Sir Sean said the prospect of his book was "scary but exhilarating"

Sir Sean, 74, was due to begin making bank heist film Josiah's Canon in Prague in February but dropped out to concentrate on writing his memoirs.

Film trade magazine Variety said: "The headaches of mega-budget studio films have completely sapped his enthusiasm."

Sir Sean's autobiography is due to be published in autumn next year.

His agent confirmed to BBC News Online that the actor had pulled out of a film in order to write his autobiography.

But she refused to confirm or deny reports that he will retire.

"We do not comment on reports - full stop," she said.

The book will tell his life story from humble beginnings in Edinburgh to world fame in the James Bond films and beyond.

Laid bare

"It's rather scary, but utterly exhilarating, and I'm looking forward to it," said Sir Sean earlier this year.

He added: "Having always vowed never to write my autobiography, here I am standing on the runway awaiting my journey into a new space."

Publishing house HarperCollins said the book would be "more honest" than most celebrity memoirs.

"He has promised that he is going to be very frank about his entire life," said a spokeswoman.

Humble beginnings

Born Thomas Connery, Sir Sean left school at 13 to work on a milk round before joining the Royal Navy three years later.

He turned to body-building after leaving the forces at 18 as a result of an ulcer.

His first break was a TV production called Requiem for a Heavyweight, which led to a string of B-movies. His fortunes changed when he was picked for the Bond role by director Cubby Broccoli in 1962.

His appearances in Bond titles such as Dr No, From Russia With Love and Goldfinger propelled him to international fame.

Further success followed in films such as The Untouchables, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and The Hunt for Red October.