504 replies to this topic

[Loomis]

[quote name='Shrublands' date='15 September 2005 - 13:27'][quote name='Morrigan' date='14 September 2005 - 20:42']Hi there, posting from the Bahamas.

[Shrublands]

Hi there, posting from the Bahamas.  First post too.

Our film department here has announced that Daniel Craig has been chosen for the 007 part.
They described him as younger, less well-known actor with a special kind of energy.

I immediately looked him up on the Internet, and I must say I'm not too impressed with the choice.
I've seen him in Elizabeth and The Jacket. He's a good actor, but I just don't see him as James Bond.

I am not saying that I believe this but it might be worth remembering how word of Halle Berry playing Jinx got out. They (Eon) were in Korea during pre-production and told local production people, that they were working with there, about Berry being cast. The people in Korea did not know that it was intended to be a secret and spilled the beans early.

Doesn't the "From Script to Screen" documentary on the DIE ANOTHER DAY DVD feature casting director Debbie McWilliams saying that she "blurted out" the news of Berry at a party in London, only to find it all over the front pages the following day? Something like that, anyway? (Still, it appears that there are always two or three different versions of stories like this.) Rather like Judi Dench revealing - and apparently with no notion that it might have been sensitive information - the "news" that a Brosnan comeback would be announced this summer.

These Eon people - all you have to do is engineer some kind of meeting with them, and they'll probably be quite happy to tell you who the new Bond is. Unless you're a reporter, of course, but otherwise they'll spill the beans - because it's not as though people post messages on the internet or go telling tales to the press, eh?

No, on that documentary she says she told a

[Loomis]

Ah, okay. Thanks, Shrublands. It's been a long while since I watched "From Script to Screen".

[Shrublands]

Ah, okay. Thanks, Shrublands. It's been a long while since I watched "From Script to Screen".

No problem Loomis.

What made it stick in my head was the way that something on the DVD release completely tallied with things that we had seen unfold here.

Zencat (I think) commented on the forums at the time, that someone had most likely let the cat out of the bag early. It all turned out to be true and the way it was

[tdalton]

I'm hoping that someone has let this information slip just like they let the news about Halle Berry slip. Daniel Craig would be a brave choice, yes, but I think that it's about time for EON to start taking some risks. If they keep things at the status quo for too long, they will run the risk of putting Bond into a rut that he'll never be able to escape from.

[Loomis]

I'm hoping that someone has let this information slip just like they let the news about Halle Berry slip.  Daniel Craig would be a brave choice, yes, but I think that it's about time for EON to start taking some risks.  If they keep things at the status quo for too long, they will run the risk of putting Bond into a rut that he'll never be able to escape from.

Couldn't agree more. Won't happen, though. Craig will join the likes of Owen and Ewan Stewart in the ranks of "the greats who got away".

[tdalton]

[quote name='Loomis' date='15 September 2005 - 10:14'][quote name='tdalton' date='15 September 2005 - 14:13']I'm hoping that someone has let this information slip just like they let the news about Halle Berry slip.

[Loomis]

Then again, that could be a bit of "Craigology"

Yeah, I think it is, to be frank. I believe collecting first editions is an increasingly popular thing to do among the rich and famous (not that I move in those circles, of course), and that the Flemings are seen as particularly sound investments. For instance, I think George P. Cosmatos, director of RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD PART II, sold his Fleming firsts recently, shortly before his death, and I seem to recall reading something somewhere a while back about some rock star who's started to collect Bond firsts.

Look at his looks, man - Craig won't be Bond. Not today and not tomorrow. Not now and not ever. Seriously, I'd rank his chances as about the same as those of Ewan Stewart.

And now to be an utter hypocrite and indulge in a spot of Owenology: could it be that Sony and Eon have finally reached a deal with him? That acclaimed screenwriter Paul Haggis was hired to bring the script up to Owen's high artistic standards? That The Powers That Be have decided on a happy medium between paying Brosnan $40 million and paying someone like O'Lachlan peanuts: offering Owen an enormously attractive fee of $20 million or thereabouts to spend a few months playing Bond in the Bahamas under the direction of his old pal Campbell, who's on record as saying that Owen would be a superb 007? In an adaptation of CASINO ROYALE, the Fleming novel that started it all? Sure, Owen seems to have a lot of work on his plate, but didn't he film all his scenes for SIN CITY in only a couple of weeks? Maybe he could squeeze in CASINO ROYALE. Maybe he's realised that being Bond for five years or so might not actually ruin his career after all, but might raise his profile considerably while allowing him to keep making interesting films on the side, and would bring him an absolutely massive fortune, the sort of money he wouldn't be able to earn even from the likes of SHOOT 'EM UP, let alone the likes of I'LL SLEEP WHEN I'M DEAD. Maybe he's thought to himself: hey, no one's laughing at Christian Bale for playing Batman or saying he's no longer a serious actor.

