Who should/could be a Bond actor?

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  • Posts: 6,396
    Samuel001 wrote:
    I'm sure it's been said before but any future Bond actor would be born in the mid to late eighties. Knowing this takes nearly every current name off the board and shows that we're likely yet to hear of the next Bond doing much work, as of now.

    All depends what age the producers will be looking for by that point. If Bond 25 is to be Dan's last film and is released in 2017/18, Hiddlestone will only be 37. By the time casting is announced, he'll still be south of 40 so I wouldn't rule him out just yet.
  • Samuel001Samuel001 Moderator
    edited February 2014 Posts: 13,356
    The likelihood is, recasting will not be an issue for a number of years. I highly doubt Craig would leave having barely turned 50. Besides, no one with an already established role will become James Bond.

    Mid to late eighties. Count on it.
  • Posts: 6,396
    Moore, Brosnan, were they not established?

    It's all pure guesswork. We have absolutely no idea what EON are thinking about in terms of the future.
  • Samuel001Samuel001 Moderator
    edited February 2014 Posts: 13,356
    Not known the world over, no. Personally, I can't see it. Not today, with the way many other big roles are cast. Times have changed.

    This is not to say Tom Hiddleston would not be any good as Bond. I think that he would be very good. Just that I do not see him or anyone born around that time being cast.

    As for the future, they will want Daniel Craig for a while, hence my remarks on the next actor's date of birth.

    Maybe this thread needs to be split into who would have been good as Bond, with another looking for the next star.
  • Richard Burton would have been fantastic

    getfile.php?type=event_images&id=RichardBurton371.jpg&tn=3

    BURTON_STAR-377927.jpg

    richard+burton.jpg

  • edited February 2014 Posts: 6,396
    Moore achieved huge worldwide recognition in The Saint. In many countries he's still known as much for playing Simon Templar as he is for Bond.

    We've had unknown actors, established actors, actors in their 30's, actors in their 40's. We cannot know with any degree of certainty, which way the producers will go next.

    And there's nothing to say the producers won't replace DC any more than they did PB if they feel the time is right for a change.

    I doubt anyone foresaw Pierce getting the boot in '04.
  • Samuel001Samuel001 Moderator
    edited February 2014 Posts: 13,356
    The difference is this time EON are all over Daniel, or were at the time if Skyfall at least. Bond for the next ten years, he'll be waiting a long time for 'the phone call', at least two more, he'll do Bond until they say no more ect. They haven't gotten on this well with someone since Roger Moore or at least from the outside this is how it appears.

    Casting a middle aged man in their 30's makes sense with the production time of films today but maybe they would want someone for a few if they were the right guy. You're right @willygalore we don't know but I do think we can make some educated guesses. If I'm wrong I'll hold my hands up with pride. This is just one person's viewpoint after all. :)
  • Birdleson wrote:
    I agree with Pierce2Daniel. I really wish that the producer had the nerve to film a straight CASINO ROYALE in 1967, as originally planned. With Richard Burton.

    Burton would have been terrific. He likely would have gone down as the best Bond, such a shame he never got the role. We know he was under consideration at one point but maybe be was too big a 'star' for the part, nonetheless he was always a classy actor driven more by the material than the acclaim so maybe Bond was never his cup of tea.

    I in fact think Heath Ledger would have been a great Bond back in 2006. We know there was one point where his name was heavily thrown around but nothing same of it. He fit the original brief so well, that of a late-20's Bond going on his first mission. Daniel was definitely plausible in the end, especially considering that Bond had apparently risen to the rank of Commander etc. But Heath would have been a great young Bond back in those reboot days.

    heath.jpg

    fourfeatherspuba.jpg

  • edited February 2014 Posts: 1,661
    I don't think a guy that almost drunk himself to death - Richard Burton - would have been a good choice for James Bond. I accept your private life is not the same as your acting life but there was something a bit desperate and pathetic about Burton's lifestyle (no offence meant to anyone that's struggled with alcoholism). He was one of Ian Fleming's choices for James Bond, though. Roger Moore seemed to have more panache and smooth charm than Burton, anyway, although this is just my personal opinion and everyone has a different idea of what Bond should be like.



  • edited February 2014 Posts: 1,778
    fanbond123 wrote:
    I don't think a guy that almost drunk himself to death - Richard Burton - would have been a good choice for James Bond. I accept your private life is not the same as your acting life but there was something a bit desperate and pathetic about Burton's lifestyle (no offence meant to anyone that's struggled with alcoholism). He was one of Ian Fleming's choices for James Bond, though. Roger Moore seemed to have more panache than Burton, anyway, although this is all personal opinion and everyone has a different idea of what Bond should be like.

