232 replies to this topic

[Dr. Noah]

And at the moment, Jeffrey Wright is a hot commodity...

Why is Jeffrey Wright a hot commodity? Because he had a role in Syriana last year and another role in The Manchurian Candidate two years ago? That's not exactly 'hot' by Hollywood standards.

Jeffrey Wright IS Felix Leiter

Yeah right, and Ving Rhames IS Kojak!

Jesus, sorry if he doesn't have the same quality acting cache as David Hedison or Rik Van Nutter. Just quit watching Bond films. It's obviously too distressing for you.

[JimmyBond]

Did I ever tell you I love you Dr. Noah?

[Dr. Noah]

Did I ever tell you I love you Dr. Noah?

Sure. That's code in YOLT, right?

[Syndicate]

Jesus, sorry if he doesn't have the same quality acting cache as David Hedison or Rik Van Nutter.

You're dam right that Jeffery Wright doesn't have the same quality acting cache as David Hedison or Rik Van Nutter when playing Felix Leiter. But they came close to how Ian Fleming have created Felix Leiter. I think, I read some where that Rik Van Nutter was the one that looked the most like how Fleming have created Felix Leiter, if he is the one in Thunderball. I have too say even through they didn't become big stars of their time, but they were better actors at playing Felix Leiter then Jeffery Wright now.

[Dr. Noah]

Jesus, sorry if he doesn't have the same quality acting cache as David Hedison or Rik Van Nutter.

You're dam right that Jeffery Wright doesn't have the same quality acting cache as David Hedison or Rik Van Nutter when playing Felix Leiter. But they came close to how Ian Fleming have created Felix Leiter. I think, I read some where that Rik Van Nutter was the one that looked the most like how Fleming have created Felix Leiter, if he is the one in Thunderball. I have too say even through they didn't become big stars of their time, but they were better actors at playing Felix Leiter then Jeffery Wright now.

Based on what?

[DanMan]

Jeffrey Wright is a critically acclaimed actor and he won an Emmy. Your gonna' tell me Rik Van Nutter is better?

[Jericho_One]

Jesus, sorry if he doesn't have the same quality acting cache as David Hedison or Rik Van Nutter.

You're dam right that Jeffery Wright doesn't have the same quality acting cache as David Hedison or Rik Van Nutter when playing Felix Leiter. But they came close to how Ian Fleming have created Felix Leiter. I think, I read some where that Rik Van Nutter was the one that looked the most like how Fleming have created Felix Leiter, if he is the one in Thunderball. I have too say even through they didn't become big stars of their time, but they were better actors at playing Felix Leiter then Jeffery Wright now.

Well, and how exactly do you know that?
Have you seen the movie?
Geez...

[Dr. Noah]

Jesus, sorry if he doesn't have the same quality acting cache as David Hedison or Rik Van Nutter.

You're dam right that Jeffery Wright doesn't have the same quality acting cache as David Hedison or Rik Van Nutter when playing Felix Leiter. But they came close to how Ian Fleming have created Felix Leiter. I think, I read some where that Rik Van Nutter was the one that looked the most like how Fleming have created Felix Leiter, if he is the one in Thunderball. I have too say even through they didn't become big stars of their time, but they were better actors at playing Felix Leiter then Jeffery Wright now.

Well, and how exactly do you know that?
Have you seen the movie?
Geez...

Because they're white.

Yes, it really IS that lame.

[JimmyBond]

I didn't know the color of your skin determined how good of an actor you were??

[Syndicate]

Nothing to do with that it just that Felix Leiter looks mostly like Frank Sinatra and with a little Texas. That is how Fleming created Felix Leiter, and those actors handed the role very well and fit the role. If Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, or Matt Damon was casted as Liter it would be the same thing also just like what is said about Jeffery Wright. They would not have the same quality acting cache as David Hedison, Rik Van Nutter or Jack Lord in playing Felix Leiter either, so what they are Hollywood A list star.

[Jericho_One]

Just struck me: cast Matthew McConaughey as Leiter for an upcoming movie!
Texas accent is what the man has the most!

