310 replies to this topic

[k13oharts]

Well, with all those candidates mentioned they all are either not interested nor do they look the part (Craig is just too much of a modern-day Barney Rubble as mentioned by so many already).
Patience is a virtue or so they say.
The casting is not complete (hopefully in maybe three weeks we get an announcement cos direktore Campbell is in London for two weeks) and yet most of us are already on the edge of our seats screaming "I want this guy to be Bond because etc." Yes, we are entitled to our opinions but this is already too much.
I with the others who are waiting for the next Live And Let Die, The Living Daylights, or GoldenEye moment.
The news may come and go to appease us, the audience and innocent bystanders.
Yet, the decision to make or break Bond is still in the hands of EON/Sony.
What else can we do.
Whoever steps into the tux that Pierce Brosnan left let's give the guy a chance and hopefully not go back into the "Arrggghhh... *insert your fave candidate's name here* would have been better!" dialogues.

[Forever007]

The next James Bond better be up to the task as he has tough shoes to fill. I would be surprised if it was a complete unknown or an actor with little clout. Following Brosnan will be tough enough but to risk things on an unproven actor is very risky. However, Sony likes to take risks and be on the cutting edge so we may indeed get an unknown in the role. If it's taken this long to get down to 4 contenders and they still haven't decided then there may be no clear cut choice and that scares me a little. I wish Cubby were still around to pick the right guy and put this to rest.

Edited by Forever007, 22 July 2005 - 12:01 PM.

[Agent Provocateur]

In my opinion, at least based on what we've been told, the final four probably comes down to:

1. Ioan Gruffud
2. Gerard Butler
3. James Purefoy
4. (?) a dark horse whose name will surprise us all

I don't have a problem with any of the first three being cast as Bond... it's #4 that has me a bit worried (depending on who it is of course). I guess we'll have to wait and see.

[k13oharts]

Anyone else who has a "I want *my fave candidate* to be Bond" Christmas list?

[H.M.Servant]

With all the names mentioned, I do find them lacking compared to, say, Sean Connery. Perhaps this is why I am not that excited. The candidates should be compared to Connery, Moore, or whoever is your favourite Bond. I look at Goran Visnjic, go turn on Goldfinger and watch it and then laugh at the idea of Visnjic as Bond. Seems totally inappropriate. The fact people are disucussing his accent, and whether he could pull off a British accent or not, would seem the perfect reason why he's so wrong for the role. Seems some Bond fans have a short memory when it comes to who's played Bond and how they think the new candidates are right for the part. But just my opinion.

I sort of agree with you. Most of the names mentioned aren't even serious contenders for the Bond role compared to the previous actors.

But the reason why people are coming up with all these actors (like Visnich or McMahon or whoever) is that there hasn't been an announcement on it from EON.
Even now, they didn't name the four candidates.
If they said; the list is down to four contenders, Craig, Owen, Butler, Jackman(or whoever) and one of them will be Bond, then it would be easy.

But now every Brittish actor and their uncle, every Australian actor and every Croatian actor are being considered, while if you'd ask someone "who should be the next Bond?" they wouldn't say "Goran Visnich".

I think the reason that people name these new candidates is that they still haven't decided on anyone, while the most obvious have been around for a while, so they're coming up with new suggestions.

Edited by H.M.Servant, 22 July 2005 - 04:54 PM.

[Agent Provocateur]

Anyone else who has a "I want *my fave candidate* to be Bond" Christmas list?

If I was going to do that, my list would be much different.

In order of preference, it would be:

1. Pierce Brosnan
2. Christian Bale
3. Hugh Jackman
4. Clive Owen


But I decided to be realistic about things and go by who is most probably still in contention based on what we've been hearing in the press, upcoming work schedules, polls amongst fans, etc. Therefore, I believe it comes down to the four mentioned in my previous post... again, just my opinion. I am allowed to have one, right?

[Felix Leiter77]

I agree with most of you guys. We all have our favorites, but let's give the new actor a chance before we start complaining that it should have been (insert your favorite here).