    I wouldn't have cared for Burton either. He just didn't have that same devil-may-care attitude as Connery or Moore. Plus when he was seriously considered in 1969 for OHMSS I think he already looked too old. By 1969 he was 44 but didn't quite look as dashing as Moore, Dalton, Brosnan or Craig did despite the fact that they all played Bond in their mid-fourties. It probably had something to do with his constant drinking and at 44 he looked bloated and worn out. Hardly a sexy image for James Bond. And keep in mind that would've only been his first Bond film. By the time he'd have gotten to LADL he would've looked like a joke.

    And like you said, I believe Burton's personal life might've taken too much attention away from the role.
  • edited February 2014 Posts: 1,661
    Some details on Burton's alcohol addiction:

    "After drinking himself nearly to death during the shooting of The Klansman (1974), Burton was dried out at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California. Burton allegedly was so inebriated while making the picture that many of his scenes had to be filmed with him sitting or lying down due to his inability to stand. In some scenes, he appears to slur his words or speak incoherently.Burton himself said of the time leading up to his near loss of life, "I was fairly sloshed for five years."

    Is the sort of man you want playing James Bond. I think not! We are all human and flawed but a more cleaning living actor playing James Bond is better than someone like Richard Burton.
  • That's hardly fair, addiction is a disease and is something that is very difficult to avoid for a number of people.

    On the other hand, Sean Connery was a total misogynist who happily cheated on his wife with a dozen women and openly admitted to beating them up. This lifestyle is very deliberate and chosen. You're telling me you'd rather have a pig-headed chauvinist play Bond?

    In any case it hardly matters what lifestyle any actor has when considering if they are right for a part, it's the work that they do and Burton was a great actor.
  • edited February 2014 Posts: 1,778
    Birdleson wrote:
    I agree with Pierce2Daniel. I really wish that the producer had the nerve to film a straight CASINO ROYALE in 1967, as originally planned. With Richard Burton.

    Burton would have been terrific. He likely would have gone down as the best Bond, such a shame he never got the role. We know he was under consideration at one point but maybe be was too big a 'star' for the part, nonetheless he was always a classy actor driven more by the material than the acclaim so maybe Bond was never his cup of tea.

    I in fact think Heath Ledger would have been a great Bond back in 2006. We know there was one point where his name was heavily thrown around but nothing same of it. He fit the original brief so well, that of a late-20's Bond going on his first mission. Daniel was definitely plausible in the end, especially considering that Bond had apparently risen to the rank of Commander etc. But Heath would have been a great young Bond back in those reboot days.

    heath.jpg

    fourfeatherspuba.jpg

    Ledger would've only been 26 when they started filming CR in early 2006. Even for a rookie 007 that's far too young. The youngest they could've gone for Bond in CR would be 31 or 32. I'd imagine it takes a little while to work your way up too 00 status and 26 would've looked alittle ridiculous.
    That's hardly fair, addiction is a disease and is something that is very difficult to avoid for a number of people.

    On the other hand, Sean Connery was a total misogynist who happily cheated on his wife with a dozen women and openly admitted to beating them up. This lifestyle is very deliberate and chosen. You're telling me you'd rather have a pig-headed chauvinist play Bond?

    In any case it hardly matters what lifestyle any actor has when considering if they are right for a part, it's the work that they do and Burton was a great actor.

    Simply being a good actor isn't enough. I consider Steve Buschmi to be a very good actor but I wouldn't cast him as Bond. Burton just didn't have that edge and didn't take too good care of himself physically.
  • An interview with Paul Haggis back in 2005 revealed that Bond was 28 in his script.

    http://www.mi6-hq.com/news/index.php?itemid=2804

    Ledger could have played 28 with ease.

    As for Burton's lifestyle, it's far from relevant. He had the look, the skill and the ability. He could have been an amazing Bond, I think it's very short-sighted to rule him out because he was an alcoholic. I'd rather have a great actor than some squeaky-clean pretty boy.

    Back to Ledger though. I think he could have been great he was such a gifted actor. Maybe had his circumstances been different and he got the Bond role his tragedy could have been avoided, but who am I to say.

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    There is also an argument that Sean Bean would have made a more interesting Bond than Pierce....

    BeanBrosnan.jpg

    What about 1990's Ralph? I just see Mallory now.

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  • How about this guy?

    Mick-Criminal-Minds.jpg

    His name's Matt Ryan. He's welsh, so he'd have to do an accent, but he's a really good actor. He's also born in the 80s and he's pretty unknown (he hasn't been in much apart from bit parts on telly).

    Recently he played Edward, the main character, in Assassin's Creed 4, which he was brilliant at. It was a complex character but he nailed it and gave a great performance. This has also boosted his career a bit as he's now been cast in the lead in a new TV show in America, based on some comic book.

