63 replies to this topic

[Tim007]

Seal Lined Up To Play Henchman?
English pop singer to play character called "Solari"?

[marktmurphy]

Sounds believable. I've never seen him act, but it could easily happen I suppose. Nothing against the chap.

[Loomis]

*Sigh* Sounds a bit showbiz backslappy to me - why not get, y'know, an actor for the role? What next? Jamie Oliver as Tanner? Ellen MacArthur as Loelia Ponsonby? Reminds me of the casting of Goldie in THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH - and he gave a lousy performance.

[whitesox]

This story sounds strange. But Seal is physically very bondian. Incredible face.

[Blue07]

I think this sounds very plausible. Singer and not an actor playing small role as henchman? EON have been down that road before. Provided the guy can act then i'm all for it, he looks great and can see him looking good on screen. Maybe he will get a shot at the theme song too?

[Loomis]

In a characteristic piece of ideas-recycling from Eon, it seems they've knocked the final "s" off the original name for the Icarus weapon from DIE ANOTHER DAY, et voila - a henchman's name.

[Inner Bond]

In a characteristic piece of ideas-recycling from Eon, it seems they've knocked the final "s" off the original name for the Icarus weapon from DIE ANOTHER DAY, et voila - a henchman's name.

This brings me back memories of Mr. Kill.

[David Schofield]

*Sigh* Sounds a bit showbiz backslappy to me - why not get, y'know, an actor for the role? What next? Jamie Oliver as Tanner? Ellen MacArthur as Loelia Ponsonby? Reminds me of the casting of Goldie in THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH - and he gave a lousy performance.

In a characteristic piece of ideas-recycling from Eon, it seems they've knocked the final "s" off the original name for the Icarus weapon from DIE ANOTHER DAY, et voila - a henchman's name.

Might not be that bad, Loom. Goldie was clearly there just for padding and the benefit his name brought to the cast for appeal to younger elements: you know, that old sod Brozza couldn't appeal to

IF Seal is given a PROPER role - as in something to do with the story - unlike the gratuitous addition of Goldie - it could work out.

[eddyellis]

Why this distinction between actors and singers? If a person is known for one, does this automatically preclude them from doing the other? I bring your attention to Britain's Billie Piper, once teen pop princess, now an award winning (and damn fine IMO) actress.

As for Seal, I

[Forever007]

Lets all hope he's better than Goldie from the TWINE.

[Harmsway]

This is one of those "it could be good, or it could be bad" things. Lookswise, he'd be awesome. He could make an incredible Bond henchman. But can he act? Time will tell.

[License To Kill]

I think it now seems more plausible that some of those nasty Heidi Klum rumors might be true.

[Simon]

Reminds me of the casting of Goldie in THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH - and he gave a lousy performance.

And thus, was well suited to the movie.

[spynovelfan]

Let's hold our horses - the only source for this is one British tabloid (repeated by a German magazine). I find it very unlikely. Seal is fairly publicity shy, as it goes. He also makes one album about every six years. He's never acted in a film before, but if he wanted to break into films, why on earth now, when he's loaded and just got married and got another six years to make the next album? Why not ten years ago when he was a global superstar? Why as a Bond henchman? I think he'd have better offers (much more so than Goldie).

I just think it's very unlikely. He's not even henchman material. Apart from looking like a model, he looks rather nice - not menacing at all. Lupus scars, yes - but I really can't see him wanting to make a film on the basis of his exotically scarred face being a feature.

Just don't see this happening, myself.

[hcmv007]

I think he could be henchmam material-espiecially if it is just a cameo role and he has no lines.

[Tarl_Cabot]

*sigh* Do we really need celebrities in this movie?


Ok ok.... *stops bitching* I just hope he doesn't do double duty and perform the song too.

[Judo chop]

Didn't Seal appear in a Verizon wireless commercial just recently? Who says he can't act? He's a seasoned veteran behind the camera!
He definitely has a very unique face. One that won't need additional refinements - gold teeth, etc. I agree with Loomis though - they need to change that name. They talk about reboots and reinventing the wheel, then recycle a name from the epitome of what they are supposedly trying to stay away from. Now's not the time to be doing tributes to yourself, EON.

[The Dove]

Seal's a good singer and I love his music. He might be a good choice for the title song in my opinion. As for him playing a henchman, yeah I can definitely see him doing that. He has the looks.

[Shrublands]

It seems like a very typical bit of Bond casting to me, part of what the series does; have a non-actor if they have something to offer physically to the part of a henchman.

Harold Sakata or Geoffrey Holder or Putter Smith or Grace Jones: its part of the character of the series and the rich tapestry of the Bond tradition. Let

[Judo chop]

True or not though, I'm glad to have some news of some potential substance. Isn't our due date this coming November? Shouldn't there be even a little more news on the CR front than what we're getting?

[trumanlodge89]

hes got the perfect look for a henchman. using singers has worked before, so why not?

[tdalton]

This is a good bit of casting, IMO. He looks like he would make a much better henchman than any of the ones we had during the Brosnan films. I think that this will work out very well for Casino Royale, if the rumor is true.

[K1Bond007]

Seal? Come on... not to doubt his talent as an actor or anything, but he's not an actor. So seriously. WTF. How about someone who is an actor? Why not.. Djimon Hounsou?

This just seems silly. Of course it wouldn't be the first time they've pulled something like this. Goldie, Jimmy Dean, and to a lesser extent Madonna.

..oh well.

[zencat]

Sounds plausible. Good work sniffing this one out, Tim. I'm intrigued by the African connection. Could it be that Casino Royale is still set in South Africa (with The Bahamas doubling)?

Solari? Well, it's better than Mr. Kil.

[Simon]

It's a good point about the popularising aspects of this piece of casting.

I really thought that this film would steer totally clear of the popularising in terms of casting and indeed the singer, and if they intend to keep on down this well advertised route, I feel unknowns throughout are the way to go.

But then Diana Rigg was cast opposite Lazenby, but then she was a proven actress.....

[Whalltt]

Could work fine. Looks bondian,... agree with the above.

But I can't help feeling tired of all this "singer has a role in Bond movie - could perform the title song" news.

If it comes to be true, I could like the final thing. But now I'm wishing they hire actors to do the acting.

[belvedere]

Yeah, I think Seal will work great with Gulshan Grover...

Let's give this a rest until EON announces something. How about who is going to play Vesper? Much more interesting (and I hope it is Charlize Theron).

[Lounge Lizard]

If it's true, I don't really see a distinct break from tradition. Henchmen roles in Bond movies have been filled out before by people who were performers rather than actors- be they C&W singers or show wrestlers.

Edited by Lounge Lizard, 13 December 2005 - 07:26 PM.

[Gobi-1]

I like it. It's an offbeat choice but one I think could work very well. Seal has an interesting look, voice and presence. Plus as others have mentioned he could sing the title track as well.

[Qwerty]

This is one of those "it could be good, or it could be bad" things. Lookswise, he'd be awesome. He could make an incredible Bond henchman. But can he act? Time will tell.

Interesting. Pretty much agree with the statements made by Harmsway here.

Odd name though - Loomis' idea is most likely right.