It just stuns me how chaotic and poorly handled this has been by EON. First they drop "the billion dollar Bond" like a bag of hot potatoes and then they force the fans and general public to endure nearly two years of this incessant speculation. Now, the new actor will have to not only stand up to comparisons of Connery, Moore, Dalton and Brosnan....but Jackman, Owen, Craig, etc. It's a virtual no-win situation.

Nevertheless, the next few weeks will be interesting to say the least.

[zencat]

I agree with most of you guys. We all have our favorites, but let's give the new actor a chance before we start complaining that it should have been (insert your favorite here).

It just stuns me how chaotic and poorly handled this has been by EON. First they drop "the billion dollar Bond" like a bag of hot potatoes and then they force the fans and general public to endure nearly two years of this incessant speculation. Now, the new actor will have to not only stand up to comparisons of Connery, Moore, Dalton and Brosnan....but Jackman, Owen, Craig, etc. It's a virtual no-win situation.

I agree with you, Felix Leiter77. I'm stunned at how sloppily all this has been handled from a PR point of view.

[Pussfeller]

The only sloppy thing I can think of is the abortive Jinx movie, which was a ridiculously stupid idea. Apart from that, I think EON have handled things pretty well. First of all, there's no evidence that they "dropped" Brosnan. He obviously wanted out of the role, judging from his performance in DAD and his behavior afterwards. What's more, this long waiting period may actually turn out in their favour. The hardcore fans are getting tired of speculation, which means that they're beginning to become less attached to their favourite candidates. I know I am. It's getting to the point that fans just want to see someone cast. The producers know this, and they also know that the general movie-going public will accept any actor if he's hyped long enough. I think people will forget about Jackman, Owen, and Craig very quickly. And if the actor is worth a damn and the film is well-made, people won't make comparisons to Brosnan.

[k13oharts]

Well said Pussfeller!

[Rogue Agent]

And if the actor is worth a damn and the film is well-made, people won't make comparisons to Brosnan.

Well yes, but if the new actor looks less attractive than Brosnan, or rather, less Bond-like than Brosnan, he's already fighting a losing battle. Why cast someone that looks less Bond-like than the previous Bond? Makes little sense. Obviously Eon can only choose what's available, they can't conjour up an actor that looks similar to Brosnan or Connery or any of the other Bonds if he doesn't exist. But if all the actors existing don't match up to the look and style of the previous Bonds then Eon is in trouble and this seems to be why someone like Goran Visnjic, a Croatian, is being considered. You paint a rosy picture of Bond casting, of finding a suitable actor to replace Brosnan, Pussfeller, but the fact (as we are led to believe) that Eon has to look at an East European actor proves the search isn't finding a natural replacement. A Croatian actor not known for his English speaking accent is hardly a natural replacement.

It's easier to criticise when we're not the ones searching for the new Bond, but the idea of getting rid of a successful Bond and considering a Croatian as his replacement seems as close to the definiton of madness and desperation as one can get.

[Pussfeller]

Oh, come on, Rogue Agent! You're latching onto this Goran Visnjic rumour as though EON itself had made an official announcement. You speak about this as though EON's actions have all been perfectly transparent. How do you know who they've tested or what their intentions are?

And why is it so bloody awful that "a Croatian" has been screen-tested? You bring that fact up as though it proves that the producers don't know what they're doing. Why shouldn't they test as many people as they can get their hands on? Suppose Visnjic is a good actor, despite not being a native English-speaker. Shouldn't the producers keep their options open?

[dinovelvet]

Oh, come on, Rogue Agent! You're latching onto this Goran Visnjic rumour as though EON itself had made an official announcement. You speak about this as though EON's actions have all been perfectly transparent. How do you know who they've tested or what their intentions are?

And why is it so bloody awful that "a Croatian" has been screen-tested? You bring that fact up as though it proves that the producers don't know what they're doing. Why shouldn't they test as many people as they can get their hands on? Suppose Visnjic is a good actor, despite not being a native English-speaker. Shouldn't the producers keep their options open?

