310 replies to this topic

[zencat]

It is interesting to note that the list contains no names that I know for a fact have been tested between December 2004 and April 2005 at Pinewood and Shepperton.

If we know some of the actors who have been tested, it is probable that even the Mirror could get it right!

But if, on my information, a Bond has been decided upon at the highest levels some weeks back, where does it leave this news story?

I think that if a decision has been made, then the importance of these names is reduced significantly. They are useless except, of course, as chaff.

As William Goldman said, "Nobody knows anything".

ACE

The more we talk about this, the more I'm starting to think this is a story meant to misdirect. A smoke screen so the real guy can slip backstage and get ready to be revealed. This is a list of names who were serious contenders at one time, but didn't get the gig.

Perzackly!

ACE

So if this is really a smoke-screen (and Cavill's name suggests to me the smoke is at least partially generated from the inside), does that mean the Bond #6 announcement is imminent? After all, a smoke screen dissipates pretty quickly.

Remember we reported Campbell was in England for two weeks? If what you say is true, ACE, and a new Bond is already selected, then Campbell isn't there for screen-tests, he's there for the announcment!

Last week was week one. That's means this is his last week in London. Is the announcment coming this week?

Or just rewrites or prep. I do not know.

IF my information is correct, it means the decision has been made. NOT the deal!

Everyone expects an announcement based on the Goldeneye precedent. June 1994 announcement for a Jan 1995 start. However, what people forget is that GE was meant to start shooting in Sept 1995. So, maximizing publicity for the start of shoot, we could expect an announcement as late as September/October 2005.

There will probably be another large press call for the start of shooting in Jan 2006. Remember it is not definite that it will not be Pinewood. Yet!

However, if the decision AND the deal has been made, I think Eon would want to announce ASAP to prevent leaks and also to really drum up support for Bond #6.

Unless, of course, Bond #6 is actually Bond #5!

Educated speculation here.

ACE

I'm thinking Eon will announce as soon as they possibly can to prevent a leak. If the Bond is an unknown, then I suspect the deal points will be pretty easy to work out. If he's a star, well, that could take a while (but maybe they've been working behond the scenes for a while?).

Great work on the main page story, Tim. I think you covered all the angles. Good pic of Cavill, too.

Camilla Power? Now that does sound like a bad Bond Girl name put on.

[Loomis]

Great work on the main page story, Tim.

"According to a CBn source, there should be some official news soon."

Interesting. I guess an announcement is imminent, then.

Cavill as Bond? Brosnan back for a fifth? Visnjic in the tux? A total unknown? Owen after all? Time will tell, and fairly soon, it would seem.

[ES Blofeld]

[ibox]

"Names on "Bond Shortlist" Revealed?

British tabloid claims to know the final four contenders

[/ibox]

If the list on that article is true, I hope to god Henry Cavill gets the part.

[Rogue Agent]

For the love of Bond, I pray Eon announces the film is delayed till 2007. Find an unknown or male model that looks the part. It's absurd to dismiss unknowns when one man and his dog knows who Cavill is.

I'm biting my tongue here (ouch) but three of the four on the list are total unknowns. Eon might as well have three male models on the list (assuming they could act). It would make no difference.

This is what is so farcical about the search.

ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited by Rogue Agent, 24 July 2005 - 05:23 PM.

[Max Zorin]

Whoa...where have I been all this time? Goran Visnjic is in the final four? As in the ER guy? Seriously?

[ACE]

Tim, who is the CBn source that says "there should be some official news soon"?

ACE

Edited by ACE, 24 July 2005 - 05:31 PM.

[Seannery]

According to M Hazard at AJB this list is a couple of weeks old and not the present final four list. Check out the "Insider Thread" for the complete info on his claims and what it may mean for who may end up Bond.

[zencat]

According to M Hazard at AJB this list is a couple of weeks old and not the present final four list.  Check out the "Insider Thread" for the complete info on his claims and what it may mean for who may end up Bond.

Let's try and keep the "final four" discussion in this thread, Seannery.

[zencat]

Tim, who is the CBn source that says "there should be some official news soon"?

ACE

Oh, ACE, now you should know better than to ask that.

