, in which he plays the main character - a kilted, skateboarding pensioner. But despite being more than five years in the making Sir Billi has not been released yet.

Sir Sean's last big-screen work was on the critically panned film The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, which was released in 2003.

Mr Grigor said: "Louise Richardson, the principal of the university, approached Sean himself and he agreed to get involved, and asked if the university could work with me.

"It's very early days, but I've already started work on the script for it, and we should hopefully start some filming in the next few months.

"St Andrews has an absolutely extaordinary history and tradition, particularly around its formation. It should be wonderful to work on."

A spokesman for the university said: "We are delighted to have the possibility of working with Murray Grigor and Sean Connery - both are St Andrews graduates, great Scottish talents and experienced professionals.

"Our initial hope had been that Sean would agree to narrate Murray's piece, but Murray is irrepressibly optimistic that he may be able to nudge his friend closer to the limelight again.

"This film would be key to our ability to tell the story of St Andrews' first 600 years, the university's influence in the world over the centuries and its ambitions for the next 600.

"We are now seeking funding from a variety of philanthropic sources to allow this project to go ahead. If successful, we hope the film will be shot and complete by the end of next year to coincide with launch of the 600th anniversary celebrations."