Who should/could be a Bond actor?

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  • suavejmfsuavejmf Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England
    Posts: 5,131
    talos7 wrote: »
    Nothing.

    Well, it would silence a group of people, some of which don't even like Bond, but want the change just to upset the fans that don't want it to happen. And trust me, there are people like that out there, i've had the misfortune of encountering them.

    Bond is white, always has been, always should be. Don't like it? Then there are a number of other action/thriller series out there.

    Well said.
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    suavejmf wrote: »
    talos7 wrote: »
    Nothing.

    Well, it would silence a group of people, some of which don't even like Bond, but want the change just to upset the fans that don't want it to happen. And trust me, there are people like that out there, i've had the misfortune of encountering them.

    Bond is white, always has been, always should be. Don't like it? Then there are a number of other action/thriller series out there.
    Well said.
    Seconded.
  • 001001
    Posts: 1,575
    A colleague of mine told me today that they are going with a black actor as James Bond in the next film.

    Black Bond,Batman,superman,spiderman,wonder woman,hulk,thor etc = box office suicide.
  • edited January 2018 Posts: 12,837
    Revelator wrote: »
    I do find it interesting that I've read a lot more in depth posts on here from @Revelator about the original novels than many of the members pulling the Fleming wrote Bond as a white man card.

    Thank you for the very kind words! And thank you for your eminently sensible posts in this thread.
    The debate on racial casting seems to have hit the point of diminishing returns, so I'll summarize my points one last before moving on.
    I love Fleming but recognize that the films have to occasionally depart from or expand on their source material and need to keep up with changinging times and audiences (as that Den of Geek article makes clear). The series has sometimes strayed wildly from Fleming and into mindless excess and self-parody (MR, DAD, etc) but it usually circles back to Fleming's core version of the character.
    Speaking as a pragmatic Fleming fan, I have no regard with supposed Fleming purists who are okay with the films straying from Fleming but suddenly decide Fleming's hypothetical (and never stated) opinion on a Bond actor's race must be respected. Since Fleming himself changed Bond's nationality after Connery was cast and beforehand was considering an American for the role, we know that he was flexible about Bond's background and the actor playing him. In 1962 a Bond actor would have to be white, since Britain itself was predominantly white. 2017 is a much different era and Britishness no longer means whiteness. And while must Bond remain British, male, and heterosexual onscreen because those his identity would change drastically if he wasn't, being non-white does not mean non-British. Anyone who thinks otherwise should go back to 1962. What a 109 year old Fleming would think today is of course impossible to state with certainty. But I think everyone agrees that he intended Bond as a British hero, and in 2017 a non-white actor as Bond would not violate that intention one bit.
    @Revelator You still haven't given any good reason why he should change colour. Please, before you continue to try and devalue the arguments against, come up with a good reason why you should.

    Why? This thread is called who "could/should" play a Bond actor. There is no reason why Bond should be played by a non-white actor and there is no reason why he shouldn't, despite some of the flimsy logic given those uncomfortable with the idea of a non-white actor as Bond. If a British actor looks like he projects the right mix of suaveness, toughness, authority, and charm, then he deserves to be considered regardless of his race because he could play the role. That's all there is to it.

    Agree with every word of that. Actual Fleming purists, fine. He's always been white and I'd prefer not to lose a white hero? Can't agree but fair enough. But "Fleming wrote Bond as a white man, by the way guys don't you think DAD MR etc are really underrated?". Can't say I get it.

    Since you mentioned the site, have you read the DenOfGeek Bond retrospectives by the way @Revelator? They're my favourite Bond reviews out there. Always fair and balanced even when I don't agree with them, and the guy who wrote them seemed to really understand what makes Bond special. My favourite bit is when in one retrospective he described the rules of Baccarat as "both players look at their cards and Bond wins".
  • mattjoesmattjoes Julie T. and the M.G.'s
    Posts: 7,020
    Revelator wrote: »
    I do find it interesting that I've read a lot more in depth posts on here from @Revelator about the original novels than many of the members pulling the Fleming wrote Bond as a white man card.

