504 replies to this topic

[ACE]

I have to admit I was not a big Craig-as-Bond fan.

He's been knocking around British TV for ages.

Saw him in the Francis Bacon biopic, Love Is The Devil - OK

Liked Enduring Love and his other character work.

Then Layer Cake.

Nice picture (overrated). And I could see him, sort of, as Bond. Good actor, relaxed, laconic, man's man sort of bloke. Could do the classy thing (unlike Jude "Bovver Boy" Law) and would be convincing in a fight.

Is he attractive and sexy? Well, even my feminine side doesn't think so (I'm mean he is handsome but not sexy) but then I'm not attracted to men. Do ladies like him? In my straw poll (any woman I know gets a photo and asked the question - Butler seems to be winning), no as a photo, but in film, in a role, yes.

Recently saw the wonderfully faithful BBC adaptation of the excellent Robert Harris "The Boys From Stalingrad" novel, Archangel - terrific. Wonderful performance from our man as Fluke Kelso.

I can see it.
I can see Daniel Craig as James Bond.
Probably not going to happen but I've become convinced.
And my favourite choice (other than a Pierce return) is Jack Davenport.
But I'm coming around again. To Danny Craig.
Once again, it would be brave.
But brave seems to be spellt E.O.N. these days.

Boy, it's tough to be a Bond fan.

ACE

Edited by ACE, 17 September 2005 - 12:01 AM.

[Stax]

Thanks for the welcome! Love the site and thought I'd try out the message boards.

[K1Bond007]

Then Layer Cake.

Nice picture (overrated). And I could see him, sort of, as Bond. Good actor, relaxed, laconic, man's man sort of bloke. Could do the classy thing (unlike Jude "Bovver Boy" Law) and would be convincing in a fight.

I'm in agreement here about Layer Cake. It was decent movie, but yeah, definitely overrated. I can see him as Bond though. It was that film and the picture of him with longer and darker hair that really made it known to me that he'd be an OK choice at the least. He's growing on me by the day.

[Stax]

Yeah, I liked Layer Cake a lot but don't think it's a 4 star flick by any means. Still, I'll buy it used on DVD because I love gangster films, esp. British ones.

That is a cool pic of Craig with the dark hair. He'll maybe seem like a haunted Bond, a man who knows he's going to hell for the things he's done so, screw it, might as well enjoy the ride down.

[Spoon]

He'll maybe seem like a haunted Bond, a man who knows he's going to hell for the things he's done so, screw it, might as well enjoy the ride down.

Wow, now I REALLY hate him as Bond.

[blueman]

Howdy.

If Brosnan at 54 can play like 20 years younger, don't see why Craig can't play 28. His character in Layer Cake was 30, I was surprised to find out after I saw the film he was 37, he plays much younger on-screen.

After the invisible car, Craig would be a definite step up. Do it.

[tdalton]

You mean things that people are telling you privately, I take it, rather than whatever happens to be up on the net right now?

It's coming in from all channels except, unfortunetly, the ones we trust the most. They're not saying anything. I sort of feel like a lot of people are holding their breath at the moment. I expect Daniel Craig might be one of those people.

Approximately how many channels are reporting that Craig has the part? I'm not saying that I necesarilly believe that he does, but if a huge amount of sources are reporting that he has it, there must be something behind that. I guess what I'm asking is how seriously should we take all of these reports?

[K1Bond007]

You mean things that people are telling you privately, I take it, rather than whatever happens to be up on the net right now?

It's coming in from all channels except, unfortunetly, the ones we trust the most. They're not saying anything. I sort of feel like a lot of people are holding their breath at the moment. I expect Daniel Craig might be one of those people.

Approximately how many channels are reporting that Craig has the part? I'm not saying that I necesarilly believe that he does, but if a huge amount of sources are reporting that he has it, there must be something behind that. I guess what I'm asking is how seriously should we take all of these reports?

Well we already know he will be or has screentested. It could be mixed signals. Like people saw Craig at Pinewood or something. Who knows.

