34 replies to this topic

[Seannery]

Cindy McDonald reporting for mi6.co.uk "claims" that "insiders" are buzzing that James Purefoy has auditioned for Bond like he has in the past for Goldeneye and now seems lined up to be the Bond after Pierce in either Bond 21 or 22.

This is very interesting though I am dubious about its factual nature. Could someone have recently jumped into the picture and vaulted ahead of everyone in the race to be Bond? What do you think? Did James Purefoy slip under the radar recently and shake up the whole Bond search? I doubt it, but I can see that it is in the realm of possibility.

I have already considered Purefoy as a potential Bond and I think he has strong potential. For those who know of him--What do you think of his Bond Potential?

[Martin Mystery]

Hmmm... interesting. He could probably carry the gun - AND he would be a hell of a lot cheaper than Hugh Jackman.

[Daltonfan]

What's not to like? He's not a big name but he's an RSC-trained actor, lots of experience and very attractive. Best idea so far.

[Qwerty]

No, I don't think it is MI6. Those views in that article are from Cindy Macdonald. I do not agree with much of what is said in it.

[Seannery]

My bad Qwerty I thought she was affiliated with MI6. Guess not. Regardless she seems confident of her report. But like you I remain dubious though I will keep a slight part of my mind open to the possibility.

[Qwerty]

My bad Qwerty I thought she was affiliated with MI6. Guess not. Regardless she seems confident of her report. But like you I remain dubious though I will keep a slight part of my mind open to the possibility.

As will I, as she quickly crosses several names right off the list.

[The Dove]

Who the hell is James Purefoy??

[SPECTRE ASSASSIN]

James Purefoy

Here you go.

[Qwerty]

What the IMDb has: He's been in some things. http://imdb.com/name/nm0700856/

[Killmaster]

One important question.....
Since Eon and their representatives have been EXTREMELY tight-lipped (mute, in fact) concerning any possible change in Bonds, how do we know exactly WHO is on their short list to take over after Brosnan?

Perhaps Purefoy has been at the top of Eon's list ever since he screen-tested for Bond prior to "Goldeneye".

My opinion is that he'd make a good Bond and fits all the criteria we have set for the character... age, height, birth, etc....

[The Dove]

Thanks Qwerty!

[Qwerty]

how do we know exactly WHO is on their short list to take over after Brosnan?

Exactly, it'd be nice to know which rumors have credibility, and which do not.

Welcome Dove!

[SPECTRE ASSASSIN]

Thanks Qwerty!

You forgot me, but that's ok...

[Qwerty]

Perhaps Purefoy has been at the top of Eon's list ever since he screen-tested for Bond prior to "Goldeneye".

That could be, kind of like Brosnan being up for the role and then Dalton got it. But then some years later, Brosnan gets it. Although some names had been mentioned when Brosnan got the role, I wonder if that "tradition" will continue.

[Seannery]

Was reading the IMDb that Qwerty provided and found something intriguing. In the mini-biography they say he played "wannabe Bond actor Carl Phipps in Maybe Baby(2000). Interesting.

[Seannery]

Perhaps Purefoy has been at the top of Eon's list ever since he screen-tested for Bond prior to "Goldeneye".

That could be, kind of like Brosnan being up for the role and then Dalton got it. But then some years later, Brosnan gets it. Although some names had been mentioned when Brosnan got the role, I wonder if that "tradition" will continue.

Yes he is in the same vein as Paul with being under consideration before. Like I said before it could be possible but it could also very easily be another red herring.

[Qwerty]

Perhaps Purefoy has been at the top of Eon's list ever since he screen-tested for Bond prior to "Goldeneye".

That could be, kind of like Brosnan being up for the role and then Dalton got it. But then some years later, Brosnan gets it. Although some names had been mentioned when Brosnan got the role, I wonder if that "tradition" will continue.

Yes he is in the same vein as Paul with being under consideration before. Like I said before it could be possible but it could also very easily be another red herring.

That is what I'm kind of thinking also. (There have been too many other names mentioned to overlook them.) Although some are just the crazed rumors of course.

[Seannery]

Like Heath Ledger!

[The Dove]

Oh yes, my bad. Thanks for the info as well SPECTRE ASSASSIN.

[Johnboy007]

Well, he certainly is unknown...

[Qwerty]

Like Heath Ledger!

Now that is just silly and useless except for something for magazines to throw in.

[H.M.Servant]

I don't think he'll be the next 007. He's too old plus too unrecognizeable for Bond. I think EON are looking for a yonger and (relatively) big name this time.

