25 replies to this topic

[malaysian_bond]

Whem i read the Bond novels, i was impressed by the character Rene Mathis. He was like a sidekick to Bond, and is also a great supporting character in From Russia With love. So, who should play him in the movie? He has never appeared in any of the Bond movies except Royale 67 and i believe that CR may be a good start for Mathis. So who should play Rene Mathis? My pick is Liam Neeson.

[JackChase007]

Why not cast a French actor for a French character?

Personally, I think the clear choice would be Jean Reno, but I could see where some people would argue against it since he's Hollywood's "go-to French guy".

[MarcAngeDraco]

I'll second the Jean Reno nomination.

[Bill Tanner]

Christopher Lambert.

[Double-Oh Agent]

Whem i read the Bond novels, i was impressed by the character Rene Mathis. He was like a sidekick to Bond, and is also a great supporting character in From Russia With love. So, who should play him in the movie? He has never appeared in any of the Bond movies except Royale 67 and i believe that CR may be a good start for Mathis. So who should play Rene Mathis? My pick is Liam Neeson.

Rene Mathis is basically the European Felix Leiter. Where Leiter is Bond's best friend outside the service, Mathis is Bond's best friend in Europe. And Bill Tanner is 007's best friend at MI6--perhaps his best friend of all.

But getting back to the question, Reno would be fine as Mathis but I would prefer to see him as a villain or henchman. My choice for Casino Royale would be Vincent Cassel.

[level007]

Please god no Christophe Lambert...

There is quite a lot of good french actor that would be better.
i will try to put a list soon

[whitesox]

Clovis Cornillac!
He's really GREAT.

[double-O-Durg]

Reno, Cassel and maybe even that French guy from the Matrix 2 would all be ok as Mathis.

Do you ever think Suchet was going to be Mathis? - his name was attached to the film for a while

[whitesox]

even that French guy from the Matrix 2 would all be ok as Mathis.

Do you mean Lambert Wilson?
He's gay and it's may be too...visible

[mccartney007]

But getting back to the question, Reno would be fine as Mathis but I would prefer to see him as a villain or henchman. My choice for Casino Royale would be Vincent Cassel.

Cassel would be a fine choice, I agree.

[Gabe Vieira]

But getting back to the question, Reno would be fine as Mathis but I would prefer to see him as a villain or henchman. My choice for Casino Royale would be Vincent Cassel.

Cassel would be a fine choice, I agree.

I third that. He would be the best choice. I just think that Jean Reno is not good James Bond material.

[B007GLE]

Maurice CHevalier!

If he's still dead then Jean Reno although he may be more of a French Jack Wade.

[Leon]

Michael Lonsdale




Jean Reno

Edited by Leon, 08 December 2005 - 09:18 PM.

[Lounge Lizard]

I nominate Vincent Lindon and Thierry Lhermitte. But I have a feeling that Mathis is not going to make it into Haggis's final draft.

Edited by Lounge Lizard, 08 December 2005 - 09:40 PM.

[Leon]

Why not? That would have been like leaving Quarrel out of Dr No.

[dinovelvet]

Why not? That would have been like leaving Quarrel out of Dr No.

Well it doesn't look like the Casino Royale will be located in France (unless Italy is going to substitute for France?!), so there's no point having a French agent. Plus does Bond really need two allies? I'll gladly sacrifice having Mathis in it if they put in Leiter and use him well (and for God's sake, sign the Leiter actor for at least three films, lets not have the revolving Felixes again!)

[Lounge Lizard]

Exactly, Dinovelvet. As I stated in an earlier post, I have the sneaking suspicion that the screenwriters won't use Mathis, and reinvent his most important bit from the novel (the 'good vs. evil'-discussion in the hospital) as a scene between Bond and M- the words 'Don't let me down and become human yourself, we would lose such a wonderful machine' is very well suited to set up the relationship between Bond and M for the Craig era. And setting up that relationship is at this stage more important than setting up the relationship with Mathis, since Mathis would probably never be used in future films anyway. Mind you, all this is pure speculation on my part, call it a pet theory; but I think that the writers will also find Mathis not distinct enough from Leiter (who I guess they will use, because he is already an established character- I guess the Mathis bits of the novel will be divided up between M and Leiter). I could be proven wrong however. And in that case: Lindon or Lhermitte.

