Who should/could be a Bond actor?

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  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    suavejmf wrote: »
    Idris not being favoured by many for Bond is not about his race, many like myself believe if they did choose a non Caucasian actor then there are more suited being Bond than Elba chiwetel ejiofor and David Harewood for a start.

    In America, some of the most talented actors are Black. Denzel and Will Smith are both world class movie stars. However, back to casting Bond the charcter is Caucasian and thus the role should only be open to Caucasian actors (who are talented, handsome, suave, a certain age, height blah blah).

    Elba is a decent actor and he is cool (as are the other actors listed above), but he isn't Caucasian. So he isn't eligable.

    I feel casting a black actor would be for the wrong reasons and simply positive discrimination. But I must point out Fleming never made reference in any of his novels to Bond being white. It is only assumed he is.

    There are however multiple comments about negroes that tell us Bond isn t among them. They can be brilliant people when not under the influence of alcohol or voodoo. A bit hypocritical when considering the alcohol consumption of Bond himself. And @Fleming.
  • Posts: 5,767
    Let's keep hyping Emun Elliott. He looks the part, acts the part, his bloody background (Scotish/Swiss) is the part. Send him to Savile Row for his dinner jacket already.
    Decent enough name, but I´d definitely prefer someone with more facial lines.




    I feel casting a black actor would be for the wrong reasons and simply positive discrimination.
    I agree.

    But I must point out Fleming never made reference in any of his novels to Bond being white. It is only assumed he is.
    I don´t remember if there is any mention like, "male, caucasian", but the way Chinese and black people are referred to in Fleming´s novels strongly suggests that Bond was neither black nor Chinese.
    I´m not sure, was the idea of Bond´s parents being Swiss-British from Fleming or another writer?
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    They are from @Fleming. Along with his blue-gray eyes.
  • Mark_HazzardMark_Hazzard Classified
    Posts: 127
    Bond is often described as tanned though.
  • bond_azoozbondbond_azoozbond Portland,OR
    Posts: 97
    How about Richard Armitage .. Did anyone mention him before ?? He look very bond to me .. Blend of Dalton and Jackman .. And he is 44 now ..
  • doubleoegodoubleoego #LightWork
    Posts: 11,139
    Well, the picture Fleming commissioned and the candidates he wanted for the role prior to Connery's casting is and was always of a white man.
  • suavejmfsuavejmf Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England
    edited September 2015 Posts: 5,131
    suavejmf wrote: »
    Idris not being favoured by many for Bond is not about his race, many like myself believe if they did choose a non Caucasian actor then there are more suited being Bond than Elba chiwetel ejiofor and David Harewood for a start.

    In America, some of the most talented actors are Black. Denzel and Will Smith are both world class movie stars. However, back to casting Bond the charcter is Caucasian and thus the role should only be open to Caucasian actors (who are talented, handsome, suave, a certain age, height blah blah).

    Elba is a decent actor and he is cool (as are the other actors listed above), but he isn't Caucasian. So he isn't eligable.

    I feel casting a black actor would be for the wrong reasons and simply positive discrimination. But I must point out Fleming never made reference in any of his novels to Bond being white. It is only assumed he is.

    ?????Fleming described Bond as looking very much like Hoagy Carmicheal (a famous white man)??? Plus; Grey blue eyes, secret agent in a 1953 setting, visiting Harlam and sticking out like a sore thum. Mmmmm.
  • AceHoleAceHole Belgium, via Britain
    Posts: 1,731
    How about Richard Armitage .. Did anyone mention him before ?? He look very bond to me .. Blend of Dalton and Jackman .. And he is 44 now ..

    I think he was mentioned once or twice - but yes he has the acting chops and presence to do it. His age is problematic though, as I doubt they'll choose an actor over 38 to replace DC.
  • SirHilaryBraySirHilaryBray Scotland
    Posts: 2,138
    suavejmf wrote: »
    suavejmf wrote: »
    Idris not being favoured by many for Bond is not about his race, many like myself believe if they did choose a non Caucasian actor then there are more suited being Bond than Elba chiwetel ejiofor and David Harewood for a start.

    In America, some of the most talented actors are Black. Denzel and Will Smith are both world class movie stars. However, back to casting Bond the charcter is Caucasian and thus the role should only be open to Caucasian actors (who are talented, handsome, suave, a certain age, height blah blah).

    Elba is a decent actor and he is cool (as are the other actors listed above), but he isn't Caucasian. So he isn't eligable.

