Who should/could be a Bond actor?

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  • CraigMooreOHMSSCraigMooreOHMSS Dublin, Ireland
    edited September 2020 Posts: 8,216
    Irvine was pretty good in War Horse. Did a solid job anchoring that film amidst a couple of heavyweights even though he was only a twenty-year old.
  • ImpertinentGoonImpertinentGoon Everybody needs a hobby.
    Posts: 1,351
    With the view that the shooting will not start before at least two years, which I doubt since I think Eon will want to take a break and the general audience won't want to see a new iteration anytime soon, my first choice would be Ben Aldridge who has already been mentioned here.

    He would be around 37 years old at the time of filming, which leaves him a margin of a little over twelve years before reaching fifty. Assuming each installment would be released every three years, he could easily complete a four movie run at 50. It would be honorable. He seems to me in any case to be a potential candidate, which is likely not to go unnoticed by Eon since he started in Fleabag.

    Pennyworth-feature.jpg

    Aldridge would be great just for the fit the British tabloids would throw if an openly LGBT actor was cast as Bond.

  • Posts: 15,111
    With the view that the shooting will not start before at least two years, which I doubt since I think Eon will want to take a break and the general audience won't want to see a new iteration anytime soon, my first choice would be Ben Aldridge who has already been mentioned here.

    He would be around 37 years old at the time of filming, which leaves him a margin of a little over twelve years before reaching fifty. Assuming each installment would be released every three years, he could easily complete a four movie run at 50. It would be honorable. He seems to me in any case to be a potential candidate, which is likely not to go unnoticed by Eon since he started in Fleabag.

    Pennyworth-feature.jpg

    Aldridge would be great just for the fit the British tabloids would throw if an openly LGBT actor was cast as Bond.

    I'd have no problem with a gay actor as Bond, but sadly I doubt they'll dare to risk it.
  • BennyBenny Shaken not stirredAdministrator, Moderator
    Posts: 15,133
    I can't say I've seen Ben Aldridge in anything. But he has an interesting look. There's something of a character in his face. I could see him as a potential candidate. The fact that he's openly gay is not a problem. Nor should it be.
  • DenbighDenbigh UK
    edited September 2020 Posts: 5,970
    Benny wrote: »
    The fact that he's openly gay is not a problem. Nor should it be.
    100% @Benny

    I don’t see what the “risk” is either. If people can’t handle a gay actor as Bond then that’s their problem.
  • Posts: 6,709
    Denbigh wrote: »
    Benny wrote: »
    The fact that he's openly gay is not a problem. Nor should it be.
    100% @Benny

    I don’t see what the “risk” is either. If people can’t handle a gay actor as Bond then that’s their problem.

    I'll say it again: Luke Evans for Bond!

    Oh, and that Aldridge fella also looks the part. Good choice.
  • BennyBenny Shaken not stirredAdministrator, Moderator
    Posts: 15,133
    I think Luke Evans would make a good Bond. Lots of charisma, good looking. Confident and a good actor too boot. Can handle action and drama well. Getting to the older end for a debut Bond, but certainly not too old. And well known enough, without being too well known. I'd be quite happy with Luke Evans as the successor to Daniel Craig.
  • ThunderballThunderball playing Chemin de Fer in a casino, downing Vespers
    Posts: 814
    I suppose Evan's would've been fine, but he's the same age as me, 41. Probably too old now.
  • DenbighDenbigh UK
    Posts: 5,970
    Ben Aldridge actually starred alongside another one of my suggestions, Sean Teale.

    81zcfIID2BL._RI_.jpg
  • ImpertinentGoonImpertinentGoon Everybody needs a hobby.
    edited September 2020 Posts: 1,351
    Denbigh wrote: »
    Benny wrote: »
    The fact that he's openly gay is not a problem. Nor should it be.
    100% @Benny

    I don’t see what the “risk” is either. If people can’t handle a gay actor as Bond then that’s their problem.

