388 replies to this topic

[Martin Mystery]

Like I said lets not jump to conclusions--that's what we are often best at doing here.  We know they have looked at older actors such as Scott, McMahon, Craig and Dench coming back would seem against a very young Bond.  A two Bond thing(young and mature) seems possible.  OR perhaps they are just casting a very wide net to find the perfect Bond--young to mature and known to unknown. That would be the wisest thing to do--leave no stone unturned looking for the correct Bond.  I doubt seriously at the end of the day they will end up with a young Bond--I think they are wiser than that.

I pray you're right, Seannery!

MM

[Simon]

I think back to my formative years and do remember a very warm and safe feeling during Roger Moore's era.

As sure as Summer followed Spring, we were always going to be treated to a Bond flick starring a reliable and trustworthy Moore and nothing but nothing, other than a retirement, was going to break this stride.

Comparing then to now, and helped in no small part by the Sony takeover, I do wonder where all this is going. I have in the past stated that a complete shakedown of the series is needed, but I fear that this news is, in some way, brought on by the Young Bond successes and the world will be left with two mediums, neither of which cater to the vision as created by Fleming. This of a ready made mature chap who has a history, naval responsibility and background of violence.

But, we'll no doubt see.

[spynovelfan]

at Loomis and the assassination stuff - got more of a response than I ever did!

I'm coming round to the idea. With the right actor, it could work. He'd have to be intense, physically tough and ideally they should at least give it a tinge of period atmosphere - the smoke and fug and sweat of an old-fashioned casino. I liked the point about GOLDENEYE's time-line. My vote is for the 27-year-old actor Wes Bentley:





Give him a shave, obviously.

[Yo Jimbo]

In response to 'SecretAgentFan's statement that he believes "sources" 'only when they are identified as top executives' Athena snapped back; "we're just telling you what is actually going on on the inside right now -- and that is what everyone seems to want to know."

Indeed, and many thanks for that. Unfortunately, I still find myself agreeing with 'SecretAgentFan' - in that I'll believe it to be true when I see a name attached to the source.

I'm sure Athena trusts her source impeccably, however in the world of information, misinformation, misunderstandings, truths, half-truths and old news (i.e. the world of 'insiders', 'office gossip', 'the tabloid press', 'fan-based web sites', etc. and not the world of official press releases) we can all be led to believe something as gospel that isn't 100% accurate (any more).

Though to be fair, all in all this doesn't really sound like anything new anyway. A rehash of both what Campbell hinted at a month or so ago about the first mission stuff, and what Dench said about there being a lot of screen-tests being carried out. Perhaps last week they did test more youngsters than older candidates, but who knows?

Just another rumour in my book. Sorry Athena.

[spynovelfan]

But of course it's another rumour. I don't really get the point of people continually saying 'We don't know for sure yet - I'll wait until I see an official press release signed in Babs' blood'. Nothing is official yet, and this is insider iinformation that seems to be happening right now, but may or may not have any bearing on what eventually happens. It hasn't been presented as 'CASINO ROYALE *will* feature a 20-something actor playing Bond', but 'People we know on the inside loop have told us that 20-something actors have recently been auditioned'. Doesn't mean they definitely have - though why would anyone bother making that up, as it doesn't favour any one actor? - or that any of them will definitely be cast in the role. It's a bit of insider info, and like all of that it could turn out not to happen. Someone may have been misinformed, etc. Nothing's official until it's official, etc. Every time something like this is put up, people shoot down posts discussing it with 'Well, we don't *know* anything yet - this isn't official, you know...'

Yes, we know. But unless you don't want to discuss CASINO ROYALE until the film has actually been released - which is fine - everything is speculation. That's what most of us are doing here. Having fun talking about what the film might turn out like. That's kind of the nature of discussing a film that has yet to be filmed. Until the next actor to play Bond is officially announced, yes, all discussion about who it might be is speculation. If you don't want to speculate, don't join in the discussion - especially if you're simply going to point out that it's speculation.

