44 replies to this topic

[SeanValen00V]

I remember about over a month ago, Timothy Dalton menstioned his fellow welshmen Ioan Gruffudd, now's he's a front runner according to sources.

Back in July a article:
Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd tells how he would approach a 007 role

Welsh actor and oft-tipped potential 007 Ioan Gruffudd has talked about how he would approach the role of James Bond.

"It would be fantastic to have a go. I wouldn't model myself on any of the previous Bonds. I'd be unique and original. And I'd treat my Bond girls with lots of respect."

Speaking at the premiere of his latest film "King Arthur", starring Bond fan favourite Clive Owen, Gruffudd said, "I'm sure most young actors have stood in front of the mirror and said those words - 'The name's Bond, James Bond".

"It's an incredibly flattering feeling that someone should consider me for that part," he said.

"I've not been approached, but it they approached me tomorrow I would say 'yes' in a second. I think people would welcome a Welsh James Bond."

It would be the second time a Welsh actor has picked up the PPK, after Timothy Dalton starred in "The Living Daylights" (1987) and "Licence To Kill" (1989).

Gruffudd's next project is "The Fantastic Four", set for release in summer 2005, where he plays superhero Reed Richards.

Edited by SeanValen00V, 18 November 2004 - 05:52 PM.

[HawkEye007]

After reading the article posted here in CBn about Ioan Gruffud, I had a bit of a thought regarding him playing the role. From a business stand point, the time frame which is EON is saying Bond 21 will be filmed in, somewhere in 2005 for a 2006 release, would mean that Gruffud would be done with Fantastic Four and could easily take the role. He has the looks to play 007 and he is close to the age EON is wanting for the new guy.

[Lady Rose]

I think Gruffudd would be an excellent choice if Eon do go down the 30yrs old Bond route.He is the only name mentioned who would be credible as a younger Bond.At least he isn't pretty boy handsome and is quite rugged.He is also a good actor.He reminds me a bit of Dalton and I think he would be quite dark in his portrayal of Bond.I hope he is a genuine contender.

[Loomis]

Hmmm.... might be okay. Seems a bit short, though - five foot eleven, according to the IMDb.

I disagree that he's the only oft-mentioned so-called candidate who'd be credible as a younger Bond. What would be wrong with Jack Davenport?

[zencat]

I've heard Babs and Timmy are close, so maybe she took his advice.

Still, replacing Pierce -- a popular and successful Bond who, IMO, is still his prime -- with an unknown like Gruffudd is...nutty.

[Loomis]

Still, replacing Pierce -- a popular and successful Bond who, IMO, is still his prime -- with an unknown like Gruffudd is...nutty. 

Yes, well, it's called the future, so get used to it.

[IndyB007]

Well, if good ole Adrian Paul doesn't take the role of 007, then Mr. Gruffudd is my second choice....

[gkgyver]

Talk about Connery and OHMSS ...

Would be nice to have a new unique Bond. Didn't have one since Dalton.

[Loomis]

[quote name='zencat' date='18 November 2004 - 18:19']Still, replacing Pierce -- a popular and successful Bond who, IMO, is still his prime -- with an unknown like Gruffudd is...nutty.

[Spoon]

It seems like the former Bonds are sticking up for their countrymen -- Dalton likes a Welshman (Gruffudd), Connery likes a Scot (McGregor), Brosnan likes an Irishman (Farrell). Personally, I can't put much stock in any of their suggestions; they seem partisan.

From the little I know about Gruffudd, he seems rather bland. I will have to see how he fares in Fantastic Four. That is far from a "suave" part -- he plays an aloof scientist -- but the character is also a leader, and should be the focus of the action, so it should be enough information to see if there is something I am missing.

Edited by Spoon, 18 November 2004 - 07:50 PM.

[Agent Provocateur]

By all means, if there's a really terrific guy out there in his late 20s, then of course he should be considered; but why not look at people in their late 30s or even early 40s, too? Are Sony and Eon worried that if they were to hire, say, Hugh Jackman, audiences would be hooting at the screen and complaining "He's far too old"?

Simply put, yes.

Why do you think Harrison Ford was replaced by Ben Affleck as Jack Ryan?

[luciusgore]

Affleck replaced Ford, but Affleck was already a superstar in his own right. They will be replacing Brosnan with a total and complete unknown. I hope this guy is a good actor.

They should go with Hugh Jackman, someone Americans already like and could buy into. Americans knew Brosnan well before he landed the Bond role. Roger Moore was also fairly well known to Americans.

[Seannery]

I've heard Babs and Timmy are close, so maybe she took his advice.

Still, replacing Pierce -- a popular and successful Bond who, IMO, is still his prime -- with an unknown like Gruffudd is...nutty. 

I don't think it is nutty Zencat. I'm a Pierce fan and wouldn't have minded him back for one last one but at the same time he will have done a substantial amount of Bonds and unlike Sean and Roger not stayed one time too many. So if it was time to go because of personal conflict so be it.

It is exciting to get a new Bond and to your point to replacing Brosnan with an unknown like I have been saying for a long time that is the Eon pattern and it has worked for them. Bond is the star--let Bond help define the actor not vice versa.

Specifically first of all who knows if this rumor holds any water--Moviehole.net is rather loose with throwing out a lot of rumors.

