Who should/could be a Bond actor?

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  • edited March 8 Posts: 181
    Univex wrote: »
    Must say, I’m on one of those days when I don’t like any of the proposed candidates. Not one. Most of them have no star power, IMHO. They are all very bland, which is something very of their time and respective generations. Bland. Uninteresting. They fail miserably in interviews, and have notorious preference for unshaved looks and men buns. The gym is their safe zone. And have no real gravitas, either on screen or off.

    I think I might agree with you on this one. I'm not sure if any of them totally have that big screen "it factor." They come across as TV actors, or maybe actors that would lead in a small film. Even Leo Suter who I've recommended in the past I'm not really sure about. And I know that's probably who you had in mind with the unshaven/man bun/gym thing.

    The question is, what if Barbara feels the same way? What if she doesn't like any of the candidates? Does she just wait and put off the series for a while, does she just hold her nose and choose someone she doesn't feel that excited about (like how she obviously felt about Craig), does she break some of her rules and just go ahead and cast someone a bit older/more famous?
    Univex wrote: »
    Ok, I'm now watching The Gentlemen on Netflix, and I must say, Theo James is still my favourite. Anyone else watching this Guy Ritchie series? I'm enjoying it so far. Better than the film, I think.

    What do you think about Daniel Ings in that show? He was mentioned here a couple years ago by someone as a possible candidate.
    Univex wrote: »

    Well, to be frank, I've always been a film magazines collector, you know, Premiere, Empire, ..., and I've always appreciated interviews, but these youngsters, from the late 90s or post 2000, don't seem to have a lot of interesting things to say, except when they have clearly been prepped for it. With the exception of maybe Callum Turner and Theo James, who can be quite knowledgeable and interesting while in interviews, the latter having a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Nottingham. The others I've watched are a bit, well, dumb, to be fair. But, again, to be fair, one was born in 1990 and the other in 1984.Personally, I find people born after the millennium to be a bit bland and boring. I'm aware of the open nature of that remark, and I do hate to make generalisations like that. I suppose it's been one of those days, like I've stated. Plenty of interesting people in their 20s out there I suppose. I just don't know many :)

    I'm not sure why you're bringing up people born in late 90's and 00's. Nearly all of the candidate mentioned here are 30-somethings. Though Jacob Elordi's name has been going around and he was born in 1997.

    Anyways, at least none of them going on interviews and saying that sometimes you have to hit women, like one past Bond actor did. I mean, just saying. That's one good thing about the "youngsters" and interviews. I don't think any of them would say something like that.

    With all this stuff about unshaven faces and man buns and interviewers I just get the feeling you're not looking forward to a millennial Bond. Most of these actors do seem very millennial with their style and way of speaking, because, well they are millennials. I'm one myself but I still want Bond to seem old fashioned. I hope they keep the classic hair and a shaven face, etc.

    But just because an actor appears that way in an interview doesn't mean he can't play Bond well and in a traditional way. I mean, they're actors. Leo Suter plays a viking in a show...

    I'm with you all the way as far as Suter is concerned, but credit where it's due. It was @HarmonyRockets who first mentioned Suter as far back as 2020. From what I can tell @Denbigh doesn't even like Suter!

    Ha, thank you. I was about to say something. If Suter does end up becoming Bond I'm going to tell my kids that I was the one that found Bond #7.

    But seriously, when I first mentioned him he was an extremely obscure actor and I figured we'd never post about him again. And now it looks like he's going to win that elimination game...
  • buddyoldchapbuddyoldchap Formerly known as JeremyBondon
    Posts: 190
    Watching The Gentlemen on Netflix has strongened my opinion on Theo James, as with Cavill I find him flat, 'emulating' acting, not truly acting. He has a good face and voice, like Cavill, but he doesn't have it. He has the same style and mannerisms throughout, void of natural charm/charisma, which makes it quite boring to watch. Not Bond, I have to conclude.
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 8,216
    Hat tip to you @HarmonyRockets ; I became aware of Leo Suter about a year ago when I saw a video of him detailing his training for Vikings Valhalla. If he isn’t on EoB’s radar he should be.
  • buddyoldchapbuddyoldchap Formerly known as JeremyBondon
    Posts: 190
    talos7 wrote: »
    Hat tip to you @HarmonyRockets ; I became aware of Leo Suter about a year ago when I saw a video of him detailing his training for Vikings Valhalla. If he isn’t on EoB’s radar he should be.

