47 replies to this topic

[luciusgore]

The review from Aint It Cool News:
http://www.aintitcoo...ay.cgi?id=20643

Julian McMahon

[Rogue Agent]

Oh dear, but to be fair, Dr Doom is about as far away as you can get from James Bond. If McMahon is a resonably versatile actor he should be able to replace 'sleazy villain' for 'charming hero'. But I guess reviews like this give anti-McMahon Bond fans an excuse to say he's unsuitable. Perhaps Fantasic Four will do to McMahon what King Arthur did to Clive Owen. Clive Owen got some very negative comments after King Arthur and some Bond fans cited his performance as the main reason he shouldn't play Bond. Be interesting to see if this happens with McMahon as Dr Doom.

Edited by Rogue Agent, 06 July 2005 - 07:48 PM.

[homerjbond]

Maybe he was trying to be "Bondish" in that role...

Was his marriage proposal to Susan Storm along the lines of George Lazenby?

[Rogue Agent]

Does anyone think Dr Doom is a naff name for a villain?

"I am Dr Doom, bow before me."

I suppose it's better than Professor Terror.

[Bon-san]

I was never a big FF fan myself. In the Marvel universe, I always preferred Spidey, Daredevil, Doctor Strange, The Defenders, The Avengers, Shang-Chi, and The Silver Surfer.

[Qwerty]

The whole movie doesn't look to be that interestingh judging from the previews and snippets I've seen.

[dinovelvet]

And from the very same website

http://www.aintitcoo...ay.cgi?id=20532

"Also, I have to mention, Julian McMahon, best known as the womanising Christian on TV's Nip/Tuck, does a surprisingly good job as the movie's main villain Victor Von Doom aka Dr Doom."

But we all know that Harry Knowles is the true barometer of good taste, and all...

Edited by dinovelvet, 06 July 2005 - 08:48 PM.

[Spoon]

Corny as the name may be, Doctor Doom is one of the most complex and frightening villains in comics. The reviewer's disappointment seems to be related more to the film's ability to capture that than to the failings on McMahon's part. Fans have been complaining about how the movie was to portray the Dr. Doom character ever since early details of the script were revealed, and even before anyone had been cast at all. Apparently, McMahon delivered the inadequate version of the character that the script promised.

I do have my doubts about McMahon's ability to portray Bond -- "sleazy", "smug" and even "bitchy" do seem to often apply to his persona -- but I don't think examining how he does in a poorly written villain role is the best way to determine how well-suited he is for Bond.

[ACE]

Poor Michael France. After his stirling work on Goldeneye, seems FF is not so fantastic. Still McMahon is not on the top of most people's list, esp. if they remember him from the Aussie soap he did.

But I'll wait to see the movie and judge for myself and mourn the loss of my No.1 FF comic my parents threw out when I was little.

Still traumatized by that.

ACE

[Pussfeller]

Julian McMahon Sucks in... everything. He's a C-list actor with an obnoxiously unctuous, un-menacing presence. The only thing Bondian about him is his Conneryesque hairline.

While we're at it, we might as well cast Burt Reynolds as Le Chiffre.

[Stephenson]

To be fair, the whole movie is getting hacked to pieces with Evans performance being given some modest praise over the others. In many reviews, Grufford isn't even mentioned, which may say something about his supposed "screen presence".

[TortillaFactory]

While we're at it, we might as well cast Burt Reynolds as Le Chiffre.

LOL.

"See this? It's an oversized cowboy hat. It's funny, 'cause it's bigger than a normal hat."

"Go back to your podium now."

I gotta say Julian's never really impressed me, though I haven't seen Fantastic Four, so...who knows? Iaon (Ioan? Inao?) I just saw in a small part in Wilde, and I thought he was rather good, so that may be another semi-related alternative.

[luciusgore]

While we're at it, we might as well cast Burt Reynolds as Le Chiffre.

LOL.

