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He looks Clive Owenish??
Does he? Can't see that myself.
He actually does!
Nowadays, we either have full alpha males like Statham who aren't gentlemanly, or we've got ones who are too effeminate or barely look to have survived the inclusion of that category.
Well said.
Rrright... Well, my observations and my personal opinions don't align with your observations, and I also don't think that women and men see these things entirely differently. How people see these things generally vary more from person to person than between genders.
Most people posting here are male (a far larger percentage than I've ever seen in theatres watching the movies), and probably the most common thing the men here discuss regarding the next Bond is "whether they appeal to their own aesthetic preferences" - from height to build to hair to facial features... (it's very similar to most common discussions here about women that guys would like to see in Bond movies). To me the whole idea that one could tell from a mere photograph (or 50 photographs) if someone might be good for a part is a bit strange, I'd need to see an actor act.
Since movies are a visual medium, obviously looks also matter, but I can't imagine saying some actor "looks the part" - I don't even know what that means, really, and I don't think the Bond actors so far in that manner, either - I like some more than others, but it's certainly not a looks thing; I don't like those I like more because they appeal to my "aesthetic preferences." In fact, if I was asked to list my "aesthetic preferences" regarding men in general or Bond actors in particular, I couldn't make such a list. Looks of any kind without any other appeal (like personality and acting talent) are entirely meaningless to me.
Certainly some women may find an actor appealing just based on looks (Bond actors included). I don't personally know such women, but I'm sure they exist. Just like some men find actresses appealing just based on looks. From my observations the latter actually seems more common than the former.
Again, I'm only pointing out how men and women's preferences for a Bond actor differ. This is the reason why women can skip a Bond actor's entire tenure and come back later when they find one that is more to their liking. Men, on the other hand, will stick with the series through thick and thin, so long as the casting follows a similar trait. It's this particular trait that some of us are better equipped at identifying and articulating than some of the other members are.
I recall we had a fascinating discussion on this subject a few years back on a dedicated thread (I can't remember the name of the female member who started it, but she no longer posts here regrettably). I must confess shamefully that I fall into the category you noted above (highlighted) to an extent.
I can only speak for myself, but when I consider a potential Bond's look, it is usually what my mind's eye conjures when I think of the Bond character. And that is usually linked equally from what Fleming wrote, to the actors that have already portrayed Bond on screen.
Being alpha male isn't enough. He also has to be gentlemanly.
Something we don't have in the industry, these days. Only Cavill comes to mind when I think of the template.
Edit: would prefer Cavill over Hemsworth.
At one time I was a huge supporter of Cavill , in hindsight, based strictly on his look, but the more I saw of him the more my support dwindled. The opposite is true for Hemsworth, the more I see of him the more he looks perfect for the role.
Ah, ya have to love opinions. :D
https://theplaylist.net/james-bond-american-survey-actors-20181120/
The black James Bond argument is back with extensive polling to show that American audiences generally approve of a black actor taking the role after Craig. I think the question here is less whether there should be a black actor or whether Idris Elba should play the role. People just really want that guy in the part.
I'm surprised Eon didn't ditch Craig after 25 and just get Elba to do the next film. They'd be looking a certain $1billion worldwide gross.
I mean this guy oozes Bondian class and sophistication. Just look at these photos from last Sunday's Evening Standard Theatre Awards. He doesn't look like a man in his late 40's. I reckon they should take the punt...
The role is not really Bondian, but Madden at least shows that he can handle himself in an action thriller, in a similar setting to a Bond movie. And he now as a fanbase. Yes David Budd is not James Bond, but neither is Remington Steele.
Elba needs to appeal to alot more people than a few thousand slavering women.
Idris Elba's age is a hindrance anyway. Bond 26 to be released 2022/2023? Elba will be 50/51. Seems a bit old to start playing the role. Not impossible, I guess, but unlikely. It's fair to say Elba hasn't had a moderate-to-big Hollywood hit with him the leading actor (The Dark Tower did really badly and that was a major role) but Craig wasn't a big film star prior to Casino Royale. I don't think the next Bond actor has to be a big film star with many hits films. They have to have that magic ingredient to impress Barbara Broccoli. Who knows what that is!
Some new names should pop up before 2021 which could be the year Bond 26 goes into production. Madden should look a bit more mature by 2021 so could have a chance. On the other hand 2021 is three years away and people may forget Madden. His career may not keep him in the public eye. One day you're famous, the next you're not! I remember Julian McMahon as one of the names up for Bond back in 2004/2005. He was the star of tv's Nip/Tuck and he played Doctor Doom in Fantastic Four. I doubt most people remember him now. Impossible to predict who will be a 'hot name' around the time of Bond 26.
I think if Elba was cast it would prove to be huge in both the UK and in the Americas.
There is a huge amount of excitement for him in particular playing this role. He's beloved in both these regions and would post huge returns. I can see Elba topping SF's box office in both the UK and the US (though much is also dependent on a knock-out film to serve the perfect double punch).
However, perhaps a billion gross is a tad hyperbolic. International audiences, in particular Europe and Asia don't take to ethnic leads in blockbusters.
But I think an Idris Elba-Bond film would make more money and have a bigger impact than a fifth Daniel Craig film. From a business perspective, he would be a gamble but he would never post middling numbers. He'd either be a unmitigated hit or a pleasing success. You win both ways.
In terms of Elba's past box office, that is kinda redundant when it comes to Bond and franchise properties. Daniel Craig has starred in several noticeable bombs but posts big numbers as 007. It's the thought of that actor in the role that draws the crowds not the actor himself. People evidently like watching Daniel Craig play Bond, just not in anything else. The same would be the case for Elba - but tenfold.
His age is a concern as Eon run a 'franchise' and would like an actor who could be tied to the property for at least a decade. If they went for Elba it would be a punt. He'd be lucky to do two films. so he's a business risk, but the commercial incentive to 'mix things up' and bet big on a higher return has never been more palpable with Elba.
The truth is simple.....we have never seen so much enthusiasm around one actor for this role. If Eon were to let this energy slide, they may miss a massive moment. Elba is a once in a lifetime candidate. They could be leaving A LOT of money on the table.