Oh well, probably not.

[tdalton]

Yeah, I think it is, to be frank. I believe collecting first editions is an increasingly popular thing to do among the rich and famous (not that I move in those circles, of course), and that the Flemings are seen as particularly sound investments. For instance, I think George P. Cosmatos, director of RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD PART II, sold his Fleming firsts recently, shortly before his death, and I seem to recall reading something somewhere a while back about some rock star who's started to collect Bond firsts.

I was not aware of that. One would have to think, though, that Daniel Craig would know what kind of frenzy he would set off if he was to go inquire about a CR first edition when he's been linked so closely to the role of James Bond in the film adaptation of Casino Royale.

Anyway, hopefully we'll know who Bond is soon.

[Shrublands]

I think there has got to be more to this story. It first appears in Variety, now it

[K1Bond007]

[quote name='Shrublands' date='15 September 2005 - 09:45']I think there has got to be more to this story. It first appears in Variety, now it

[zencat]

I think it smacks of having a publicists finger prints on it but who are the publicists working for and why this?

Good observation, Shrublands.

[Loomis]

zencat, are you sure that CBn's sources are saying that Craig is a genuine contender for CASINO ROYALE (and a hot contender, too - "back in a big way" was how this "news" was announced by a staffer here a while back, I think)? And for the Bond role, not for Le Chiffre or something?

If so, are you sure that this isn't just a case of disinformation? Because it seems very hard to believe that Craig is in the running. I mean, have you seen any of his films?

[SecretAgentFan]

I also don

[Bon-san]

If so, are you sure that this isn't just a case of disinformation? Because it seems very hard to believe that Craig is in the running. I mean, have you seen any of his films?

But wouldn't we have said the same thing about Dalton in 1985?

[zencat]

zencat, are you sure that CBn's sources are saying that Craig is a genuine contender for CASINO ROYALE (and a hot contender, too - "back in a big way" was how this "news" was announced by a staffer here a while back, I think)? And for the Bond role, not for Le Chiffre or something?

If so, are you sure that this isn't just a case of disinformation? Because it seems very hard to believe that Craig is in the running. I mean, have you seen any of his films?

I'm sure. And it's Bond he's testing for.

Have Layer Cake sitting here, but I haven't watched it yet. Saw him in Tomb Rader though. He's an unconventional choice, I agree, but I can now see him as Bond if their intent is to do a much more serious and gritty Bond film. He certainly isn't a Pierce clone. Maybe that's what Babs likes best about him.

[Loomis]

If so, are you sure that this isn't just a case of disinformation? Because it seems very hard to believe that Craig is in the running. I mean, have you seen any of his films?

But wouldn't we have said the same thing about Dalton in 1985?

Why? Dalton was very handsome. He looked like a conventional Bond, more or less (now, a lot has been said about Craig's face, so no need to add more venom, but I'll just say this: he often reminds me of Mark E. Smith, lead "singer" of The Fall). And he didn't look about 20 years older than he actually was. Dalton had the right physique for Bond, too, and I don't think his career in 1986 was quite as glittering as Craig's is today. He wasn't wowing hip critics in a LAYER CAKE-type cult smash, or playing a large role in the upcoming Spielberg film.

I mean, I see what you're saying, Bon-san. In some ways, Dalton would have seemed a curious choice for Bond (his "intensity" and so on), and indeed I remember reading the news of his casting in 1986 and thinking "Huh, they've chosen this guy? Looks a bit of a doom merchant!", but he did at least look the part of 007 to a much greater extent than Craig.

[Shrublands]

And stories like this are springing up with him being described as a

Edited by Shrublands, 15 September 2005 - 04:23 PM.