    I feel casting a black actor would be for the wrong reasons and simply positive discrimination. But I must point out Fleming never made reference in any of his novels to Bond being white. It is only assumed he is.

    ?????Fleming described Bond as looking very much like Hoagy Carmicheal (a famous white man)??? Plus; Grey blue eyes, secret agent in a 1953 setting, visiting Harlam and sticking out like a sore thum. Mmmmm.

    I feel casting a black actor would be for the wrong reasons and simply positive discrimination. But I must point out Fleming never made reference in any of his novels to Bond being white. It is only assumed he is.

    I do not doubt Fleming's Bond was meant to be white as how he envisaged Bond, especially in the times Fleming wrote the novels when non-Caucasians were seen and treated as second class citizens. I am merely pointing out Fleming never stated in his novels that Bond was White. Yes he said his appearance was based on Hoagy Carmichael but does that make him White. There are plenty of examples out their of people White people having a Black lookalike and vice versa, it still does not change the fact that Bond's skin colour was never defined as white by Fleming.
  • suavejmfsuavejmf Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England
    Posts: 5,131
    Yes it does. Hoagy Carmichael was white. I've never come across White people having a Black lookalikes and vice versa? Please name one (not Micheal Jackson ha ha ha)?

    The way Chinese and black people are referred to in Fleming´s novels strongly suggests that Bond was neither black nor Chinese (they are filled with 50's borderline rasism).
  • SirHilaryBraySirHilaryBray Scotland
    edited September 2015 Posts: 2,138
    suavejmf wrote: »
    Yes it does. Hoagy Carmichael was white. I've never come across White people having a Black lookalikes and vice versa? Please name one (not Micheal Jackson ha ha ha)?

    The way Chinese and black people are referred to in Fleming´s novels strongly suggests that Bond was neither black nor Chinese (they are filled with 50's borderline rasism).

    Get a grip of what I am saying. Fleming did not stipulate in the novels. Everything he said and what you said leaves it open to him being White, Fleming did not say it though. As for lookalikes your sadly mistaken if you think I am going to post up look a like picture to satisfy the fact you have never encountered a White person with a likeness for a Black person and vice versa. There are thousands of lookalikes across ethnic groups you would have to be pretty stupid to not believe that there are.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited September 2015 Posts: 23,883
    It's probably likely, given the times he lived in, that Fleming only really thought/conceived of Bond as white.

    His conception, had he been living today, could be quite different however (in that if he were living today he may not care what colour Bond was). If he insisted Bond was white today, we may have a less positive view of the man (witness the Horowitz backlash).

    There's really nothing technically to stop James Bond of the British Secret Service from being non-white today (the above comment about 'tanned' could suggest south east Asian, although the blue-grey eyes pose a small problem), except our own preconceptions.
  • SirHilaryBraySirHilaryBray Scotland
    Posts: 2,138
    bondjames wrote: »
    It's probably likely, given the times he lived in, that Fleming only really thought/conceived of Bond as white.

    His conception, had he been living today, could be quite different however (in that if he were living today he may not care what colour Bond was). If he insisted Bond was white today, we may have a less positive view of the man (witness the Horowitz backlash).

    There's really nothing technically to stop James Bond of the British Secret Service from being non-white today (the above comment about 'tanned' could suggest south east Asian, although the blue-grey eyes pose a small problem), except our own preconceptions.

    =D> Danke
  • BondJasonBond006BondJasonBond006 on fb and ajb
    Posts: 9,020
    I know I'm repeating myself but this time with a picture as proof.

    I want Dan Stevens to be Daniel Craig's successor. It just has to be him :D

    full.jpg
  • suavejmfsuavejmf Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England
    Posts: 5,131
    He looks good. Can't comment on acting though as I haven't seen him in a role. I assume he's British though?
  • BondJasonBond006BondJasonBond006 on fb and ajb
    Posts: 9,020
    Dan Stevens is very British @suavejmf from Surrey, UK.

    Look up this vast body of work on wikipedia. He has a long theatre background with Shakespeare plays and other stuff.
    He has done almost countless audio books including Fleming's Casino Royale.
    His most famous work though is on Downton Abbey of course.
  • SzonanaSzonana Mexico
    edited September 2015 Posts: 1,130
    Dan Stevens is very British @suavejmf from Surrey, UK.

    Look up this vast body of work on wikipedia. He has a long theatre background with Shakespeare plays and other stuff.
    He has done almost countless audio books including Fleming's Casino Royale.
    His most famous work though is on Downton Abbey of course.

