119 replies to this topic

[marktmurphy]

Out of curiosity, is he from the UK?

Sort of- Scots originally but brought up in the US, hence his heavy American accent. He's good fun, though, and pleasingly he's in the second series of Doctor Who too! And there's going to be a third series!

[Tanger]

Good old Captain Jack.

I wasn't aware until I read it here that he's actually gay. It doesn't come across in his performance (except for the bits when he's deliberatly trying to be) and he'd definitely work as a Bond - definitely no awkward love scenes as someone suggested. I can't say I'd considered him up till this point but I think he'd be a good choice.

[spynovelfan]

He looks quite Bond-ish, but they're never going to cast someone who's openly gay (which Barrowman is). If we're going to start discussing gay actors for the role, there's one who has embodied the Bond persona on and off screen for most of his career: arrogant, devil-may-care, caddish, dry, debonair, a little cruel, very English. If Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan were born to be Bond, so was Rupert Everett. For me, he's probably the closest to Fleming's creation:



He''ll never be cast, of course, for his sexuality and numerous other reasons. But neither will John Barrowman.

[Tanger]

Why should sexuality ever be an issue?

[spynovelfan]

Why should sexuality ever be an issue?

It shouldn't, of course. These people are actors. But with something as high profile as Bond, I don't think they would ever take the risk of hiring an openly gay actor any more than they would hiring a black actor to play the part. They would be worried - and perhaps they would be right to be worried - that a lot of the audience would not buy an openly gay man playing such an infamously heterosexual character. It doesn't just apply to Bond, of course - it's pretty hard for any actor who's openly gay to land big leading roles in Hollywood, especially if it involves a heterosexual romance or sex scene, which pretty much every lead role does these days. I think Rupes is probably a bit too old now, and he's said and done a lot of stupid things, but I do think he'd have made an excellent Bond five or ten years ago.

Incidentally, for those who like the idea of Hugh Grant as Bond, I think Eon would never cast him, either. Not because he's too famous or expensive or known for comic roles, but because they wouldn't want an actor who had been arrested for visiting a prostitute playing James Bond.

[Bondian]

Incidentally, for those who like the idea of Hugh Grant as Bond, I think Eon would never cast him, either. Not because he's too famous or expensive or known for comic roles, but because they wouldn't want an actor who had been arrested for visiting a prostitute playing James Bond.

...and that was when he was married to Elizabeth Hurley. WOW, how could he two-time her.

[marktmurphy]

...and that was when he was married to Elizabeth Hurley. WOW, how could he two-time her. 

'Married'?

[marktmurphy]

Good old Captain Jack.

I wasn't aware until I read it here that he's actually gay. It doesn't come across in his performance (except for the bits when he's deliberatly trying to be) and he'd definitely work as a Bond - definitely no awkward love scenes as someone suggested. I can't say I'd considered him up till this point but I think he'd be a good choice.

I rather wish I hadn't brought it up now. This thread has got hung up on it, which is a crying shame.

[spynovelfan]

But, regrettable as it is, Mark, it rules him out. There's no way they'll cast an openly gay actor, so there's little point in discussing this guy's chances. He looks like he could do it, though, I'd agree.

[Athena007]

[Rupert Everett] will never be cast, of course, for his sexuality and numerous other reasons. But neither will John Barrowman.

Rupert Everett will never be cast because he just doesn't work as Bond (imo), I don't he has the look and can't act Bond proper. What I mean by that is that he actually does act gay I don't think they'd cast someone who's acting ability is affected by their sexual preference.

John Barrowman on the other hand, doesn't look or act gay to me. Perhaps in some pictures here and there. But his acting is strong from what I've seen. You wouldn't know he was gay from his acting (as Tanger mentiuoned he wasn't even aware that he was gay. Hell, I didn't even know it until I starting researching him). If a gay guy can convince me that he's straight on screen and has the right look, then I don't care if he's playing Bond... as long as he's really eminating Bond.

[spynovelfan]

If a gay guy can convince me that he's straight on screen and has the right look, then I don't care if he's playing Bond... as long as he's really eminating Bond.

Neither do I. But taking on the role of James Bond is about more than playing the part. You have to effectively become the ambassador for the series all over the world, and you are seen by the public as *being* James Bond, to an extent. The actor needs to project the character to quite a large degree in his personal life (one reason I think Dalton never quite worked, incidentally). I would have no problem whatsoever with a gay actor playing the part - my point was that Eon would never go for it, because a lot of it's about image, and the media would jump all over the guy for being gay, and they wouldn't let it go, and it could backfire horribly. I just think it's not something that's going to happen.