    Fully agree of course, that the sexuality of the actor doesn't matter. And I don't think it would be a huge problem for Eon. I wonder though if the actor would be hesitant. As I said before, the tabloids and a certain very loud section of social media would go crazy. And without having any closer knowledge, that might sadly make someone think twice.
    But it's the role of a lifetime for a British actor, so I'm probably overthinking here (again).
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    edited September 2020 Posts: 16,363
    Denbigh wrote: »
    Benny wrote: »
    The fact that he's openly gay is not a problem. Nor should it be.
    100% @Benny

    I don’t see what the “risk” is either. If people can’t handle a gay actor as Bond then that’s their problem.

    Fully agree of course, that the sexuality of the actor doesn't matter. And I don't think it would be a huge problem for Eon. I wonder though if the actor would be hesitant. As I said before, the tabloids and a certain very loud section of social media would go crazy.

    Yes I said the same thing the last time he was suggested in this thread. Some Bond fans lose their mind as soon as a blond fella plays Bond or a black woman is cast as a new double-O, I'd hate to think what some of the crazier ones would say if that happened. No reason not to of course.
    Alridge is one of those guys I'm sure I've seen in a few things but I don't remember any of it particularly. Very familiar face.
  • DenbighDenbigh UK
    Posts: 5,970
    Yeah, the press and certain reactions will be an unfortunate element, I mean we know how they reacted to a blonde actor, but hopefully EON and whoever the actor is will be able to look past it and let their films prove otherwise.
  • Jordo007Jordo007 Merseyside
    Posts: 2,641
    Aldridge has the right look and he does seem to be a good actor. I remember watching him in the series, Our Girl, me and the Mrs loved the show, her for Aldridge and me for Michelle Keegan. I honestly couldn't care less about the guys personal life, providing they have a good character and carry themselves well in the press tours.

    I do think with Ben and most of the other candidates, they need a leading role to show off there potential for Bond, like what Layer Cake did for Daniel for instance. Looking at most of the candidates they're either too well known or they're one step from being a potential Bond
  • Denbigh wrote: »
    Ben Aldridge actually starred alongside another one of my suggestions, Sean Teale.

    81zcfIID2BL._RI_.jpg

    Sean Teale is on of the best suggestions that has been basically ignored by the posters on this board. This guy looks like Sean Connery. If someone told the average person he was Connery's great nephew or cousin they'd believe it.
  • Posts: 6,709
    Agreed, although I think he could bulk up a lot, and shave.
  • Posts: 15,111
    Denbigh wrote: »
    Benny wrote: »
    The fact that he's openly gay is not a problem. Nor should it be.
    100% @Benny

    I don’t see what the “risk” is either. If people can’t handle a gay actor as Bond then that’s their problem.

    Fully agree of course, that the sexuality of the actor doesn't matter. And I don't think it would be a huge problem for Eon. I wonder though if the actor would be hesitant. As I said before, the tabloids and a certain very loud section of social media would go crazy. And without having any closer knowledge, that might sadly make someone think twice.
    But it's the role of a lifetime for a British actor, so I'm probably overthinking here (again).

    Like I said I'm all for it and from what I can see on Aldridge's pictures he seems to be, like Luke Evans, the kind of gay guy who could give masculinity lessons to many straight men. But I think it would be a harder sale than a blond Bond, or maybe even a Black Bond. I hope I'm wrong as most of the straight actors mentioned in this thread don't convince me one bit.
  • Jordo007 wrote: »
    I do think with Ben and most of the other candidates, they need a leading role to show off there potential for Bond, like what Layer Cake did for Daniel for instance. Looking at most of the candidates they're either too well known or they're one step from being a potential Bond

    While I do agree with this argument, especially when it comes to interest the general audience, one's could argue that if people like us, who do not necessarily have ties to the movie industry, are able to notice such profiles and associate them with the franchise on a voluntary basis, then people who are professional casting directors should be able to do the same, without waiting to see these actors play leading roles.
  • DenbighDenbigh UK
    edited September 2020 Posts: 5,970
    parkert5 wrote: »
    Denbigh wrote: »
    Ben Aldridge actually starred alongside another one of my suggestions, Sean Teale.