    Thank you for the very kind words! And thank you for your eminently sensible posts in this thread.
    The debate on racial casting seems to have hit the point of diminishing returns, so I'll summarize my points one last before moving on.
    I love Fleming but recognize that the films have to occasionally depart from or expand on their source material and need to keep up with changinging times and audiences (as that Den of Geek article makes clear). The series has sometimes strayed wildly from Fleming and into mindless excess and self-parody (MR, DAD, etc) but it usually circles back to Fleming's core version of the character.
    Speaking as a pragmatic Fleming fan, I have no regard with supposed Fleming purists who are okay with the films straying from Fleming but suddenly decide Fleming's hypothetical (and never stated) opinion on a Bond actor's race must be respected. Since Fleming himself changed Bond's nationality after Connery was cast and beforehand was considering an American for the role, we know that he was flexible about Bond's background and the actor playing him. In 1962 a Bond actor would have to be white, since Britain itself was predominantly white. 2017 is a much different era and Britishness no longer means whiteness. And while must Bond remain British, male, and heterosexual onscreen because those his identity would change drastically if he wasn't, being non-white does not mean non-British. Anyone who thinks otherwise should go back to 1962. What a 109 year old Fleming would think today is of course impossible to state with certainty. But I think everyone agrees that he intended Bond as a British hero, and in 2017 a non-white actor as Bond would not violate that intention one bit.
    @Revelator You still haven't given any good reason why he should change colour. Please, before you continue to try and devalue the arguments against, come up with a good reason why you should.

    Why? This thread is called who "could/should" play a Bond actor. There is no reason why Bond should be played by a non-white actor and there is no reason why he shouldn't, despite some of the flimsy logic given those uncomfortable with the idea of a non-white actor as Bond. If a British actor looks like he projects the right mix of suaveness, toughness, authority, and charm, then he deserves to be considered regardless of his race because he could play the role. That's all there is to it.

    Agree with every word of that. Actual Fleming purists, fine. He's always been white and I'd prefer not to lose a white hero? Can't agree but fair enough. But "Fleming wrote Bond as a white man, by the way guys don't you think DAD MR etc are really underrated?". Can't say I get it.

    Since you mentioned the site, have you read the DenOfGeek Bond retrospectives by the way @Revelator? They're my favourite Bond reviews out there. Always fair and balanced even when I don't agree with them, and the guy who wrote them seemed to really understand what makes Bond special. My favourite bit is when in one retrospective he described the rules of Baccarat as "both players look at their cards and Bond wins".
    :))
  • Posts: 2,915
    Since you mentioned the site, have you read the DenOfGeek Bond retrospectives by the way @Revelator? They're my favourite Bond reviews out there. Always fair and balanced even when I don't agree with them, and the guy who wrote them seemed to really understand what makes Bond special. My favourite bit is when in one retrospective he described the rules of Baccarat as "both players look at their cards and Bond wins".

    Haven't read those yet but will have to try. Sadly there isn't much really good Bond writing on the web--I tried reading Film Critic Hulk's Bond articles but couldn't stand his ALL-CAPS style or his grad-school breast-beating about how morally awful Bond was (or his dislike and ignorance of Fleming). Anyway, I'll have to take a look at DenOfGeek's efforts.

  • Revelator wrote: »
    Since you mentioned the site, have you read the DenOfGeek Bond retrospectives by the way @Revelator? They're my favourite Bond reviews out there. Always fair and balanced even when I don't agree with them, and the guy who wrote them seemed to really understand what makes Bond special. My favourite bit is when in one retrospective he described the rules of Baccarat as "both players look at their cards and Bond wins".

