42 replies to this topic

[Simon]

With all the "non-names" doing the media rumour rounds at present, the criteria being nothing more than height, black hair and comparative youth, I really hope that this "Prague..........interesting direction" is something that goes the full distance.

With that in mind, I can only think of one name that would really get me inspired to see what they could do with the role and series.

This of Vinnie Jones.

And it was only due to various Bond character / back to basics / Fleming type threads that asked the question of what Fleming's Bond might have been like that turfed up the thug in a tux angle.

So Vinnie has thuggery in truck loads, and bearing in mind what was done with Connery in the 60s, I daresay that he could be taught how to wear a tux here in the present day and age.

As for the reason for this backlash, no offence to the names mentioned thus far, but they're all just names pandering to what would be the least offensive route to take.

[Loomis]

- Not nearly handsome enough to play Bond.

- Can't act.

- Almost certainly unable to "talk proper" and project 007's gentlemanliness and sophistication. Would you buy Jones as someone who went to Eton? Who knows about fine wines, etc.?

[stromberg]

The Axe???

No, nay never. But (almost as usual) might make a good henchman....

[Blofeld's Cat]

- Not nearly handsome enough to play Bond.

- Can't act.

- Almost certainly unable to "talk proper" and project 007's gentlemanliness and sophistication. Would you buy Jones as someone who went to Eton? Who knows about fine wines, etc.?

Those minor points aside, Vinnie fits my current idea of what I want Bond to be after Brosnan. Sanchez of Licence To Kill being the template I've being using, but Vinnie could fit that too. Except for the above points.

[Simon]

Would you buy Jones as someone who went to Eton? Who knows about fine wines, etc.?

That's exactly the point though - putting yourself in 1961, would you have been able to accept Connery, straight out of his last roles in the early 60s prior to Bond, as someone who knew that stuff? While not wishing to speak for you, I'd say unequivocably, no.

I admit on one level to falling prey to the idea that, "if he is seen on TV or in film wearing a tux, then that automatically grants him approval to the next stage of the selection process". And this would be following the tv ads he did for bacardi. (I'm not infallible)

Lady killing and cruel.

As I said, different.

[Atticus17F]

Connery may have been a rough diamond but he was also apparently quite well-read and articulate. Ian Fleming, in a letter to Ivar Bryce, said, "at least [Connery] is intelligent". Plus, Connery had Terence Young helping him out, which was a huge bonus.

Vinnie Jones, on the other hand, is about as far from erudite and articulate as you can get and there isn't one director out there who could help him in the way Young did with Connery.

Jones would be a perfect replacement for Vin Diesel in xXx, though.

[Loomis]

Well, then, BC, allow me to suggest Clive Owen as the guy to meet your Bond requirements. He has all the "dangerous" and thuggish qualities of Jones, but is a good deal better-looking, could pass as a posh Brit, and can certainly act. He could do a "Sanchezesque" 007 in his sleep.

[Simon]

........ allow me to suggest Clive Owen ......

Didn't take long, did it?

Almost certainly unable to "talk proper"

But then Sean Bean was taught to speak proper for GoldenEye. So not beyond the realms of possibility I was thinking.

[Loomis]

Would you buy Jones as someone who went to Eton? Who knows about fine wines, etc.?

That's exactly the point though - putting yourself in 1961, would you have been able to accept Connery, straight out of his last roles in the early 60s prior to Bond, as someone who knew that stuff? While not wishing to speak for you, I'd say unequivocably, no.

Yes, but Jones ain't the young Connery. Connery was considerably more handsome, and could act. He could play "soft" and charming as well as "hard" and menacing. Jones, OTOH, can only play thugs. He wouldn't be a credible ladykiller, gentleman spy, etc. Bluntly, he'd be an utterly horrible choice for Bond - in fact, I reckon even Robbie Williams would be better.

Point taken re: Bean's elocution lessons, but again I come back to good looks and charisma. Bean has both, and might have been an excellent Bond. Jones has neither.

[Blofeld's Cat]

Yep, Clive could fit the bill as well. Loomis. And Jackman, and.....

My "Sanchezesque 007" (I like it) template is to help weed out the likes of Hugh Grant from my idea of Bond.

[Loomis]

Yep, Clive could fit the bill as well. Loomis. And Jackman, and.....

No, no, just Owen. Forget about anyone else - Owen's the ONLY decent choice for James Bond.

[INTREPID]

The Axe???

No, nay never. But (almost as usual) might make a good henchman....

Best henchman ever...

And who's saying he couldn't be one of M's other agents?

Or the supervillain?

(Or the Bondgirl... runs away)

[Loomis]

My "Sanchezesque 007" (I like it) template is to help weed out the likes of Hugh Grant from my idea of Bond.

Fair enough. Has anyone suggested Karl Urban yet?

I personally don't think he has what it takes to be Bond, but I reckon he'd be a thousand times better than Jones.

[Blofeld's Cat]

Yep, Clive could fit the bill as well. Loomis. And Jackman, and.....

No, no, just Owen. Forget about anyone else - Owen's the ONLY decent choice for James Bond.

Well, does that mean you'll slash your wrists if someone else gets the job?

You meed at least a second for your charge. Sanchezesque, of couse

[Simon]

Jones, OTOH, can only play thugs. He wouldn't be a credible ladykiller, gentleman spy, etc.

Bluntly, he'd be an utterly horrible choice for Bond.