"See this? It's an oversized cowboy hat. It's funny, 'cause it's bigger than a normal hat."

"Go back to your podium now."

I gotta say Julian's never really impressed me, though I haven't seen Fantastic Four, so...who knows? Iaon (Ioan? Inao?) I just saw in a small part in Wilde, and I thought he was rather good, so that may be another semi-related alternative.

Ioan is too much of a nice guy to play Bond.

[Prav_007]

While we're at it, we might as well cast Burt Reynolds as Le Chiffre.

LOL.

"See this? It's an oversized cowboy hat. It's funny, 'cause it's bigger than a normal hat."

"Go back to your podium now."

I gotta say Julian's never really impressed me, though I haven't seen Fantastic Four, so...who knows? Iaon (Ioan? Inao?) I just saw in a small part in Wilde, and I thought he was rather good, so that may be another semi-related alternative.

Ioan is too much of a nice guy to play Bond.

Great justification for Gruffudd not playing Bond *sarcastic.

[luciusgore]

While we're at it, we might as well cast Burt Reynolds as Le Chiffre.

LOL.

"See this? It's an oversized cowboy hat. It's funny, 'cause it's bigger than a normal hat."

"Go back to your podium now."

I gotta say Julian's never really impressed me, though I haven't seen Fantastic Four, so...who knows? Iaon (Ioan? Inao?) I just saw in a small part in Wilde, and I thought he was rather good, so that may be another semi-related alternative.

Ioan is too much of a nice guy to play Bond.

Great justification for Gruffudd not playing Bond *sarcastic.

I just can't seem him being a love-em-and-leave-em womanizer. He's the kind of guy who would fall in love with the chicks

[Tarl_Cabot]

I read that too. I think Harry Knowels was bitching like a fanboy about alot of frivolous stuff in his review such as Johnny Storm/invisible girl not being a real Blond..etc.I bet it's a fun movie.Funny though I thought about the reaction to his Mcmahon comments would stir the pot here.

[Max Zorin]

I just can't seem him being a love-em-and-leave-em womanizer. He's the kind of guy who would fall in love with the chicks



Thank God Brosnan wasn't like that!

[cvheady007]

Just saw the movie...I am a manager for a company sponsoring the flick so I was at an advance screening...I must say I can't see either of them as Bond. McMahon would be a pseudo-wannabe Pierce, which would not be good. I love Pierce, but I don't want to see someone acting like him.

As for Fantastic Four, if you get free tickets, go - otherwise, it's probably best to wait for a rental.

Edited by cvheady007, 08 July 2005 - 03:01 AM.

[Tarl_Cabot]

Bummer. I was looking forward to FF.

[cvheady007]

It's worth watching, I just think it could have been done better...maybe had some more from the comics. Overall, it was pretty good...and oh, my, Jessica Alba is amazing...Stan Lee's cameo is cool...but overall, I would say 6 out of 10? Not bad, but not unbelievable. I still think Batman is the best movie of the year, followed by Star Wars. This one is good, but not great.

[Bondian]

Call me a bore. ( Ian, you're a bore ) But I just cannot see any of the actors as James Bond except Owen, Hugh, Ioan or Butler.

Although these actor are mealy 'all we've got'. They've all got something about them, and could assume the role of OO7.

[luciusgore]

Call me a bore. ( Ian, you're a bore ) But I just cannot see any of the actors as James Bond except Owen, Hugh, Ioan or Butler.

Although these actor are mealy 'all we've got'. They've all got something about them, and could assume the role of OO7. 

Given the awesome size and even untapped potential of the Bond franchise, I'm sure that Sony will hire someone decent, and not a C level actor like McMahon. They have to realize that they are not going to get someone to take the part for the cheap price Brosnan got for Goldeneye. Back then, the Bond series was really on its knees after LTK frankly threatened its very survival. Bros' career was on its knees at the same time. MGM was on its knees. Sony has plenty of dinero and there's so much untapped potential with Bond, they'll shell out money for a name.