I just hope someone is picked soon. I'm really sick of all the rumors.

[tdalton]

You mean things that people are telling you privately, I take it, rather than whatever happens to be up on the net right now?

It's coming in from all channels except, unfortunetly, the ones we trust the most. They're not saying anything. I sort of feel like a lot of people are holding their breath at the moment. I expect Daniel Craig might be one of those people.

Approximately how many channels are reporting that Craig has the part? I'm not saying that I necesarilly believe that he does, but if a huge amount of sources are reporting that he has it, there must be something behind that. I guess what I'm asking is how seriously should we take all of these reports?

Well we already know he will be or has screentested. It could be mixed signals. Like people saw Craig at Pinewood or something. Who knows.

I just hope someone is picked soon. I'm really sick of all the rumors.

I don't necesarilly think that we might be getting mixed signals just because of a Daniel Craig screentest. Others have screentested without having been "announced" as Bond. No respectable source (to my knowledge) announced Goran Visnjic, Alex O'Lachlan, Henry Cavill, Ewan Stewart, Julian McMahon, or Ioan Gruffud as having had the part, yet we know that most of these guys (McMahon, O'Lachlan, Visnjic, and Cavill) have tested for the role.

I think what it might be is that we have a great deal of evidence leaning in Craig's direction (I'm not saying that he will be Bond, but I think that, just from looking at what has happened during the course of this search, he may have a better chance than others). First, we get the news that he was "announced" as Bond and that MGM had wanted him and Matthew Vaughn for Casino Royale. Then everything is quiet for a while. Then we get that report (can't remember what the source was) that said that Craig was the choice of Barbara Brocolli. Then, CBn confirms that Craig is going in for screentests this month. Then we see him trying to buy a rather expensive edition of Fleming's Casino Royale. Now, we have reports that he has been signed.

Of course, all of this is circumstantial evidence at best, probably, but I still think that there is at least something behind these rumors. Maybe they've heard that he's being very, very seriously considered for the role. Maybe he has it. Maybe it's a smokescreen on EON's part. I don't know, but I think that there's more behind the rumors that we're hearing about Daniel Craig having landed the part than just perhaps someone getting mixed up. As Zencat was saying, there are numerous sources out there claiming that Craig has gotten the role. Surely not all of them could have mistakenly wandered across this unless there was something behind it.

Of course, I could be wrong.

[K1Bond007]

I agree that as of late Craig has a better chance than anyone. Maybe not mixed signals, but I've been around the Internet enough to know that it only takes one or two bad reports to start a snowball effect of the same regurgitated crap. If I was completely ignorant, last week I would have believed Daniel Radcliffe or Jamie Bell was the next James Bond. Completely insane and yet there were hundreds of websites that reported it as if it they had a serious shot.

[Marquis]

Edit.

n/t

Edited by Marquis, 17 September 2005 - 11:14 AM.

[Mister Asterix]

Howdy.

If Brosnan at 54 can play like 20 years younger, don't see why Craig can't play 28.  His character in Layer Cake was 30, I was surprised to find out after I saw the film he was 37, he plays much younger on-screen.

After the invisible car, Craig would be a definite step up.  Do it.

Welcome to CBn, blueman.

Interesting point. Craig seems to look older in still photos than on film. Makeup some, but something else too. Either the man loves the motion camera, or hates the still ones. Perhaps both.

[SecretAgentFan]

I agree that as of late Craig has a better chance than anyone. Maybe not mixed signals, but I've been around the Internet enough to know that it only takes one or two bad reports to start a snowball effect of the same regurgitated crap. If I was completely ignorant, last week I would have believed Daniel Radcliffe or Jamie Bell was the next James Bond. Completely insane and yet there were hundreds of websites that reported it as if it they had a serious shot.

