SEAN CONNERY - CONNERY LEARNS FROM REJECTIONS

Screen legend SEAN CONNERY turned down roles in the LORD OF THE RINGS and MATRIX trilogies - because he didn't understand the movies' plots.

Former 007 Connery - who hopes to score a hit with new movie - THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN this summer (03) - admits he has lived to regret his hasty rejections.

The Scottish actor says, "My first response to the script was that it was a bit far out. But I turned down Lord Of The Rings because I didn't understand it. I was offered The Matrix - twice - and I turned it down because I didn't understand it either."

And although his new flick also left him baffled, Connery was determined not to make the same mistake thee times; "I don't understand this movie but I'll be damned if I'm going to turn it down."