46 replies to this topic

[James Page]

Due to Pierce Brosnan having other commitments, EON have substituted 007 for the latest Bond girl screentests. Colin Salmon, who has played MI6 aide "Robinson" in the last two films ("Tomorrow Never Dies", "The World Is Not Enough") has stepped in to Bond's shoes to help out.

EON's usual routine for testing prospective Bond girls has fallen in to the usual pattern of a short mock-publicity photo shoot and a screentest love scene: Tatiana Romanova's seduction of Bond in his hotel room from the second film in the series "From Russia With Love".

"I really enjoyed the audition with Saffron Burrows," he says, "and Salma Hayek was great. Sophie Ellis Bextor came along too but I can't tell you any more it would be more than my job's worth."

[scaramanga]

I can't see Sophie Ellis-Bextor being the lead Bond girl, she's way too young at 22 years old! BUT, and I'm sticking my neck out by saying this, but I think she may be under consideration to sing the title song. I know she's fairly new to the music scene and not known anywhere else except the UK, but she has had tremendous success so far. The reason I think this is the way Colin Salmon speaks of her in the article. Notice that he never says that he screentested with her, only Burrows and Hayek, in fact it doesn't directly state that she was screentested at all, does it? He just says she was there. I know that she is not well known outside of the UK, but to be honest, how many people had heard of Shirley Bassey before she sung Goldfinger? That song made her career!
As for the roles of Saffron Burrows and Salma Hayek, well, I've never seen anything with Burrows in, but we could do with an English Bond girl for a change. Salma Hayek is stunning and the rumours about C

[ShockTroop22]

James, i noticed that also, i was gonna mention it, but as you probably know its 2am here in the UK, and i just fell asleep. Oh, well im going to bed now.

[Evil Doctor Cheese]

Thank god we have another Bond girl rumoured! (Burrows! Burrows! Please! Burrows!) Sounds like Michelle Yeoh (if she is really in Bond 20) will play Colonel Linn rather than "Bond girl" Wai Linn. I think if this happens it will be really interesting... meeting an old flame that we've already met in a previous Bond film (like Sylvia Trench!). Rosamund Pike might be the Hollywarmflash of Bond 20 but perhaps she's a new member of the MI6 team? Makes me wonder how she'll be used. I'm actually excited about Bond 20 now especially if Wai Linn IS going to be Colonel Linn... she could turn into the Asian Felix Leiter which I really wouldn't mind.

My money's on Burrows though... two English actresses in a Bond movie!!!! That's pretty much against the grain for the biggest British movie francise in the world... will the world be able to cope with 2 popular movies with mostly British casts coming out in November (Harry Potter and Bond 20)?!!

[James Page]

Yes, Colin Salmon did not say Sophie Ellis Bextor was there for a "screentest", simply that she turned up. But if she was only going for the title song, why would she turn up for the Bond girl auditions? Very strange.

Anyway, MI6 & CBN have his the news headlines again with this article on www.ananova.com

http://www.ananova.c.../sm_487259.html

Ananova : 

 

Sophie Ellis Bextor and Salma Hayek 'take Bond girl screen tests'

Sophie Ellis Bextor, Salma Hayek and Saffron Burrows have all reportedly taken screen tests for the new James Bond movie.

The unofficial fansite MI6 claims actor Colin Salmon played 007 in a mock love scene to help audition the prospective Bond girls.

Pierce Brosnan is said to have been unavailable at the time.

Salmon told the mi6: "I really enjoyed the audition with Saffron Burrows and Salma Hayek was great.

"Sophie Ellis Bextor came along too but I can't tell you any more, it would be more than my job's worth."

Filming is due to start sometime this month.

Story filed: 13:10 Friday 4th January 2002

[James Page]

ShockTroop22 (04 Jan, 2002 12:39 a.m.):
Miss Hayek, seems a slight bit too young for our Pierce. I think he might come off making Bond look like a dirty old man

According to IMDB:
Saffron Burrows - born 1973
Salma Hayek - born 1966

What does that do to your theory? :-D

OK, so we all know IMDB is not always the most accurate source, but if it's true, boy, does Salma age well!!!!!