But if it became true I would be all for Ioan Gruffudd being Bond. After Adrian Paul, Hugh Jackman, Gerald Butler--Gruffudd would be my choice and my top one if they go the 28 to 32 year old route. He has the looks and talent for the role and has a gravity that most of the other younger choices don't. Yes Loomis, Davenport would also work but Gruffudd tops him.

I would first of all go the older route and take Paul, Jackman, Butler in that order but if they go younger it could work with the right choice ala Gruffudd.

[Agent 76]

Talk about Connery and OHMSS ...

Would be nice to have a new unique Bond. Didn't have one since Dalton.

well said.

[Seannery]

Affleck replaced Ford, but Affleck was already a superstar in his own right. They will be replacing Brosnan with a total and complete unknown. I hope this guy is a good actor.

They should go with Hugh Jackman, someone Americans already like and could buy into. Americans knew Brosnan well before he landed the Bond role. Roger Moore was also fairly well known to Americans.

You don't need a big name--someone who has SOME familiarity in the huge media market of the USA is enough. If it is Gruffudd he has enough of an "in" to the media and public through Hornblower.

By the way Loomis you underestimate how many people wanted Brosnan back.

Edited by Seannery, 18 November 2004 - 08:23 PM.

[Antiriad]

I like Ioan Gruffudd (especially if had his bouffant hair sorted out) but perhaps he should be considered more for Bond #7? I still would prefer an actor at the turn of 40.

[hrabb04]

Well, if he gets it, he will be the Bond actor whose name no one will be able to say right.

[Agent Provocateur]

Well, if he gets it, he will be the Bond actor whose name no one will be able to say right.

Phonetically, it's pronounced:

Ioan: "Ee-o-ay-um-n"
Gruffud: "Juh-rup-pa-pid"

[Prav_007]

To me he is a good candidate, I like the look, he seems to have it. I am gonna change Jude Law to Ioan Grufford rite now

[Loomis]

By all means, if there's a really terrific guy out there in his late 20s, then of course he should be considered; but why not look at people in their late 30s or even early 40s, too? Are Sony and Eon worried that if they were to hire, say, Hugh Jackman, audiences would be hooting at the screen and complaining "He's far too old"?

Simply put, yes.

Why do you think Harrison Ford was replaced by Ben Affleck as Jack Ryan?

As I understand it, Ford was offered THE SUM OF ALL FEARS but passed. He was not dropped from the Ryan role.

Where's the evidence that audiences would consider someone like Jackman too old for Bond? When did we last have a Bond actor in the 28-32 range? 1969, wasn't it? And is ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE considered one of the biggest financial successes of the series? If anything, surely there's evidence that viewers don't want a very young Bond.

Moore was over 40 when he first donned the tux. Some of his films did pretty well, didn't they? And I didn't hear any complaints about Brosnan's age during his reign as Bond.

[Loomis]

Well, if he gets it, he will be the Bond actor whose name no one will be able to say right.

Phonetically, it's pronounced:

Ioan: "Ee-o-ay-um-n"
Gruffud: "Juh-rup-pa-pid"

Yikes! I thought I knew roughly how to pronounce his name, but it turns out I was way off.

[Simon]

I'd be unique and original. And I'd treat my Bond girls with lots of respect

Oh wonderful.

Sounds like he's been re-reading all the marketing lines from past Bond girls. Still, I'm sure his mother loves him for it.

[Tarl_Cabot]

Tim should speak up more often about the 007 series.His choice is least logical, albiet unlikely.

[Bondian]

Can't we just name him 'Ian Guff'?.

[Max Zorin]

Perhaps they want a younger Bond so that he can last longer in the series...after all, if they get someone who's all ready in their forties, they'll have to be replaced after only a couple of movies.

[Daltonfan]

It's really quite simple:

Ioan -> Yo-an
Gruffudd -> Griffith - like griffin but replace the "n" with a "th"

[Finally, a use for the Welsh I learnt at school]

[Goldencobra]

There are only 3 actors out of all those being considered that i can see as Bond.
Hugh Jackman
Clive Owen
James Purefoy

Jackman is my number 1 choice but i'd be happy with any of the 3 but definately not with Gruffudd, for one thing he is and looks too young and if the next movie is set after DAD and not a restart of the franchise then it would just look ridiculous to go from a mature 40 something Bond to someone who looks more like Bond's son.
Whoever they consider should atleast be in their mid 30's or early 40's, and if eon decided to go back and make a movie every second year instead of every 3 years then they could obviously get more movies out of an older actor.
I personally think Brosnan had another 2 in him, he brought in the money why change something that works?

[Janus Assassin]

According to what I just read on Yahoo Movies... Colin Firth is strongly condsidering wanting to become Bond.

[Qwerty]

According to what I just read on Yahoo Movies... Colin Firth is strongly condsidering wanting to become Bond.

There's a Quick News about it here for anyone who wants to read about it.

[gkgyver]

You pronounce "Gruffud" like "Griffith"? ... I know I'm not a native speaker, but are you sure about this?

By the way, is there an actor left who did NOT appear in recent rumors?
Who's next? Ed O'Neil?

I've got no problems with Gruffud, though. The more rumors I hear, the more I wish Bond 21 will be a simple, ordinary Bond, like The Man With The Golden Gun or For Your Eyes Only.