[marktmurphy]

I love how, in these interviews Michael Wilson has just given to Entertainment Weekly and EMPIRE, he is making the claim that the team has gone back to the Bond of Fleming....trying to get it right...trying to honor and respect Fleming's work and creation...and how do they do it? Give us an actor that looks absolutely NOTHING like the way Fleming described him, other than the fact that he's a man. And no, I"m not talking about Daniel Craig as Bond; I'm talking about Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter. His casting is a joke.

Not sure why you're so upset about this... but I'd agree if I'd ever had any interest in the Leiter character at all. Neither in the books or the films have I enjoyed his presence; he just doesn't seem to fit. With any luck they've overhauled his character and usage.

[Robinson]

Y'know, if Brosnan had remained in the role. One could see bringing the likes of Everett McGill back on board as Leiter.

Jeffrey Wright's a talent to be sure. Check out "Angels in America," "Boycott" and "Basquiat."

Can't believe there's so much "drama" over what will probably be a small role in the grand scheme of this film.

[Loomis]

I've only seen Wright in a couple of things, but he's very good in SYRIANA. Right now, his participation is one of the things I'm most excited about when it comes to CASINO ROYALE, and I'm looking forward to seeing what he'll do with Leiter and how interesting the character must (finally!) be in order to have attracted someone of Wright's high level of ability, fame and demand.

As for it being a small part, I've a feeling that it'll be considerably beefed up in BOND 22. This would explain why someone of Wright's stature was drawn to it. Y'know, rather like in LORD OF THE RINGS: FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING, you have someone very famous playing a small role and you think "Why's he doing this tiny part?", and then it becomes clear in the next one that it's quite an important character.

[Jericho_One]

Just struck me: cast Matthew McConaughey as Leiter for an upcoming movie!
Texas accent is what the man has the most!

Matthew was born in Texas, and raised all over the state. But obviously he's never going to be Leiter because the part is too small (though had it been handled right years ago, EON might've spun the part off into its own series) and he knows no one on the production team, so there's no favors to perform for a fellow friend or mentor, etc...Aaron Eckhart isn't too big of a star to have accepted the role, but even The 4400's Joel Gretsch would've made a suitable Leiter.

I love how, in these interviews Michael Wilson has just given to Entertainment Weekly and EMPIRE, he is making the claim that the team has gone back to the Bond of Fleming....trying to get it right...trying to honor and respect Fleming's work and creation...and how do they do it? Give us an actor that looks absolutely NOTHING like the way Fleming described him, other than the fact that he's a man. And no, I"m not talking about Daniel Craig as Bond; I'm talking about Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter. His casting is a joke.

Hey, I was kidding. McCounaghey might pull it off, but there's not point for Eon in casting such high-profile actors. Too high a salary.

Edited by Jericho_One, 13 August 2006 - 08:21 PM.

[mario007]

So if Jeffery Wright does a decent Texan accent in the film ... GS would have nothing to complain about! ... would he?

[Dr. Noah]

Well, they can always portray African Americans exactly the way Fleming did in his books and get boycotted by everybody else BESIDES the CNB'ers.

[Blonde Bond]

Do certain characters even need to look like how they were described in the books? Moore on Daniel Craig dont look anything like how James Bond was described in the book, but it wont make them any lesser bonds. Then why would it make any difference in Felix Leiter's case ? I think some of you guys should just adjust to the fact, that not everything from the book had to be copied faithfully into the movies.

Now, only seeing Wright in Shaft & Broken Flowers(Where he was the best part of the movie), I will just wait and see if he does a good job in CR.

[JimmyBond]

I thought Wright made a small role in Lady in the Water really shine. Which is what I'm sure he'll do in Casino Royale, take a small role and make it seem more important than it ultimately is.

[Dr. Noah]

Do certain characters even need to look like how they were described in the books? Moore on Daniel Craig dont look anything like how James Bond was described in the book, but it wont make them any lesser bonds. Then why would it make any difference in Felix Leiter's case ? I think some of you guys should just adjust to the fact, that not everything from the book had to be copied faithfully into the movies.

Now, only seeing Wright in Shaft & Broken Flowers(Where he was the best part of the movie), I will just wait and see if he does a good job in CR.