    81zcfIID2BL._RI_.jpg

    Sean Teale is on of the best suggestions that has been basically ignored by the posters on this board. This guy looks like Sean Connery. If someone told the average person he was Connery's great nephew or cousin they'd believe it.
    Yeah, he does have a bit of Connery about him, and is certainly someone I'd be happy to see on EON's radar :)
    1488333149-teal2.jpg
    Jordo007 wrote: »
    I do think with Ben and most of the other candidates, they need a leading role to show off there potential for Bond, like what Layer Cake did for Daniel for instance. Looking at most of the candidates they're either too well known or they're one step from being a potential Bond
    While I do agree with this argument, especially when it comes to interest the general audience, one's could argue that if people like us, who do not necessarily have ties to the movie industry, are able to notice such profiles and associate them with the franchise on a voluntary basis, then people who are professional casting directors should be able to do the same, without waiting to see these actors play leading roles.
    +1
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    edited September 2020 Posts: 16,363
    I think he's worth checking out, but also I'm wary of getting too hung up on looks: I remember when everyone said Adrian Paul out of Highlander should play Bond just because he bore a passing resemblance to Connery too. The last time Eon hired someone because they looked like Connery we got Lazenby...

    I'm always put in mind of this guy, Adam Rayner:
    dabbcd6b8d14e0b97156d85104fb86a9dfa8a0b71a164b24ae464d6b09b3a596.jpg?mw=600
    He looks the part too: right age (at the time of this photo), right height, right nationality, right look. They cast him as The Saint in that terrible TV pilot film a couple of years ago (it's on Netflix) and he was a complete personality vacuum at the centre of it: no star power whatsoever. Have a watch of it: you'll yearn for Val Kilmer. He said the lines, he did the smarminess, but he just didn't have any presence. And that's the danger of getting hung up on looks, suggesting David Gandy or whatever- starring in a movie isn't just about how you look. It's certainly a good place for us to start of course, and it's fun to look at photos posted in this thread, but I'm always wary of saying someone is a good fit just because of how they look in a dinner suit! :)
  • Posts: 15,111
    mtm wrote: »
    I think he's worth checking out, but also I'm wary of getting too hung up on looks: I remember when everyone said Adrian Paul out of Highlander should play Bond just because he bore a passing resemblance to Connery too. The last time Eon hired someone because they looked like Connery we got Lazenby...

    I'm always put in mind of this guy, Adam Rayner:
    dabbcd6b8d14e0b97156d85104fb86a9dfa8a0b71a164b24ae464d6b09b3a596.jpg?mw=600
    He looks the part too: right age (at the time of this photo), right height, right nationality, right look. They cast him as The Saint in that terrible TV pilot film a couple of years ago (it's on Netflix) and he was a complete personality vacuum at the centre of it: no star power whatsoever. Have a watch of it: you'll yearn for Val Kilmer. He said the lines, he did the smarminess, but he just didn't have any presence. And that's the danger of getting hung up on looks, suggesting David Gandy or whatever- starring in a movie isn't just about how you look. It's certainly a good place for us to start of course, and it's fun to look at photos posted in this thread, but I'm always wary of saying someone is a good fit just because of how they look in a dinner suit! :)

    Words of wisdom.
  • MSL49MSL49 Finland
    Posts: 395
    Is James Norton too much Daniel Craig look a like?
  • Posts: 15,111
    MSL49 wrote: »
    Is James Norton too much Daniel Craig look a like?

    James Norton is too plank of wood look a like.
  • Posts: 6,709
    MSL49 wrote: »
    Is James Norton too much Daniel Craig look a like?

    I'd say, not at all.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 16,363
    Ludovico wrote: »
    MSL49 wrote: »
    Is James Norton too much Daniel Craig look a like?

    James Norton is too plank of wood look a like.

    Arf! :D Yes, not much going on there.
  • DenbighDenbigh UK
    Posts: 5,970
    I agree with what you're saying @mtm, but I should say it's not the reason I (personally) mention Teale. For me, it's more about the Bond-edge he has, not only in his looks but in the way he carries himself, his voice, and his acting, and with him being only 28, I see a lot of potential there. I think the Connery similarities are more of an after-thought, and wasn't even something I saw in him until someone mentioned it a few months when I first mentioned him on the page.

