Who should/could be a Bond actor?

12912922942962971229

Comments

  • CatchingBulletsCatchingBullets facebook.com/catchingbullets
    Posts: 292
    bondjames wrote: »
    Murdock wrote: »
    I think we've lost the plot on this thread.
    I don't think so. It's an entirely valid question. A large part of the Bond character revolves around his sexuality and prowess with women. It's a fundamental component of the screen character, unlike most other big screen heroes. An actor's ability to convey that appropriately and credibly is a reasonable question, especially if his own preferences are in direct contrast. I wouldn't want the film makers to downplay this aspect to appease a gay actor for instance, and I could imagine that the actor would be asked about it all the time by the press hounds which could potentially result in a neutering of this aspect of the character.

    The same applies to other attributes (whether they be from the novel or from the film interpretation) that we as viewers have gotten used to over the years and expect from Bond. I for one have never got used to Craig's height in relation to the other Bond actors, and even though he is an excellent actor, would prefer someone taller next time out. I know a lot of folks could never accept Roger as Bond because his essential niceness comes through even when he's trying to be tough. They could therefore never accept him as a hardened killer.

    So it's worth discussing. I for one don't have a problem with it, as long as the actor can credibly convey what I expect of Bond on screen, but it's not a given that he would be able to.

    Actors act. Plenty of gay actors have pulled the straight sheets over the audiences eyes for years - even now there are many sadly closeted actors in big named roles. Their privacy and choices are exactly that - theirs. Though - and I am sure you mean nothing of it - lines like "to appease a gay actor" and "it is not a given he would be able to" are reductive sentiments.

    The Bond series has never been made in a straight male vacuum. Far from it. Some of the key DNA of the movie Bond has come from the queerer side of the soundstage, so to speak. If Daniel Craig can successfully play many gay roles AND James Bond, then the opposite is equally true.

  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited May 2017 Posts: 23,883
    bondjames wrote: »
    Murdock wrote: »
    I think we've lost the plot on this thread.
    I don't think so. It's an entirely valid question. A large part of the Bond character revolves around his sexuality and prowess with women. It's a fundamental component of the screen character, unlike most other big screen heroes. An actor's ability to convey that appropriately and credibly is a reasonable question, especially if his own preferences are in direct contrast. I wouldn't want the film makers to downplay this aspect to appease a gay actor for instance, and I could imagine that the actor would be asked about it all the time by the press hounds which could potentially result in a neutering of this aspect of the character.

    The same applies to other attributes (whether they be from the novel or from the film interpretation) that we as viewers have gotten used to over the years and expect from Bond. I for one have never got used to Craig's height in relation to the other Bond actors, and even though he is an excellent actor, would prefer someone taller next time out. I know a lot of folks could never accept Roger as Bond because his essential niceness comes through even when he's trying to be tough. They could therefore never accept him as a hardened killer.

    So it's worth discussing. I for one don't have a problem with it, as long as the actor can credibly convey what I expect of Bond on screen, but it's not a given that he would be able to.

    Actors act. Plenty of gay actors have pulled the straight sheets over the audiences eyes for years - even now there are many sadly closeted actors in big named roles. Their privacy and choices are exactly that - theirs. Though - and I am sure you mean nothing of it - lines like "to appease a gay actor" and "it is not a given he would be able to" are reductive sentiments.

    The Bond series has never been made in a straight male vacuum. Far from it. Some of the key DNA of the movie Bond has come from the queerer side of the soundstage, so to speak. If Daniel Craig can successfully play many gay roles AND James Bond, then the opposite is equally true.
    Indeed. Hence the last part of my statement, which I highlight above and repeat here:

    I for one don't have a problem with it, as long as the actor can credibly convey what I expect of Bond on screen, but it's not a given that he would be able to.

