Sean Connery pulls out of movie

LONDON, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- Sean Connery, the original James Bond, reportedly has pulled out of 20th Century Fox's Josiah's Canon just months before production was to begin.

Connery's departure from the Brett Ratner-helmed action thriller was confirmed by his publicist, Nancy Seltzer, E! Online reported Wednesday.

"He has indeed withdrawn from Josiah's Canon to devote his time to working on his memoirs," Seltzer told E! Online.

The report said Connery has a seven-figure deal with HarperCollins UK to write the book.

Seltzer did not comment on a report that Connery's withdrawal from the movie might signal the 74-year-old actor is planning to retire from the big screen.