[Daltonfan]

Well, he certainly is unknown...

I've seen him in more films than Clive Owen and I remember him - just not his name. I never thought I'd have a reason to watch A Knight's Tale again.

[Athena007]

Cindy McDonald reporting for mi6.co.uk "claims" that "insiders" are buzzing that James Purefoy has auditioned for Bond like he has in the past for Goldeneye and now seems lined up to be the Bond after Pierce in either Bond 21 or 22.

Ya, well... a while back Cindy McDonald "claimed" that Heath Leger was the new Bond ...so I'm not hanging on her words.

[Qwerty]

Cindy McDonald reporting for mi6.co.uk "claims" that "insiders" are buzzing that James Purefoy has auditioned for Bond like he has in the past for Goldeneye and now seems lined up to be the Bond after Pierce in either Bond 21 or 22.

Ya, well... a while back Cindy McDonald "claimed" that Heath Leger was the new Bond ...so I'm not hanging on her words.

Haha! Really? Not too surprising considering.

Either she has a wild imagination on who is Bond, or she's very opinionated in who doesn't have a shot at the role anymore.

[mkkbb]

He certainly looks the part, and I enjoyed his villain in Resident Evil.

Now a challenge between him and Owen. He looks more the part, but Owen is younger.

Would be happy with either taking over!

[crashdrive]

Well, eventhough Purefoy is listed as number 8 on my Most Likely Bond Candidates list, I can't imagine he's next in line. But he's definately a possibility (or else I wouldn't have listed him). It's indeed true that he tested for the part in 94, but is he famous enough to headline a movie as big as Bond? I'd be surprised, but definately intrigued.

[Daltonfan]

Well, eventhough Purefoy is listed as number 8 on my Most Likely Bond Candidates list, I can't imagine he's next in line. But he's definately a possibility (or else I wouldn't have listed him). It's indeed true that he tested for the part in 94, but is he famous enough to headline a movie as big as Bond? I'd be surprised, but definately intrigued.

Vanity Fair? It seems to be scheduled for a September release in the US. It's headlined by Reese Witherspoon and has a cast that includes Jim Broadbent, Gabriel Byrne and Bob Hoskins, so it's unlikely to go unnoticed. He's also listed as playing Mark Antony in a big TV series directed by Michael Apted.

He doesn't seem to have many "leading man" roles, though.

Edited by Daltonfan, 16 July 2004 - 01:37 PM.

[Seannery]

Like Heath Ledger!

Now that is just silly and useless except for something for magazines to throw in.

Exactly my point Qwerty.

[Seannery]

I don't think he'll be the next 007. He's too old plus too unrecognizeable for Bond. I think EON are looking for a yonger and (relatively) big name this time.

I have always maintained that it is a strong possibility that Eon will do what it has been doing since the days of Roger Moore.

And that is pick a new Bond who they have auditioned before, who impressed and was short listed before, in his 40's, fit the role of Bond and who was not a big name. That is what they did with Moore, Dalton and Brosnan. They have consistently done this over the last 30 years.

The majority of speculation makes the point that younger and bigger names are the favorites to be the next Bond. Though I think this is possible I think it is more likely Eon will follow their successful pattern of a 40 something previously considered short lister modestly famed at best actor.

Cubby taught Barbara and Michael not to mess up what has worked and worked over a long time. I have heard both of them say that. I believe they will continue choosing a Bond with the same successful pattern. To keep Bond the star and have an actor that has no large public image to interfere with Bond. And to have an actor that would be all gung ho to do Bond because their career is not taking off--an actor well fit to Bond but with little or modest fame.

Actors like James Purefoy and Adrian Paul. They both fit this pattern to a tee. I am not saying this report on Purefoy is correct--I am dubious though think it is a possibility. Having looked at past Bond searches there have been a number of other actors that fit this pattern other the Paul and Purefoy who have even less fame and mentions. They are even deeper under the radar but may pop up and suprise everyone. Mostly British obscure actors who have been checked out by Eon before. They are obscure to me and its been a while so I don't remember the vast majority of them--Jack Davenport was one.

So don't assume it will necessarily be an Owen, Jackman type--especially if the old Eon pattern continues. Eon controls the decision and they have always been stubborn and successful. And there is no doubt that MGM or any other studio will jump at Bond regardless who Eon picks. It's money. Eon's success guarantees that a studio will go along with the initial pick--only if a new star and film disappoints box office-wise would they really start pushing for a different Bond actor. And if the Eon picked actor is well cast regardless of his fame Bond will do big business.