Exactly. I believe Commanderbond.net that Craig was called back for more screentests but I don

[Mister Asterix]

[quote name='SecretAgentFan' date='17 September 2005 - 09:53']Exactly. I believe Commanderbond.net that Craig was called back for more screentests but I don

[SecretAgentFan]

[quote name='Mister Asterix' date='17 September 2005 - 15:47'][quote name='SecretAgentFan' date='17 September 2005 - 09:53']Exactly. I believe Commanderbond.net that Craig was called back for more screentests but I don

[zencat]

Watched Layer Cake last night, and while I didn't much care for the movie, and can see Daniel Craig as Bond. In fact, I think it would be a very bold choice, and if this movie really is going for reinvention, the best choice. He is no Pierce clone, that's for sure. What I like about Craig is he oozes COOL. Like Connery, he is not acting cool, he IS cool. The fact that he's not a male model type makes this cool seem to be born of experience (key to Bond) rather than a lifetime of being "lucky" (starting with looks). I also think he would nail the emotion of the role in a genuine way (as opposed to the hammy emoting of Pierce). The trick would be to get people into the theater to see a Daniel Craig Bond film because when you see his picture he just doesn't look like the popular conception of Bond. But once they are there, I think they would dig him.

I just wish he was a bit taller because his toughness seems to be more of a bulldog's toughness than a panther. But, again, maybe this just helps separate him even more from the popular conception of 007. He would be the NEW Bond in every sense of the word. Again, a bold choice. Why not.

[zencat]

[quote name='SecretAgentFan' date='17 September 2005 - 09:03'][quote name='Mister Asterix' date='17 September 2005 - 15:47'][quote name='SecretAgentFan' date='17 September 2005 - 09:53']Exactly. I believe Commanderbond.net that Craig was called back for more screentests but I don

[Loeffelholz]

Craig's 'relatively young' face? Man, I don't know.

I won't go all hyperbolic like many on this and other sites, but I have to say he's a bit down there on my list. I guess we'll have to see.

[blueman]

Zencat, those were almost exactly my thoughts about Craig after seeing Layer Cake. My girlfriend's thoughts were, "I wanna do him!" Also have a female co-worker who saw the film and thought he was the sexiest thing she'd seen in years, in fact she admittedly missed some plot points because she was so distracted with him sexually. If that's not a ringing endorsement, I don't know what is. Neither women are Bond fans, both are 20-something, intelligent, hotties. Not much of a straw poll but when I queried them they both agreed he'd be perfect as Bond.

The other thought I had leaving the theatre was, "I wanna BE him." His coolness factor cannot be overstated, IMO. Honestly, I can't remember the last time I watched a movie and had that thought about a leading man, like watchig Connery in GF. Sure he looks kinda craggy but that's evidently part of his appeal. And agreed he'd make the perfect anti-Brosnan Bond, very smart casting in terms of marketing a new actor in the role.

There may be someone we don't know about better for the role, but Craig's the best choice of known candidates, IMO. He'd make a great Bond, uncast he's even changed some minds of late, on this board and others. Better him than somebody who's just kinda okay...

Edited by blueman, 17 September 2005 - 04:32 PM.

[Loomis]

I just wish he was a bit taller....

I just wish he looked like this:



However, the reality is that he looks like this (and this isn't even close to being one of the most unflattering photos of him that I've seen):



Ignoring the question of whether or not he's handsome enough for Bond, is this a "relatively young face"? I honestly believe that he looks older than Brosnan half the time.

I'm with you 100% on the merits of Craig as an actor, his coolness, etc., but - and with the best will in the world - I can't see his appearance as anything other than an absolutely massive and probably insurmountable hurdle when it comes to Bond.

[Mister Asterix]

Zencat, those were almost exactly my thoughts about Craig after seeing Layer Cake.  My girlfriend's thoughts were, "I wanna do him!"  Also have a female co-worker who saw the film and thought he was the sexiest thing she'd seen in years, in fact she admittedly missed some plot points because she was so distracted with him sexually.  If that's not a ringing emdorsement, I don't know what is.  Neither women are Bond fans, both are 20-something, intelligent, hotties.  Not much of a straw poll but when I queried them they both agreed he'd be perfect as Bond.