    Reductive though? Hardly. It's well known that Daniel Craig doesn't look too favourably on certain parts of the Bond character. I believe he has called him misogynistic on occasion. The instances of his Bond having fun with the ladies are far less than other actors. I think it's clear that an actor's sensibilities could (but not necessarily) play into their interpretation of Bond, even if subtly.

    If they can do it and take the inevitable media heat that they will face into their personal lives, and if EON/MGM can deal with that, then more power to them. Let's go for it and tear down barriers.

    Ultimately, I want the best man for the job. I don't care about what he gets up to between the sheets in his personal life. I don't want to see it become a media discussion point however. We've already had enough distractions with the 'wrist slashing' nonsense.
  • CatchingBulletsCatchingBullets facebook.com/catchingbullets
    edited May 2017 Posts: 292
    bondjames wrote: »
    I think it's clear that an actor's sensibilities could (but not necessarily) play into their interpretation of Bond, even if subtly.


    BondJames, I get half of what you are saying and I am really not tarnishing you with any #phobia brush (honestly), but lines like that are straight-boy nonsense. Did you ever notice that Actor A didn't get on with Actress B during such and such a film, but his ACTING made it work? And I don't mean Bond - but any cinema or performance project. That is why it is called 'acting'. If I flip it over - plenty of big screen actresses have not always been as hetero-minded as the big screen suggests or the audiences assume. But did anyone notice or care? No. Of course not. If Daniel Craig can very successfully play gay then the right [gay] actor can play Bond.

    Also, I understand the concerns of other global territories having assumptions laid at their door about how they would cope or not with a queer Bond actor, but plenty of Bond films have featured elements (race, gender, flesh, language, wedlock or lack of it) that haven't - on paper - appeased some cultures...yet - guess what - Bond does alright.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited May 2017 Posts: 23,883
    @CatchingBullets, what is it about could in my statement above that is not clear? Additionally, what is it about it not being a given that an actor can credibly convey certain qualities that is not clear?

    We have pages and pages of discussion here on various films, actors, and our viewpoints on how they convey certain attributes of the character. It's clear that some of us pick up on certain subtleties which others don't see, depending on how we experience a narrative or film. It's not as simple to play Bond as some assume.

    Ultimately, what I can glean from your post is you're willing to give it the benefit of the doubt with a half full viewpoint. I'm not so optimistic but am willing to give it a chance. A lot of things have to come together perfectly for it to work credibly over a course of 10+ years (the reign of a Bond actor) and about four films (rather than just once).

    I still don't see Craig as credible in certain parts of his interpretation, and I knew that would be the case when he was cast after seeing Layer Cake. He's impressed in certain areas but not in other areas, despite being a great actor. There are always limitations.
  • DenbighDenbigh UK
    Posts: 5,970
    I think it would be hard to judge who would be James Bond considering that we never know until they're put on screen for their first adventure. Judging from past acting jobs as well is probably not enough either because you'll never know what the writers, the actors or the producers want to do with the character.

    For example, for all those who would like to see or not Aiden Turner play the role couldn't really judge straight away because acting wise like I said they'd work on something together that they feel would work and for looks they'll probably enter a training routine that alters them phsyically and give them a makeover, look at Daniel Craig in Casino Royale to when he was on that boat doing press for his reveal as the character, very different.

    But despite that it's still interesting to see you guys debate over it. It'll make it even more interesting when we know who the new Bond will be :) The only debate myself I can draw is the desire for Idris Elba's possibility to be dropped. The producers aren't going to get rid of Craig and start afresh with an actor whose only a few years younger than the current 007.
  • CatchingBulletsCatchingBullets facebook.com/catchingbullets
    edited May 2017 Posts: 292
    bondjames wrote: »
    @CatchingBullets, what is it about could in my statement above that is not clear? Additionally, what is it about it not being a given that an actor can credibly convey certain qualities that is not clear?

    We have pages and pages of discussion here on various films, actors, and our viewpoints on how they convey certain attributes of the character. It's clear that some of us pick up on certain subtleties which others don't see, depending on how we experience a narrative or film. It's not as simple to play Bond as some assume.

