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I'm admitting right now that I've not read all of the Fleming books, so this is a question: Is there, in any book, a description of Bond that specifically says "white" "light-skinned" "caucasian"? I'd actually like to know the answer.
And that's the end of it, is it? No room for change, progression - and a talented actor who'd NAIL the role shouldn't get it because of the colour of his skin?
Because Roger Moore perfectly embodied Ian Fleming's James Bond didn't he? Yeah he was white and he was a posh English gent but other than that he was a completely different character altogether.
The argument here is that they've already Bond a completely different character years ago so why does changing his skin colour matter so much?
Just don't call him James Bond.
Yeah but by that logic shouldn't they have changed the characters name years ago? Connery was hardly Fleming's Bond by the end of his run.
If there was a rival British spy series then I'm pretty sure most of this site would complain anyway, "so it's just Bond but black? What's the point?!". People already say that Bourne is a Bond rip off (the initials JB and amnesia apparently make him a 007 clone).
I really think we all bring a different paradigm to this discussion, being flexible in certain departments and completely rigid in others. I guess that's why nearly all of these threads are bound to end up in some kind of fuss. ;-) Obviously I'm not going to keep making my point. Three times is enough.
I admit that many of the pro-Black Bond arguments make sense. I hope that so do some of mine.
But I will interject one last thing. After OHMSS, it seemed as if an American actor was going to be Bond. At the last minute they changed that. Everybody kind of felt it wouldn't be right. I suppose that's where I'm at. I try to follow the lines of reasoning that are presented in this thread by members I respect, like yourself. I imagine a black actor as Bond. Would I care that much if the film were good and the performance too? In the end though, I say no. I kind of feel it wouldn't be right.
Who is this "Ian Fleming's James Bond" anyway? Must be the guy in the books cause he sure ain't the guy on the screen.
I actually wouldn't mind an American actor so long as he got the accent right. We had an Aussie, an Irishman and a Welshman (although he didn't sound it) so why not? I can actually see that causing even more of a fuss than a black actor getting the part though, at least over here (Britain) anyway.
You forgot the all-important Scot.
Who'd have thought a thread like this could be taken off-topic?
Lazenby and Brosnan weren't from the UK.
Bond is of white British upper-class stock. End of story. There is no wiggle room here.
I would however encourage filmmakers to create Bond inspired characters of different ethno-racial backgrounds. Brazen ripoffs of the Bond formula would be perfectly welcome.
A black cultural twist could work just fine.
A Bond-like character of Asian racial cultural roots, and frame of reference might be interesting too.
The more exciting, escapist, secret-agent, Bond-like fare out there in movieland the better IMO.
But back to the matter of casting James Bond. Fleming said he envisioned both Roger Moore and Cary Grant as playing Bond. Why, because they both had the look that he envisioned. He initially resisted Connery as being too rough hewn, but later conceded the casting as brilliant, once Terrence Young had whipped the former milkman, lorry driver into shape. Fleming's change of heart (being a mercenary sort) was probably also motivated by the boxoffice $$$ that a Connery-Bond appeared capable of pulling in.
In the spirit of Fleming, and the first 5 Eon Bonds cast, I would humbly insist that Eon get back to basics with the next Bond casting call, and demand that all interested thespians, male models, etc applying, have the requisite required look.
ie tall (minium 6', preferably Connery's 6'2 at least, as Connery is the original movie template) dark-haired and handsome as hell, mature young look (30-35) and of course white. Casting call sheets generally specify the race they are looking for, as well as height, weight, age, gender.
From this lot, select those with the right look, then weed out those who don't bring the needed danger and menace.
Neither Rog nor Broz would likely have survived this second stage of my audition process either. As great as their films were, neither was an ideal choice for Bond IMO. In hindsight passable, but not ideal.
Next time around, I am holding out for the next Connery or Laz. Dalts would have passed OK, although I would have thrown out the puppy eyes with Kara scene on the ferris wheel.
The notion of a black, Asian or east-Indian etc Bond is absurd.
Lets get back to finding the next Connery-Laz actor. Blond and bald actors may be considered, but they would have to agree to hair dye or wigs.
It makes ME sad to see this. If you are a true fan, you would know that Bond is so much more than just a character in a fantasy world. James Bond is my hero, though I´m aware of that they´re just movies but I have one of Sweden´s biggest collection of Bond-stuff and do you know why I collect Bond? Beacause he´s my hero! You are not a fan of Bond just beacause you own the DVD:s and the Blu-Ray´s. You are a Bond-fan when you turn to the book´s or the film´s when you´re feeling down and need´s to be cheeered up or when you´re going around thinking about him. This is nor racist, we´re being honest. If you´re a true fan, you would know that Bond is a white British man in his late fourties! End of story!
HAHAHA!!! Brilliant! Now go tell the makers of the films that!
btw, a fan is someone who likes something. What you're talking about sounds borderline creepy.
You don´t need to laugh at me. It´s not creepy, I´m just a big fan. Just accept it. No one agrees with you.. Can´t you see it?
Believe it or not - I don't care!
Visit this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion
That may help! B-)
Your right. I´m backing out..
End of.
Your opinion, and thank some deity not a fact.
So what - you don't believe in a society where people of all races and creeds can have an equal chance of doing something if they're good enough? That race SHOULD be an issue?
I have a number of issues with both MR and YOLT, among them that they are very unfaithful to the source material. I'd have strong issues to a youthful Blofeld for the very same reason. Yes, they have strayed time and again from Fleming. But I think when there is a source material, some basic respect towards the source material counts too.
It's called "standing up for what I believe in" mate. Before you try and paint a picture of me being a "troll" of some sort (I presume that is where you were going with it) I suggest you find the OTHER forum on Bond of which I am a member.
My name there is the same as it is here. You'll see I post on a wide variety of topics in regards to Bond and have started many threads there and participated in many lively albeit friendly discussions.
Go find it. You MAY end up even liking me!
Race sometimes is an issue and that is factual. I believe everybody should be equal but that is still a long way off.
Would Bond being coloured change that, no it wouldn't it would serve some principled nitwits convictions in their opinion and the general audience would not go to see it because 007 is what he is and there is just nothing racist about it.
Just out of curiosity how did you postcounter drop back to 0??
And standing up for believing is fine, just accept other peoples' opinion as well. Most Bondfans are not racist in their preference. Heck the Blond argument was tough enough without throwing in the colour of skin. ;)
... so keep it friendly, people.
I would oppose the character in the picture as the next 007 as well. :D
Amen to that.