    Haven't read those yet but will have to try. Sadly there isn't much really good Bond writing on the web--I tried reading Film Critic Hulk's Bond articles but couldn't stand his ALL-CAPS style or his grad-school breast-beating about how morally awful Bond was (or his dislike and ignorance of Fleming). Anyway, I'll have to take a look at DenOfGeek's efforts.

    I'm not keen on the majority either, nor the video ones. I do like Calvin Dyson but he tries a bit too hard to be funny sometimes imo. But the DenOfGeek ones are great. Always very fair and balanced and clearly written by someone who loves Bond and understands why it's lasted so long.
  • BennyBenny Shaken not stirredAdministrator, Moderator
    Posts: 15,129
    I've mentioned him before, but there's no harm in doing so again.
    I'll nominate Tom Hughes as a potential Bond #7
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Hughes_(actor)

    I think he's a very good actor, with a lot of range and emotion in his performance's.
    I first took note of him in The Game, but seeing him as Prince Albert in Victoria, I hadn't noticed it was Hughes until the credits rolled. I think he'd make a very good and capable OO7.

    gettyimages-628576728.jpg
  • Posts: 15,106
    Need to check him. He'd be the right age to succeed to Craig. Not too sure about his face on this picture. And need to hear his voice.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy My Secret Lair
    Posts: 13,384
    NME is putting Harry Styles forward as
    A possible 007 !
  • Posts: 15,106
    NME is putting Harry Styles forward as
    A possible 007 !

    Oh dear...
  • NicNacNicNac Administrator, Moderator
    edited January 2018 Posts: 7,582
    Well I didn't realise that Styles was 6 ft, but it appears so. Tall enough.

    He has an interesting look (handsome in an unconventional way), and can apparently act ( not seen Dunkirk). So, he may well be in contention for Bond in 10-15 years.

    Not this time round though

    Actually, editing this post. He would be 28 next time round so may just scrape in.

    I'm going out on a limb and suggest that I've read a lot worse suggestions than Harry Styles on here, and he has both the charisma and the fan following to maybe bring something to the role? May be wrong, but you never know.
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    Styles by name. No style by reputation.
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 8,195
    Now I am in no way comparing Harry Styles to Sean Connery but Sean didn't have an innate suaveness, he was groomed by Terence Young
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    edited January 2018 Posts: 15,423
    I believe Colonel Trautman said it best:

    "There was a sculptor. He found this stone, a special stone. He dragged it home and he worked on it for months until he finally finished it. When he was ready he showed it to his friends. They said he had created a great masterpiece, but the sculptor said he hadn't created anything. The statue was always there, he just chipped away the rough edges."

    One has to have that gift. Connery certainly had it, it just had to be enhanced and cultivated. Otherwise, you just can't force someone against his own nature.
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 8,195
    Lol, I came across this. Who , knows 10 of 15 year years on...

    gdvyR3Q.jpg
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    edited January 2018 Posts: 13,978
    NME is putting Harry Styles forward as
    A possible 007 !

    Disgust-Disgusted-Euw-Eww-No-No-way.gif

    To quote JW Pepper "What the f..*vrroooom*".

    I'm putting my dog forward as a possible 007. He's part Black Lab, so that's the handsome box ticked and he's part Collie, so that's the athleticism box ticked. His fee is negotiable.
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    Your dog has my blessing, @MajorDSmythe! :))
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,978
    Your dog has my blessing, @MajorDSmythe! :))

    BusterforBond.com.
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    Your dog has my blessing, @MajorDSmythe! :))
    BusterforBond.com.
    Petition Signed.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    NicNac wrote: »
    I'm going out on a limb and suggest that I've read a lot worse suggestions than Harry Styles on here, and he has both the charisma and the fan following to maybe bring something to the role? May be wrong, but you never know.
    You're right @NicNac. You're wrong. ;)
  • NicNacNicNac Administrator, Moderator
    Posts: 7,582
    bondjames wrote: »
    NicNac wrote: »
    I'm going out on a limb and suggest that I've read a lot worse suggestions than Harry Styles on here, and he has both the charisma and the fan following to maybe bring something to the role? May be wrong, but you never know.
    You're right @NicNac. You're wrong. ;)

    The only times I'm ever wrong, is when I'm not right. And vice versa.