    Ultimately, what I can glean from your post is you're willing to give it the benefit of the doubt with a half full viewpoint. I'm not so optimistic but am willing to give it a chance. A lot of things have to come together perfectly for it to work credibly over a course of 10+ years (the reign of a Bond actor) and about four films (rather than just once).

    I still don't see Craig as credible in certain parts of his interpretation, and I knew that would be the case when he was cast after seeing Layer Cake. He's impressed in certain areas but not in other areas, despite being a great actor. There are always limitations.

    You might not see Daniel Craig as "credible" but that is merely your personal opinion. The box office, critics and global audiences might think differently.

    There is nothing in your highlighted sentiment that is not clear. You are suggesting that a gay actor could struggle with playing Bond because he could/might fail on delivering certain hetero nuances. If I have read that wrong, then that is my bad. If the suggestion is indeed that gay actors cannot play straight heroes, then the bad lies elsewhere.

    It's certainly a hot topic all round.... a next Bond, that is.
  • RC7RC7
    Posts: 10,512
    The only issue I see with casting a gay actor is the ensuing tabloid guff about the new 'Gay Bond'. I can't imagine any gay actor would want to be labelled as such, in the pejorative sense, right from the get go.
  • Posts: 15,106
    If he had a Bondian face (which I don't think he does in the least) I would be all for Luke Evans for Bond, homosexuality be damned and to Hell with people's objections. But I don't think he looks like Bond. Acting wise however he'd be perfect. And he can fool anyone playing the straight man.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    You might not see Daniel Craig as "credible" but that is merely your personal opinion. The box office, critics and global audiences might think differently.
    It seems like I am being selectively quoted or misunderstood again. I never said he wasn't credible. Just that certain parts of his interpretation aren't as credible as some other actors in my estimation. Of course it's my opinion.
    There is nothing in your highlighted sentiment that is not clear. You are suggesting that a gay actor could struggle with playing Bond because he could/might fail on delivering certain hetero nuances. If I have read that wrong, then that is my bad. If the suggestion is indeed that gay actors cannot play straight heroes, then the bad lies elsewhere.
    I am suggesting that the former is a possibility, yes, but certainly not a certainty. I don't recall saying a gay actor can't play Bond or a straight hero anywhere, & if that's what was assumed then it was an incorrect assumption. I did say that we're not ready globally as a society for it yet, & I stand by that assessment.

    At the end of the day, so you understand my view, get me the best actor for the job. His personal affiliations are of no concern to me, but I don't want them to be a distraction to the brand, which I value more than any actor.
  • Posts: 16,149
    RC7 wrote: »
    The only issue I see with casting a gay actor is the ensuing tabloid guff about the new 'Gay Bond'. I can't imagine any gay actor would want to be labelled as such, in the pejorative sense, right from the get go.

    The social media would most certainly play off that element. Anything to spark PC debate is immensely popular at the moment.
    Also, I think we're living in an era where whatever pops up on the Facebook "trending" section seems to be the be all end all for news.
    I hate to call people gullible, but I've had conversations with acquaintances who were convinced the new Elba Bond film was well into production and coming out later in the year.
    As for Evans, amazingly enough being a huge Dracula fan, I still have yet to see his take on Vlad The Impaler. He looks damn cool in that red cape, and his face almost reminds me of the Gene Colan Tomb of Dracula illustrations (which were based on Jack Palance).


