30 replies to this topic

[Athena007]

(I couldn't seem to find a thread about him, even thought I know he's been randomly discussed here on CBn)

Matthew MacFadyen
Age: 31

Why he's perfect for Bond. Both of the successful James Bond's after Sean Connery were already widely accepted as "spies". Roger Moore in The Saint and Pierce Brosnan in Remington Steele. Since the Bond franchise is what it is I believe that any successful James Bond potentially needs to be someone that is already accepted as a "Bond Character" (I think this is why Clive Owen is such a favorite amongst people, he was in The Hire). But... Matthew MacFadyen stared in a TV series (Spooks/MI5) just like Moore and Brosnan. There could very well be a sucessful Bond run for MacFadyen when you consider this.

[Bondian]

I much prefer your other choice Athena.

[Johnboy007]

I liked him a lot as Tom Quinn, but I don't think he's suited for Bond.

[Athena007]

I much prefer your other choice Athena. 

As do I. John Barrowman (Thread) is now my 1st choice, Hugh Jackman my 2nd choice and MacFadyen my third.

Though I do think it's interesting to consider the history of who's been "successful" in the Bond world and who's out there now who's of a similar background. I guess MacFadyen appeals to me because of that.

[Bondian]

Sounds very logical to me hon.

[SecretAgentFan]

He

[Agent Provocateur]

[quote name='SecretAgentFan' date='15 June 2005 - 08:50']He

[pieffra]

I like to much his part in Spooks, but it doesn't mean he's the right man to be James Bond.

[Stephenson]

Sorry, I haven't seen Spooks, so I can't comment on his acting, but to me he looks like John Cusack.

[Seannery]

Sorry I don't cotton to a babyface Bond--never saw him act but the too youngish look sinks it for me. He may be talented and good for other parts but not Bond for me.

[Bon-san]

he...suffers from babyface-syndrome.

Is this contagious?

[Stephenson]

he...suffers from babyface-syndrome.

Is this contagious?

It seems to have infected a large portion of Hollywood. It is also known as "Ikantgroahbearditis".

[H.M.Servant]

to plain looking IMO..good for tv but not for James Bond

[inSPECTRE]

he just doesn't look like a Bond

[Pussycat]

Oh, I loved him as Tom in MI-5 or Spooks as it were.

He's a very good spy. But he's not BOND.

It's okay...there ARE other spies out there and he made a wonderful one.

[Qwerty]

I liked him a lot as Tom Quinn, but I don't think he's suited for Bond.

My thoughts exactly.

[Athena007]

I agree that he doesn't have the Bond look -- and normally this is the first thing that I look at and start to criticize. Though I do believe he could pull Bond off acting wise.

[Monsieur B]

I don't know if anyone else sees it, but in the picture of him at the top of the thread, he reminds me of Edward Norton. Just me?

[Pussfeller]

He may have played a spy, but then again, so did Leslie Nielsen. Frankly, I'd rather have Nielsen.

[ColierRannd]

Hi all! I'm new here but not to Bond. I'm 32 and I've read the Ian Fleming novels and seen MI-5 (or "Spooks") and I have to say Matthew MacFadyen has been my choice for a long time. He's got a hard edge, just see some of the episodes, particularly the one with the kid.

That whole "babyface" thing just personally doesn't fly with me. Put the right make-up on him, light him right and it won't look near as much like that as it does in the picture above. Heck, I've got a very Bondish looking pic on my blog (colisgod-like.blogspot.com) if you look up the archives a bit.

Why do the looks matter so much? If he was Carrot-Top, maybe I'd be worried about looks but no, basically as long as the dark hair is and eyes are there that's all that's really important.If you wanna be really picky about it, Bond on film has never had the proper scar on his cheek. In fact, Bond should look like an "everyman", otherwise as a spy he's useless.Matthew fits that perfectly. He's skinny and doesn't look like he could handle himself which would put his enemies off. Bond is confident, which is a better criteria than looks.

I hope if they are relaunching the franchise they'll go back to not everyone knowing his name for that matter.

Col

[tdalton]

Just based on the picture at the top of the thread, then I would have to say that he wouldn't make a good James Bond. From looking at that picture, I can't really see anything that makes me think of Bond.

[zencat]

I agree with ColierRannd. You shouldn't judge him by looks (and especially the pic above in which he looks more babyfaced than he does "in the flesh"). Watch him in MI5. I think he could be a very good Bond (in the serious Dalton mold).

Welcome to CBn, ColierRannd.

[SecretAgentFan]

Well, it depends on what Bond is supposed to be. If you want the Bond from the novels, it doesn

[KB 007]

Here's another picture:



If they had to go with a young Bond, he would be OK. But of course we don't want that, so it's irrelevent.

[ColierRannd]

I thought a young Bond was the point of Casino Royale? I for one am hoping Matthew gets it, but I'm not holding my breath.

Col

[007 Agent]

MacFadyen doesn't conform to the "Bond look" established by the five previous Bond actors which makes him less than ideal for the role. Just the way it is, folks!

[KB 007]

I thought a young Bond was the point of Casino Royale? I for one am hoping Matthew gets it, but I'm not holding my breath.

Col

No, young Bond doesn't have to be the point of Casino Royale. Just because it was the first novel doesn't mean Bond has to look 20 years old.

[MarJil]

He reminds me lookswise of Tobey McGuire. Can't say he reminds me of Bond in any way.

[rdh007]

I like him in Spooks (MI:5 over here), EON should try him out. He's not ugly, he can play a serious spy, he's 6'2", the only concern is the charisma/one liners part, which is probably the least important aspect to me.

[ColierRannd]

I thought a young Bond was the point of Casino Royale? I for one am hoping Matthew gets it, but I'm not holding my breath.

Col

No, young Bond doesn't have to be the point of Casino Royale. Just because it was the first novel doesn't mean Bond has to look 20 years old.

But MacFadyen doesn't look 20! I mean, be honest. And if it's the first Bond story, he's gonna be closer to 30 than 40. I'd say around 28 or so. Besides which, EON has already said it's his first assignment so he's not gonna be look as old as the others in their first movie, is he?

Col