[bryonalston]

The world has clearly come to an end if EoN is considering ANY of those candidates (with the exception of Visnjic, who I believe will do a great job if given a chance.) I also hope the 22 year old will only be in the flashback scenes, (who cares if it's a rip-off of Indiana Jones? Would you rather have an unoriginal miracle or an original disaster?)

[Seannery]

[quote name='zencat' date='24 July 2005 - 18:35'][quote name='Seannery' date='24 July 2005 - 10:31']According to M Hazard at AJB this list is a couple of weeks old and not the present final four list.

[zencat]

M Hazard's take sounds plausible. Man, I just don't know what to believe at this point. But right now my gut tells me this week may be the week we find out the identity of Bond #6. (But maybe I'm just all stirred up at the moment. )

[JCH]

If I'm off base with this speculation, then please tell me. But what if the names we are hearing are simply the byproduct of multiple screen tests. Suppose all four of these guys were indeed brought in for tests, but that the EON brass have already made their decision and that these just happened to be the four names that were seen as testers. Suppose also, that the reason for the "young Bond" (and hence, Cavill) is that EON and Sony wanted to test the waters, so to speak, and see if it would be an option.

My own take (one from nowhere near the inside) is that Visnjic and Cavill might indeed be in the running should EON decide to go in the particular direction that each of them presents as a strength (dark and brooding and youth), but that there are two other candidates that EON is keeping tightly secured under lock and key that are the leading favorites. I think that EON is playing it very coy and letting names leak to see what fan reaction will be. This also keeps the Bond #6 talk at the front of the line.

Either way, I seriously doubt that the rumored "confirmed list" is the actual list of the Final 4 candidates.

[Loomis]

The world has clearly come to an end if EoN is considering ANY of those candidates (with the exception of Visnjic, who I believe will do a great job if given a chance.) I also hope the 22 year old will only be in the flashback scenes, (who cares if it's a rip-off of Indiana Jones? Would you rather have an unoriginal miracle or an original disaster?)

An original disaster. I'm serious. Similarly, I'd rather see a totally unsuitable candidate take the role of Bond in CASINO ROYALE and fail than the return of Brosnan, even a successful return. Why? Well, not just for the comedy value, but because I really want something new. I'd prefer them to try something new (even a 21-year-old actor who'd cause fans to, as zencat puts it, freak) and fail than just give us same old same old and "succeed".

[zencat]

If I'm off base with this speculation, then please tell me.  But what if the names we are hearing are simply the byproduct of multiple screen tests.  Suppose all four of these guys were indeed brought in for tests, but that the EON brass have already made their decision and that these just happened to be the four names that were seen as testers.  Suppose also, that the reason for the "young Bond" (and hence, Cavill) is that EON and Sony wanted to test the waters, so to speak, and see if it would be an option. 

My own take (one from nowhere near the inside) is that Visnjic and Cavill might indeed be in the running should EON decide to go in the particular direction that each of them presents as a strength (dark and brooding and youth), but that there are two other candidates that EON is keeping tightly secured under lock and key that are the leading favorites.  I think that EON is playing it very coy and letting names leak to see what fan reaction will be.  This also keeps the Bond #6 talk at the front of the line.

Either way, I seriously doubt that the rumored "confirmed list" is the actual list of the Final 4 candidates.

Well said, JCH. You could be right.

[JCH]

[quote name='zencat' date='24 July 2005 - 13:03'][quote name='JCH' date='24 July 2005 - 11:01']If I'm off base with this speculation, then please tell me.

[Rogue Agent]

Wasn't Julian McMahon one of other names? It's feasible he's still a candidate.

It's also possible there isn't a favourite. Why do people assume there's a favourite?

Seems Eon hasn't much of a clue seeing as McMahon said the producers weren't sure what type of Bond they want. You can't have a favourite when you can't even decide what screenplay to use - younger Bond or older Bond.

Fans have got to accept that Brosnan was right. Eon is clueless.

Edited by Rogue Agent, 24 July 2005 - 06:11 PM.

[TortillaFactory]

I doubt it's legimate, too, but it's a good springboard for discussion anyway.