Yes they should keep their options open, but there is a limit. Casting a guy who will struggle to speak with an English accent is just adding to the problems. A new Bond is a tricky sell as it is (especially following the highly popular Brosnan) especially in tandem with the rather unconventional plot of Casino Royale.
Visjnic can be the Marlon Brando of Croatia for all I care, but the second he opens his mouth and says "MY NEMM BOND, CHEMZ BOND", it's all over. He isn't Bond, and will be laughed/booed out of the role faster than you can say Sir Hillary Bray. But, we are speculating idly. Casino Royale will be a success. You will be there to see for yourself...

[Rogue Agent]

Oh, come on, Rogue Agent! You're latching onto this Goran Visnjic rumour as though EON itself had made an official announcement. You speak about this as though EON's actions have all been perfectly transparent. How do you know who they've tested or what their intentions are?

And why is it so bloody awful that "a Croatian" has been screen-tested? You bring that fact up as though it proves that the producers don't know what they're doing. Why shouldn't they test as many people as they can get their hands on? Suppose Visnjic is a good actor, despite not being a native English-speaker. Shouldn't the producers keep their options open?

I think it's worth studying Bond history...

Even though we have the contradiction of an American actor, John Gavin, being signed for James Bond, the producers have always made it clear Bond should be played by a British or Commonwealth actor. I'm 99.9% certain MG Wilson says this on one of the Bond DVDS. I think it's The Living Daylights but I would have to check. But I know the producers, such as Albert Broccoli, have said this in the past.

Various Croatian websites have confirmed Visnjic is up for the role of Bond, not a supporting character. Visnjic was quoted as saying, "the audition went well, I'm still waiting for the final decision." Various Bond site have confirmed Visnjic is a candidate.

So we have the producers altering the rules to find a suitable replacement. They're saying any actor in the world can be a candidate if he has decent Bond looks and stars in a syndicated tv show (like ER).

As a British person I feel Bond should be played by a British actor or someone whose first language is English. I don't think that's an unreasonable position. Sadly, Martin Campbell, who happens to be from New Zealand and not Britain, doesn't feel that way. I'm surprised so many fans are happy with the director of the next Bond film promoting an actor who is not known for acting with an English accent. I feel it's scraping the bottom of the Bond barrel, showing not that much understanding of the character and making a joke of the franchise. Besides, even if Visnjic can do a credible British accent, even if he were a great Bond, won't some fans say, "British actors must be so terrible if they had to cast a Croatian as Bond. Fleming must be spinning in his grave." But I doubt Martin Campbell has even bothered to consider that.

[Antiriad]

Well with Dominic West, Ioan Gruffudd and Julian McMahon ruling themselves out of contention I shall plumb for:

Dougray Scott
Gerard Butler
Hugh Jackman
James Purefoy

With Dougray and Hugh being my preferred choices...but I think Hugh's salary and status will make the Broccoli's plumb for Dougray.

Course its all speculation... but its fun aint it?

[Pussfeller]

My dream list:

Richard Armitage
Gerard Butler
Hugh Jackman
Clive Owen

My list of the most likely candidates:

Gerard Butler
Ioan Gruffudd
Jeremy Northam
Dougray Scott

Of course, it seems likely that there are at least a few unknowns on the list. We may never know for sure.

[Abdel]

[ibox]

"Names on "Bond Shortlist" Revealed?

British tabloid claims to know the final four contenders

[/ibox]

I have just found this: Sunday Mirror: The four names...

FILM HUNKS ON SHORTLIST TO BE NEW BOND

Jul 24 2005

By Ben Todd Showbiz Editor


THESE are the four heart-throbs battling it out to be the next James Bond.

Established big- screen names such as Clive Owen and Dougray Scott are being overlooked in favour of this shortlist.