    All other times, I'm...wrrringt. :)
  • Posts: 17,744
    Ludovico wrote: »
    Need to check him. He'd be the right age to succeed to Craig. Not too sure about his face on this picture. And need to hear his voice.

    He has a darker voice than James Norton, who has also been named here. As an actor, he's been fine in the roles I've seen him in. In an episode of Miss Marple he played the killer, which showcased a bit of cruelty – but then again, Miss Marple is lighthearted and not the kind of series that allows that much range, perhaps. In the mini-series The Game, he actually plays a MI5 operative, but the role he plays is kind of "toned down" – if I remember it correctly.

    A clip from The Game. Doesn't do much, but you hear his voice at least.


    Is he Bond material? In my opinion, maybe. Depends on the direction. He certainly will be very different to Craig, that's for sure.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Another ridiculous suggestion
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    I've seen The Game. Decent series but nothing about Hughes screamed Bond to me at all. He didn't stand out and reminds me of a supporting actor more than a lead. More Whishaw than Craig. He lacks that star power, and the same goes for Hunnam and Norton.
  • Posts: 15,106
    NME is putting Harry Styles forward as
    A possible 007 !

    Disgust-Disgusted-Euw-Eww-No-No-way.gif

    To quote JW Pepper "What the f..*vrroooom*".

    I'm putting my dog forward as a possible 007. He's part Black Lab, so that's the handsome box ticked and he's part Collie, so that's the athleticism box ticked. His fee is negotiable.

    Styles is Robbie Williams all over again. And I'm all for a younger Bond so his tenure can last a decent amount of time but that is pushing it.

    So tell us more about your dog!

    @NicNac I will need to check the video when home.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    If your dog is black, it cannot play Bond.
  • mattjoesmattjoes Julie T. and the M.G.'s
    Posts: 7,020
    -M.
    -Bitch.
    -Blackdog. Blackdog.
    -Woof!
  • edited January 2018 Posts: 17,744
    bondjames wrote: »
    I've seen The Game. Decent series but nothing about Hughes screamed Bond to me at all. He didn't stand out and reminds me of a supporting actor more than a lead. More Whishaw than Craig. He lacks that star power, and the same goes for Hunnam and Norton.

    Think he acted alright, but it's not like I'm championing the guy to get the role, necessarily. Just think he is a better choice that a freaking Harry Styles or whatever the guy's called. Looks like he acted even better in Victoria, if I understand @Benny correctly.

    My favourite of the names mentioned on this thread is still Luke Evans, but he's getting older too.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited January 2018 Posts: 23,883
    bondjames wrote: »
    I've seen The Game. Decent series but nothing about Hughes screamed Bond to me at all. He didn't stand out and reminds me of a supporting actor more than a lead. More Whishaw than Craig. He lacks that star power, and the same goes for Hunnam and Norton.

    Think he acted alright, but it's not like I'm championing the guy to get the role, necessarily. Just think he is a better choice that a freaking Harry Styles or whatever the guy's called. Looks like he acted even better in Victoria, if I understand @Benny correctly.

    My favourite of the names mentioned on this thread is still Luke Evans, but he's getting older too.
    Oh, I certainly agree that he's a decent actor. He was good in The Game. That's not really my point. Bond is mainly about projection. Screen charisma. One either has it or one doesn't. I've yet to see Hughes give off that indescribable presence onscreen that would suggest he could consistently bring in the punters.

    Evans is another one I need to see really stand out in a film. I recently viewed Professor Marston & The Wonder Women (an excellent film by the way). He was decent enough in it but was completely overshadowed by Rebecca Hall and Bella Heathcote.
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