[ShockTroop22]

James, and all the CBn staff, and forum regulars, who do u all think is going to be "Miss Bond 20"?
Will it be:
A> Saffron Burrows (Deep Blue Sea)
B> Salma Hayek (Wild Wild West)
C> Sophie Ellis-Bextor ()

[Blue Eyes]

The Daily Telegraph has reported that Saffron Burrows, Salma Hayek and Sophie Ellis-Bextor have all auditioned for roles in James Bond 20. With Pierce Brosnan unable to attend the auditions actor Colin Salmon, who plays Charles Robinson in the series, took his place.

The audition piece, much like past auditions, was Tatiana Romanova's seduction of Bond in his hotel room from the second film in the series "From Russia With Love". This audition piece was used in the past to audition actors such as Izabella Scorupco, Maude Adams, Maryam d'Abo and Sam Neill (who was up for the role of Bond opposite Pierce Brosnan).

"I really enjoyed the audition with Saffron Burrows," Salmon said about the audition, "and Salma Hayek was great. Sophie Ellis Bextor came along too but I can't tell you any more it would be more than my job's worth."

Saffron Burrows is an English actress born in 1973. She's amassed over 20 films to date, the most Bond connected being Enigma which was directed by Michael Apted who also directed The World Is Not Enough. In 2002 she has another film slated, Frida. Interestingly enough it stars Salma Hayek who is also rumoured for a role in Bond 20. They have also appeared together in the 2000 film, Timecode. Frida is already post-production so there will be no date conflicts.



The news from the Daily Telegraph isn't the first time that Salma Hayek's name has appeared in relation to Bond 20. In mid-November we reported on an interview that Hayek had with The London Evening Standard in which the actress said she'd like to be in Bond 20 simply because it was being directed by Lee Tamahori. With a rumoured filming location of Spain it's very possible that Hayek may have a role in Bond 20.



Sophie Ellis-Bextor is the name that comes as most a surprise. The 22 year old pop star has no acting credentials, however, it is known that she auditioned for the lead role in Moulin Rogue so it seems very plausible that she's hoping to steer her career in the direction of acting. However, if Colin Salmon's comments are anything to go by, it seems he was too impressed by her.

[remy]

Salma.

runner-up:

Salma

[Mr. Solo]

Well, unless Purvis and Wade have some twist up their sleeves, it's looking less and less likely that Halle Berry will be "the" Bond Girl (i.e., the one in the life raft after the final explosion). I had been hoping that all of this "nemesis" talk was just smoke... and Bond would finally end up with a black actress (and not just bed one along the way). Oh, well, I still have my fingers crossed...

[James Page]

As much as I hate to say this, but let's face it, it's the 21st century where merketing and PR rules...

Salma Hayek.

Her image could sell snow to Eskimos.

I'm not complaining - she's a top babe! And let's be honest, when was the last time a "Bond girl" had to be a decent actress??? (LTK?)

[rubixcub]

Well, I'm voting with my heart and rooting for Salma (and if she doesn't get into this one, she won't do any others. Only reason she wanted in was to work with the director). If she isn't cast, it'll be a letdown for me. Not the greatest actress, but I don't care. She's bound to better than Denise Richards.

Dave

[Blue Eyes]

Does anyone else find Saffron Burrows strangely attractive? After seeing her in Michael Apted's Enigma I'm really hoping that she gets a role in Bond 20.

[Simon]

Don't believe I've seen her in anything at all other than pictures posted here on the site. But she does seem to be the most plausible out of all the remainder of the candidates. And it would be different to see a British Bond girl. A little like seeing the action sequence in London of all places for the last film.

I have to be the only person at these forums who really hopes Hayek doesn't get the part (while wishing her all the success for her future career) She is certainly attractive but is she not a little short for the sort of presence a Bond girl needs?

And also, isn't the American quotient fullfilled with Berry's presence?

[Smitty]

Simon (08 Jan, 2002 12:05 a.m.):
Don't believe I've seen her in anything at all other than pictures posted here on the site. But she does seem to be the most plausible out of all the remainder of the candidates. And it would be different to see a British Bond girl. A little like seeing the action sequence in London of all places for the last film.

I have to be the only person at these forums who really hopes Hayek doesn't get the part (while wishing her all the success for her future career) She is certainly attractive but is she not a little short for the sort of presence a Bond girl needs?

And also, isn't the American quotient fullfilled with Berry's presence?

Jane Seymour was the last English actress to play the major Bond girl. I think it's about time we had another one ! (Maryam D'Abo doesn't count even though she was born in London. She's half Russian-Georgian, half Dutch).

[Smitty]

Evil Doctor Cheese (08 Jan, 2002 12:12 a.m.):
I totally agree with everything Simon has said... enough Americans for Bond 20... Burrows is gorgeous!!!!!!!

