Who should/could be a Bond actor?

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  • RC7RC7
    Posts: 10,512
    I've not seen him in much, but someone who has the look is Jamie Dornan.

    I'm not sure if he's tainted by the 50 Shades franchise. But he definitely looks the part. Suave, handsome but with a hint of cruelty. He does look a tad dodgy clean-shaven, however, Bond with stubble could be welcomed. In many professional environments you see men with well-trimmed beards. Bond lives for the fashion of his times. He'd almost certainty consider growing a designer beard.

    Hear him comment on the role here:
    http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/video-news/video-jamie-dornan-talks-fifty-shades-of-grey-and-playing-james-bond-35009133.html

    jamie-dornan-filming-fifty-shades-darker-movie-set-march-31617-51-640x863.jpg
    Jamie-Dornan-Dakota-Johnson-Fifty-Brant-Daugherty-Shades-Draker-Movie-Set-Tom-Lorenzo-Site-5.jpg

    He's decent in The Fall. Not sure he has that twinkle in the eye, though. I'm much more concerned about screen presence than look.
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 8,193
    More psycho looking than suave...
  • Mendes4LyfeMendes4Lyfe The long road ahead
    edited September 2016 Posts: 8,383
    RC7 wrote: »
    RC7 wrote: »
    @bondsum - your personal opinions on High Rise and Skull Island don't really carry water in the debate I'm afraid.

    The point I'm trying to make is that Hiddleston is considered a viable face to lead a Hollywood blockbuster. Again, whether that lasts is up for debate, but I'm not alone in seeing that this guy has the sort of charisma to carry a picture. His profile is such that the casting execs appear to agree.

    On the other hand we have Turner - star of a well received TV series (same as Hiddleston) and part of an ensemble in a franchise (same as Hiddleston), but as yet unable to lock down any sort of transition to the silver screen.

    To me they have shared a similar path, but only one seems to be convincing the Hollywood casting execs, which is evidence enough that perhaps he's not quite delivering the sort of performance that turns you into a bankable star. Acting - fine, there are better actors than Roger Moore, but they weren't necessarily 'stars'.

    But it's not Hollywood casting execs that you have to impress to become Bond, is it?

    Even if it were, surely then Chris Pratt would be the runaway favorite in todays climate? He's a huge 'star'.

    I'm drawing comparison with both actors' abilities to impress. Turner's complete lack of progress on a cinematic level, whether as lead or co-star, sets alarm bells ringing. I already feel he's lacking in screen presence and his inability to capitalise on his Hobbit experience and leading man status as Poldark reinforces that somewhat.

    I'm not talking strictly about impressing casting execs, I'm suggesting there's a correlation between some people's misgivings about his abilities and his career trajectory. DC was plucked out for Tomb Raider as co-star and later, Layer Cake as star, because producers and casting directors spotted his ability and presence. He followed through with that and bagged Bond.

    Your Pratt comparison makes no sense. Casting directors don't hire Chris Pratt, heads of studios do. Casting directors and producers would have to sell both Hiddleston and Turner in, and as I've mapped out previously Turner seems to be the harder sell. If you want to go rogue you might as well go unknown.

    Your posts make it sound as if every actor is in a race to become the biggest movie star they can be. How do you know that Aidan hasn't been offered a leading role in some upcoming reboot of a popular franchise and simply turned it down for one reason or another?

    Anyway, you are allowed to have whatever opinion you like regarding Turner's screen presence. Craig's Bond is a very sympathetic character. I feel like Turner could bring that edge back, where you're on the outside looking into Bonds world. It takes the right kind of actor to portray a character that is both deadly cunning and just likeable enough to keep the audience on side. If you watch ATTWN, I think Aidan negotiates that fine line with stunning deftness.

    You're right that Craig and Hiddle are probably superior actors to Turner from a variety and overall skill point of view. However, I feel that for this particular role at this particular point in time, Aidan Turner is a far more compelling package.
  • RC7RC7
    edited September 2016 Posts: 10,512
    RC7 wrote: »
    RC7 wrote: »
    @bondsum - your personal opinions on High Rise and Skull Island don't really carry water in the debate I'm afraid.