    He looks great in the last pic you posted but i liked more your previous suggestion The new transporter guy Edd skrein or something like that.

    Stevens looks great with his beard but otherwise he looks a little creepy sometimes

  • mcdonbbmcdonbb deep in the Heart of Texas
    Posts: 4,116
    If Stevens has the acting chops then good suggestion. Not sure if Edd Skrein gas that same training... He's stiff enough to maybe pull off the part of a tree.

  • BondJasonBond006BondJasonBond006 on fb and ajb
    Posts: 9,020
    mcdonbb wrote: »
    If Stevens has the acting chops then good suggestion. Not sure if Edd Skrein gas that same training... He's stiff enough to maybe pull off the part of a tree.

    Well, the Ed Skrein suggestion that I made was with a twinkle in my eye so to speak :)) I didn't mean it dead serious.
    I did like his behaviour in The Transporter which reminded me in many scenes of James Bond. And I liked the movie a great lot, it's action filled over-the-top car chases and has quite a bit of hard fighting in it.
  • SzonanaSzonana Mexico
    Posts: 1,130
    mcdonbb wrote: »
    If Stevens has the acting chops then good suggestion. Not sure if Edd Skrein gas that same training... He's stiff enough to maybe pull off the part of a tree.

    Well, the Ed Skrein suggestion that I made was with a twinkle in my eye so to speak :)) I didn't mean it dead serious.
    I did like his behaviour in The Transporter which reminded me in many scenes of James Bond. And I liked the movie a great lot, it's action filled over-the-top car chases and has quite a bit of hard fighting in it.


    Well may not have said so desd serious but i still liked that suggestion and he seems like a good mix between hard edge Bond and stylish Bond.

  • edited September 2015 Posts: 6,601
    Dan Stevens - nice looking, but if you ask me, he has one of those faces you have forgotten the minute after looking at him.
    There are too many pretty faces out there, who are just that.

    You don't necessarely have to have Daniels lived in face, but it needs to be interesting. I haven't seen that yet. Well, as it seems, the next guy has time to grow some lines and get some life into his face before his time comes.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited September 2015 Posts: 23,883
    Germanlady wrote: »
    Dan Stevens - nice looking, but if you ask me, he has one of those faces you have forgotten the minute after looking at him.
    There are too many pretty faces out there, who are just that.

    You don't necessarely have to have Daniels lived in face, but it needs to be interesting. I haven't seen that yet. Well, as it seems, the next guy has time to grow some lines and get some life into his face before his time comes.

    Agreed. Bond must be an interesting looking fella no matter what. That's more important than being handsome imho (most people are handsome in one way or another if you look carefully anyway). There must be something distinctive about Bond....and the actor must know how to convincingly convey this differentiating distinctiveness on screen. Craig is masterful at that.
  • Tom Hardy would be amazing, even if he starts the role at age 42-43. There is something extremely Connery-esque about his screen presence and eyes. He could easily do a trilogy while still in his '40s and maintaining Craig's MI6 crew of Fiennes, Whishaw and Harris for continuity.

    I like Dan Stevens, but not sure if he's Bond material. Who knows in 5 years though. And there could surely be some theatre actor who is currently unknown but who may knock Broccoli's socks off during his audition...

    That said, I hope for #5 and #6 from Craig.
  • SzonanaSzonana Mexico
    Posts: 1,130
    Tom Hardy would be amazing, even if he starts the role at age 42-43. There is something extremely Connery-esque about his screen presence and eyes. He could easily do a trilogy while still in his '40s and maintaining Craig's MI6 crew of Fiennes, Whishaw and Harris for continuity.

    I like Dan Stevens, but not sure if he's Bond material. Who knows in 5 years though. And there could surely be some theatre actor who is currently unknown but who may knock Broccoli's socks off during his audition...

    That said, I hope for #5 and #6 from Craig.


    Nooo, hardy is too Fleming/ Craig type of Bond , great actor but with him it won't feel like a fresh take on the character.
    We need to go Back to the more classic cinematic Bond and Hardy doesn't give me that vibe.
    I want someone closer to Pierce Brosnan or Sean Connery when he was young and sorry but niether Craig or Hardy make me think of a you g Sean Connery.

    Sean and Pierce were much more obviously handsome and attractive with a personality which could drive any woman crazy.
    And we need that back in a Bond actor.

