The Eye-to-Eye Moment Between Kevin Costner and Sean Connery: “It’s Going to Be a Long Day”

When Kevin Costner first stepped onto the set with the legendary Sean Connery, it was clear he was still finding his footing in Hollywood.

It was 1986, and the film was The Untouchables. Costner had just landed his first major studio lead role as Eliot Ness, the determined Treasury Agent tasked with taking down the infamous Al Capone.

Director Brian De Palma was telling the true story of Ness and his “untouchable” squad — a team given free rein by the Prohibition Bureau to crack down on bootlegging by any means necessary. One key member was James Malone, a grizzled, old-school Irish-American cop who mentors Ness on the brutal realities of law enforcement in Chicago. His philosophy? Whatever criminals dish out, you give back twice as hard. Oh, and never bring a knife to a gunfight.

For the role of Malone, De Palma made an unexpected choice: Sean Connery, the iconic Scottish actor, known more for James Bond than Irish cops. But the director wasn’t concerned about accents — Connery’s screen presence was what mattered. After all, Connery would always sound like Sean Connery, no matter the role. And that, De Palma believed, was enough.

Costner recalls that working alongside Connery was like a masterclass in star power. “Smart directors do this often,” he said in a 2014 interview with Front Row Features. “They cast a leading man in a supporting role because they know how to own the screen.”

Connery’s performance proved this. He wasn’t just playing Malone — he was making the character unforgettable. Costner realized quickly how commanding Connery was, dominating every scene simply by being himself. De Palma could have chosen any actor with an Irish accent, but instead, he picked the biggest star Costner had ever worked with, teaching him a valuable lesson in charisma and screen presence.

As Costner’s own career blossomed, he never forgot that lesson. Years later, when he played the mentor role in Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, he drew on Connery’s example, channeling that same quiet authority.

One moment from The Untouchables stuck with him especially. Before a tense scene with Robert De Niro, Costner was nervous, pacing as the cast prepared. Connery called him over, using Malone’s name: “Mr. Ness, sit down.” When Costner asked why, Connery insisted he sit and look him in the eye.

Then, with a knowing smile, Connery said, “It’s going to be a long day.” It was advice to save his energy, to be patient, and stay focused until their moment arrived. “He talked about practical stuff,” Costner remembers fondly. “Like, ‘It’s going to be a long day. You and I sit here, watch, and when it’s our turn, we’ll be ready.’” Simple words, but priceless guidance from a true screen legend