    He looks the part, he's a good enough actor and he won't be too old or too famous once Daniel leaves.
  • LicencedToKilt69007LicencedToKilt69007 Belgium, Wallonia
    Posts: 523
    @thelivingroyale : He may be good enough but I think he doesn't look the part. Strictly considering Bond's physical characteristics (black hair, blue eyes...).
  • edited February 2014 Posts: 1,548
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  • edited February 2014 Posts: 15,229
    It depends when Craig will leave the role. Matt Ryan may be ripe and ready then, he may be either too old by then (unlikely, I know) or simply out of the producer's radar. My money would be on Richard Madden, if he was not so "short" (nearly but not quite 5'10 according to IMDB).

    Oh and I probably said it before, but Ray Lonnen would have been great to succeed to Roger Moore in FYEO.
  • edited February 2014 Posts: 12,837
    @thelivingroyale : He may be good enough but I think he doesn't look the part. Strictly considering Bond's physical characteristics (black hair, blue eyes...).

    Well right now we have a blonde Bond, so I don't think hair colour is an issue (there are more recent photos of him with black hair but he's grown it longer so I didn't bother posting those). I think as long as the actor is handsome and in good shape it doesn't matter.
    Ludovico wrote:
    It depends when Craig will leave the role. Matt Ryan may be ripe and ready then, he may be either too old by then (unlikely, I know) or simply out of the producer's radar. My money would be on Richard Madden, if he was not so "short" (nearly but not quite 5'10 according to IMDB).

    He's in this show called "Constantine" coming out soon. I think this will boost his profile a bit so he could be on the producers radar after that. I doubt he'll get the role (I doubt any of our suggestions will) but I think he'd do a good job. I'm looking forward to seeing more of him either way, thought he was great in Assassin's Creed.

    I've just looked up Richard Madden, I haven't seen him in anything so I can't judge how good an actor he is but he doesn't seem good looking enough to me. Although I'm a bloke and I'm straight so my opinion on that side of things doesn't really matter.
  • Armie Hammer would be a good choice for Bond, give him a few years though.
    Armie+Hammer+GQ+2.jpg

    (Actors learn other accents and languages for roles, so dont give me the "he's not british" rant.)

    all his films he's been the main star have bombed, which leads me to think he'd be a bad bond in whatever language/accent he spoke.

    let's see what he does opposite proper bond material in the man from uncle.



  • edited February 2014 Posts: 15,229
    I've just looked up Richard Madden, I haven't seen him in anything so I can't judge how good an actor he is but he doesn't seem good looking enough to me. Although I'm a bloke and I'm straight so my opinion on that side of things doesn't really matter.

    I am a straight bloke so I am not a specialist, but always thought he may be too good looking in a soft way to play Bond, but thought his face may grow virile as he matures. He is Scottish, which I thought would be an asset and he played Sean Bean's son in Game of Thrones, so I made the association partially because of this.

    But hey, he is probably too short and maybe too much of a redhead (on some pictures). On the other hand, he is Scottish, has worked with actors in Bond movies before (and at least closely with one) and he might have the right face, given a few years.
  • edited February 2014 Posts: 12,837
    Here's a more Bond-like picture of Matt Ryan

    matt-ryan-criminal-minds-2.jpg

    @Ludovico If Richard Madden is Scottish, can he do an English accent? Because although Bond is half Scottish I don't think he should speak with a thick Scottish accent (Connery's wasn't really thick).
  • Posts: 15,229
    Watch Games of Throne, he did not strike me as having a thick Scottish accent. Matt Ryan looks somewhat Bondian in this picture, he may be able to pull it.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,343
    Michael Fassbender would be a lead contender for me. Reminds me a bit of a young Ian Fleming, therefore he's perfect in my book.
  • doubleoegodoubleoego #LightWork
    Posts: 11,139
    Tom Mison!
  • Posts: 5,745
    Dragonpol wrote:
    Michael Fassbender would be a lead contender for me. Reminds me a bit of a young Ian Fleming, therefore he's perfect in my book.

    I'd love to read that book.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,343
    JWESTBROOK wrote:
    Dragonpol wrote:
    Michael Fassbender would be a lead contender for me. Reminds me a bit of a young Ian Fleming, therefore he's perfect in my book.

    I'd love to read that book.

    Can you expand on that, @JWESTBROOK?
  • Samuel001Samuel001 Moderator
    edited February 2014 Posts: 13,356
    It's a joke. How in any way, is he perfect?
  • Fassbender is too much of a star to play Bond now. Moore, Craig and Brosnan were sort of famous but Fassbender is a Hollywood megastar who's constantly in big films. No chance of him getting the part now.
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,359
    Fassbender is too much of a star to play Bond now. Moore, Craig and Brosnan were sort of famous but Fassbender is a Hollywood megastar who's constantly in big films. No chance of him getting the part now.

    I think that excuse has fizzled out. We don't know who EON will hire next.
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