Also why should it feel odd that an English woman is playing a Bond girl... it really does feel odd but it shouldn't (just like London being a major part in TWINE). We've got 2 English Bond girls if Saffron is cast and that's the greatest 40th Birthday present any Brit Bond fan can get!

My girlfriend has a leaning towards Salma Hayek... A) should I be worried? should I ask her to shout that out in the bedroom!

Don't be worried mate - go for it !!!!!

[remy]

Salma tested but was not cast?! How? I don't see it.

[Smitty]

If Sophie gets the part they could always call the film "Spies on the Dancefloor" ;-)
I always thought Saffy Burrows would make a good Bond girl, but in the vain of Vesper Lynd where she turns traitor at the end.
Salma's hot - but I got this thing 4 Mexican women..........!

[ShockTroop22]

I always thought that it was only a matter of time before, Saffron Burrows' name cropt up. I think she is definatley potential Bond girl material.

[Manchester_Bond]

Saffron Burrows? Give me a break, she cant act!!!!!!!!

[Jay]

On Bond 20.com a reliable source, Pierce B, said that Sophie is just for the music and Salma tested but was not casted! So, I guess unless there is someone else it looks like the winner, if this is true, is Saffron Burrows! BTW does anyone else think that these actresses' names Saffron, Rosamund sound Flemigish. I mean, Saffron Burrows sounds as cool as Vesper Lynd or something along those lines. Would be cool if they kept her first name as the character's name, like, I don't know, Saffron Smythe! What do you guys think?

[James Page]

Jay (04 Jan, 2002 11:32 p.m.):
On Bond 20.com a reliable source

Right! STOP THERE!

Enough said really.

Anyone else remember the fake screenplay? They're still sticking to it. LOL

[Tedley King]

Well if the rumours are true and Bond IS going to Korea, then it would seem a little strange to hav a latino Bond in an Asian country, not that I'm saying it cant happen, just that it seems a little wierd. My money would have to be on Burrows. Hayek, I think will be like Brosnan in '86, miss out and then grab a Bond role in years to come. When Brosnan leaves, or maye even in Bond21 if he doesn't leave yet, then she may get the role, as at the minute I cant really think of any potential Bond girls for the future, well I can, but put it this way..........if she was a Bond girl, Brosnan woud be done for paedophillia, especially with all those rumours about the RiverDance (Jean Butler) a couple of months ago! I wont give any names as yet!

[Evil Doctor Cheese]

I totally agree with everything Simon has said... enough Americans for Bond 20... Burrows is gorgeous!!!!!!!

Also why should it feel odd that an English woman is playing a Bond girl... it really does feel odd but it shouldn't (just like London being a major part in TWINE). We've got 2 English Bond girls if Saffron is cast and that's the greatest 40th Birthday present any Brit Bond fan can get!

My girlfriend has a leaning towards Salma Hayek... A) should I be worried? should I ask her to shout that out in the bedroom!

[remy]

Oh please, Salma, don't muck this up. Wonder what she wore to the audition?

[James Page]

If he's that reliable, he should be posting on the world's best Bond discussion forums

[ShockTroop22]

I think now we be a good time to say:

"Closing time James, Last Call"

Who do we all think is "Miss Bond 20"? With only days until the press conferance, its our last chance to guess.
Personally, out of these three im saying Saffron Burrows. Miss Hayek, seems a slight bit too young for our Pierce. I think he might come off making Bond look like a dirty old man, AVTAK style, especially if SE Bextor was cast.

How about every1 else?

[ShockTroop22]

We shall see REMY...


Mwhahahahahahhahaha Mwhaaa haa haa ha haaaaaaaaa!

[James Page]

Blue Eyes (03 Jan, 2002 10:19 p.m.):
Any news on a source for this info James?

Shertainly It was a reporter from www.dailytelegraph.co.uk - one of the UK's more respectable newspapers.

And yeah, EON have a habit of leaving it up to the last minute to cast their girls. Bond 20 seems to be no different as these screentests were done over the holidays.

"Get yer coat luv, you're pulled"

The smart money's on Salma, the traditionalists on Saffron, and the mentalists on Sophie :-D

[ShockTroop22]

Good point, Has anyone else seen Deep Blue Sea?
Saffron gives a great performance in it, as does my favourite actor of all time... Mr. Samuel L. Jackson.