    The point I'm trying to make is that Hiddleston is considered a viable face to lead a Hollywood blockbuster. Again, whether that lasts is up for debate, but I'm not alone in seeing that this guy has the sort of charisma to carry a picture. His profile is such that the casting execs appear to agree.

    On the other hand we have Turner - star of a well received TV series (same as Hiddleston) and part of an ensemble in a franchise (same as Hiddleston), but as yet unable to lock down any sort of transition to the silver screen.

    To me they have shared a similar path, but only one seems to be convincing the Hollywood casting execs, which is evidence enough that perhaps he's not quite delivering the sort of performance that turns you into a bankable star. Acting - fine, there are better actors than Roger Moore, but they weren't necessarily 'stars'.

    But it's not Hollywood casting execs that you have to impress to become Bond, is it?

    Even if it were, surely then Chris Pratt would be the runaway favorite in todays climate? He's a huge 'star'.

    I'm drawing comparison with both actors' abilities to impress. Turner's complete lack of progress on a cinematic level, whether as lead or co-star, sets alarm bells ringing. I already feel he's lacking in screen presence and his inability to capitalise on his Hobbit experience and leading man status as Poldark reinforces that somewhat.

    I'm not talking strictly about impressing casting execs, I'm suggesting there's a correlation between some people's misgivings about his abilities and his career trajectory. DC was plucked out for Tomb Raider as co-star and later, Layer Cake as star, because producers and casting directors spotted his ability and presence. He followed through with that and bagged Bond.

    Your Pratt comparison makes no sense. Casting directors don't hire Chris Pratt, heads of studios do. Casting directors and producers would have to sell both Hiddleston and Turner in, and as I've mapped out previously Turner seems to be the harder sell. If you want to go rogue you might as well go unknown.

    Your posts make it sound as if every actor is in a race to become the biggest movie star they can be. How do you know that Aidan hasn't been offered a leading role in some upcoming reboot of a popular franchise and simply turned it down for one reason or another?

    Anyway, you are allowed to have whatever opinion you like regarding Turner's screen presence. Craig's Bond is a very sympathetic character. I feel like Turner could bring that edge back, where you're on the outside looking into Bonds world. It takes the right kind of actor to portray a character that is both deadly cunning and just likeable enough to keep the audience on side. If you watch ATTWN, I think Aidan negotiates that fine line with stunning deftness.

    You're right that Craig and Hiddle are probably superior actors to Turner from a variety and overall skill point of view. However, I feel that for this particular role at this particular point in time, Aidan Turner is a far more compelling package.

    I don't believe anyone is in any sort of race, I'm suggesting that their body of work defines their trajectory.

    As for Turner turning down high-profile roles, let's just say that's highly dubious. Many class acts are passed over for roles, they just get on with it. To assume Turner is picking and choosing his roles in Hollywood is, frankly, absurd.

    I see the visual appeal of the guy and don't completely discount him, the same way I don't think Hiddleston is the only option, far from it, but I maintain that his screen presence is an issue and I believe that's part of the reason we've yet to see him in a high profile cinematic role.
  • Mendes4LyfeMendes4Lyfe The long road ahead
    Posts: 8,383
    Yeah, because Cowboys and Aliens and Golden Compass did wonders for Craig's carrer. Thank god he didn't pass up on those gems...
  • Posts: 15,086
    They sure didn't hurt him. Craig can afford Cowboys and Aliens just like Brosnan could afford that volcano movie.
  • BondJasonBond006BondJasonBond006 on fb and ajb
    Posts: 9,020
    Brosnan has starred in some very successful movies.

    The Thomas Crown Affair, for instance, just to name one.
    Craig has yet to be in a movie that has some sort of success and isn't a downright flop, outside of Bond.

    Craig simply hasn't any star power, so it puzzles me to hear people moan about Aidan or Hiddy not "standing out". That's utter nonsense. They are already more famous than Craig would ever have been had he not been cast as Bond.

    So cut those possible candidates some slack.