[kevrichardson]

Okay who cares about McMahon . All i care about is what are peoples reaction to Ioan Gruffudd . For the Brosnan set he might be another "Blended Bond" .

[dinovelvet]

Great justification for Gruffudd not playing Bond    *sarcastic.

I just can't seem him being a love-em-and-leave-em womanizer. He's the kind of guy who would fall in love with the chicks

Which is exactly what he does in Casino Royale.

[Pussfeller]

Good point, Dinovelvet. If they plan to make a faithful adaptation, then Gruffudd might have the right sensibilities. The hard part would be making a second film, in which he would have to be more jaded. But if he's a decent actor, he could pull it off.

[dinovelvet]

Good point, Dinovelvet. If they plan to make a faithful adaptation, then Gruffudd might have the right sensibilities. The hard part would be making a second film, in which he would have to be more jaded. But if he's a decent actor, he could pull it off.

Its open to debate as to whether Gruffudd would be a good Bond in any other Bond movie, but as far as Casino Royale is concerned, I think he'd be a perfect fit. He's young enough to look like he's just become the 00, and can look like someone that Le Chiffre would sneer at and severely underestimate. As to whether he could play the tougher, hardened Bond, I dunno. I haven't seen his calling card performance in Horatio Hornblower, but interestingly enough it looks like the first HH had him playing a young inexperienced recruit who grows into a commander over the course of the series. Hmm!
In any case, I don't think its fair to judge him, or McMahon, by what looks like a poorly-scripted Fantastic Four movie that gives an actor very little to do.

[luciusgore]

Good point, Dinovelvet. If they plan to make a faithful adaptation, then Gruffudd might have the right sensibilities. The hard part would be making a second film, in which he would have to be more jaded. But if he's a decent actor, he could pull it off.

Its open to debate as to whether Gruffudd would be a good Bond in any other Bond movie, but as far as Casino Royale is concerned, I think he'd be a perfect fit. He's young enough to look like he's just become the 00, and can look like someone that Le Chiffre would sneer at and severely underestimate. As to whether he could play the tougher, hardened Bond, I dunno. I haven't seen his calling card performance in Horatio Hornblower, but interestingly enough it looks like the first HH had him playing a young inexperienced recruit who grows into a commander over the course of the series. Hmm!
In any case, I don't think its fair to judge him, or McMahon, by what looks like a poorly-scripted Fantastic Four movie that gives an actor very little to do.

Well I haven't read CASINO ROYALE. Perhaps Gruffudd is ideal.

[Pal]

I think Gruffy would make an excellent Bond. If only he was about 2 inches taller. But he has the type of body frame that can be made to look taller. But for CR, he would be spot on. In fact, now that I think of it, he is the only person I can picture as Bond from the novels besides Connery.

[hcmv007]

Just saw the movie and I have to disagree luciusgore. I thought he was an excellent Dr. Doom. Maybe not in the classical Marvel version, but definitely the Ultimate Fantastic Four version out now. I am not a fan of Ioan Gruffudd as palying Bond and I have to say I don't see McMahon as Bond either. Just out of curiosity, does anyone posting hera read FF or Ultimate FF? Try to keep an open mind, everyone.

[luciusgore]

Just saw the movie and I have to disagree luciusgore.  I thought he was an excellent Dr. Doom.  Maybe not in the classical Marvel version, but definitely the Ultimate Fantastic Four version out now.  I am not a fan of Ioan Gruffudd as palying Bond and I have to say I don't see McMahon as Bond either.  Just out of curiosity, does anyone  posting hera read FF or Ultimate FF?  Try to keep an open mind, everyone.

Well, I think it's good to be open minded about most of the candidates, with the exception of McMahon and maybe some others. McMahon is a name that should raise a huge red flag for people. The fact that they even gave him a screen test has me worried. Gruffudd might work. Pretty much all the other candidates might work. But not McMahon. It's troubling that he's even a candidate at all.