End of *my* rant.

[Skudor]

Like I said lets not jump to conclusions--that's what we are often best at doing here.  We know they have looked at older actors such as Scott, McMahon, Craig and Dench coming back would seem against a very young Bond.  A two Bond thing(young and mature) seems possible.  OR perhaps they are just casting a very wide net to find the perfect Bond--young to mature and known to unknown. That would be the wisest thing to do--leave no stone unturned looking for the correct Bond.  I doubt seriously at the end of the day they will end up with a young Bond--I think they are wiser than that.

A good point well made.

[pieffra]

I would not consider a younger bond, in his 20's.
They can consider it, if they want to do a spin off of the franchise, like Lucas and Spilberg did for tv with Indiana Jones, but nothing in line with the movie series.
I would like to see a younger Bond in his 30's, better in his mid 30's, so he can be ranked like a Captain or a degree upper than this. So we can se a player grow with the carachter, and avoid the risk to se an actor getting to old after 2 movies...

[Athena007]

But of course it's another rumour. I don't really get the point of people continually saying 'We don't know for sure yet - I'll wait until I see an official press release signed in Babs' blood'. Nothing is official yet, and this is insider iinformation that seems to be happening right now, but may or may not have any bearing on what eventually happens. It hasn't been presented as 'CASINO ROYALE *will* feature a 20-something actor playing Bond', but 'People we know on the inside loop have told us that 20-something actors have recently been auditioned'. Doesn't mean they definitely have - though why would anyone bother making that up, as it doesn't favour any one actor? - or that any of them will definitely be cast in the role. It's a bit of insider info, and like all of that it could turn out not to happen. Someone may have been misinformed, etc. Nothing's official until it's official, etc. Every time something like this is put up, people shoot down posts discussing it with 'Well, we don't *know* anything yet - this isn't official, you know...'

Yes, we know. But unless you don't want to discuss CASINO ROYALE until the film has actually been released - which is fine - everything is speculation. That's what most of us are doing here. Having fun talking about what the film might turn out like. That's kind of the nature of discussing a film that has yet to be filmed. Until the next actor to play Bond is officially announced, yes, all discussion about who it might be is speculation. If you don't want to speculate, don't join in the discussion - especially if you're simply going to point out that it's speculation.

End of *my* rant.

I totally feel this post.

[Yo Jimbo]

Well, again to be fair Athena did present this as fact - "we're just telling you what is actually going on on the inside right now". Also CBn doesn't tend to put 'just another rumour' on its front page - but rather (usually) holds that for what is considered as gospel.

I'm suggesting that, without knowing who the source is, as far as we (I) know they could be spinning Athena a line, they could have been misinformed, they could have misunderstood the facts, they could be reporting out-of-date information from before Judy Dench was brought back, they might simply be reflecting a half-truth in that last week a lot of youngsters were screen-tested (which doesn't mean Eon are specifically looking for a youngster - maybe they weren't even testing for Bond).

Yes speculation is fun - but I kind of just think that SecretAgentFan got quite a lashing for pointing out that all this 'news' is is more fuel to the speculation fire.

I'm not doubting Athena's integrity, but without knowing something more about the source I do doubt that a 20 year old has tested for the role of James Bond. Essentially, it is worth noting that sometimes 'insider' information is entirely unfounded, and until I know something about this particular case, as far as I am concerned this is a rumour with no credable source.

Perhaps Athena could tell us whether this person has been good for anyother scoops in the past. I mean - is it they who passed the news that Bond 21 would be Casino Royale? or anything else?

According to 'The Sun' an "Insider" informed them that the Daniel Craign had got the job.
According to MooMoo an "Insider" informed his brother that Jackman had got the job.
According to someone else an "Insider" informed them that Brosnan would be comingback.
and now
According to Athena an "Insider" informed her that a 20 year old had been screen tested.