[mra]I get the strong feeling that Mrs Asterix feels Mr Craig is sexier than Connery, Lazenby, Moore, Dalton, and Brosnan. I don

[zencat]

[quote name='blueman' date='17 September 2005 - 09:27']The other thought I had leaving the theatre was, "I wanna BE him."

[Loomis]

People who are looking at Craig's picture and making up there minds based on that are really missing the point of this guy, IMO.

But you've said it yourself: "The trick would be to get people into the theater to see a Daniel Craig Bond film because when you see his picture he just doesn't look like the popular conception of Bond."

Yes, they'd probably "dig him" once they were in their seats and watching the film (although I can't believe that he wouldn't be a tremendously controversial choice and that everyone would take to him - look at how Dalton divided audiences simply for being relatively gritty and serious, and he was 10 times better-looking than Craig is), but it'd be a heck of a trick to pull off. Especially with Brosnan fresh in people's minds.

Dalton "failed" as the successor to a popular, fun-for-all-the-family Bond, and I think trying to follow Brosnan with Craig would be risky, to say the least.

*Sigh* Does anyone remember the days a couple of years ago here on CBn when plenty of members seemed convinced that this guy wasn't handsome enough for Bond?



Craig has the acting ability and the coolness. Owen has the acting ability and the coolness and the looks. Craig doesn't just lack the exceptional handsomeness required for Bond - he goes right to the opposite extreme.

Sony and Eon really need to get back in touch with Owen, convince him that they're determined to make CASINO ROYALE a truly excellent film (the Haggis rewrite, etc.), and offer him whatever it'll take. See if he'll turn down $20 million or so before hiring Craig.

[SecretAgentFan]

People who are looking at Craig's picture and making up there minds based on that are really missing the point of this guy, IMO.

But you've said it yourself: "The trick would be to get people into the theater to see a Daniel Craig Bond film because when you see his picture he just doesn't look like the popular conception of Bond."

Yes, they'd probably "dig him" once they were in their seats and watching the film (although I can't believe that he wouldn't be a tremendously controversial choice and that everyone would take to him - look at how Dalton divided audiences simply for being relatively gritty and serious, and he was 10 times better-looking than Craig is), but it'd be a heck of a trick to pull off. Especially with Brosnan fresh in people's minds.

Dalton "failed" as the successor to a popular, fun-for-all-the-family Bond, and I think trying to follow Brosnan with Craig would be risky, to say the least.

*Sigh* Does anyone remember the days a couple of years ago here on CBn when plenty of members seemed convinced that this guy wasn't handsome enough for Bond?

Right as always, Loomis. Although I was wrist-slapped for my remark, I think Craig won

[Loomis]

Well, I've gone from thinking that he'd be a bold and brilliant choice to thinking that he'd actually be a downright stupid choice.

There's risk-taking and then there's lunatic, suicidal risk-taking.

Listen, I read the Flemings, I like Dalton, I like LICENCE TO KILL (no, I'm not asking for a medal or trying to paint myself as the ultimate purist Bond fan), and also Bourne and "gritty espionage thrillers" and so on, but when even I would find it very hard to accept Craig as 007, I think there'd be a real problem making him a Bond with mass appeal. Especially when he tends to look like a raddled old dosser.

No, it just won't work. I don't care how good an actor he is. I don't care how cool he is. I think casting him as Bond would be a major mistake, and possibly a fatal one for the franchise.

If anything, I think the series needs to go in a more lighthearted direction after the excessively po-faced eras of Dalton and Brosnan. Watched NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN earlier today, and was struck by how it refuses to take itself seriously, how free it is from any kind of self-importance or desire to be "gritty" or "relevant". And how much fun it is. Anyone know if Hugh Grant's been in talks?