"Can only play" or has only played. This is the danger we, as the audience, run into and why actors are continually fighting typecasting. For my part, I would never wish to limit a person in any walk of life solely based on what as happened before.

I daresay Owen initially came to light as a result of his tux wearing role in Croupier - and there's no one who can definitively say that wasn't the case.

Otherwise, appreciate the bluntness of the reaction.

[Blofeld's Cat]

My "Sanchezesque 007" (I like it) template is to help weed out the likes of Hugh Grant from my idea of Bond.

Fair enough. Has anyone suggested Karl Urban yet?

I personally don't think he has what it takes to be Bond, but I reckon he'd be a thousand times better than Jones.

There's plenty of lighning bolts (charges) out there, it's just a matter of catching one in the 007 jar, isn't it? Micky G. & Babs are holding it out ready to close the lid.

[Loomis]

Yep, Clive could fit the bill as well. Loomis. And Jackman, and.....

No, no, just Owen. Forget about anyone else - Owen's the ONLY decent choice for James Bond.

Well, does that mean you'll slash your wrists if someone else gets the job?

You meed at least a second for your charge. Sanchezesque, of couse

"You meed at least a second for your charge. Sanchezesque, of couse." What does that actually mean, BC?

No, I certainly won't be breaking out the rope and stepladder if Owen doesn't get the gig. I will, however, be disappointed.

[Loomis]

"Can only play" or has only played.

Both. Come on, Simon, I've seen SWORDFISH and GONE IN SIXTY SECONDS. I know who Vinnie Jones is, what he looks like and how he "acts". You won't convince me that there's a decent actor inside this unappreciated figure, struggling to get out and be given a sporting chance to shine, let alone a James Bond actor.

[Blofeld's Cat]

A second choice, in case Clive (GOD FORBID!) doesn't get the role. I hope he'll be Sanchezesque too.

[Blofeld's Cat]

"Can only play" or has only played.

Both. Come on, Simon, I've seen SWORDFISH and GONE IN SIXTY SECONDS. I know who Vinnie Jones is, what he looks like and how he "acts".

I liked him in "Lock, Stock & 2 Smoking Guns." He gave many a Bondian glimpse there, I thiught.

[Loomis]

A second choice, in case Clive (GOD FORBID!) doesn't get the role. I hope he'll be Sanchezesque too.

Not sure I have a Sanchezesque second choice. Actually, I don't mind the Hugh Grant types, so Grant or Jack Davenport would be fine. To be honest, though, I think they should either get Owen or pack it all in.

[Simon]

OK, I'll throw the female angle into this and say that the girls canvassed over his variety of performances, all say he has got the presence and magnetism.

Presumeably, being girls (and in the office) they are referring to something other than his Shakespearial training so once again, it's akin to what swung the vote in Connery's direction years ago.

Loomers, certainly not trying to convince you of anything - I can fairly hear the conviction in your long honoured touting as Owen for the part so to try otherwise would be foolish on my part.

I'm playing devil's advocate in part, but also this is as a result of being fed up with the non-names.

[Loomis]

I daresay Owen initially came to light as a result of his tux wearing role in Croupier - and there's no one who can definitively say that wasn't the case.

Personally, I "came" ( ) to Owen on the basis of THE BOURNE IDENTITY. You wanna see the next Bond in action? Check out Owen as The Professor. It's Bond, I tell you, pure and simple. Might as well count TBI as a 007 outing (how do we know that The Professor wasn't Bond after he left MI6?) - okay, just kidding about that. But I haven't seen CROUPIER or anything else Owen's been in.

If we're bringing the ladies into it, all the women I've discussed the next Bond with favour Owen. A couple even think he's stunning. No word of a lie.

[Blofeld's Cat]

A second choice, in case Clive (GOD FORBID!) doesn't get the role. I hope he'll be Sanchezesque too.

Not sure I have a Sanchezesque second choice.

Wasn't suggesting you would, just hoped it would be though.

Grant: NO.
Davenport: Wouldn't know, haven't seen him in anything I've watched.

[Simon]

Personally, I "came" ( ) to Owen on the basis of THE BOURNE IDENTITY.

Careful, Nessy will be joining us soon and extoling virtues in other directions.

I saw BI, but have to say didn't notice The Professor. This is a film to be re-watched, veritably.

[Blofeld's Cat]

I daresay Owen initially came to light as a result of his tux wearing role in Croupier - and there's no one who can definitively say that wasn't the case.

Personally, I "came" ( ) to Owen on the basis of THE BOURNE IDENTITY. You wanna see the next Bond in action? Check out Owen as The Professor. It's Bond, I tell you, pure and simple.

Sorry, I didn't see it that way. Bond never entered my mind during any of his scenes.

[Jack Bauer]

Uhh...no thank you. I think we're at a point in time where there's about 10 other guys who could do the role a little more justice than Mr. Jones.

[Qwerty]

No thank you. It might be hilarious to look back at this some day to see the names mentioned though.

[Jim]

Well, the low down dirty bastard element would be met and, granted, the voice could be worked on and he could be given a bath but...

Nah. The "Eton" thing bugs me.

But I can understand the thinking and the Connery parallel (in pre-Dr No nature, if not ability). Interesting suggestion.

[Qwerty]

No, nay never. But (almost as usual) might make a good henchman....

I respectfully disagree. No Bond film appearance.