I don't really agree about Rupes. You'd be surprised how many people thought he was straight before he came out. And I think that's generally the case with celebrities. I remember being in an office years before George Michael came out trying to persuade about a dozen people he was gay. But despite appearing on the cover of his album wearing stubble, a leather jacket, no shirt, a fake tan, a bouffant and a large earring, nobody believed me for a moment. Hindsight's a wonderful thing. With Rupert Everett, it was pretty much an open secret in the acting community for years before he came out - but a lot of people were still very surprised. Of course, his breakthrough role was as a gay character in ANOTHER COUNTRY, and he has played a lot of gay characters *since* coming out. But in the 80s, Rupert Everett was in the same category as people like Rupert Graves, Julian Sands and Hugh Grant: foppish upper-class Brits. He wasn't any camper than any of them on film.

[007 Agent]

Also, Mr Everett has the dubious distinction of being a former rent boy (he's been open about it). Hardly the image Eon wants of their next Bond!!!!


The Guy Who Used To Post Here

[Iain McLaughlin]

I'm not sure about Barrowman for the role - but he's just been confirmed as returning as Captain Jack in the next series of Doctor Who so he'll be in Cardiff not the Casino.

[Bondian]

Oh, I beg your pardon, I thought they'd wedded.

Nevertheless, who'd want to two-time her for a prossie?.

'Married'?

[Frankie]

BTW, if a relative unknown is the direction, may I remind you all of one Gary Stretch?

What would one of your posts be without such?

Look, When I realized he was the one catching my eye as a possible Bond while watching "Alexander" I was more than OK with the Gary Stretch rumor. Then upon hearing that Connery himself has recommended him, the deal was sealed in my mind. That is to say my choice of Bond will be either Jackman (if known actor)or Stretch (if unknown).

If curious, go to this site and click on "View Trailer." I think you will see glimpses of a Bondlike GS:
http://www.warpfilms.../deadmansshoes/

Edited by Frankie, 17 June 2005 - 11:47 PM.

[tdalton]

I wouldn't go with any candidate that is suggested by Sean Connery. Connery has a longstanding dislike for both the Brocollis and the Bond franchise itself, so I wouldn't be surprised if he were suggesting candidates who he actually thought would ruin the franchise rather than help it. Remember, Connery was the one who also suggested Ewan McGregor for the role of James Bond.

[007 Agent]

  I wouldn't go with any candidate that is suggested by Sean Connery. Connery has a longstanding dislike for both the Brocollis and the Bond franchise itself, so I wouldn't be surprised if he were suggesting candidates who he actually thought would ruin the franchise rather than help it. Remember, Connery was the one who also suggested Ewan McGregor for the role of James Bond.

Yes, TD, I think you are right. Sean Connery was key to the development and realization of Never Say Never Again, the rival Bond film of the 1980s. Had he retained some genuine affection towards the Brocollis and the Bond franchise I doubt he would have starred in NSNA. Connery could have said no to appearing in NSNA but didn't, so I guess that's the best evidence Connery has no great regard for the Broccolis nor the offical franchise.

The Guy Who Used To Post Here

[Frankie]

I wouldn't go with any candidate that is suggested by Sean Connery.  Connery has a longstanding dislike for both the Brocollis and the Bond franchise itself, so I wouldn't be surprised if he were suggesting candidates who he actually thought would ruin the franchise rather than help it.  Remember, Connery was the one who also suggested Ewan McGregor for the role of James Bond.

To assert that Connery would deliberately subotage the Bond franchise just to get back at the Broccolis is a bit, no, more than a bit, imature. Sorry tdalton.

[007 Agent]

To assert that Connery would deliberately subotage the Bond franchise just to get back at the Broccolis is a bit, no, more than a bit, imature. Sorry tdalton

With respect, you are wrong, Frankie. As I wrote in my previous post, Connery made Never Say Never Again, which was a deliberate attempt to sabotage the official Bond franchise. One of the main reasons NSNA was made was to take away the box office from Eon's Octopussy. So there's the proof. He did try to get back at the Broccolis!

The Guy Who Used To Post Here

Edited by 007 Agent, 18 June 2005 - 08:15 AM.

[tdalton]

To assert that Connery would deliberately subotage the Bond franchise just to get back at the Broccolis is a bit, no, more than a bit, imature. Sorry tdalton.