ER-hunk Goran Visnjic, 32, posh Henry Cavill, 22, Aussie Alex O'Lachlan, 28, and veteran Scot Ewan Stewart, 47, took part in a series of screen tests last week. They played out love scenes with Emmerdale's Camilla Power - tipped to be a Bond girl.

Production executives at Eon, who make the Bond movies, are now studying the scenes before making a decision.

A movie insider said: "All four are among the most impressive would-be Bonds we've ever encountered. They show style, sophistication and have a natural air of the shaken-but-not-stirred secret agent - and the ability to make women swoon."

The top-secret tests took place at Pinewood studios near London over three days.

The shortlist will come as a shock to Bond fans, who were expecting Layer Cake star Daniel Craig to scoop the role in Casino Royale. The insider added: "The shortlist has surprised people because there is no huge star. Bosses want whoever wins the role to become Bond in people's minds, which they wouldn't achieve with a bigger star."

Scots star Gerard Butler and Hulk actor Eric Bana have also been in the frame to take over from Pierce Brosnan as 007.

ALEX O'LACHLAN AGED 28

THE second big-screen Bond was Australian George Lazenby - now fellow countryman Alex O'Lachlan is in the running for the next movie. Starred in little-known films Oyster Farmer and Man-Things, but has been tipped as "the new Russell Crowe". Recently quit

Australia and moved to Los Angeles to further his film career.51

GORAN VISNJICAGED 32

TRAINED as a paratrooper in the Croatian army. Most famous for his role as Dr Luka Kovac in long-running drama ER and was named US magazine People's Sexiest Import in 1999. Also appeared as the love interest for Madonna in the video for her song The Power Of Goodbye. Last year took

starring role in a TV version of Spart-acus. Married to fellow Croat, sculptress Ivana.1

2HENRY CAVILL AGED 22

FORMER public schoolboy, born in Jersey, appeared in 2002 movie The Count Of Monte Cristo alongside Guy Pearce. Has also appeared in TV cop dramas Midsomer Murders, on ITV, and the Beeb's Inspector Lynley Mysteries. Co-starred in this year's Hellraiser sequel Hellworld and

appearing alongside Sophia Myles and Rufus Sewell in period drama Tristan & Isolde.

31EWAN STEWART AGED 47

SON of Scottish music hall legend Andy Stewart - who had a hit in 1961 and 1989 with Donald Where's Yer Troosers. First found fame in late-70s TV drama All Quiet On The Western Front. Has also appeared in The Professionals, Only Fools And Horses and The Bill. Film-wise, starred as First Officer Murdoch in

Titanic. Other major film credits include Coll in Rob Roy. Married to actress Clare Byam-Shaw.71

I don't know how much this is credible...

[Lady Rose]

Thats an incredibly diverse list of actors .... quite an age range and apart from Visnjic I haven't heard of any of them.Interesting.The ages range from 22 to 47 ... hope we aren't going down that two Bond theory that was doing the rounds a while back!

Anyway,its all speculation and I wonder who actually knows anything.It would be a HUGE decision, a huge gamble, for Eon to go down the unknown route.There is a huge difference to have someone just appearing on the radar and a complete unknown.I personally don't think a few TV credits ( and not even a major TV pro gramme) are enough to carry a huge franchise.It may be 30 yrs on, but Lazenby didn't work out and it wasn't all to with with his acting!

We shall see.I think I will wait for Eon to tell me who is Bond...... then worry

[Rogue Agent]

What a sorry bunch if this is the final four.

Cavill looks nothing like Bond, doesn't Bond have to have a strong jawline?
Visnjic is Croatian.
Alex O'Lachlan doesn't have the right look (based on the little I have seen
And Ewan Stewart is 47? He's only a few years younger than Brosnan. And looks NOTHING like Bond.

This is ridiculous. I thought Bond was meant to be classically good looking or at least handsome in the conventional way? Eon and Sony are utterly clueless if this is the best they can come up with. Very sad.

[Rogue Agent]

This is one of the candidates:

Ewan Stewart:

http://www.geocities...0uk2000/30i.jpg

Can I start crying?