  • Posts: 30
    Another franchise move for Tom Hardy? Could put him out of the Bond stakes.

    http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/venom-movie-2018-tom-hardy-star-ruben-fleischer-direct-1004115


  • Posts: 9,843
    Was just about to post this at the risk of sounding like Mendes4lyfe I am kind of bummed by this news as I thought Hardy would of been perfect while he was in a few high profile movies he still was able to feel like a possiblity for 007 and I thought he would of been perfect a right blend of Craig toughness and Connery's super suave and coolness but with this I think he has no chance Fassbender I would put as a 5% chance and I guess I will be on that train till like the Hardy Train it crashes and burns
  • Posts: 30
    @Risico007 Obviously there's no guarantee that it's anything more than one movie, but he just seems to have too much going on - Mad Max, Taboo, Peaky Blinders, now Venom. Plus whatever else comes along.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited May 2017 Posts: 23,883
    Just saw Alien: Covenant.

    Fassbender should be Bond. It's a great shame he isn't already. He doesn't have to try. He just is imho.
  • doubleoegodoubleoego #LightWork
    Posts: 11,139
    Ludovico wrote: »
    If he had a Bondian face (which I don't think he does in the least) I would be all for Luke Evans for Bond, homosexuality be damned and to Hell with people's objections. But I don't think he looks like Bond. Acting wise however he'd be perfect. And he can fool anyone playing the straight man.

    What's a Bondian face? Daniel Craig sure as hell doesn't have one and many people couldn't care less. They got over it pretty quickly once CR came out.
  • Posts: 15,106
    doubleoego wrote: »
    Ludovico wrote: »
    If he had a Bondian face (which I don't think he does in the least) I would be all for Luke Evans for Bond, homosexuality be damned and to Hell with people's objections. But I don't think he looks like Bond. Acting wise however he'd be perfect. And he can fool anyone playing the straight man.

    What's a Bondian face? Daniel Craig sure as hell doesn't have one and many people couldn't care less. They got over it pretty quickly once CR came out.

    Craig actually does. In his Bond movies at least. I was not convinced when he was cast, the only movie I remembered seeing him in was Elizabeth and he looked nothing like Bond there obviously. But I liked his first publicity snapshot. There is just something not Bondian about the face of Luke Evans, IMO of course and from what I saw. If people complained about Craig looking too thuggish, then he's ten times more thuggish looking than any contenders. Seriously, on looks alone, he could have remained in the closet and people would have been none the wiser about his sexual orientation. That said he's a very capable actor in his own right.
  • edited May 2017 Posts: 17,740
    doubleoego wrote: »
    Ludovico wrote: »
    If he had a Bondian face (which I don't think he does in the least) I would be all for Luke Evans for Bond, homosexuality be damned and to Hell with people's objections. But I don't think he looks like Bond. Acting wise however he'd be perfect. And he can fool anyone playing the straight man.

    What's a Bondian face? Daniel Craig sure as hell doesn't have one and many people couldn't care less. They got over it pretty quickly once CR came out.

    Of all the Bonds, Craig's the one with the least Bondian face. That doesn't make me think of him as a lesser Bond. Evans looks much more Bondian, in my opinion. And of all the potential actors discussed on this thread, he's among the better ones.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    He has a rugged appearance to him, and is quite a good looking chap. I find him a bit forgettable though. Sort of blends into the scenery rather than standing out.
  • Posts: 15,106
    Maybe it is that stach he often sports. I have to say in some pictures he does look a bit more suave. But I could picture him more as Tom Wallace or Paul Crocker in Queen&Country.
  • Posts: 676
    doubleoego wrote: »
    Ludovico wrote: »
    If he had a Bondian face (which I don't think he does in the least) I would be all for Luke Evans for Bond, homosexuality be damned and to Hell with people's objections. But I don't think he looks like Bond. Acting wise however he'd be perfect. And he can fool anyone playing the straight man.

    What's a Bondian face? Daniel Craig sure as hell doesn't have one and many people couldn't care less. They got over it pretty quickly once CR came out.
    I disagree. The key to casting Bond - and they only really got this right with Connery and Craig IMO - is that he's not just handsome, but has some cruelty and hardness about him. Craig is perfect casting.