Are any of these true? Why should be believe one "Insider" and not any of the others?

Edited by Yo Jimbo, 25 May 2005 - 10:01 AM.

[spynovelfan]

I'm not doubting Athena's integrity, but without knowing something more about the source I do doubt that a 20 year old has tested for the role of James Bond.

So do I. It would help if you quoted the story correctly before you start going on about how unreliable it is. It didn't claim a 20-year-old had tested for the role. It claimed that some actors in their 20s were under consideration, and said that the youngest of them was apparently 22. It also covered itself from precisely what you're saying:

'The search for the new 007 is far from over and anything can happen. Despite almost daily tabloid reports of a new "frontrunner," it's possible the short list is still very long and final screen-testing may not get underway until Martin Campbell is finished with The Legend of Zorro in mid-summer.'

Essentially, it is worth noting that sometimes 'insider' information is entirely unfounded, and until I know something about this particular case, as far as I am concerned this is a rumour with no credable source.

Maybe it's worth noting that insider information is sometimes unfounded. But doesn't everyone actually know that? It's not like the story presented itself as being an official statement, or even said that the next Bond would be in his twenties. It just said that CBN had learned that some actors in that age range were under consideration. Sure, is't not official. Sure, someone could have gotten something wrong. I suppose whether or not you feel the source is credible depends on whether or not you think CBN is. From reading stuff here in the past, I'm inclined to believe some people here do know people who would know this kind of thing, and as there seems no reason why anyone would make this up, and it fits in with Campbell's comments, and I can't really see how anyone could misconstrue the fairly simply information in it, I go by track record and tend to believe that some young actors are under consideration. But yes, it could be untrue.

Perhaps Athena could tell us whether this person has been good for anyother scoops in the past.  I mean - is it they who passed the news that Bond 21 would be Casino Royale?  or anything else?

I think you're just fishing to find out who the source is.

[Yo Jimbo]

OK - so I personally doubt a 22 year old has been even tested! Damn your efficiency.

But my point remains - I like Athena's writing, and I trust that she only reports what she believes is true. But I also don't think that even The Sun would put in an entire page devoted to announcing Daniel Craig as the next Bond if they didn't believe their source. Just because you believe an "Insider" doesn't mean they are telling the whole truth. It's still a pinch of salt time for me I'm afraid.

Yeah - I'd love to know who the insider is. As soon as I find out Babs and I will sack 'em in a flash....erm...I mean M.G. Wilson and Babs will sack 'em.

Edited by Yo Jimbo, 25 May 2005 - 10:17 AM.

[spynovelfan]

OK - so I personally doubt a 22 year old has been even tested! 

Do you have any evidence to back that up, Yo Jimbo? Otherwise, I think it's just so much rumour, and perhaps we should all just wait until there's an official announcement, etc.

Sorry, but I'll take the word of CBN over your personal doubts any day of the week.

[David Schofield]

Excuse me, but could I say I've got a source who says Clive Owen's got the job and EON are waiting for Campbell to be free?

My source is particularly high up, but, of course, wishes to remain nameless. And he says that all the other rumours/sources quoted are either non-existent or talking garbage.

None of the above is true - its just that I'm feeling neglected and just wanted to feel important for a moment.

Please, when we have "sources say" quoted can we please have clarification as to whether they are senio exec at Sony, just the tea boy crossing the lot who say a dark haired guy in a tuxedo age 20, or somewhere in between the two.

This really is starting to get very silly.

[spynovelfan]

This really is starting to get very silly.

Yeah, it is a bit. Because it's implicit in the item that this isn't a tea-boy. I think anyone who's read enough of what some CBN people have written both in items and in the forums would realise that these guys have access to some people in the know. If you haven't come to that conclusion, well then discard the item as lacking credibility. But I think it's clear that any hints as to who the source might be would risk having that source dry up, and promot further questioning, which would risk the same. You either take it on trust that they've got someone fairly clued-up who has said this or you don't. The difference between CBN saying they have an insider saying 20somethings are under consideration and you saying Owen is is that I've read plenty of other things from CBN that were accurate, and I can't think of any ulterior motive for the story to be untrue, either from CBN's side, or the sources.