    Everything or Bust?
  • peterpeter Toronto
    edited March 8 Posts: 9,509
    Risico007 wrote: »
    peter wrote: »

    ATJ was at a Bond event because his wife is good friends with Broccoli and also shot an International Women's Day with Craig back in 2011 or 2012.... she’s no stranger to EoN, @Risico007 … and by your logic it could even be that it’s actually Sam Taylor-Wood that Broccoli invited because she wants her to be the next Bond director.

    It’s not the case, but using your logic…
    Again it just seems odd but we will see

    It's odd that an actor who is married to a friend of Barbara Broccoli, and who herself is a director, and directed Daniel Craig in a short promo for International Women's Day, was at a Bond event? An event that was two years ago?

    Okay.

    Once again, by that logic, I think the rumour should be: Sam Taylor Wood, film and tv director, and friend of Barbara Broccoli, is most likely the next Bond director since she was at a 60th celebration for the Bond series.

    Honestly, there's nothing odd about it.

    I have no idea if Callum Turner or ATJ or John Doe will be the next Bond, but having a feeling that an actor is the next 007 because he was at an event with his wife, who herself is a friend of Broccoli's, and she has done work with EoN and the last James Bond actor, seems a little like seeing a message that isn't there.

    In an extended fashion, Sam Wood is a part of the EON family, and that's why she and her husband were at this event. That seems a more likely explanation.

    Edit: and if EoN, MGW and BB, knew two years ago that their man was ATJ (before a script was written), then why are we not in production on the new Bond film?

    I mean, if this is their guy, before a script has been conceived, then at least they’re steps ahead of the game and could now tailor a story for … Taylor.

    But this hasn’t happened. Which could be seen as an indication that no one, not ATJ or Risico007, has been anointed as the new 007.
  • Posts: 4,162
    I’m really not sure why some people here are so pessimistic about the candidates when… well, there are no candidates yet. Only hypothetical choices.

    And honestly, to me it seems like there’s plenty of good choices. Definitely more of a range than in 2005, and I doubt they’ll end up with as bland a shortlist as they did in ‘69. It’s just difficult to imagine most of these hypotheticals as Bond at this point.
  • M_BaljeM_Balje Amsterdam, Netherlands
    edited March 8 Posts: 4,520
    When i take look to elimination game thread then i think Callum Turner (Moore/Daniel Craig and mabey a bit of Connery) and mabey James Norton (Remind me of discussion about Jeremy Northam as follow up of Brosnan and have bit of Daniel Craig look. But expect more Saint kind of chacter or Bond movies like LALD or TMWTGG who have a bit of tv vibe. But mabey that is worth a try to get more lower budget and les action Bond movies.) be best choose besides my own suggestions of Colin O'Donoghue (Brosnan) and Henry Golding (Lazenby/Dalton)
  • DenbighDenbigh UK
    edited March 8 Posts: 5,970
    From what I can tell @Denbigh doesn't even like Suter!
    I wouldn’t say I don’t like him. I don’t think I’ve seen him in enough projects to even warrant disliking him and I can somewhat see the appeal.

    For me though, he just looks a bit like a classically handsome, generic action hero, like he’d be better suited for something like Hitman, The Transporter or Jason Bourne. I think that’s why Callum’s become my top contender because he feels like more a unique choice compared to everyone else.

    Also, with Suter, even though I can see the appeal, what I don’t see is what makes him different or a better choice than other names we’ve realistically spoken about? Hes just as good a choice as a lot of names we’ve mentioned, like Claflin for example. I just don’t see that little thing that for some of you puts him at the top of pile.
  • Jordo007Jordo007 Merseyside
    edited March 8 Posts: 2,641
    When there's very few rumours coming out, I always wonder how far away we are from finding out who is Bond #7?
  • Posts: 4,162
    Jordo007 wrote: »
    When there's very few rumours coming out, I always wonder how far away we are from finding out who is Bond #7?