    In 2004 anyone suggesting Craig as Bond would have been the laughing stock of the year.
  • RC7RC7
    edited September 2016 Posts: 10,512
    Yeah, because Cowboys and Aliens and Golden Compass did wonders for Craig's carrer. Thank god he didn't pass up on those gems...

    The former was a chance to work alongside a living legend, directed by a man who had taken a B-Level Marvel character and kick started an entire franchise. On paper there was every chance this was going to be superb. The latter was an epic literary trilogy that, again, on paper, had every chance of working. Unless Turner is some sort of devine prescient entity, which I'm sure for you he is, then I'd hazard a guess that he too would've jumped at the chance to do both. If you really think this guy is swanning around Hollywood turning down directors and producers left, right and centre you're more deluded than I had imagined.
    Brosnan has starred in some very successful movies.

    The Thomas Crown Affair, for instance, just to name one.
    Craig has yet to be in a movie that has some sort of success and isn't a downright flop, outside of Bond.

    Craig simply hasn't any star power

    Well, it's a matter of perspective isn't it? The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is perceived as being a superior film to Thomas Crown, critically, and also outstripped it at the Box Office (inflation adjusted too). A fact for you there, not just conjecture.

    Please also note, I don't use the phrase 'star power', just 'star'. Star power is a thing of the past, the market isn't built on names, it's built on vehicles, franchises and directors. Being a 'star' is a different kettle of fish. It means you have the tools to exist on that silver screen, you have an energy and a command of a scene. Whether that's in a shit film, which is poorly directed, or a great film is neither here nor there. If you have that ability you'll get hired. As I pointed out above, Turner has had plenty of auditions, but is yet to land a prominent role in Hollywood. Perhaps he will, or perhaps the decision makers, like some viewers, aren't sure whether he can cut it at that level.

    For the record - I'm not saying he can't pull it off. All I'm saying is that from what I've seen there's something missing. If this can be ripped out of him by a director then I'll certainly change my opinion, but on the evidence I have nobody has done that so far.
  • BondJasonBond006BondJasonBond006 on fb and ajb
    Posts: 9,020
    @RC7
    TCAffair 1999 124 million BO 48 million cost.
    GWDT 2011 232 million BO 90 million cost

    I agree Girl isn't a flop, but it was supposed to much much more successful, so it is considered a disappointment.

    My overall point is, we should not be too negative about possible Bond actors just now.

    I am sure whoever it will be will be doing fine.
    Craig seemed to be a huge gamble, and probably was, but Campbell and EON made it work.
  • RC7RC7
    Posts: 10,512
    Craig seemed to be a huge gamble, and probably was, but Campbell and EON made it work.

    Well, they're very good at that, but it's a very different kettle of fish with Turner. Turner's profile in the UK is pretty big thanks to Poldark. Craig was known, but he certainly wasn't gracing magazine covers. The advantage they had with DC is that they knew what a class act he was, but the audience by and large didn't. It was a devastating curve-ball when most of the general public cottoned on to the fact that this guy who didn't 'look like Bond', could actually boss the screen. I don't think Turner bosses the screen in the same way as Daniel, so we're already taking a step back there. I just can't see how he's going to pull the rug out and blow everyone away. Perhaps people don't want that and are satisfied with a solid, Dalton-ish performance, in which case I could see him working. However, I'd love to be proved wrong and see him pull something incredible out of the bag.
  • Posts: 15,086
    Brosnan has starred in some very successful movies.

    The Thomas Crown Affair, for instance, just to name one.
    Craig has yet to be in a movie that has some sort of success and isn't a downright flop, outside of Bond.

    Craig simply hasn't any star power, so it puzzles me to hear people moan about Aidan or Hiddy not "standing out". That's utter nonsense. They are already more famous than Craig would ever have been had he not been cast as Bond.

    So cut those possible candidates some slack.

    In 2004 anyone suggesting Craig as Bond would have been the laughing stock of the year.

