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If the A list term does carry any weight it's actors' agents securing big salaries for their clients but that doesn't mean the actor will bring in the box office.
Nothing against the chap but I reckon for the last five years or so Idris Elba would have been considered A list by many film fans, his name was always mentioned as a potential Bond, but I don't think he's ever had a box office hit as the leading actor so is he really A list or just a guy that has a good agent?
Is Henry Cavill truly A list? Maybe yes after Man of Steel but arguably no after Man From Uncle (2015) and Argylle (2024) bombed. A list is a fickle term.
I don't think Henry Cavill or Idris Elba (let's say if he were ten years younger) or a Joe Shmoe unknown actor currently working in low budget UK films will make any difference to the potential box office of Bond 26. The only difference is Joe Shmoe has no bargaining power. Cavill and Elba will have a minimum pay demand threshold (based on their acting resume) to play Bond whereas Joe Shmoe won't have any minimum pay demand threshold. If Amazon want to pay more to get a so called A lister (which means nothing in the internet era), go ahead. I doubt it will make any difference to the box office.
But as you said it really depends. I’d say Michael Fassbender is an A-Lister but could never sell some of his smaller films on the power of his name (didn’t help that many of them were simply bad). Elba and Cavill have a similar inconsistency. There’s a question to be asked - can a bad film (or at least one which doesn’t have mass appeal for whatever reason) be saved by a big name? I’d also add to this - to what extent are these actors made A-listers by their most successful projects, and would they be A-listers without them?
Along with Yann Demange. One directed Starred Up, one directed 71, both of which had a critically acclaimed lead performance from Jack O’Connell. Gives me hope that he could be on EON’s radar.
Demange could be good too, and is another I like. I really enjoyed 71 and Starred Up (odd thing to say but he does a great job of filming O’Connell’s walk which I find quite Bondian for some reason, especially in Starred Up).
He does have a nice strong confident strut. And charisma, lots of.
I think so too. I liked that there were times in Starred Up when he looked around a room or space before walking in, like he’s weighing up everything beforehand. It’s a good little indication about what he’d bring to Bond if he was chosen. I got that in 71 as well.
Always encouraging when 2 different directors can make the same actor’s walk look good in their films.
True. And I wouldn’t oppose to O’Connel being Bond, despite his height. He sometimes seems a giant next to very tall fellas.
He's not my preferred choice, but I'd be pleased if James were cast. I could see him in the role
I’d say he’s the best choice they have now. Too bad “now” won’t be a thing.
I think his height is negligible personally. I always say some actors just tower naturally on screen. I’d have honestly said Marlon Brando was six foot in his early roles and yet he was only 5’8.
Exactly! Besides, people who were 5’6’’ in real life, such as Churchill or T.E Lawrence, were portraid by people who were 6’2’’. So, height, either way, shouldn’t be that much of a problem in cinema. Richard Burton looked gigantic. Stallone is very short as well. Always looked enormous to me.
Robert De Niro too. Thought the guy was over 6 foot in Cape Fear. Terrifying performance. Great film though.
I think if you get that sweet spot between a director and cinematographer team who know how to frame, and an actor with that confidence/c factor, then they can be 5’9 and be Bond (at least I think that’s what O’Connell is). Even Craig was, what, 5’11 (if that).
What’s weird about Craig: I was right close to him during TIFF and the showing of Knives Out. He looked about my height, a little taller (I’m a short ass, just over 5’9).
But then my wife and I were front row seats for his MacBeth (where his spit literally hit my wife’s calf), and he seriously looked taller.
So I agree with you @007HallY , a combination of performance (Craig’s MacBeth was a warrior, and enjoyed his reputation, so it’s like the actor himself swelled with arrogant vanity), and angles. For sure Craig looked six foot on stage (and in reality, I don’t think he’s close to that, at least an inch and a half to two inches away from that).
Indeed, and that’s even onstage. I really don’t think a ‘short’ Bond is a problem in this sense (unless we’re talking about a condition or overt shortness that picks up onscreen/that is rare in most cases).
Didn't know Barbara was the casting director for the new Smeagol in the upcoming lotr series.
“Barbara, I hear you might be casting for a special vacancy. Wise politicians always keep their options open. So I just wanted to say, if you’re looking for someone with conflict experience, a strong track record of handling evil villains, or indeed someone who is comfortable with the risk of being replaced in a few years, then I’m your man.”
https://deadline.com/2024/02/christopher-nolan-rishi-sunak-bfi-denis-villeneuve-1235826377/
Haha! There are cool pics of O'Connell in a suit with a nice haircut. Also, we all have our bad pics.
The bloke just isn't Bond, that is all.
I completely understand this point of view mate, but don't you think after an era that was defined by subversion, that someone who seems tailor-made for the part might be the right choice?