[Pussfeller]

Of all the eras, I think Brosnan's was one of the least serious, in terms of actual, gritty realism. While it regularly ventured into slow-motion, violin-accented melodrama, it just as frequently indulged us with invisible cars, horrible one-liners, 16-bit special effects, gimmicks (notably the "homages" in DAD) and silly, overwrought dialogue. The biggest thing about Brosnan's tenure that I found unsatisfying was the fact that it never really settled on a "mood". It was all over the place, like a James Bond buffet. First we have a little Connery, then some Moore, and ooh, maybe just a pinch of Dalton...

Most of the other eras can be characterised. Connery's films were exciting and cool. Moore's were light-hearted and fun. And when he made serious films (e.g. FYEO), they stuck to the serious mood. Dalton's were intense and gritty (though not as gritty as they've been made out to be). But what about Brosnan's films? Well, they were slick, that's for sure. They were explosive, big-budget action films. Brosnan tended to be unctious rather than cool, and I felt the "fun" fell flat. The "serious moments" were always tedious and tacked-on, the characters obnoxious or else boring. I just wanted them to pick a mood and stick with it, for an entire film. Of all his entries, only GE stands out to me as a consistent, evenly paced film, and even it seems boring at times.

I want the next era to be a more disciplined, consistent affair. Even if they change the mood from one film to the next, I want each individual film to have its own characteristic atmosphere. The way things are shaping up, it looks like they're going for gritty and realistic, which I think is great. I just hope they don't waffle and throw in some cheap laughs to "even it out". The previous era was far too "even" for my tastes.

[Stax]

Ultimately, women are the best judges of which actor is handsome and sexy to them. If they are into "sexy ugly" (like such notables as Charles Bronson, Lee Marvin or Harvey Keitel) then that's what Craig's appeal is it seems. Angelina Jolie had to OK Craig as her ex-lover in Tomb Raider, Nicole Kidman just OK'd him as her love interest in Invasion. These starlets could have OK'd any classically handsome actor they like but they approved of Craig. What does this tell you? Women dig the guy. The rest of us men are perplexed exactly as to why but they do. Hence, women might ultimately respond to Craig as Bond better than men will. Perhaps we just don't "get" it.

[Bon-san]

Ultimately, women are the best judges of which actor is handsome and sexy to them. If they are into "sexy ugly" (like such notables as Charles Bronson, Lee Marvin or Harvey Keitel) then that's what Craig's appeal is it seems. Angelina Jolie had to OK Craig as her ex-lover in Tomb Raider, Nicole Kidman just OK'd him as her love interest in Invasion. These starlets could have OK'd any classically handsome actor they like but they approved of Craig. What does this tell you? Women dig the guy. The rest of us men are perplexed exactly as to why but they do. Hence, women might ultimately respond to Craig as Bond better than men will. Perhaps we just don't "get" it.

Good post.

I mean, when I look at the picture of Craig and Brosnan in the other thread, Craig looks like a bloomin' chimney sweep who's been excessively hitting the cheap gin for all of the 30 years he's lived in that tiny flat with his bitter, nagging wife.

But there are some other pictures of him that I can't take my eyes off for the coolness factor. And his turn in Layer Cake was quintessentially cool.

Bring him on, and let the marketing department work out how to get the bums in seats [I've made a few suggestions earlier in the thread.]

He would be a way cool James Bond.

[Skudor]

...
I mean, when I look at the picture of Craig and Brosnan in the other thread, Craig looks like a bloomin' chimney sweep who's been excessively hitting the cheap gin for all of the 30 years he's lived in that tiny flat with his bitter, nagging wife.
...

Actually, that had me thinking of James Bond (up until the nagging wife bit). I think Craig might just look like a realistic James Bond, but I'd rather not have to watch him as Bond.

[zencat]

Don't panic! This is just a summery of the current Craig whatnot. All we can really offer is confirmation that the Craig candidacy is VERY real.

Is Daniel Craig Close to Becoming 007?

A wave of recent reports stir hopes, speculation, and debate