    But again I get your point. As for Rayner, he certainly looks the part as you say, but I've never resonated with him as an actor, and found him more in line with the actors you find on soaps unfortunately - but you never know :)
  • FatherValentineFatherValentine England
    Posts: 737
    Rewatching The Walking Dead. Was there any call for Andrew Lincoln as a possibility on these boards a few years ago? I feel like his name would have come up had he still been on the radar. Haven't heard about him recently.

    For about ten minutes when it first aired I remember thinking that David Morrissey could have done a good job while watching him as The Governor. But not after seeing him in other things.

    I only ask out of interest, I am not suggesting either of these names now.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 16,363
    Denbigh wrote: »
    I agree with what you're saying @mtm, but I should say it's not the reason I (personally) mention Teale. For me, it's more about the Bond-edge he has, not only in his looks but in the way he carries himself, his voice, and his acting, and with him being only 28, I see a lot of potential there. I think the Connery similarities are more of an after-thought, and wasn't even something I saw in him until someone mentioned it a few months when I first mentioned him on the page.

    Oh no; sorry- I certainly didn't mean to say I thought your suggestion of Teale in particular was wrong, I know you've seen a lot of the guys you suggest in action and do so with good reason. I was just saying how I personally can't back the candidates on looks alone (as in the case of Gandy, as I mentioned). I'm certainly grateful for your suggestions!
    Denbigh wrote: »
    But again I get your point. As for Rayner, he certainly looks the part as you say, but I've never resonated with him as an actor, and found him more in line with the actors you find on soaps unfortunately - but you never know :)

    Yeah, exactly. I saw him in a big BBC drama just before he was cast as The Saint and was pretty baffled when he was chosen.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    edited September 2020 Posts: 16,363
    Rewatching The Walking Dead. Was there any call for Andrew Lincoln as a possibility on these boards a few years ago? I feel like his name would have come up had he still been on the radar. Haven't heard about him recently.

    It's a good point, I wonder if he ever was looked at. Certainly his old co-star Jack Davenport used to get mentioned occasionally, and of course got to do a little bit of superspying in Kingsman (and wasn't half bad).
  • DenbighDenbigh UK
    Posts: 5,970
    mtm wrote: »
    Denbigh wrote: »
    I agree with what you're saying @mtm, but I should say it's not the reason I (personally) mention Teale. For me, it's more about the Bond-edge he has, not only in his looks but in the way he carries himself, his voice, and his acting, and with him being only 28, I see a lot of potential there. I think the Connery similarities are more of an after-thought, and wasn't even something I saw in him until someone mentioned it a few months when I first mentioned him on the page.
    Oh no; sorry- I certainly didn't mean to say I thought your suggestion of Teale in particular was wrong, I know you've seen a lot of the guys you suggest in action and do so with good reason. I was just saying how I personally can't back the candidates on looks alone (as in the case of Gandy, as I mentioned). I'm certainly grateful for your suggestions!
    No need to apologise haha, just wanted to clarify just in case :) But thank you I appreciate it, I am certainly passionate when it comes to a lot of names haha, but again I agree with a lot of what you say and agree that casting based on looks alone is not a good way to go about it; and it's actually a reason I wouldn't want another studio to get their hands on the property because I feel we'd get very much a cardboard cutout version of what James Bond is, and probably an actor in that vein too.
  • FatherValentineFatherValentine England
    Posts: 737
    mtm wrote: »
    Rewatching The Walking Dead. Was there any call for Andrew Lincoln as a possibility on these boards a few years ago? I feel like his name would have come up had he still been on the radar. Haven't heard about him recently.

    It's a good point, I wonder if he ever was looked at. Certainly his old co-star Jack Davenport used to get mentioned occasionally, and of course got to do a little bit of superspying in Kingsman (and wasn't half bad).

    I never understood the appeal of Davenport. He was only mentioned at the time because he happened to fit the physical criteria - if you squinted hard. Lincoln would never have been mentioned if it wasn't for his performance in The Walking Dead, where his gun play and ruthlessness, as well as acting ability, was impressive.

    I was just curious.
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