I think it's a little silly to waste time reminding people that this isn't hard and fast. That's a given as far as I'm concerned. Is it possible that CBN's source was mistaken/is lying? Of course it's possible - it just seems pretty unlikely to me, based on previous form, and the fact that this fits with published comments by the director. It's not like the story said they were testing an octogenarian Chinese midget (though, frankly, why not - does it affect the *character* of Bond is always my question ). Take it for what it is - a piece of insider goss.

[Yo Jimbo]

[quote name='spynovelfan' date='25 May 2005 - 10:38'][quote name='Yo Jimbo' date='25 May 2005 - 10:12']OK - so I personally doubt a 22 year old has been even tested!

Edited by Yo Jimbo, 25 May 2005 - 01:48 PM.

[Loomis]

I think anyone who's read enough of what some CBN people have written both in items and in the forums would realise that these guys have access to some people in the know.

Agreed.

I can't think of any ulterior motive for the story to be untrue, either from CBN's side, or the sources.

Me neither, but, still, wouldn't you say that this is quite sensitive information? What's to stop people (if not people like Athena then anyone looking at CBn) splashing this stuff all over the media? After all, I'd have thought that reports that the Bond people were looking at actors in their early 20s would be every bit as surprising and newsworthy as reports that they were testing an octogenarian Chinese midget (and, yes, James Bond is white; it says so in Fleming, and even if it doesn't actually say so he's still white ). After all, if you look beyond the fansites to the world of normal people who don't pay much attention to film gossip and don't really read magazines and papers (again, ), surely most people are expecting someone like Craig or Owen or at least some middle-aged chap to be the next Bond. Or failing that, they're expecting Brosnan to return. (Insofar as they think about these things at all, of course. They did when Brosnan was in the running for Bond in '86 and '94, obviously - that they followed avidly, but things are very different now. )

Few are expecting a 22-year-old (or thereabouts) star for the next Bond flick, I submit. Surprising, then, that these insiders should be so free and easy with this gossip. They must know they're risking tabloid headlines about 007 being turned into a spy in his early 20s.

One final point, and without wishing to suggest that I disbelieve the CBn team or their sources, but why do fansites tend to roll out the red carpet for anonymous "insiders" (I'm thinking more about certain claims about Owen that have been made elsewhere), yet dismiss "insiders" like Craig and Dench?

[David Schofield]

Spy, I think that part of the problem of the veracity of the sources is that a lot of the information is contradictory: if there was some kind of flow to the rumours I think it would give greater credibility to an un-named source. For example:

Campbell suggests a reboot. EON then deny it will be a period peace and that Dench will be back. Dench hints Brozza might return, is jumped on by Sony and in her latest remarks is cool on the issue.

None of the lates sources say, "well, EON decided enough was enough with Brozza, couldn't find a suitable replacement and so went back to the pre TLD idea of a reboot."

Or: "Eon considered a reboot (as evidenced by Campbell), wanted Brozza out and therefore at SOME TIME IN THE TESTING PERIOD interviewed younger actors for Bond. However, no one considered suitable, and having dismissed any 30-40 year old replacements, went back to the tried and tested formula of Brozza nad Dench."

There is just no consistency to the rumours that appear. One logs on to CBN every morning and you see a headline and think, "God, what now?"

If we can't have consistency but only contradiction, can someone put there hand up and say, "I'm the reliable source because I'm connected thusly.. whereas the stuff you've heard from x is rubbish because he a fantasist a million miles removed from the movie industry."

[Loomis]

Hey! Is Dean Gaffney in his early 20s? Could it be....

[Yo Jimbo]

How

[Yo Jimbo]

Hey! Is Dean Gaffney in his early 20s? Could it be....