    It was borderline a laughing stock in 2005 but Daniel Craig had the last laugh. As for having no star power I'll let others be the judge of that, I say however that he has tremendous acting power. Before playing Bond he was a veteran actor respected and admired by his peers and the critics who played memorable small and main roles in various works. Turner has yet to have this professional reputation.
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    Preceding judgment is always the bad choice (to an extent) on something or someone. We haven't seen anything to place a critical review on a name... Star power or not, I am sure they will find someone suitable enough portrait-wise, and capable of acting with great performance.

    However, I don't want to sound too opinionated, but neither of the candidates look the part. Not from where I'm standing, right now. They all look too boyish, too young and definitely not rugged, which is what Bond should be. Rugged.

    Acting-wise? I have nothing to say there. Turner is good as Poldark. Hiddleston was good in The Night Manager.

    None of them scream Bond to me, however. Then again, I can easily be proven wrong.

    Daniel Craig is a living proof.
  • BondJasonBond006BondJasonBond006 on fb and ajb
    Posts: 9,020
    @ClarkDevlin

    Don't forget most of them are still (too) young. Once one of them is Bond, he's at least 3 years older than now.

    Craig also looked awfully young in 2004.
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    I don't know about that, Jason...

    Layer-Cake-Kilgour-Navy-Suit-3.jpg
    Courtesy of Sony Pictures, "Layer Cake" (2004)

    He looks rugged enough to me, here.
  • BondJasonBond006BondJasonBond006 on fb and ajb
    Posts: 9,020
    He looked rugged in Tomb Raider too. That's not what I meant. Craig probably looked rugged as a baby.

    Just saying, actors need to get to a certain age to look the part. Brosnan was perfect in 1995, in 1987 he would have been much too young.
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    edited September 2016 Posts: 15,423
    I'm glad Brosnan didn't get the part in 1987. He indeed looked too young.

    And that is why I'm saying, not only acting abilities should be concerned about, but the rugged look of the actor, as well.
  • edited September 2016 Posts: 19,339
    I still think Hiddlestone has the edge,closely followed by Tom Hardy...both very good prescences on screen, who can be scene-stealers',compared to Turner,who I think is more suited to the small screen.
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    Presence, yes. But, suitably good for Bond? Neither look it. Hiddleston is too posh and mild-mannered, whereas Tom Hardy is completely the opposite. Now, Hiddleston's variations of acting isn't as open to see as Hardy's is, which is why I'm not putting him down that much, but Hardy is definitely a no from me. He's more of a henchman and is very thuggish in almost everything he appears in. Just like Jason Statham.
  • Posts: 19,339
    But then,with Craig,the uproar was huge,as we all know,and we were all,to a majority,pleasantly surprised.
    I didn't think Craig would have the screen presence either and didn't look anything like 007,so it's a similar situation.....
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    But, we weren't familiar with the variety of his acting yet. With Hiddleston we sort of are, and with Hardy we definitely are.
  • Posts: 4,602
    The bottom line is that you need a gentle man who can act like a thug when required. And thats why casting Bond is so hard IMHO. Bond must be sophisticated, casual and at ease within the most high class environments but, at the same time, be an animal when required. Connery was superb at this. I am having trouble with any of the suggestions to be honest.
  • BondJasonBond006BondJasonBond006 on fb and ajb
    Posts: 9,020
    Tom Hardy would only work with the proper films. But as I don't want another overly dramatic dreary bore like Skyfall I rather have him not getting the role.

    Unless of course they find screenwriters who are actually able to mix action/thriller with drama.

    But that's unlikely I say.

    Hiddleston would be a good choice, he's popular too. I don't want another ****isnotbond.com situation.
    In this time and age of the stupid generation on social media someone like Craig would be slaughtered before the film has hit the screen.

