It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
^ Back to Top
The MI6 Community is unofficial and in no way associated or linked with EON Productions, MGM, Sony Pictures, Activision or Ian Fleming Publications. Any views expressed on this website are of the individual members and do not necessarily reflect those of the Community owners. Any video or images displayed in topics on MI6 Community are embedded by users from third party sites and as such MI6 Community and its owners take no responsibility for this material.
James Bond News • James Bond Articles • James Bond Magazine
Comments
I'd argue that that's way more nuanced. More British actors can do an American accent than American actors nail British ones, but there are some American actors who have nailed a British accent to a T.
One of my favourite people on YouTube, dialect coach Erik Singer explains why American actors generally have a hard time perfecting a British accent here:
I'd suggest some of his other videos in which he talks about accents and performances at length. The stereotype of US actors always sounding like Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins is just not true.
Well I'm not an actor but up until now no Brit has ever thought of me to be Dutch hearing me speak. Quite the opposite, one once asked my how it came to be that my Dutch was so good.
Another once pinpointed exactly from which English town (close to the Scottish border) I came from. Sadly I forgot the name, I'd love to visit it one day.
I don't think that's really the problem. My main issue is that there's far more to a character than just his accent, and mannerisms are often culture bound as well. So even if Michiel would do a perfect accent, his performance would most likely still be 'off' in a way that nobody can pinpoint exactly.
As I'm married to my own Mrs. Sommerset, (also from the Sovjet Union, not Russia in this case), I've been made all too aware of my 'Dutchness'.
Name one US actor who can do an English accent convincingly?
Although...
:D
(Although that guy's Welsh accent really sucks! His English is much better but is an odd hybrid of two different accents)
I mean, I get the feeling you'll simply say "no it isn't!", so there isn't much point. But, just for the fun of it, I've always been impressed with Renee Zellweger's Bridget Jones. I'm from London (so better placed to judge than you are if you're from Harrogate) and it's flawless to my ears.
It’s ok. A tad pantomime. I have family from all around the Country including Surrey and London. I was looking for a male example given we’re talking about potential Bond actors? There are some shocking examples of US actors failing to do English accents...including Jonnny Depp and Keano Reeves.....
I haven’t seen or heard of either actor/ actress so I can’t comment. But I assume you are British @Thunderball ? The reason I ask is American’s and other Countrymen (in my experience) are not able to decipher differing English accents and unless one is British, it’s not easy to spot a fake. But an Englishman can spot the fake a mile away.
Most American Actors undertake a fake pantomime version of what they obviously think is a realistic English accent. But to an Englishman it sounds (for want of a better word) crap.
Exactly. And we Brits have some of the best actors and acting studios in the world. That’s why Hollywood is flooded with Brits. No need to manufacture a fake accent Bond, when have plenty of great Brits to choose from.
No, it's great. And as I say, I'm better placed to spot a bad one than a Yorkshireman ;)
It's not. I wasn't aware 'Cockney's' spoke the Queen's English! ;) Unless your from Chelsea. Besides, I'm from Harrogate....we don't really have Yorkshire accents here.
https://www.insider.com/worst-onscreen-british-accents-2018-8#heather-graham-tried-multiple-accents-in-from-hell-9..................................
"In the original "Bridget Jones’s Diary," Renee Zellweger’s London accent was almost universally praised. So how did it go backward and start to sound like a caricature by the third movie?
Slate’s Rebecca Schuman described the transition like this:
"When the original 'Bridget Jones' adaptation premiered in 2001, it caused granny-underwear-size shockwaves not just for its star’s monstrous weight gain (to the unheard-of size of many healthy human females), but also for the alleged authenticity of her dialect, which native Britons described as 'bang on' and 'impeccable.'
"In the intervening decade and a half, however, it appears that Zellweger has either switched dialect coaches or sacked hers altogether, and I fear 'Bridget Jones’s Baby' will land the actress somewhere between a Costner and a Reeves in the annals of accent history."
Yeah it's a great 'impression' and very funny. Not realistic though is it.
No, I'm American but I've heard awful English accents from American actors and good ones, but the good are in the minority.
It's possible that my two examples would still sound way off to the ears of Brits'. I don't know. All I do know is that Hollywood needs to stop casting Americans (and Canadians) in British roles, and cast, oh I don't know, actual Brits?
It really is good: you're just not someone who knows them very well. And you admitted yourself that you can't even tell an Aussie from a Kiwi :D As an Englishman from London/Surrey I can tell you it's practically flawless. You're just wrong on this one, move on.
Uh-huh, so you've gone from saying it's "ok" to a full-on assassination of it? :D Interesting escalation...
Yes. Definitely. Although there is no excuse for poor acting. Bond with a poor accent/ fake accent is unforgivable.
Im not sure how being from Surrey qualifies one to spot a fake British accent?....It’s not even in London....but hey ho, I’ll agree to disagree.
That’s not my view of the Zellwigger accent at all? It’s a Critics/ journalists view. I was just putting forward another persons view point from a published article. My view remains the same. It’s ok. A tad pantomime.
I’ve only seen part of first film through force so I can’t really comment on the other films....not my kind of movie. IMO one for a female audience.
Anyway, back to the subject in hand. Bond should only be played by a Brit actor IMO.
Interesting. Looks like Turner is the top choice, and his support is growing as time goes on. I wonder if by the time they come to cast he might be the presumptive candidate with the public, such as like Brosnan and Moore were. I think most fans are looking forward to a more traditional style of Bond, and Turner is certainly charming and isn't as rough around the edges as Craig.
I'd be very excited about his casting. I thought he was terrific in Rocketman and had a sterling turn in his minor role in 1917.
I just get the impression that at 33, Madden is destined to inherit the Bond role.....I don't think his sexuality will come into it, as we aren't in 1969 anymore. Plus, Madden is likely bisexual based on press reporting. Which is no big deal.
He's a great actor and can do the more emotional stuff we have come to expect from the Craig era. But he has that classical leading man look - akin to Brosnan and his 007 rival Henry Cavill.
But since we will only get a new Bond in...probably...six years, or seven, he won't be the right age by then.
Craig would have a serious contender in the gym department, I think.
I voted for Fassbender, but I’d be happy with Turner.
That'd be swell :)
I’d bet Cavill would win in a fight then.