    As for Luke Evans, the mustache makes him look a bit soft and dare I say, slimy. He looks more like Bond when he's clean-shaven:

    evans1.jpg

    evans2.jpg
  • NickTwentyTwoNickTwentyTwo Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts: 7,546
    Glad Evans is getting some back and forth here. @Milovy, when I read Fleming as I'm doing currently, the face in my imagination is very close to this. But of course everyone's image is different.
  • ThunderballThunderball playing Chemin de Fer in a casino, downing Vespers
    Posts: 814
    Fassbender, like Hardy has the chops to play the role without breaking a sweat, but they just don't have the look for me. As I previously mentioned I'd love to see Fassbender in a villain role.

    I'm with you on Hardy, he just doesn't look like Bond to me. Fassbender, however....

    tumblr_mch1j86alt1rhyzdxo1_500-jpg.3035599

    ...he looks to me like what Ian Fleming had in mind.
  • Posts: 9,843
    Fassbender, like Hardy has the chops to play the role without breaking a sweat, but they just don't have the look for me. As I previously mentioned I'd love to see Fassbender in a villain role.

    I'm with you on Hardy, he just doesn't look like Bond to me. Fassbender, however....

    tumblr_mch1j86alt1rhyzdxo1_500-jpg.3035599

    ...he looks to me like what Ian Fleming had in mind.

    Wait is Fassbender officially cast lol sorry I blooms that is fa made but it's so beautiful I just want to pretend he is officially cast
  • edited May 2017 Posts: 676
    Not the greatest image of Fassbender's face. He looks like he's enjoying the smell of one of his own farts.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited May 2017 Posts: 23,883
    Fassbender is Bond. As perfect a fit as there ever was. It likely will never happen, which is a shame.
  • Posts: 17,740
    Glad Evans is getting some back and forth here. @Milovy, when I read Fleming as I'm doing currently, the face in my imagination is very close to this. But of course everyone's image is different.

    You and me both! Not that Evans is spot on what I imagine Bond to look like in the books, but it isn't way off. Also, as @Milovy mentioned about cruelty and hardness: I do find it a good thing if a Bond actor could pass for a villain, too. Say, I could easily see Craig, and Connery as a villain if the role was right. Evans has played villains before (as has Hardy and a few other names on this thread too).
  • Posts: 15,106
    Milovy wrote: »
    doubleoego wrote: »
    Ludovico wrote: »
    If he had a Bondian face (which I don't think he does in the least) I would be all for Luke Evans for Bond, homosexuality be damned and to Hell with people's objections. But I don't think he looks like Bond. Acting wise however he'd be perfect. And he can fool anyone playing the straight man.

    What's a Bondian face? Daniel Craig sure as hell doesn't have one and many people couldn't care less. They got over it pretty quickly once CR came out.
    I disagree. The key to casting Bond - and they only really got this right with Connery and Craig IMO - is that he's not just handsome, but has some cruelty and hardness about him. Craig is perfect casting.

    As for Luke Evans, the mustache makes him look a bit soft and dare I say, slimy. He looks more like Bond when he's clean-shaven:

    evans1.jpg

    evans2.jpg

    Sorry I don't see it. He has an interesting face for sure but I don't see Bond (the glasses notwithstanding). Of course he's not in character so that could change. I didn't see Bond when Daniel Craig was in Elizabeth and Road to Perdition.
  • edited May 2017 Posts: 17,740
    He can look quite different in character indeed!
    Reminds me that I haven't seen High Rise. Any good?
    Luke-Evans.jpg
  • edited May 2017 Posts: 1,661
    Deleted post due to posting similar news (didn't see the earlier post about Tom Hardy as Venom).

  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited May 2017 Posts: 23,883
    He can look quite different in character indeed!
    Reminds me that I haven't seen High Rise. Any good?
    Luke-Evans.jpg
    I thought is was quite a weird (for lack of a better word) film, but both Evans and Hiddleston were absolutely outstanding in it. Both showed how good they are.
Sign In or Register to comment.