    * checks wind with finger *

    * glances at crystal ball *

    * summons the spirits with a ouiji board and asks them *

    14 and a quarter months I’d say. Give or take.
  • edited March 8 Posts: 6,709
    Univex wrote: »
    Must say, I’m on one of those days when I don’t like any of the proposed candidates. Not one. Most of them have no star power, IMHO. They are all very bland, which is something very of their time and respective generations. Bland. Uninteresting. They fail miserably in interviews, and have notorious preference for unshaved looks and men buns. The gym is their safe zone. And have no real gravitas, either on screen or off.

    I think I might agree with you on this one. I'm not sure if any of them totally have that big screen "it factor." They come across as TV actors, or maybe actors that would lead in a small film. Even Leo Suter who I've recommended in the past I'm not really sure about. And I know that's probably who you had in mind with the unshaven/man bun/gym thing.

    The question is, what if Barbara feels the same way? What if she doesn't like any of the candidates? Does she just wait and put off the series for a while, does she just hold her nose and choose someone she doesn't feel that excited about (like how she obviously felt about Craig), does she break some of her rules and just go ahead and cast someone a bit older/more famous?
    Univex wrote: »
    Ok, I'm now watching The Gentlemen on Netflix, and I must say, Theo James is still my favourite. Anyone else watching this Guy Ritchie series? I'm enjoying it so far. Better than the film, I think.

    What do you think about Daniel Ings in that show? He was mentioned here a couple years ago by someone as a possible candidate.
    Univex wrote: »

    Well, to be frank, I've always been a film magazines collector, you know, Premiere, Empire, ..., and I've always appreciated interviews, but these youngsters, from the late 90s or post 2000, don't seem to have a lot of interesting things to say, except when they have clearly been prepped for it. With the exception of maybe Callum Turner and Theo James, who can be quite knowledgeable and interesting while in interviews, the latter having a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Nottingham. The others I've watched are a bit, well, dumb, to be fair. But, again, to be fair, one was born in 1990 and the other in 1984.Personally, I find people born after the millennium to be a bit bland and boring. I'm aware of the open nature of that remark, and I do hate to make generalisations like that. I suppose it's been one of those days, like I've stated. Plenty of interesting people in their 20s out there I suppose. I just don't know many :)

    I'm not sure why you're bringing up people born in late 90's and 00's. Nearly all of the candidate mentioned here are 30-somethings. Though Jacob Elordi's name has been going around and he was born in 1997.

    Anyways, at least none of them going on interviews and saying that sometimes you have to hit women, like one past Bond actor did. I mean, just saying. That's one good thing about the "youngsters" and interviews. I don't think any of them would say something like that.

    With all this stuff about unshaven faces and man buns and interviewers I just get the feeling you're not looking forward to a millennial Bond. Most of these actors do seem very millennial with their style and way of speaking, because, well they are millennials. I'm one myself but I still want Bond to seem old fashioned. I hope they keep the classic hair and a shaven face, etc.

    But just because an actor appears that way in an interview doesn't mean he can't play Bond well and in a traditional way. I mean, they're actors. Leo Suter plays a viking in a show...

    I'm with you all the way as far as Suter is concerned, but credit where it's due. It was @HarmonyRockets who first mentioned Suter as far back as 2020. From what I can tell @Denbigh doesn't even like Suter!

    Ha, thank you. I was about to say something. If Suter does end up becoming Bond I'm going to tell my kids that I was the one that found Bond #7.

    But seriously, when I first mentioned him he was an extremely obscure actor and I figured we'd never post about him again. And now it looks like he's going to win that elimination game...

    You are, of course, right, my friend. It seems that, having been born in the early 80s, I too am a millennial, so I'm speaking from within the bubble ;) I did not meant to refer to Suter, when speaking about men buns and gym. Leo Suter is an ok choice, as far as I'm concerned. And could very well surprise me beyond that, I'm sure.

    The Barbara Walters interview was, as Connery put it, "lifted out of context". Anyone who knows the interview knows that. But yes, neither Connery nor Craig were the best interviewees, that's for sure. But at least they weren't borderline boring. More bored than boring, in fact.

    And yes, all of the pre-Bond tidbits we see of actors are far from determining their proficiency to play the part.

