Pinewood Studios opens Sean Connery Stage

James Bond Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli attended a private event at Pinewood Studios for the official opening of The Sean Connery Stage.

Sir Sean Connery stage was officially opened on September 27th 2022, with the 60 Years logo being projected on the stage until October 5th
photo © Tim Whitby

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 Director John Glen, and actresses Maryam D’Abo (The Living Daylights), Carole Ashby (A View to a Kill), Caroline Munro (The Spy Who Loved Me), Madeline Smith (Live And Let Die) and Martine Beswick who starred in From Russia With Love with Sean Connery in 1963.

Bond actresses Madeline Smith, Caroline Munro, Martine Beswick, Carole Ashby and Maryam D’Abo
photo © Tim Whitby

The official James Bond 60th anniversary logo was projected on the side of the new stages and The Roger Moore Stage. These projections will remain in place until James Bond Day on the 5th October.

Producers Barbara Broccoli, Andrew M. Smith (Pinewood Corporate Affairs Director), Saskia Connery and Michael G Wilson
photo © Tim Whitby

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 which starred Sean Connery.

Aston Martin DB5, a replica of the Goldfinger model with working gadgets
photo © Tim Whitby

The Aston Martin DB5 is a replica of the model that featured gadgets including an ejector seat from Goldfinger.

The original 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III that was used in Goldfinger
photo © Tim Whitby

The Rolls-Royce was the actual car as seen on screen in the Goldfinger movie in 1964.

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.

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.”

Producers Barbara Broccoli, Saskia Connery and Michael G Wilson
photo © Tim Whitby

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."

Sean Connery's granddaughter Saskia Connery (left) and director John Glen (middle)
photo © Tim Whitby

Dr 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 the Studios and all of the actors to play the lead role, passing through its 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.”

Other Sound Stages at Pinewood

James Bond producer Albert 'Cubby' Broccoli had one of the largest sound stages named after him in 1985, "The Albert R. Broccoli 007 Stage" also known as the "007 Stage".

In 2017, on what would have been Sir Roger Moore's 90th birthday weekend, the studio he called home for over 40 productions unveiled "The Roger Moore Stage" in his honour.

Bond films at Pinewood Cinema

Pinewood will be continuing the celebrations by hosting a ‘Bondathon’ of James Bond films, with 7 classic films, one from each actor and each decade, being shown over the weekend of 30 September to 2 October.

The films to be shown are Goldfinger (1963), Dr No (1962), On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1967), Live And Let Die (1973), The Living Daylights (1987), GoldenEye (1995) and SkyFall (2012).

You can find out more and book tickets at the Pinewood Cinema website.