I'm still not terribly upset by the idea of a young Bond, because I know there are a few young actors out there who could easily pull off the kind of sophistication needed. Most young actors that we, the public, run across tend to be the more vapid types, but that doesn't mean the really good ones don't exist. I realize Bond's meant to be in his thirties in Casino Royale (isn't he? I've seen enough theories on his birthdate to make my head spin, since Fleming evidently changed it once or twice), but I have the feeling he might look younger. (This may explain why his enemies are sometimes surprised by his ruthlessness. It's always better to be underestimated.) Fleming's constant references to a "young man" make me think that casting an actor in his early thirties or even early-to-mid twenties couldn't hurt at all. (If Bond was born in 1920 or 22, that puts him at, what, roughly 34 or 35 in Casino Royale, yes? If we can safely assume that it's set a year or two before it was published, like most contemporary fiction?) Assuming, of course, he can pull it off - but I trust the casting people to figure that one out. Hate whichever Bond you choose, but you've got to admit the Bond people have never really made an irredeemable faux pas in the casting of their main character.

[JCH]

Wasn't Julian MacMahon one of other names? It's feasible he's still a candidate.

It's also possible there isn't a favourite. Why do people assume there's a favourite?

Seems Eon hasn't much of a clue seeing as McMahon said the producers weren't show what type of Bond they want. You can't have a favourite when you can't even decide what screenplay to use - younger Bond or older Bond.

Which would explain the age range. I think that once the decision is made as to direction, then the decision as to actor will quickly follow. Then again, maybe the direction will be dictated by the actor that they go with. Perhaps there are two "unknown candidates" - one is younger (the other young actor that Zencat mentioned maybe?) and one is older (Owen, Butler, Craig, etc.) - and once they lock up one of them, then the direction is determined. Whatever the case is, Bond #6 was NOT in the list the came out today most likely.

[Loomis]

You can't have a favourite when you can't even decide what screenplay to use - younger Bond or older Bond.

Yeah, that does seem baffling. You'd have thought they'd have figured out by now whether to make BOND BEGINS or a "business as usual" film with a 40-something "seasoned pro" 007.

Maybe they're talking to Cavill and zencat's mysterious 20-something, and also to the older likes of McMahon and Visnjic, and also trying to come to an agreement with Brosnan. Maybe they don't know whether they're coming or going, whether it's Christmas or Shrove Tuesday.

[zencat]

Hate whichever Bond you choose, but you've got to admit the Bond people have never really made an irredeemable faux pas in the casting of their main character.

True. But remember, this is first selection of a new Bond without Cubby or Dana. But I do trust Mickey & Babs. And, apparently, it took a while to sell Cubby on Pierce (Dana helped with that), so...

[JCH]

I doubt it's legimate, too, but it's a good springboard for discussion anyway.

My point exactly. Any discussion is good discussion. The more fans discuss Bond, the more it stays on the minds of the movie-going public, and the more $$ it makes when it finally hits theaters. I think that's the main reason why EON has let a lot of this stuff leak.

The only potential drawback is that with increased attention comes increased scrutiny and thus the potential for a huge flop is also increased.

[Seannery]

You can't have a favourite when you can't even decide what screenplay to use - younger Bond or older Bond.

Yeah, that does seem baffling. You'd have thought they'd have figured out by now whether to make BOND BEGINS or a "business as usual" film with a 40-something "seasoned pro" 007.

Maybe they're talking to Cavill and zencat's mysterious 20-something, and also to the older likes of McMahon and Visnjic, and also trying to come to an agreement with Brosnan. Maybe they don't know whether they're coming or going, whether it's Christmas or Shrove Tuesday.

Yes it does indicate a wide range of Bonds are being considered--after all that is what Cbn has been saying.

[Spoon]

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!

Ha ha... two good lines in one paragraph.

My memory is not what it used to be, but can we list the other Mirror Sunday articles that turned out to be rubbish?  Wasn't Bana one of those?

I think so. I know "Dougray Scott is signed" was.