    Just imagine the Jamie Bell rumours are true and he gets chosen. That would create the biggest shitstorm on the social media ever and subsequently in the print and online news media as well and Bond 25 would be the first flop in the franchise.
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    patb wrote: »
    The bottom line is that you need a gentle man who can act like a thug when required. And thats why casting Bond is so hard IMHO. Bond must be sophisticated, casual and at ease within the most high class environments but, at the same time, be an animal when required. Connery was superb at this. I am having trouble with any of the suggestions to be honest.
    Precisely!
  • Posts: 4,602
    If you look at SC's first scene in Dr No, the thing that stands out for me is just how utterley relaxed and casual he is. From the way he tosses the cards on to the table to the way he smokes and talks to the way he walks away from the table. He plays the scene perfectly and sets the bar from then. Obvioulsy we all have our favourites but wouldn't it be great if we could find someone who was just that cool in scenes like that. I dont think anyone has matched that so far. Coolness is somehing we seemed to have lost within modern cinema. Who within the potential candidates can be cool?
  • edited September 2016 Posts: 1,661
    Countless names have been tossed about to be the next Bond. many of us have our favorites. My question is, has the next 007 been mentioned, or will he, like Craig, come out of the blue? I have roughly 3 top choices but feel like pick will come out of left field.

    There is enough time for an out of the blue candidate to appear but whether MGM and the new distribution studio would go with a near/total unknown seems unlikely. If you look at the recent Ben-Hur remake, the main lead is

    Jack Huston

    I'd never heard of him but I looked at his IMDB credits and he's done tv work: Boardwalk Empire - which I think was a hit and popular. But it's not as if Jack Huston was a major new film star but the studio risked his casting as Ben-Hur. Okay, the film has flopped, but Bond is Bond - much wider universal appeal - so it could work with an actor even less well-known than Huston.

    I would even dare to say I think the James Bond franchise is unique in that I think a total unknown - assuming he's decent in the role - could work and bring in the box office. Everyone knows who James Bond is - the films and the character sell the hype, get people interested - so I think EON/MGM are in the lucky position that they could 'risk' someone hardly anyone has ever seen before and it can work. But I don't think Jack Huston will be the next Bond. Sorry, Jack! ;))
  • doubleoegodoubleoego #LightWork
    Posts: 11,139
    patb wrote: »
    If you look at SC's first scene in Dr No, the thing that stands out for me is just how utterley relaxed and casual he is. From the way he tosses the cards on to the table to the way he smokes and talks to the way he walks away from the table. He plays the scene perfectly and sets the bar from then. Obvioulsy we all have our favourites but wouldn't it be great if we could find someone who was just that cool in scenes like that. I dont think anyone has matched that so far. Coolness is somehing we seemed to have lost within modern cinema. Who within the potential candidates can be cool?

    The answer to that is, there is no one today that we're familiar with that can do what Connery did as described as above. Connery just had "it". That natural effortlessness, wrapped in a fabric of charismatic charm and an emotional disposition of being ultimately suave and not giving a fuck made him one of a kind. A true alpha, which sadly, in today's world is like finding a needle in the proverbial. People are too soft and are trying way too hard to be something they're not and it just comes off looking blatantly artificial.

    If I were a producer at EoN, the criteria for acting and presence wouldn't just be the FRWL hotel suite scene? It would be the following:

    The entire introduction/casino scene from DN

    The killing of Dent

    The dinner scene in DN' lair

    Bond meeting Karina for the first time in FRWL

    The hotel room/love scene in FRWL

    The "I've made a few calculations of my own" scene from GF

    and...

    The scene where Bond finds Fiona in his bathtub from TB.