Spookily enough that's exactly who I was thiking of. I nearly went on IMDB to see. But they wouldn't....they couldn't....could they?

[cvheady007]

Young James Bond for Casino Royale might have been a good idea back in the 1960's....and it was....but it did not happen. Things do and do not happen for reasons, and now is not the time to rattle a distinguished franchise by putting someone MY AGE (I'm pulling a Dalton, here) in the role just because it is the first Fleming story.

If memory serves, Roger Moore's best James Bond movie only had the title, not the story - The Spy Who Loved Me. Casino will be a lot more faithful, but should be at the END of Brosnan's Bond career instead of the beginning of some kid's.

Come on, this is getting ridiculous.

[SecretAgentFan]

Well, again to be fair Athena did present this as fact - "we're just telling you what is actually going on on the inside right now".  Also CBn doesn't tend to put 'just another rumour' on its front page - but rather (usually) holds that for what is considered as gospel.

I'm suggesting that, without knowing who the source is, as far as we (I) know they could be spinning Athena a line, they could have been misinformed, they could have misunderstood the facts, they could be reporting out-of-date information from before Judy Dench was brought back, they might simply be reflecting a half-truth in that last week a lot of youngsters were screen-tested (which doesn't mean Eon are specifically looking for a youngster - maybe they weren't even testing for Bond). 

Yes speculation is fun - but I kind of just think that SecretAgentFan got quite a lashing for pointing out that all this 'news' is is more fuel to the speculation fire. 

I'm not doubting Athena's integrity, but without knowing something more about the source I do doubt that a 20 year old has tested for the role of James Bond.  Essentially, it is worth noting that sometimes 'insider' information is entirely unfounded, and until I know something about this particular case, as far as I am concerned this is a rumour with no credable source.

Perhaps Athena could tell us whether this person has been good for anyother scoops in the past.  I mean - is it they who passed the news that Bond 21 would be Casino Royale?  or anything else?

According to 'The Sun' an "Insider" informed them that the Daniel Craign had got the job.
According to MooMoo an "Insider" informed his brother that Jackman had got the job.
According to someone else an "Insider" informed them that Brosnan would be comingback.
and now
According to Athena an "Insider" informed her that a 20 year old had been screen tested.

Are any of these true?  Why should be believe one "Insider" and not any of the others?

Great idea! That

[Skudor]

Hey! Is Dean Gaffney in his early 20s? Could it be....

Spookily enough that's exactly who I was thiking of. I nearly went on IMDB to see. But they wouldn't....they couldn't....could they?

No. They couldn't, not unless they throw in some serious plastic surgery.

[HellIsHere]

What about Jonathan Rhyes-Meyers? He's an excellent actor... and has the good looks. I guess he would be great as an English snob bastard like James Bond :-D. Give the man some hard edge script material and he

[Mister Asterix]

[mra]So first, this news is not that a 22 year old will be Bond it is that a 22 year old is being considered for Bond. Supposedly, Dalton was considered when he was in his mid-twenties, so we

[Yo Jimbo]

Actually without a substantiated source this is not news at all. But is rather 'evidence of a rumour' that a 22 year old has been screen-tested. There is a huge chasm between news and rumour - and that chasm can only be filled by substantiation.

[luciusgore]

Actually without a substantiated source this is not news at all.  But is rather 'evidence of a rumour' that a 22 year old has been screen-tested. There is a huge chasm between news and rumour - and that chasm can only be filled by substantiation.

I don't think the fans want a "new beginning," particularly not with Judi Dench suddenly as M for a Bond on his first mission. Total lack of continuity. The more I hear about CASINO ROYALE, the more I think it's going to suck.

[DLibrasnow]

I think its going to rock!

[Yo Jimbo]

Just as long as it's not going to The Rock. (the role of James Bond I mean).

[007_Stef]

NOT IF JAMES BOND is 22 years old...no way...ruins everything for me.