[K1Bond007]

[quote name='Shrublands' date='15 September 2005 - 11:21']And stories like this are springing up with him being described as a

[Loomis]

zencat, are you sure that CBn's sources are saying that Craig is a genuine contender for CASINO ROYALE (and a hot contender, too - "back in a big way" was how this "news" was announced by a staffer here a while back, I think)? And for the Bond role, not for Le Chiffre or something?

If so, are you sure that this isn't just a case of disinformation? Because it seems very hard to believe that Craig is in the running. I mean, have you seen any of his films?

I'm sure. And it's Bond he's testing for.

Have Layer Cake sitting here, but I haven't watched it yet. Saw him in Tomb Rader though. He's an unconventional choice, I agree, but I can now see him as Bond if their intent is to do a much more serious and gritty Bond film. He certainly isn't a Pierce clone. Maybe that's what Babs likes best about him.

Cheers, zenmeister. Seriously, I'm amazed. As I'm sure you and Athena will be once you've seen LAYER CAKE. He's not merely "an unconventional choice", but just about the most insanely risky option Sony and Eon could possibly go for. If they're actively trying to find a Bond who'll polarise fans, critics and general audiences like never before, while also having the strong potential to sink the series forever, Craig's their man.

I'm railing against him, I know, but I'd actually like to see Craig as Bond. I've written at some length about how brilliant I think his acting in LAYER CAKE is (I'll be interested to read your views, and those of Athena, and not just on Craig but also on whether Sony and Eon missed a major trick by not hiring Matthew Vaughn), but I just can't get my head around the idea that he has any chance at all of donning the tux. He makes the likes of Visnjic and Ewan Stewart look like safe, conservative choices, and, frankly, I find it impossible to believe that the Bond people would be remotely near brave enough.

[Shrublands]

[quote name='K1Bond007' date='15 September 2005 - 16:25'][quote name='Shrublands' date='15 September 2005 - 11:21']And stories like this are springing up with him being described as a

[Bon-san]

zencat, are you sure that CBn's sources are saying that Craig is a genuine contender for CASINO ROYALE (and a hot contender, too - "back in a big way" was how this "news" was announced by a staffer here a while back, I think)? And for the Bond role, not for Le Chiffre or something?

If so, are you sure that this isn't just a case of disinformation? Because it seems very hard to believe that Craig is in the running. I mean, have you seen any of his films?

I'm sure. And it's Bond he's testing for.

Have Layer Cake sitting here, but I haven't watched it yet. Saw him in Tomb Rader though. He's an unconventional choice, I agree, but I can now see him as Bond if their intent is to do a much more serious and gritty Bond film. He certainly isn't a Pierce clone. Maybe that's what Babs likes best about him.

Cheers, zenmeister. Seriously, I'm amazed. As I'm sure you and Athena will be once you've seen LAYER CAKE. He's not merely "an unconventional choice", but just about the most insanely risky option Sony and Eon could possibly go for. If they're actively trying to find a Bond who'll polarise fans, critics and general audiences like never before, while also having the strong potential to sink the series forever, Craig's their man.

I'm railing against him, I know, but I'd actually like to see Craig as Bond. I've written at some length about how brilliant I think his acting in LAYER CAKE is (I'll be interested to read your views, and those of Athena, and not just on Craig but also on whether Sony and Eon missed a major trick by not hiring Matthew Vaughn), but I just can't get my head around the idea that he has any chance at all of donning the tux.

If the marketing dept. handles things correctly, then I don't think his casting would polarize fans, critics and general audiences. You yourself have compared Craig to McQueen, who was revered by all as the coolest, sexiest cat for the duration of his Hollywood run.

Let me be in charge of the pre-release marketing! I might start with a series of articles in which the Craig/McQueen similarity is given heavy play. I would definitely milk the Kate Moss angle. Maybe an advert or two for a premium cologne or clothing line, or perhaps even for Aston Martin. He'd do every red carpet from LA to Mumbai with Kate or some other hottie (preferably some other hottie on at least one occasion to send the Rags into high tabloid gear). Then, come spring, saturation adverts featuring Craig as "The New James Bond", followed by cinema teasers for Casino Royale all summer long. Voila! He's accepted. Then we only have the film itself to worry about, and with Haggis and Campbell, I'm feeling reasonably confident there.


As for his acting in Layer Cake, I wouldn't so much call it "brilliant" (although he is capable of it, for sure), but rather "extremely cool." And cool is, I think, WAAAYY more important in regards to Bond, no?