  • doubleoegodoubleoego #LightWork
    Posts: 11,139
    The amount of people stuck in the past and expecting the series to evolve successfully is startling. Being "classically handsome" isn't mutually exclusive to being attractive or having sex appeal.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited September 2015 Posts: 23,883
    Szonana wrote: »
    Sean and Pierce were much more obviously handsome and attractive with a personality which could drive any woman crazy.
    And we need that back in a Bond actor.
    Surely personality and looks are two different things. Craig plays Bond as a suitably charming fellow imho, and from what I've heard somewhere, he has a very talented little finger. ;)
  • Posts: 2,081
    Tom Hardy would be amazing, even if he starts the role at age 42-43. There is something extremely Connery-esque about his screen presence and eyes. He could easily do a trilogy while still in his '40s and maintaining Craig's MI6 crew of Fiennes, Whishaw and Harris for continuity.

    I like Dan Stevens, but not sure if he's Bond material. Who knows in 5 years though. And there could surely be some theatre actor who is currently unknown but who may knock Broccoli's socks off during his audition...

    That said, I hope for #5 and #6 from Craig.

    Well I like Tom Hardy a hell of a lot, but I'm not sure abut Bond... And he's got Max Rockatansky... And I really don't think casting anyone over 40 would be a good idea. Not that he is, yet, but not far away, either, and if DC does another then Hardy would be over 40 already.
    Szonana wrote: »
    Tom Hardy would be amazing, even if he starts the role at age 42-43. There is something extremely Connery-esque about his screen presence and eyes. He could easily do a trilogy while still in his '40s and maintaining Craig's MI6 crew of Fiennes, Whishaw and Harris for continuity.

    I like Dan Stevens, but not sure if he's Bond material. Who knows in 5 years though. And there could surely be some theatre actor who is currently unknown but who may knock Broccoli's socks off during his audition...

    That said, I hope for #5 and #6 from Craig.


    Nooo, hardy is too Fleming/ Craig type of Bond , great actor but with him it won't feel like a fresh take on the character.
    We need to go Back to the more classic cinematic Bond and Hardy doesn't give me that vibe.
    I want someone closer to Pierce Brosnan or Sean Connery when he was young and sorry but niether Craig or Hardy make me think of a you g Sean Connery.

    Sean and Pierce were much more obviously handsome and attractive with a personality which could drive any woman crazy.
    And we need that back in a Bond actor.

    Neither Craig nor Hardy make me think of a young Sean Connery, either - and I think that's a good thing. ;) What is "too Fleming type of Bond" i wonder..? I think it's interesting that for you Hardy is too much like Craig and therefore wouldn't be "fresh", yet you want the next Bond actor to remind you of Connery - so how would that be fresh then?

    As for anyone being able to "drive any woman crazy" - there is no such person. Never was, never will be.

    I also don't see how Connery and Brosnan were similar, even if they somehow were for you.

    bondjames wrote: »
    Szonana wrote: »
    Sean and Pierce were much more obviously handsome and attractive with a personality which could drive any woman crazy.
    And we need that back in a Bond actor.
    Surely personality and looks are two different things. Craig plays Bond as a suitably charming fellow imho, and from what I've heard somewhere, he has a very talented little finger. ;)

    :))

    Of course looks and personality are different things (the latter being far more important, imo). I assume Szonana was referring to the combination of the two driving women crazy. I also assume she meant the personality of the character, way they played Bond rather than the actors' own personalities, though it wasn't clear from the comment. So I'd rather talk of the actors' talent than their personalities there. I disagree with her comment anyway, but... :)

  • edited September 2015 Posts: 725
    bondjames wrote: »
    Szonana wrote: »
    Sean and Pierce were much more obviously handsome and attractive with a personality which could drive any woman crazy.
    And we need that back in a Bond actor.
    Surely personality and looks are two different things. Craig plays Bond as a suitably charming fellow imho, and from what I've heard somewhere, he has a very talented little finger. ;)

    Looks aside (and though I have issues with Craig and Mendes' focus on Bond's backstory in SP), I still think what Craig has brought to Bond is serious acting chops, intensity and the production sense that have allowed EON to trust him with critical decisions like who to hire for director and lead villain as they did with SF. I think it is naive to think EON will trot back to a pretty boy type like Cahill who has exhibited zero initiative to develop his acting skills, and comes off like a thick block of wood in interviews.