I guess you'd find a lot of immature Bond fans, then.

Sean Connery has no respect for the Bond franchise. He doesn't answer questions about it, ever, unless he has an ulterior motive. He hasn't been to a premier of a Bond film in a long, long time. All of the other Bond actors go to them. There's group pictures of them from a couple of premieres, and there's always one of them missing: Sean Connery. George Lazenby goes to the premieres, as does Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, and (obviously) Pierce Brosnan (since they've been most recently his Bond films), but I'm sure he'll go to the premieres of Casino Royale when it's released.

By starring in Never Say Never Again, after he had said that he would never play Bond again, Connery was trying to at least chip away at EON's Bond popularity by attempting (emphasis on the word attempting) to make a better Bond film than what EON was doing at the time, which I believe was Octopussy. Connery could have worked behind the camera, or not have worked on it at all, but he, as well as everyone, knew that he was the only one who could stand toe to toe with Roger Moore as James Bond, so he went ahead with it, as he was the only one who could stack up to Roger Moore's Bond in terms of popularity at the time.

And, what about Diamonds Are Forever? Connery demanded so much money for that film (granted, a lot of it supposedly went to charity, but still) when he knew that EON had no choice but to go back to him. He basically took a good chunk of cash away from the actual production of the film, and it shows in the final product.

And, finally, take a look at the people Connery has suggested for the role. Ewan McGregor is the ideal candidate, in Connery's eyes? No offense to McGregor fans, he's an excellent actor, but he's not Bond material. And Gary Stretch? I would venture to guess that most people here would say that he would probably make a terrible Bond.

Don't get me wrong. I like Sean Connery and go to see his movies whenever he has a new one coming out. But, it's safe to say that there is no love lost between him and the Brocollis, and there's probably nothing he'd like more than to see the Bond franchise end. It would seem that Connery wanted the series to end when he decided to star in Never Say Never Again, the only film that really ever truly worried or angered EON and Cubby Brocolli.

[Athena007]

Wow, that guy absolutely looks like James Bond!

I know!

I've been voting for Hugh Jackman to take over for Brosnan for a while now. Jackman really was the one guy out there, imo, who even came close to looking the part (in my eyes). But at the same time, I didn't feel like he had it all and I was "settling" in some way. Now I still think Jackman would be great... but from the second I saw this John Barrowman I thought, "Damn! He's James Bond!" and I've not had that reaction about anyone since the first time I saw Brosnan. And from what I've seen both looks and acting wise (i don't care about the guy thing. and I'm sure he could pull off the accent, that's what dialect coaches are for.) I defiantly believe that he would make a great 007.

[Frankie]

To assert that Connery would deliberately subotage the Bond franchise just to get back at the Broccolis is a bit, no, more than a bit, imature. Sorry tdalton.

I guess you'd find a lot of immature Bond fans, then.

Sean Connery has no respect for the Bond franchise. He doesn't answer questions about it, ever, unless he has an ulterior motive. He hasn't been to a premier of a Bond film in a long, long time. All of the other Bond actors go to them. There's group pictures of them from a couple of premieres, and there's always one of them missing: Sean Connery. George Lazenby goes to the premieres, as does Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, and (obviously) Pierce Brosnan (since they've been most recently his Bond films), but I'm sure he'll go to the premieres of Casino Royale when it's released.

By starring in Never Say Never Again, after he had said that he would never play Bond again, Connery was trying to at least chip away at EON's Bond popularity by attempting (emphasis on the word attempting) to make a better Bond film than what EON was doing at the time, which I believe was Octopussy. Connery could have worked behind the camera, or not have worked on it at all, but he, as well as everyone, knew that he was the only one who could stand toe to toe with Roger Moore as James Bond, so he went ahead with it, as he was the only one who could stack up to Roger Moore's Bond in terms of popularity at the time.

And, what about Diamonds Are Forever? Connery demanded so much money for that film (granted, a lot of it supposedly went to charity, but still) when he knew that EON had no choice but to go back to him. He basically took a good chunk of cash away from the actual production of the film, and it shows in the final product.

And, finally, take a look at the people Connery has suggested for the role. Ewan McGregor is the ideal candidate, in Connery's eyes? No offense to McGregor fans, he's an excellent actor, but he's not Bond material. And Gary Stretch? I would venture to guess that most people here would say that he would probably make a terrible Bond.