[tdalton]

zencat, are you sure that CBn's sources are saying that Craig is a genuine contender for CASINO ROYALE (and a hot contender, too - "back in a big way" was how this "news" was announced by a staffer here a while back, I think)? And for the Bond role, not for Le Chiffre or something?

If so, are you sure that this isn't just a case of disinformation? Because it seems very hard to believe that Craig is in the running. I mean, have you seen any of his films?

I'm sure. And it's Bond he's testing for.

Have Layer Cake sitting here, but I haven't watched it yet. Saw him in Tomb Rader though. He's an unconventional choice, I agree, but I can now see him as Bond if their intent is to do a much more serious and gritty Bond film. He certainly isn't a Pierce clone. Maybe that's what Babs likes best about him.

Cheers, zenmeister. Seriously, I'm amazed. As I'm sure you and Athena will be once you've seen LAYER CAKE. He's not merely "an unconventional choice", but just about the most insanely risky option Sony and Eon could possibly go for. If they're actively trying to find a Bond who'll polarise fans, critics and general audiences like never before, while also having the strong potential to sink the series forever, Craig's their man.

I'm railing against him, I know, but I'd actually like to see Craig as Bond. I've written at some length about how brilliant I think his acting in LAYER CAKE is (I'll be interested to read your views, and those of Athena, and not just on Craig but also on whether Sony and Eon missed a major trick by not hiring Matthew Vaughn), but I just can't get my head around the idea that he has any chance at all of donning the tux.

If the marketing dept. handles things correctly, then I don't think his casting would polarize fans, critics and general audiences. You yourself have compared Craig to McQueen, who was revered by all as the coolest, sexiest cat for the duration of his Hollywood run.

Let me be in charge of the pre-release marketing! I might start with a series of articles in which the Craig/McQueen similarity is given heavy play. I would definitely milk the Kate Moss angle. Maybe an advert or two for a premium cologne or clothing line, or perhaps even for Aston Martin. He'd do every red carpet from LA to Mumbai with Kate or some other hottie (preferably some other hottie on at least one occasion to send the Rags into high tabloid gear). Then, come spring, saturation adverts featuring Craig as "The New James Bond", followed by cinema teasers for Casino Royale all summer long. Voila! He's accepted. Then we only have the film itself to worry about, and with Haggis and Campbell, I'm feeling reasonably confident there.


As for his acting in Layer Cake, I wouldn't so much call it "brilliant" (although he is capable of it, for sure), but rather "extremely cool." And cool is, I think, WAAAYY more important in regards to Bond, no?

You've got some good ideas there. Maybe they should put you in charge of selling Craig to the general public, should he be cast.

[Bon-san]

zencat, are you sure that CBn's sources are saying that Craig is a genuine contender for CASINO ROYALE (and a hot contender, too - "back in a big way" was how this "news" was announced by a staffer here a while back, I think)? And for the Bond role, not for Le Chiffre or something?

If so, are you sure that this isn't just a case of disinformation? Because it seems very hard to believe that Craig is in the running. I mean, have you seen any of his films?

I'm sure. And it's Bond he's testing for.

Have Layer Cake sitting here, but I haven't watched it yet. Saw him in Tomb Rader though. He's an unconventional choice, I agree, but I can now see him as Bond if their intent is to do a much more serious and gritty Bond film. He certainly isn't a Pierce clone. Maybe that's what Babs likes best about him.

Cheers, zenmeister. Seriously, I'm amazed. As I'm sure you and Athena will be once you've seen LAYER CAKE. He's not merely "an unconventional choice", but just about the most insanely risky option Sony and Eon could possibly go for. If they're actively trying to find a Bond who'll polarise fans, critics and general audiences like never before, while also having the strong potential to sink the series forever, Craig's their man.

I'm railing against him, I know, but I'd actually like to see Craig as Bond. I've written at some length about how brilliant I think his acting in LAYER CAKE is (I'll be interested to read your views, and those of Athena, and not just on Craig but also on whether Sony and Eon missed a major trick by not hiring Matthew Vaughn), but I just can't get my head around the idea that he has any chance at all of donning the tux.

If the marketing dept. handles things correctly, then I don't think his casting would polarize fans, critics and general audiences. You yourself have compared Craig to McQueen, who was revered by all as the coolest, sexiest cat for the duration of his Hollywood run.

