What do you think of Rose Byrne as Vesper? Options

[Stax]

I think Rose would be fine for it. She has that troubled look in her eye and seems young and vulnerable enough to end up as a pawn in someone's plan (that's why I posted this in the SPOILERS forum). She also played the kooky role in WICKER PARK so she could probably pull off Vesper's breakdown. C'mon, how could you not see 007 being smitten by this innocent face:

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2004/11/28/...eb__430x335.jpg

Then again Stirling's pedigree would provide oodles of free press and help people rediscover the sadly overlooked OHMSS.

This post has been edited by Stax: 15 January 2006 - 08:58

[Agent Spriggan O...]

I think Rose would be fine for it. She has that troubled look in her eye and seems young and vulnerable enough to end up as a pawn in someone's plan (that's why I posted this in the SPOILERS forum). She also played the kooky role in WICKER PARK so she could probably pull off Vesper's breakdown. C'mon, how could you not see 007 being smitten by this innocent face:

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2004/11/28/...eb__430x335.jpg

Then again Stirling's pedigree would provide oodles of free press and help people rediscover the sadly overlooked OHMSS.

Rose would be fine. So would Stirling. If you look at the final 4 who will screentest for Vesper they all have a few things in common. They are young, dark haired and pretty but not overly sexy like someone like Angelina Jolie or Sienna Miller. Another thing about them is that they look innocent and almost naive and fragile, someone who can be easily manipulated which the impression I got from Vesper in the novel. Somehow I do think alot of the rumors that Theron, Jolie, Miller etc turning down the role may be totally bunk and after the casting is made official we will find out that EON/Sony were never looking at those big names for Vesper, much like what happened with Clive Owen.

[dinovelvet]

I don't know any of Byrne's work, but looking at pictures of her, she just seems way too young, and incompatible with Craig (he's 11 years older than her). I suppose given her appearance in Troy she is the most recognizable (to US audiences) of the three, which helps her case. I've been thinking about this casting today (I have a life, really. Just not on Saturdays Here are the various pros and cons for our three Vesper contenders. Wish I knew who No.4 was, but still:

Rachael Stirling
PRO
-Diana Rigg's daughter so there's a past Bond girl connection, miles of free publicity there
-British
-Speaks Russian!
-Former member of European shooting stars group, just like Daniel Craig.
CON
-Unknown outside of Britain, could be a problem if Sony want someone more recognizable.
-Almost all of her work has been tv, will Sony/EON want to pin this 'tough' lead female role on a big screen rookie?

Rose Byrne
PRO
-Probably the most 'well-known' of the three, thanks to Hollywood flicks Troy and Wicker Park
-'Innocent' look that suits Vesper Lynd(?)
CON
-Young and young LOOKING (11 years younger than Craig - lack of chemistry?)
-Aussie
-Unbelievable as a double agent?
-Not exactly Meryl Streep, acting-wise?

Vera Farmiga
PRO
-Very good actress, with impressive resume (Manchurian Candidate, 15 Minutes, upcoming Breaking & Entering and The Departed). Minghella and Scorsese hire her; she seems to be the most Daniel Craig-ish of the three, i.e. building up indie roles and is just now breaking through to big budget Hollywood flicks
-Closer in age to Craig than the other three (5 years younger than him)
-Breaking & Departed both open before CR - will she be much higher profile and a 'name' by then?
-Speaks Russian
CON
-'Unconventional' looks, not pretty enough for Vesper Lynd?

Feel free to add your various pros and cons too. I have to say, even though my first reaction to Vera Farmiga was a negative one, I'm starting to rethink it. I remember her in the obscure Adrien Brody flick "Dummy" in which she played the object of his affection, she played a sweet/naive character, and then in the even more obscure flick "Love in the time of money" she played a low-rent hooker, she certainly has a lot of range. If it wasn't for her looks, I'd say she'd be a shoo-in for the role. But then again everyone said that about Daniel Craig

This post has been edited by dinovelvet: 15 January 2006 - 10:00

[tdalton]

I think that Rose Byrn would be great as Vesper Lynd. Someone mentioned her a month or so ago in the "Who should play Vesper" thread, and after seeing some photos and knowing her work from Troy, I had her in my Top 5 actresses for the role. Hopefully she gets it.