    Bond is an enigma, he has limited dialogue. The next Bond better have the acting skill to register more than just male model looks or the press will slaughter him after 10+ years of Craig Bond. I do believe EON will go lighter on the next Bond, but they will also demand an actor with demonstrated acting skill. Cahill was a body builder in Superman, and a flop in Uncle. Good luck if you think that will get him Bond, which he recently noted would have to fit into his busy schedule, and he would also have to see the script and know who was directing first, because well, you know, he is such an important in demand A+ actor these days.

    I hardly think it is asking a lot for EON to find their next Bond in a field of actors who are both good looking AND who have solid, demonstrated acting experience and skill. I think all of the big names pushed in the press (some by the actors themselves - like Elba, Jackman) are laughable given they don't have a chance in hell due to their age.
  • SzonanaSzonana Mexico
    edited September 2015 Posts: 1,130
    Tuulia wrote: »
    Tom Hardy would be amazing, even if he starts the role at age 42-43. There is something extremely Connery-esque about his screen presence and eyes. He could easily do a trilogy while still in his '40s and maintaining Craig's MI6 crew of Fiennes, Whishaw and Harris for continuity.

    I like Dan Stevens, but not sure if he's Bond material. Who knows in 5 years though. And there could surely be some theatre actor who is currently unknown but who may knock Broccoli's socks off during his audition...

    That said, I hope for #5 and #6 from Craig.

    Well I like Tom Hardy a hell of a lot, but I'm not sure abut Bond... And he's got Max Rockatansky... And I really don't think casting anyone over 40 would be a good idea. Not that he is, yet, but not far away, either, and if DC does another then Hardy would be over 40 already.
    Szonana wrote: »
    Tom Hardy would be amazing, even if he starts the role at age 42-43. There is something extremely Connery-esque about his screen presence and eyes. He could easily do a trilogy while still in his '40s and maintaining Craig's MI6 crew of Fiennes, Whishaw and Harris for continuity.

    I like Dan Stevens, but not sure if he's Bond material. Who knows in 5 years though. And there could surely be some theatre actor who is currently unknown but who may knock Broccoli's socks off during his audition...

    That said, I hope for #5 and #6 from Craig.


    Nooo, hardy is too Fleming/ Craig type of Bond , great actor but with him it won't feel like a fresh take on the character.
    We need to go Back to the more classic cinematic Bond and Hardy doesn't give me that vibe.
    I want someone closer to Pierce Brosnan or Sean Connery when he was young and sorry but niether Craig or Hardy make me think of a you g Sean Connery.

    Sean and Pierce were much more obviously handsome and attractive with a personality which could drive any woman crazy.
    And we need that back in a Bond actor.
    Neither Craig nor Hardy make me think of a young Sean Connery, either - and I think that's a good thing. ;) What is "too Fleming type of Bond" i wonder..? I think it's interesting that for you Hardy is too much like Craig and therefore wouldn't be "fresh", yet you want the next Bond actor to remind you of Connery - so how would that be fresh then?


    By that i mean too rough and intense, like Fleming said Brutal and even though this type pf abond has worked and ive learned to appreciate it i preffer the Cinematic Bond who is handsome charming, has good sense of humor and a belivable ladies man who can get any woman he wants.
    As for anyone being able to "drive any woman crazy" - there is no such person. Never was, never will be.

    I guess i have to say you are right on this since we all have our personal taste when it comes to man but someone more good looking in a conventional way .

    I also don't see how Connery and Brosnan were similar, even if they somehow were for you.

    bondjames wrote: »
    Szonana wrote: »
    Sean and Pierce were much more obviously handsome and attractive with a personality which could drive any woman crazy.
    And we need that back in a Bond actor.
    Surely personality and looks are two different things. Craig plays Bond as a suitably charming fellow imho, and from what I've heard somewhere, he has a very talented little finger. ;)

    :))

    Of course looks and personality are different things (the latter being far more important, imo). I assume Szonana was referring to the combination of the two driving women crazy. I also assume she meant the personality of the character, way they played Bond rather than the actors' own personalities, though it wasn't clear from the comment. So I'd rather talk of the actors' talent than their personalities there. I disagree with her comment anyway, but... :)


    Yes i also agree that those are two different things but like Jason said the two : great personality and loosk drive any woman crazy.

    But i think the actor's personality have a big influence on the personality of the character.

  • Posts: 2,081
    Yes, acting chops should obviously be the most important thing, and I would imagine now would be for EON as well. Like already mentioned before, the looks alone are ultimately meaningless and empty.
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