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However, it was screenwriter and producer Pen Densham who wanted Connery in the role instead of the comedian as King Richard.<\/p>\n
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Densham said of Cleese: \u201cI couldn\u2019t stomach that because I felt all of the care, all of the investment, all the love, all the effort that the characters were playing all came down to a joke.\u201d<\/p>\n
He then boldly contacted the former Bond\u2019s agent asking if he would play the medieval monarch in an uncredited cameo.<\/p>\n
The screenwriter and producer said: \u201cPassion empowers you, whereas technique doesn\u2019t. I so wanted to not have the John Cleese that I said, \u2018Would you give me Sean Connery? We can\u2019t give him a credit because you can\u2019t have the audience waiting for the whole movie to see him \u2014 but he only has to work one day.\u201d\u2019<\/p>\n
The Bond legend\u2019s agent, CAA co-founder Michael Ovitz, agreed \u2013 but requested a fee of $1 million.<\/p>\n
However, Densham told Connery\u2019s agent: \u201cNo. No. You don\u2019t understand, we\u2019re already over budget. We can\u2019t afford that, but I guarantee you that it will be a part of film history.\u201d<\/p>\n
Don’t miss… <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n So in the end, the original 007 agreed to play King Richard for $250,000, which would be donated to a Scottish hospital.<\/p>\n The iconic cameo scene in question takes place right at the end of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves when Connery\u2019s monarch interrupts the outlaw\u2019s wedding to Maid Marian. Connery\u2019s King Richard thanks Robin for saving the throne and gives the bride away.<\/p>\n Four years later, the Hollywood legend would play King Arthur in First Knight, while he also portrayed an ageing Robin Hood opposite Audrey Hepburn in 1976\u2019s Robin and Marian.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the Bond star had acted alongside Cleese in Terry Gillam\u2019s Time Bandits. In fact, the Monty Python actor who almost played King Richard actually portrayed Robin Hood in the 1981 film.<\/p>\n
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