Let me be in charge of the pre-release marketing! I might start with a series of articles in which the Craig/McQueen similarity is given heavy play. I would definitely milk the Kate Moss angle. Maybe an advert or two for a premium cologne or clothing line, or perhaps even for Aston Martin. He'd do every red carpet from LA to Mumbai with Kate or some other hottie (preferably some other hottie on at least one occasion to send the Rags into high tabloid gear). Then, come spring, saturation adverts featuring Craig as "The New James Bond", followed by cinema teasers for Casino Royale all summer long. Voila! He's accepted. Then we only have the film itself to worry about, and with Haggis and Campbell, I'm feeling reasonably confident there.


As for his acting in Layer Cake, I wouldn't so much call it "brilliant" (although he is capable of it, for sure), but rather "extremely cool." And cool is, I think, WAAAYY more important in regards to Bond, no?

You've got some good ideas there. Maybe they should put you in charge of selling Craig to the general public, should he be cast.

I'd work cheap!

[Loomis]

[quote name='Bon-san' date='15 September 2005 - 16:46']If the marketing dept. handles things correctly, then I don't think his casting would polarize fans, critics and general audiences.

[SecretAgentFan]

Problem is, for me, that Craig actually looks so slight between other guys, like a kid brother. If he were taller I might get around his weathered looks. But if you put him next to Connery... my, oh, my - Connery would beat him up with his little finger.

[Bon-san]

I wish I could feel more upbeat about Craig's chances, but I just can't get around the question of his looks.

Understood.

But I'm subscribing to the notion (for today anyway ) that we fanboys have developed a much narrower spectrum of acceptability with regards to "the look" of The Man Who Would Be Bond Six. The ticket-purchasing masses, being far less emotionally invested in this, are more relaxed in their assessments of what constitutes a credible Bond. And they will embrace Craig as 007.

Or so the theory goes.

[Mister Asterix]

I don't know. Not to sound like Moomoo, but can we really have a Bond who's not "VERY HANDSOME!"?

...

I wish I could feel more upbeat about Craig's chances, but I just can't get around the question of his looks.

[mra]But I do think Craig is handsome; he just

[Loomis]

I wish I could feel more upbeat about Craig's chances, but I just can't get around the question of his looks.

Understood.

But I'm subscribing to the notion (for today anyway ) that we fanboys have developed a much narrower spectrum of acceptability with regards to "the look" of The Man Who Would Be Bond Six. The ticket-purchasing masses, being far less emotionally invested in this, are more relaxed in their assessments of what constitutes a credible Bond.

Well, I think you're right about that. However....

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I think that Brosnan has - unfortunately - raised the bar when it comes to a Bond actor's looks. Craig could have followed Dalton or Moore (the Moore of FOR YOUR EYES ONLY, OCTOPUSSY and A VIEW TO A KILL, at least - the elderly, haggard Moore) and no one would have batted an eyelid. But if they make him walk that opening gunbarrel logo after Broz, people won't just be batting their eyelids, their eyes will be tumbling out of their heads.

Maybe I'm being unfair. Maybe I'm being too harsh about Craig's appearance. Maybe he's an awful lot better-looking than I'm making him out to be. But I don't think so.

If they make him Bond in CASINO ROYALE (and, again, I'll be very pleased if they do), I'm sure that CR will make money, but how about BOND 22? And, unlike others here, I'm far from convinced that Craig would be good for anything other than "gritty", "back-to-basics" and "Fleming's Bond". I can't picture him carrying a DIE ANOTHER DAY-style fun-for-all-the-family escapist romp any more than I can picture Steve Buscemi doing so.

Will people forget Brosnan so easily? Even if they do, won't they still think: hang on, the last Bond, whoever he was, name escapes me, but wasn't he vastly more handsome than this new guy?

Sony and Eon, prove me wrong! Please!

[Loomis]

[quote name='Mister Asterix' date='15 September 2005 - 18:11'][quote name='Loomis' date='15 September 2005 - 12:17']I don't know. Not to sound like Moomoo, but can we really have a Bond who's not "VERY HANDSOME!"?

...

I wish I could feel more upbeat about Craig's chances, but I just can't get around the question of his looks.

[/quote]

[mra]But I do think Craig is handsome; he just