[cvheady007]

This is one of the candidates:

Ewan Stewart:

http://www.geocities...0uk2000/30i.jpg

Can I start crying?

Tell me about it! At this point (agreeing wholeheartedly with Pussfeller) I'm ready to just hear who is going to play Bond and get it over with!

[Rogue Agent]

Henry Cavill







Of the four names, I guess he would be the best choice but when you compare him to the five previous Bonds, I'd have to say he's a big 00 no. He looks more like Silverfin's James Bond than Fleming's.

This is what I find so scary about the casting - we're going from Pierce Brosnan to someone like this guy?

Perhaps fans should create a petition and post it to Eon Productions asking them to delay the film until 2007 and search for some better candidates. At least some with a more masculine rugged face.

[DLibrasnow]

Cool list in the Sunday Mirror. That report also corresponds with the earlier report that EON were looking at actors in a range of ages with one of them being 22.

[SecretAgentFan]

come on, the Sunday Mirror? This shortlist is not the right one.

[Rogue Agent]

There's no reason to think it's a false list. After all, CBn confirmed a few months ago Eon were looking at an actor aged 22. And Cavill is aged 22. So there we are. Congrats to CBn for being accurate. Any idea how Eon can go from Cavill to Ewan Stewart? Seems a bit of a contrast (to put it mildly)!

I'm going to have to bite my tongue on this thread as I don't want to say things I'll regret or be rude about the candidates. But if fans genuinely dislike these candidates I'd advise them to post and say so. I don't want Cavill to be Bond for the next 10 - 15 years (assuming he were a success), so best if fans express their opinions, and perhaps people at Eon and Sony will read the comments and at least consider delaying the film. But I could be a lone voice when I express that sentiment.

[cvheady007]

I'm going to have to bite my tongue on this thread as I don't want to say things I'll regret or be rude about the candidates. But if fans genuinely dislike these candidates I'd advise them to post and say so. I don't want Cavill to be Bond for the next 10 - 15 years (assuming he were a success), so best if fans express their opinions, and perhaps people at Eon and Sony will read the comments and at least consider delaying the film. But I could be a lone voice when I express that sentiment.

Ditto - I'm biting my tongue on this list; I do genuinely dislike the candidates listed, but could settle for Visnjic, I suppose.

James Bond can not be younger than I am...at least not for another 20 years or so!

[Rogue Agent]

I think Visnjic must be the favourite. He's the most well-known, stars in a very successful syndicated show 'ER', to many he has Bond-type looks, is tall (perhaps too tall!)and said to Martin Campbell's favourite.

I don't know how people will take to Visnjic as Bond. I guess the die-hard fans will moan and never accept him, or accept him but always moan he's foreign and had to put on a fake British accent, but will mainstream movie goers accept him?

'Goran Visnjic is James Bond in Ian Fleming's Casino Royale.'

Could this be a real possibility?

Based on the names on that list, and assuming they're genuine, I'd have to say yes, he must stand a real chance of becoming the next James Bond. I think we have to prepare ourselves for that.

[Atticus17F]

This is weird. If the Sunday Mirror wanted to make something up, it would've been easier to visit a few fan polls and nick the first few names from there. Why have they chosen these people? Have any of them, beside Visnjic, even been touted before now?

Something tells me they might be telling the truth.

[ComplimentsOfSharky]

*shudders

I can't find a picture of the Aussie...but if he's as ugly as the others - put me down for the the Goran visnijiscsijcicn-whatever fanclub.

[Roebuck]

Goran Visnjic? I see what's happened here. Jason Isaacs agent sent Eon a DVD of Elektra, and they called up the wrong actor for the screen-test. Interesting that Visnjic is married to a sculptress, since HE'S A BIG LUMP OF WOOD!

Henry Cavill might look the part in another fifteen years.

If the Mirror report is accurate then this is a sorry looking short-list, and says a lot about where the Bond franchise is right now.