Los Angeles (AFP)
The late Sean Connery stronger than the man with the golden gun?
The famous Walther PP used by the British actor in the first James Bond brought to the screen will be auctioned in early December in Los Angeles and could be sold for up to $ 200,000.
Sean Connery, who died last month at the age of 90 at his home in the Bahamas, grabbed the signature small pistol in "James Bond vs. Dr No" in 1962.
"The figure of 007 holding this weapon would become one of the most iconic images in the James Bond saga, and one of the most identifiable popular references of all time," said Martin Nolan, executive director of the House of Julien's Auctions sales who organize these auctions.
In "James Bond against Dr No", the British secret agent is ordered to exchange his old Beretta for the Walther.
"The Americans in the CIA swear by him," Bond is assured.
The Walther pistol, in its various versions, remained the weapon of choice in 007 some 25 films later.
The pistol, neutralized, is one of the two accessories used by Sean Connery in the first episode of The James Bond.
It was owned by the film's gunsmith until its auction in 2006.
The Walther will be one of the 500 symbolic objects of Hollywood cinema put up for sale on December 3 by Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills.
Also in the catalog are the fighter pilot helmet worn by Tom Cruise in "Top Gun" and the leather biker jacket used by Arnold Schwarzenegger in "Terminator 2: Judgment Day", both estimated between $ 30,000 and $ 50,000.
The release of the next James Bond, which is expected to be the last with Daniel Craig as 007, has had to be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Dying can wait" ("No Time To Die" in original version) is currently scheduled for April 2021.
Often regarded by fans of James Bond - and some of his successors in the role - as the best 007 on screen, Sean Connery has played this character six times, not to mention the unofficial "Never Again".
© 2020 AFP