    If an actor more or less has the look and can nail these scenes, sign the contract!
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited September 2016 Posts: 23,883
    patb wrote: »
    If you look at SC's first scene in Dr No, the thing that stands out for me is just how utterley relaxed and casual he is. From the way he tosses the cards on to the table to the way he smokes and talks to the way he walks away from the table. He plays the scene perfectly and sets the bar from then. Obvioulsy we all have our favourites but wouldn't it be great if we could find someone who was just that cool in scenes like that. I dont think anyone has matched that so far. Coolness is somehing we seemed to have lost within modern cinema. Who within the potential candidates can be cool?
    The amazing thing about Connery in that scene is not only is he incredibly cool as you say, but he's also very comfortable in his skin. One believes that he is this confident British spy called 'James Bond' from the very first minute that we see him on screen. None of the other actors have come close to having such an impact in their opening scene or when they first open their mouths on camera.
    fanbond123 wrote: »
    But I don't think Jack Huston will be the next Bond. Sorry, Jack! ;))
    Agreed. Any hopes he may have had are forever dashed. The field has been whittled down by one.
  • Posts: 4,602
    When I first saw Dr No, I have to admit that I took SC's performance for granted. It's very easy to overlook how good he is. Now I am a fully fledged Bond geek and seen the rival performances by the other actors, you just have to admire how he got it so right. Its an interesting point now that, have we changed so much culturally that men (including actors) just dont have that swagger and air of utter confidence anymore. Have we become, as a gender, too self aware and sensitive to produce someone who can just "be" Bond (if that makes sense?) and how much of SC's Bond performance was a projection of his own values from the 50s and 60s?
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    patb wrote: »
    When I first saw Dr No, I have to admit that I took SC's performance for granted. It's very easy to overlook how good he is. Now I am a fully fledged Bond geek and seen the rival performances by the other actors, you just have to admire how he got it so right. Its an interesting point now that, have we changed so much culturally that men (including actors) just dont have that swagger and air of utter confidence anymore. Have we become, as a gender, too self aware and sensitive to produce someone who can just "be" Bond (if that makes sense?) and how much of SC's Bond performance was a projection of his own values from the 50s and 60s?
    That's a good point. I agree that 'the times' will influence the interpretation and the manner in which Bond's confidence is portrayed on screen. However, Bond must always appear confident and masculine, and even in today's world there are men (and actors) who can naturally exude that. It will just be done in a different way to Sean, to account for the era we live in.
  • SzonanaSzonana Mexico
    Posts: 1,130
    doubleoego wrote: »
    patb wrote: »
    If you look at SC's first scene in Dr No, the thing that stands out for me is just how utterley relaxed and casual he is. From the way he tosses the cards on to the table to the way he smokes and talks to the way he walks away from the table. He plays the scene perfectly and sets the bar from then. Obvioulsy we all have our favourites but wouldn't it be great if we could find someone who was just that cool in scenes like that. I dont think anyone has matched that so far. Coolness is somehing we seemed to have lost within modern cinema. Who within the potential candidates can be cool?

    The answer to that is, there is no one today that we're familiar with that can do what Connery did as described as above. Connery just had "it". That natural effortlessness, wrapped in a fabric of charismatic charm and an emotional disposition of being ultimately suave and not giving a fuck made him one of a kind. A true alpha, which sadly, in today's world is like finding a needle in the proverbial. People are too soft and are trying way too hard to be something they're not and it just comes off looking blatantly artificial.

    If I were a producer at EoN, the criteria for acting and presence wouldn't just be the FRWL hotel suite scene? It would be the following:

    The entire introduction/casino scene from DN

    The killing of Dent

    The dinner scene in DN' lair

    Bond meeting Karina for the first time in FRWL

    The hotel room/love scene in FRWL

    The "I've made a few calculations of my own" scene from GF

    and...

    The scene where Bond finds Fiona in his bathtub from TB.

    If an actor more or less has the look and can nail these scenes, sign the contract!


    I think Pierce Brosnan had this cool vibe like Sean Connery. You could see from the beginning in Goldeneye he was born to play Bond.
    The only flaw there was came from the hair and dress style departments, He just needed a better fitted suits and better hair cutwhich were fixed right away in his second film but his acting was great since his first film.


    That coolness, Charisma and Charm to me is more important than the fighting and action skills.


    Anyway saying so i agree with you the screen test should have more than just one scene and all the ones you mentioned are the perfect ones to know if an actor is right for Bond.

    Jamie Dornan could work he definitely has the good looks and but he is much more aimed at the female crowd.

    i know I've always said i want a Bond actor which will be loved by the females and could make them look forward to watch Bond as long as the next actor stays but now im afraid Jamie could alienate the guys which is the fan base i guess Eon cares more about.

    We need a bond actor which will be almost equally loved by both gendres like Sean Connery did























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