    Again, they all scream tv actors to me; good tv, nonetheless. Some are straight of BBC period dramas, and that's marvelous. But I can't feel the star power I felt when I first saw Craig beside Kidman, steeling every look and line. Or the panache of Brosnan. The intensity of Dalton. And I'm referring to "The Lion and the Winter" Dalton, and Remington Steele tv Brosnan, and Craig in Archangel or Invasion or Sword of Honor. All pre Bond.

    That being said, I'll reiterate that my biggest wish is to be pleasantly surprised. That's what I'm hoping for. For a true "old school" Bond, as you said, but one who surprises the heck out of me.

    The finalists on the other thread are all very fine. I'd be ok with any of them. And all of them could very well surprise me.

    Oh, and Daniel Ings is a brilliant comedy actor. I don't see him as Bond, in any possible way :)
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com/

    Excellent post and a reminder that only a very small group at EoN know what is actually happening. And they’re under lock and key (NDAs).

    Whether ATJ went to a 60th celebration of Bond (because his wife is an extension of the EoN family and worked with them on a project), or whether 47 year old Cillian Murphy wins Best Actor this coming Sunday, EoN, when they’re ready, will either make an announcement via their own social media, or they’ll go to Deadline/Variety to announce whatever they want to announce.

    The rest are squirrels trying to gain as many clicks as they can… They don’t care about the facts.
  • edited March 8 Posts: 579
    @peter This recent Cillian Murphy rumour is completely new to me! It's probably BS, but it would make sense if Nolan were the director and his pitch involved a middle aged Bond.
  • edited March 8 Posts: 346
    He's probably too old and I don't think he looks the part. Maybe he can play the villain or maybe not play any role and Eon cast based on suitability not on 'who's hot this week'. :-S
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    @peter This recent Cillian Murphy rumour is completely new to me! It's probably BS, but it would make sense if Nolan were the director and his pitch involved a middle aged Bond.

    I just have to guess that a near fifty years old actor is not in EON's plans.

    We just had a middle aged Bond, five years out of the service.

    I believe the intent is to start with a fresh, vibrant and young agent.

    As a draw for box office, would it be wiser to have a 50 year old as the new Bond?, or a 35 year old, with the energy to do all the exciting things Bond is meant to do?

    I could be right off the mark on this one, @Colonel_Venus , but, I just think they're going younger than Cillian (and would Cillian, a slight figure, in stature and build, want to bulk up, leave his family for six months of shooting, and a few more months to travel to all the openings? Would he take on any ambassador type roles as well, like for Omega, that would keep his private life at bay, while he is constantly in the spotlight (something he doesn't enjoy, in the slightest)?

    I don't know if I can see this happening (especially as the producers want, and have stated publicly, that they will be looking at an actor who is ready, and comfortable, to commit to a decade in this role).
  • Posts: 2,270
    Cillian Murphy would’ve been quite the interesting choice back in the mid 2000’s, but now I sadly think that ship has sailed. The same can be said of Cavil, Hardy, and the rest of the names that usually get thrown around a lot by the tabloids. Plus Murphy is a bit too “high profile” to be cast as Bond.
  • Posts: 6,709
    Who wouldn't want this sort of nonchalant panache and smoothness back?

  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    edited March 12 Posts: 8,216
    The top comment is a Bond comment!

    In fact, several comments mention Bond.
  • SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷ Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria
    Posts: 2,045
    I have to agree. Theo James has got that Connery carefree style. He would be great in a Casino scene to start with. The problem isn't his age. But the Bond films don't come out as fast as they used to anymore. I can't help but feel that since DAD came out, Barbara and Michael now look at films around them more intensely before releasing a Bond film. It's not a bad thing to do, of course. But I feel Cubby and Saltzman were more confident with the franchise to do their thing, even if they looked at films around them too.
  • edited March 13 Posts: 12,837
    I’m loving The Gentlemen and although I liked the idea of James before, I can really picture it now. He’d be brilliant. He’s smooth, charismatic and commanding in that natural, alpha, Connery sort of way. Might be rivaling Jack O’Connell for my favourite choice now. He’s got the Craig’s talent for sarcasm down too, really funny in the show.