[Dalton]

Looking at the potential's for the Vesper role, i'd have to say that which ever one is cast i'd be happy with. They all (as was mentioned ealier) have a similar look about them. But i'm not of the opinion that a "name" must be cast, all I ask is for a good, believable performance.

[Shrublands]

-Speaks Russian!

People keep mentioning this as if it matters.

Can I ask, why has her ability to speak Russian got any bearing on her suitability for THIS film?

This post has been edited by Shrublands: 15 January 2006 - 11:08

[Dalton]

Can I ask, why has her ability to speak Russian got any bearing on her suitability for THIS film?

Good point. As we keep being told, the story has been "updated". The chances of any SMERSH connections are low to zero. Especially when the villains are of european descent.

[Agent 76]

I think she would be nice as Vesper. Has the right looks, but possibly the age could be a problem, but that the producers decide.

[Agent Spriggan O...]

I think she would be nice as Vesper. Has the right looks, but possibly the age could be a problem, but that the producers decide.

Actually, I don't think age would be a problem. I may have to re-read Casino Royale but I got the impression that Vesper was rather young in her mid twenties no more than thirty and I saw Bond as an older man who at first thought she was way too young but slowly found himself falling for her. I think the fact that Craig is older could help with this. Like I said before she should be young, innocent and naive. She should even seem a little out of place, like she should not be a part of the dangerous world in which Bond exists and in a way she is like a way out for Bond(not unlike the marriage to Tracy in OHMSS) until it is cruely taken away from him.

[Agent 76]

I think she would be nice as Vesper. Has the right looks, but possibly the age could be a problem, but that the producers decide.

Actually, I don't think age would be a problem. I may have to re-read Casino Royale but I got the impression that Vesper was rather young in her mid twenties no more than thirty and I saw Bond as an older man who at first thought she was way too young but slowly found himself falling for her. I think the fact that Craig is older could help with this. Like I said before she should be young, innocent and naive. She should even seem a little out of place, like she should not be a part of the dangerous world in which Bond exists and in a way she is like a way out for Bond(not unlike the marriage to Tracy in OHMSS) until it is cruely taken away from him.

Your post makes a lot of sense, and after all you maybe right. Thinking more about the Vesper character from the book, she does seem young and pretty innocent, comparing to the older and wiser James Bond.

[Carver]

I would be happy with any of those 3, but I'm more inclined to Stirling and Byrne. Dinovelvet made some good pros and cons for all 3, and it's known that Stirling is really a Tv actress. However, I don't really see this as problem as it hasn't stopped EON in the past. Lazenby wasn't even an actor, and Connery and Dalton weren't exactly huge before Bond. The same goes for Bond girls- Jane Seymour, Izabella Scorupco and Carey Lowell weren't big names stars yet EON still hired them. I just hope they take the same attitude when deciding which one should play Vesper.

[Andrew]

Stirling is still my choice but I would have no problem with Byrne.

[Righty007]

She'll make a good Vesper.

[Bond_Bishop]

Extremely beautiful, she'll make an excellent Vesper Lynd

[marktmurphy]

Rachael or Rose; I'm happy with either. I'm glad we're getting sensible suggestions instead of all that Angelina and Charlize rubbish.

[zencat]

I'm very happy it appears to be Byrne over Stirling. I just don't think Stirling had the sex appeal.

[Niwram]

I think Stirling has more sex appeal than Byrne. Stirling doesn't look that perfect/ fake. But maybe that's just me.

I'm really looking forward to the press conference on Friday!

This post has been edited by Niwram: 15 January 2006 - 18:50

[Bond_Bishop]

I'm very happy it appears to be Byrne over Stirling. I just don't think Stirling had the sex appeal.

I agree with you zencat. Stirling din't had the sex appeal. I really hope that it really is Byrne

[Johnboy007]

Sounds good to me.