[double-O-Durg]

I think they are more likely to use Mathis than they are Leiter. Using Leiter would be too problematic with the is he/isn't he injured and why, continuity etc etc.

[Carver]

I think they are more likely to use Mathis than they are Leiter. Using Leiter would be too problematic with the is he/isn't he injured and why, continuity etc etc.

I agree. I'd love to see either of the characters in CR, preferrably Leiter, but I can't see EOn doing that. Along with the whole injury thing, Leiter hasn't been seen for 16 years, 17 by the time CR comes out and althought we won't forget him, most filmgoers will have. Most likely they'll go with Mathis. Having said that, for some reason I really can't see them introducing Mathis, if they were going to introduced him to the film series, then surely they would have done it by now.

[Forever007]

Without a doubt, Sir Ron Jeremy.

[dinovelvet]

I think they are more likely to use Mathis than they are Leiter. Using Leiter would be too problematic with the is he/isn't he injured and why, continuity etc etc.

I agree. I'd love to see either of the characters in CR, preferrably Leiter, but I can't see EOn doing that. Along with the whole injury thing, Leiter hasn't been seen for 16 years, 17 by the time CR comes out and althought we won't forget him, most filmgoers will have. Most likely they'll go with Mathis. Having said that, for some reason I really can't see them introducing Mathis, if they were going to introduced him to the film series, then surely they would have done it by now.

I think Leiter will be in it, if only so they can have a token American actor in there. As for the LTK injury issue, well they're just going to ignore it. It's a reboot, and very few people are even going to remember LTK outside of the hardcore contingent. My prediction is Leiter is in, with all appendages, and Mathis is out.

[Double-Oh Agent]

Unfortunately Dinovelvet, you're probably right in your previous post, especially about the reboot, but I hope not--on all counts, especially the reboot.

I, for one, want to see Rene Mathis in a Bond film. He is an important character in the Bond universe. Granted, not as much as Felix Leiter, but he comes right after him--at least of those outside MI6. It's Mathis with the inside connections in Casino Royale, it's Mathis who's good friends with Bond throughout the novel, it's Mathis who introduces Bond to Vesper Lynd, and--as has been mentioned earlier--it's Mathis who has the important conversations with Bond. Mathis is too invaluable a character to just cast aside. It would be like doing most of the series without Chief of Staff Bill Tanner...oh wait.

Anyway, I say keep Mathis and an actor like Vincent Cassel as Mathis would be the right age to play opposite Daniel Craig's James Bond and the two would seem highly believable to be good pals. Cassel can play either friendly good guy roles or dastardly evil ones. One good example of this is Ocean's Twelve. Let the casting begin.

[ACE]

Stuff Mathis. Bring back Jack Wade.

Who cares about the book, anyways!

They should just set the movie in Reno.

But if they have to have Mathis, I think the idea of Lambert Wilson is inspired. He is suave and an almost Bond and could be avuncular like the character but would not outshine Craig's star (like Reno and Cassell could do).

[BondReader 007]

Why not cast a French actor for a French character?

Personally, I think the clear choice would be Jean Reno, but I could see where some people would argue against it since he's Hollywood's "go-to French guy".

I couldn't agree more. Jean Reno would be an excellent choice.

[Qwerty]

Who cares about the book, anyways!

ACE, what is the matter with you??!

[ACE]

Who cares about the book, anyways!

ACE, what is the matter with you??!

Sorry, I ran out of medication.
The Bond police put me back on the drip.



BTW, Qwerty, an observation. Of all the people who post on here, you intrigue me the most. Firstly the volume of your posts. Secondly, the maturity and quality of your posts and views is impressive. Thirdly, the fact you are so well versed in film and literature and music. Where do you find the time? I've become a fan of yours!

I just wanted you to know.



ACE