    I still think it depends how quick they get the next one out though. And sadly I’m still feeling pessimistic about us seeing it before 2027 at the earliest. Hope he’s in contention but I still think @peter is on the money (as usual), and that they’ll want an actor who feels noticeably younger than Craig’s old dog, who can commit for as long as he did. So, I still reckon James could be just a bit too old by the time they get going. Wouldn’t put him firmly in the Elba/Fassbender/Murphy “too old, what could have been” camp, because he’s not quite there yet and he’s the right profile/level of fame. But I do think it’ll hurt his chances.
  • edited March 13 Posts: 1,368
    Theo James is too old but Craig was old too for Casino Royale.

    He might have a chance if they don't find someone younger.
  • edited March 13 Posts: 12,837
    Theo James is too old but Craig was old too for Casino Royale.

    He might have a chance if they don't find someone younger.

    True, they definitely seemed to be picturing a younger actor in Casino. The doctor calls him kid in the poisoning scene, and the backstory they released makes a point of calling him the youngest to ever achieve 00 status*. Does show that they’re willing to be flexible and deviate from their plans if they find a bloke they like enough. But Craig was a bit younger than James would be, and he was cast when a film every two years still seemed possible. Even a three year gap is becoming a rarity now, so I dunno, I’m still sceptical.

    *come to think of it, does this mean Nomi broke his record? Adds an extra bit of context to his jealousy in NTTD.
  • buddyoldchapbuddyoldchap Formerly known as JeremyBondon
    Posts: 190
    Theo would bring nothing new to the table tbh. The safest option out there, but not really interesting in any way, mostly due to his 2D type of acting, it's all a bit... dull.
  • edited March 13 Posts: 12,837
    Theo would bring nothing new to the table tbh. The safest option out there, but not really interesting in any way, mostly due to his 2D type of acting, it's all a bit... dull.

    I’m not sure what new take he’d bring to it just from watching him, but I think that’s true of most of them. What would Aidan Turner bring that we haven’t seen before, for example? O’Connell is the only one who can I immediately picture bringing something new, because he’s a much more physical and expressive actor than any of the Bonds we’ve had already.

    But James has stressed the need for reinvention in an interview, which is more than most have done, so I reckon he could find something new to tap into. And I don’t think he’s “2D” at all, I think beneath the tough, smooth and enigmatic exterior, you get a real sense of him being someone thinking these dangerous situations through and running through all his options in The Gentlemen.

    Something else I really like about him in the show is his voice (deep and commanding) and accent. He’s convincingly posh enough to fit in at Blades, but still that bit rougher than the rest of them there, he’s not so posh that he comes across as wet and weak. And I think that’s a balance not many actors can nail. Bond could easily come across as an unbearable toff in the wrong hands, and I don’t think anyone other than Roger Moore could make that sort of portrayal work.
  • Posts: 1,368
    Theo could bring ... female fans.
  • George_KaplanGeorge_Kaplan Being chauffeured by Tibbett
    Posts: 685
    I've heard O'Connell mentioned a lot here, but his Bond potential isn't jumping out at me. Can anyone recommend any films or specific clips for me to look at?
  • Posts: 944
    Theo could bring ... female fans.

    So could I.
    He said he likes playing villains.
  • Posts: 6,709
    We keep rambling about age when there’s a simple fact to consider: people age differently. Craig looked way older than Theo in CR. And Theo looks the same since the Divergent films. The guy is from 84, for Pete’s sake, he will be young for years to come.

    And, he’d be more than perfect.
  • Posts: 4,162
    I've heard O'Connell mentioned a lot here, but his Bond potential isn't jumping out at me. Can anyone recommend any films or specific clips for me to look at?

    Obviously it’s subjective, but I found that in Starred Up there were little moments where I could imagine him playing Bond. He doesn’t play a very Bondian character, but it’s little moments that jump out - his walk in particular, the way he looks around the prison while walking along the halls, a wry smile he’ll give while saying something sarcastic during certain situations etc.

    It’s the same for any other film of his I can think of - Unbroken, ‘71 etc.
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 8,216
    Univex wrote: »
    We keep rambling about age when there’s a simple fact to consider: people age differently. Craig looked way older than Theo in CR. And Theo looks the same since the Divergent films. The guy is from 84, for Pete’s sake, he will be young for years to come.

    And, he’d be more than perfect.

    I agree 100 %.

    And as far as ‘ he wouldn’t bring anything new to the role’ , of course he would.
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