[marktmurphy]

I'm very happy it appears to be Byrne over Stirling. I just don't think Stirling had the sex appeal.

Maybe for you- I find Stirling sexier than Byrne, but I'm not going to complain if it is her!

[007_Stef]

i like rose alot...i really didnt see the bond girl in stirling. Also, Byrne has the Vesper look more than Stirling i think.

[Harmsway]

Byrne is a better choice than Stirling (though I would have been content with either).

[Dalton's Wendy]

Actually, I don't think age would be a problem. I may have to re-read Casino Royale but I got the impression that Vesper was rather young in her mid twenties no more than thirty and I saw Bond as an older man who at first thought she was way too young but slowly found himself falling for her. I think the fact that Craig is older could help with this. Like I said before she should be young, innocent and naive. She should even seem a little out of place, like she should not be a part of the dangerous world in which Bond exists and in a way she is like a way out for Bond(not unlike the marriage to Tracy in OHMSS) until it is cruely taken away from him.

I agree very much with this line of thinking, along with marktmurphy's post referring to the departure from the scene of Angelina Jolie and Charlize Theron. (Besides . . . Angelina will be otherwise occupied this forthcoming summer).

Although I think Rachel Stirling would be a fine choice (am not at all familiar with Vera Farmiga, so cannot say), I have seen Rose Byrne act, in a movie called I Capture the Castle. Not only does she possess an exquisite, rather ethereal beauty, there is also much of Fleming's actual description about her: "clear and beautiful line of her jaw"; "her eyes were wide apart and gazed candidly back at Bond"; "her mouth, which was wide and sensual." Not that this latter part really matters, but, in my opinion, she personifies the woman conjured in one's mind while reading the words. I think that overall, she would be an ideal choice.

[stamper]

if they don't cast stirling, the series is dead. A 4 years old could direct a better casting agency than the current Bond team. Unbelievable.

[Niwram]

if they don't cast stirling, the series is dead. A 4 years old could direct a better casting agency than the current Bond team. Unbelievable.

Are you heavily depressed or something? Byrne will be great. Maybe not as good as Stirling, but that doesn't mean she will suck.

[spynovelfan]

Can I ask, why has her ability to speak Russian got any bearing on her suitability for THIS film?

Good point. As we keep being told, the story has been "updated". The chances of any SMERSH connections are low to zero. Especially when the villains are of european descent.

Even if they did have SMERSH connections, it wouldn't matter. We don't see her speak Russian in the book, and Le Chiffre does speak English. Still, it sounds cool if you're a Bond girl, I guess, which is why it's been mentioned.

to Rose Byrne if it's her. She certainly looks the part, anyway. Bit Jane Seymour-ish.

[blofeldblows]

spynovelfan you alluded to it but everytime i see a picture of her i immediately think of Jane Seymour. Interestingly enough, Seymour was cast young and was the bond girl in a new bond's first movie. Ironic how things work in circles. BTW, love her last name.(Byrne's my last name) Ha

[spynovelfan]

spynovelfan you alluded to it but everytime i see a picture of her i immediately think of Jane Seymour. Interestingly enough, Seymour was cast young and was the bond girl in a new bond's first movie. Ironic how things work in circles. BTW, love her last name.(Byrne's my last name) Ha

Welcome to CBN, Gabriel.

[Simon]

I agree very much with this line of thinking, along with marktmurphy's post referring to the departure from the scene of  Angelina Jolie and Charlize Theron.

Does anyone really believe any of these two were part of a scene from which to depart in the first place??

But so far, interesting casting, confirmation of one explosion, all is needed now is a confirmation of CGI useage and we're on for a promising start...

[Roebuck]

Although I think Rachel Stirling would be a fine choice (am not at all familiar with Vera Farmiga, so cannot say), I have seen Rose Byrne act, in a movie called I Capture the Castle.

I've only seen her in ''I Capture the Castle'', but I thought she was very capable in that. The lass has serious acting chops to go along with her looks. Another double plus good casting decision by the alien uberminds currently living in the heads of Mickey and Babs.