Don't get me wrong. I like Sean Connery and go to see his movies whenever he has a new one coming out. But, it's safe to say that there is no love lost between him and the Brocollis, and there's probably nothing he'd like more than to see the Bond franchise end. It would seem that Connery wanted the series to end when he decided to star in Never Say Never Again, the only film that really ever truly worried or angered EON and Cubby Brocolli.

A very long reply. But purely speculative. You have no evidence of anything more than Connery's habit of keeping to himself concerning Bond. I do agree with you that Ewan McGregor is not Bond material. He's too short and unimposing. But those are not shortcomings with Gary Stretch. I don't know what you base your judgement of Stretch making a "terrible Bond" on. But watch him in Alexander and the trailer I provided in one of my last posts on this thread. Then decide. I think Connery suggested Ewan McGregor not to hurt the franchise but to help his fellow Scot. So I take that one with a grain of salt. But I think he is dead on with Stretch.

[tdalton]

A very long reply. But purely speculative. You have no evidence of anything more than Connery's habit of keeping to himself concerning Bond. I do agree with you that Ewan McGregor is not Bond material. He's too short and unimposing. But those are not shortcomings with Gary Stretch. I don't know what you base your judgement of Stretch making a "terrible Bond" on. But watch him in Alexander and the trailer I provided in one of my last posts on this thread. Then decide. I think Connery suggested Ewan McGregor not to hurt the franchise but to help his fellow Scot. So I take that one with a grain of salt. But I think he is dead on with Stretch.

Would a quote from Sean Connery himself be more definitive?

Here's what Sean Connery said on one of the rare occasions that he addressed the topic of the James Bond franchise:

"I have always hated that James Bond. I'd like to kill him." - Sean Connery

That's what Sean Connery himself had to say about the Bond franchise.

[delon64]

regarding a gay bond...while looking for a replacement for roger moore cubby was very keen on antony hamilton the great looking tv actor from mission impossible...different sources differ on why he wasnt cast but many say it was because cubby heard that hamilton was a closet gay...i think it is a shame but a fact that a gay actor playing bond would overshadow their performance with the ensuing media frenzy on their private life...the sad postscript to the hamilton story is that hamilton tragically died of aids at a very young age

[H.M.Servant]

Would a quote from Sean Connery himself be more definitive?

Here's what Sean Connery said on one of the rare occasions that he addressed the topic of the James Bond franchise:

"I have always hated that James Bond. I'd like to kill him." - Sean Connery

That's what Sean Connery himself had to say about the Bond franchise.

Haha, I love Sean....if only he still was Bond....

Edited by H.M.Servant, 20 June 2005 - 08:49 AM.

[hcmv007]

He'd be great for a Bond villain.

[Jericho_One]

regarding a gay bond...while looking for a replacement for roger moore cubby was very keen on antony hamilton the great looking tv actor from mission impossible...different sources differ on why he wasnt cast but many say it was because cubby heard that hamilton was a closet gay...i think it is a shame but a fact that a gay actor playing bond would overshadow their performance with the ensuing media frenzy on their private life...the sad postscript to the hamilton story is that hamilton tragically died of aids at a very young age

Really sorry for reviving such an old thread, but it's a coincidence I was thinking of Tony Hamiltonas Bond a few days ago.
Is there any truth in the rumour that we was closely considered for Bond but rejected for being gay? Just want to know it for the sake of some good Bond trivia.
Anyway, he would have a hard time being accepted in the role for the reasons everybody already talked about. Untimely, he got himself killed at an early age (very sadly), but he looked and talked (if I remember correctly from the Mission Impossible series) Bond all the way.
On a side note, he also had blond hair...

[kneelbeforezod]

People in here seem to be bending over backwards not to offend, but the fact is theres nothing wrong with saying you would prefer not to have a gay actor in the part of Bond. I don't want a gay actor playing Bond. There I said it. This absolutely does not have anything to do with homophobia; I'm sure there are many gay Bond fans who would also find the idea a little silly.

The fact is, as someone above said, that any actor that takes on the role has to kind of become Bond a little bit in their public life. People need to believe that the actor almost is Bond. Bond is defined partly by his heterosexuality. It just wouldn't work.

If we're being honest, 95 percent of people in here would prefer a straight actor in the role. I think that would be the view of most Bond fans too, straight or gay.

[Tarl_Cabot]

Looks the part sorta but I think we have a Bond for at least 6 years...this guy is 38 so that ship has sailed...

[Andrew]

I heard a rumor that this guy Daniel Craigg was Bond, confirm/deny?