One other source besides CBn who mentioned Henry Cavill? Spoon! (spynovelfan mentioned him too.) I figured that if he was up for Batman, Superman and Logan's Run... he must be very well-regarded in the industry as a "next big thing." He strikes me far more as a Superman than a Batman or Bond, though. Still, he certainly beats Stewart and Visnjic. Dunno anything about O'Lochlan.

I don't really buy any of the various "they leaked this for such-and-such ulterior motive!" conspiracy theories, but of course the info could simply be wrong. Based on the Mirror's history, anyway.

Edited by Spoon, 24 July 2005 - 06:35 PM.

[Skudor]

What an odd piece of news.... Now the frontrunners include a guy who looks like a 22 year old Jean Claude Van Damme and a 49 year old, bald and rather short bit-actor...

I won't hold my breath for now, but the speculation about an imminent announcement sounds promising.

[zencat]

[quote name='Spoon' date='24 July 2005 - 11:31']One other source besides CBn who mentioned Henry Cavill?

[dinovelvet]

Two words we need to concentrate on here : Sunday Mirror.

When have they been right about ANYTHING to do with Bond?

Look at the absurdity going on here : How can a fresh-faced, pretty looking 22-year old and a slaphead, short (and possibly tubby) 47 year old be auditioning FOR THE SAME PART?!?!? It makes absolutely no sense. Can you imagine Ewan Stewart trying to seduce, say, Pussy Galore? She'd kick his and Fort Knox would end up nuked!

If, on the other hand, this list does happen to be correct, well, what a sorry line-up indeed. Each of the candidates is problematic to some degree. If I had a gun to my head, I'd vote for Cavill, I guess, he at least looks like he could one day be James Bond.

Still, ugh.

[JCH]

I don't really buy any of the various "they leaked this for such-and-such ulterior motive!" conspiracy theories, but of course the info could simply be wrong.  Based on the Mirror's history, anyway.

I don't think they are leaking it for any conspiracy reasons, I just think EON doesn't care that these names are leaked because they aren't the real list and EON and Sony wants fans to talk about Bond as much as possible.

Edited by JCH, 24 July 2005 - 07:11 PM.

[Sam Fisher]

You can't have a favourite when you can't even decide what screenplay to use - younger Bond or older Bond.

Yeah, that does seem baffling. You'd have thought they'd have figured out by now whether to make BOND BEGINS or a "business as usual" film with a 40-something "seasoned pro" 007.

Maybe they're talking to Cavill and zencat's mysterious 20-something, and also to the older likes of McMahon and Visnjic, and also trying to come to an agreement with Brosnan. Maybe they don't know whether they're coming or going, whether it's Christmas or Shrove Tuesday.

I beg your pardon but I think the "seasoned pro" concept nears the boarder of not going to happen. IF there has to be a younger Bond movie then Eon should keep it seperate...like a musician doing solo work from his band. lol. The 22 year old being brought into the franchise just seems off. Mainly because bond should be 32 or 33 at least.

I guess it's time to pray for a 30 something BOnd, because if a kid gets the role I forsee this movie crashing and buring quickly.

[Moore Not Less]

You can't have a favourite when you can't even decide what screenplay to use - younger Bond or older Bond.

Yeah, that does seem baffling. You'd have thought they'd have figured out by now whether to make BOND BEGINS or a "business as usual" film with a 40-something "seasoned pro" 007.

Maybe they're talking to Cavill and zencat's mysterious 20-something, and also to the older likes of McMahon and Visnjic, and also trying to come to an agreement with Brosnan. Maybe they don't know whether they're coming or going, whether it's Christmas or Shrove Tuesday.

The impression I've been getting is they don't know whether they're coming or going, whether it's Christmas or Shrove Tuesday. Maybe that's the impression they have wanted to give, but I doubt that very much.

The main problem is that there is no obvious successor to Pierce Brosnan. Brosnan has been popular with the general audience and he's guaranteed box office. If he is not to return, which seems very likely, then whichever actor Eon chooses will have an element of uncertainty regarding his popularity and box office appeal.

Perhaps someone should just grab Broccoli, Wilson and Brosnan and lock them up in a room until they reach an agreement. For me, Brosnan is a better bet for Casino Royale than any of the other candidates that I know off.

Edited by Moore Not Less, 24 July 2005 - 08:29 PM.