It's okay to update the book. It's fifty friggin' years old. And we're talking about a character whose main job is to idle in a boat or helicopter while James does the actual work throughout the series. Maybe a good actor like Wright (sorry, Rik Van Nutter was NOT a good actor, and he didn't have a friggin' accent anyway) can give the character something that the books and movies are missing. It's okay to improve the material, isn't it?

[dunmall]

Hmm wasn't it Connery who suggested making Felix black in NSNA because no one remembers Felix anyway?

I mean if your gonna complain about Felix of the films not resembling Felix of the novels my I point out Norman Burton of DAF? Not too mention Cec Linder from GF?

[kneelbeforezod]

I love how, in these interviews Michael Wilson has just given to Entertainment Weekly and EMPIRE, he is making the claim that the team has gone back to the Bond of Fleming....trying to get it right...trying to honor and respect Fleming's work and creation...and how do they do it? Give us an actor that looks absolutely NOTHING like the way Fleming described him, other than the fact that he's a man. And no, I"m not talking about Daniel Craig as Bond; I'm talking about Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter. His casting is a joke.

Why are you taking their words so literally? Do you honestly think that when say they are "going back to Fleming" that they mean exactly matching the physical descriptions of characters?

It's pretty obvious that they are talking about a more realistic tone, and better written, deeper characters. They are trying to capture the tone and emotional depth and mood of Fleming. Of course, you can argue that they won't achieve any of that, but that is what they are talking about.

"Faithful to Fleming" does not mean the colour of a supporting character's skin.

[Dr. Noah]

"Faithful to Fleming" does not mean the colour of a supporting character's skin.

That's the area where you DON'T want to be faithful to Fleming. Ever read about the "mixed breeds" in Dr. No?

The thing not discussed here is having a multiracial cast is very important to the actors' unions and other groups, who pretty much demand it and offer breaks to production companies. Inclusion's a good thing.

[Righty007]

For me, Jeffrey Wright being cast as CIA agent Felix Leiter is the most exciting supporting cast news. I'm not really sure why but I think it's because we haven't seen Felix Leiter in 17 years years and because I've always had a soft spot for the character since I'm American. I'm also excited to see how a modern James Bond will interact with his modern American counterpart. I'd usually be against a black Felix Leiter but Casino Royale is a "reboot" so it doesn't have to follow the Sean Connery through Pierce Brosnan continuity. Jeffrey Wright was great in Shaft and I think he'll be great as Felix Leiter. What do you all think? Please keep the discussion about his race in A black felix? Thanks.

This is the first post in this thread. Read it and then maybe some of you will figure out why I just quoted it. Hint: I said please keep the discussion of race in the other thread. This thread is for positive comments only and arguing about race is a waste of time. Thanks.

[Jericho_One]

I thought Wright made a small role in Lady in the Water really shine. Which is what I'm sure he'll do in Casino Royale, take a small role and make it seem more important than it ultimately is.

In the end, that's called acting talent.

[JimmyBond]

To true.

[Shadow Syndicate]

exactly. Race dosent matter. Or the fact that hes from Texas...Or that he was a USMC Captain...or that hes a jazz lover...but what the hell. Its not like there was ever a good Felix in the first place. But he never had more than a 5 miniute role anyway, so I guess it dosent really matter. I was just hopping that with this "reboot" things might change. Felix might finally get the recognition that his character deserves. Id still like Gary Sinise. He's used to his characters loosing limbs

[Niwram]

One thing I just noticed( I'm veeeeery slow), how come we haven't seen any interviews with Jeffrey or that Mathis guy? We have tons of interviews with Caterina Murino, and their parts are much bigger than hers! We should have seen loads of video interviews with them by now. And now filming is done! How bizarr...

Edited by Niwram, 14 August 2006 - 09:02 AM.

[Syndicate]

So if Jeffery Wright does a decent Texan accent in the film ... GS would have nothing to complain about! ... would he?

Don't forget has to have the Frank Sinatra look that is also the other thing in Fleming's creation.

[JimmyBond]

One thing I just noticed( I'm veeeeery slow), how come we haven't seen any interviews with Jeffrey or that Mathis guy? We have tons of interviews with Caterina Murino, and their parts are much bigger than hers! We should have seen loads of video interviews with them by now. And now filming is done! How bizarr...

Well, Caterina Murino is one of the Bond girls, so it's only natural they'd interview her, even if her part is smaller.