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Here's a brief article explaining the Ankler.
laist.com/2017/05/03/ankler.php
In a Bond film, Hardy would be a supporting character at best. A Red Grant-like henchman or a SAS commando team leader. Nothing more.
Heck, if people nominate Hardy, I'll nominate WWF wrestler, Wade Barrett.
I agree, @Red_Snow. He definitely doesn't seem like a man who would allow himself to be tied down in a studio system and contract for a series of films like Bond would require.
Hardy would be more of the same (+ a few inches shorter) which is why I'm not keen on him, but I think he's actually a more versatile actor than Craig and can certainly be Bond if cast. Just not my type for the role, which I'd prefer go back to the 'tall slim and dark' to quote Andrea from TMWTGG.
To me it's much more important what the filmmakers do with the Bond character over any individual actor in the role. Within reason, of course.
That scene in the train in Royale as he smoothly and coolly pours the wine from the bottle into Vesper's glass just spoke volumes about him. And also before Bond, Craig had some very sophisticated roles even at times he had to be brutish a bit. These are evident in Elizabeth (1998) and his TV film Sword of Honour (2001).
Craig was indeed a thespian long before being Bond, and of sorts has a tough ring to him in a Shakespearean way. Hardy, on the other hand, doesn't. He's a very charismatic screen presence, sure. But, his elegance is a lackluster in comparison with Craig's.
For instance, a film like Legend (2015) set against the backdrop of the 1960s East London, has two kinds of different suits strapped on Hardy and - as saddening as it is, people fawn over him and cry Bond when he looks like a thug from the streets given a suit or two by his new rich employer to blend in with the rest of his crew. He just doesn't have it.
Craig, on the other hand, in Layer Cake, even though he wouldn't have been my vision for Bond, had the suit complimenting him, you'd see how fitting he is for the elegant role. Hardy doesn't have that. Great actor, but definitely not Bond.
Regarding Hardy: He is a tremendous actor, and actors like him can inhabit roles completely. Again, definitely not my choice, but I have no doubt the man could play the role with considerable ease if called upon to do so.
Even in this image? https://d35fkdjhhgt99.cloudfront.net/static/use-media-items/4/3784/upto-700xauto/56701908/04ew_bondcover.jpeg
Craig is no doubt very 'cool' in CR. That's where he's at his coolest imho, from the opening scene to the ending scene. Heck, he's even cool when his nuts are being brutalized and that's not easy to convey (his predecessor wouldn't have been able to do it).
Still, cool does not equal elegant.
Yes he can convey the suave dead pan assured Bond but not much more, Craig is the first actor to truly convey the depth of the character, yes he doesn't look as cool and comfortable as Connery.
Although actually investing the character with a compelling realness and emotional resonance, Craig as far as acting is concerned and not playing Bond as cool and assured is the best actor to play the role and moments in Royale prove that.
I'm sure Dalton fans will argue he went there before but to me as far as cinematic Bond with depth, Craig wins hands down, there is no theatrical vibe or awkwardness to his performance, you believe it and Craig is clearly not just doing this for the money.
My comments related to comparisons to Hardy and the fact that Craig is 'elegant' in comparison. One can perhaps compare him to Hardy and make such remarks, but elegant is not an adjective I would use to describe Craig, certainly not in comparison to every other Bond actor that has come before. That doesn't mean he's not a good Bond or that he hasn't made good films with some depth to them (that's what he's brought to the character certainly). Similarly, I think Hardy can do relatively 'elegant' if called upon. I just don't want him to.
This credible?
Is this the stuntman that someone commented on a few pages back when predicting Craig's return?
Likewise. I count myself fortunate in this respect. I may prefer three or so of them to three or so of the others—and I may have favorite and less favorite performances of the lot—but I genuinely like all six as Bond. I fear for the day an actor I dislike takes the part and hope it never comes.
It's the consummate guy role. Who doesn't look good playing Bond? Exactly.
Tom Hardy has been effective in many different roles.