98 replies to this topic

[Seannery]

Happy belated New Year everyone-i'm back from my long vacation of all things Bond. I needed a rest after that endless Bond search. Catching up on my CBn reading with "The Men Who Could Have Been Bond" article gave me the idea for this thread and how JULIAN McMAHON could very well be BOND #7 if Daniel Craig fails to ignite which is at least possible.

What was interesting in that article was CBn's reporting that BOTH Eon and Martin Campbell were GREATLY impressed with Julian McMahon as they looked at him up close in consideration to be the next 007--BUT he didn't make the finals for reasons unknown. All of this is verified and not rumors according to CBn's personal reporting.

This is odd that he wasn't picked with GREATLY(not just impressing but "greatly impressing") impressing Eon and Campbell. Think on this--Daniel Craig was liked by Babs only and certainly not by Campbell, McMahon was easily more well known than Craig with his TV fame, McMahon is 6'3" and conventionally good looking while being the same age as Craig(and almost certainly looks younger).

So why Craig and not McMahon? I'll submit that being tied to Nip/Tuck ultimately held Julian up. That an agreement couldn't be made between Sony, Eon and Paramont(Nip/Tuck's studio).

Remember that Julian McMahon unlike Daniel Craig was seen by many as a natural Bond even before his named popped up in Eon rumors and was always showing well in Bond polls even though not quite as well as Jackman and Owen. But with his TV fame Julian was definitely ahead of Craig and most of the others who were being considered. Add to that he GREATLY impressed Eon and Campbell(and no I don't think Sony would object with someone who had the look and name recognition along with acclaimed TV work) would make him the natural choice as the next James Bond.

Also remember that earlier in the search process McMahon was prominently seen as a serious candidate which CBn also verified at the time. So something seemed to nudge him out of the way which lead ultimately to the more unlikely Daniel Craig to the front of the 007 race.

I'm thinking strongly it's the TV show ala Remington that stopped him. There were rumors that he wasn't considered or Eon didn't like his tactics in getting attention BUT CBn's reporting shows that false--he didn't need to grab attention since he already was being considered and GREATLY impressed.

So now we have the "Daniel Craig Experiment"--as Craig says we basically have Bond Begins. It will be more gritty and serious without the conventionally handsome Bond. This is risky(like it or not)--it may or may not work.

IF it doesn't work and Daniel Craig onlys lasts one or two Bonds then i'll be THE FIRST TO PREDICT(even before CR starts filming) that JULIAN McMAHON will be the NEXT BOND. That by 3 to 6 years in the future McMahon will be out of Nip/Tuck and free to work with Eon who he already GREATLY impressed.

That if Craig FAILS it would be the safest for Eon and Sony to go for someone who is seen as a NATURAL Bond and who is tall and conventionally good looking in the CLASSIC Bond sense. And at the same age as Craig(while looking younger)he can easily slip into the tux after one or two Craig Bonds since the beginning Bond of Craig is no younger than McMahon. McMahon fits the bill and Eon already likes him. And opposed to Owen and Jackman he isn't and most likely won't be too big for Bond.

And personally McMahon has grown on me as a potential Bond--he has the looks and height while Nip/Tuck(critically lauded) shows he can act impressively. I saw him on Charmed and it does indeed show he has the charm. So he can do the light and dark aspects of Bond. I'm not sure yet if Daniel Craig can do the light side(you do need both). Maybe Craig can and the experiment will work BUT if it doesn't then McMahon is primed to bring back CLASSIC Bond as the natural successor.

If(and I mean IF) Daniel Craig goes short term and turns into the next Timothy Dalton then I predict Julian McMahon will have a successful run as the NEW Pierce Brosnan!

[Tinfinger]

I like that idea a lot. He would be really good.

[Peter Franks]

Craig over McMahon any day, man. McMahon is plain and plasticy and looks like he was made in a factory and has Made In China stamped on his butt.

[Tinfinger]

Wow, and I thought you hated Craig!

[Onlooker]

I completely agree (and have previously said) that it was his commitment to Nip/Tuck which held him back.

I also believe that he is a natural for James Bond, with just the right amount of devil may care flair combined with plenty of emotional gravitas. He is also a natural when dealing with the press which, like it or not, is a big part of the process.

There aren't too many people of whom you could say they were born to play the role but Julian McMahon is one of them.

[Peter Franks]

Wow, and I thought you hated Craig!

I don't HATE him like I want to eat his family and drop him on Jupiter. I don't like that he is blonde and pink skinned but since it is proven that he is black like all the others Bonds I accept him. You know who I REALLY HATE????? His stupid fans or publicists whoever they are going round saying he is Marlon Brando or Steve McQueens equal!!WTF@$#%$ Get a clue and a life, dudes.

I do HATE McMahon. He is so fake looking and a super craper of an actor. He's so polished I bet his daddy didn't let him play with the rough boys and he gets his nails done at the ladies room. And he's a white boy so he can never be Bond.

Edited by Peter Franks, 09 January 2006 - 09:03 AM.

[Peter Franks]

I also believe that he is a natural for James Bond

So The Floor Understands.

Edited by Peter Franks, 09 January 2006 - 09:33 AM.

[Jim]

I also believe that he is a natural for James Bond

STFU.

Please don't do that.

[Peter Franks]

I also believe that he is a natural for James Bond

STFU.

Please don't do that.

It wasn't me, sir.

[stromberg]

Craig over McMahon any day, man. McMahon is plain and plasticy and looks like he was made in a factory and has Made In China stamped on his butt.

Rare occasion: completely agree with you. While I do not plain hate him, I'm with you, plastic-wise.

Apart from that, I fear the Seannery scenario could happen

BTW, welcome back, Seannery, old man.

[dinovelvet]

So why Craig and not McMahon?  I'll submit that being tied to Nip/Tuck ultimately held Julian up.  That an agreement couldn't be made between Sony, Eon and Paramont(Nip/Tuck's studio). 

Yeah that was probably the deciding factor. I doubt the problem was scheduling, as season 3 is done with, and 4 won't start until next summer; maybe they just didn't want an actor who people could see for free on tv, just like Cubby said about Pierce.
Or maybe with the Bond Begins™ scenario, they just decided Bond HAD to be British this time round and an Aussie, or God help us, Croatian, just wouldn't cut it. Still, McMahon as Bond 7? Stranger things have happened in this franchise. Never say never...

[Double-O-Section]

I think Julian McMahon could make an excellent Bond, but he might be too old when Daniel Craig has finished. It will also depend where his career is then.

Edited by Double-O-Section, 09 January 2006 - 10:40 AM.

[Peter Franks]

I think Julian McMahon could make an excellent Bond...... It will also depend where his career is then.

[Tinfinger]

I was expecting a toilet graphic, but the translation is still clear.

[Seannery]

Craig over McMahon any day, man. McMahon is plain and plasticy and looks like he was made in a factory and has Made In China stamped on his butt.

Rare occasion: completely agree with you. While I do not plain hate him, I'm with you, plastic-wise.

Apart from that, I fear the Seannery scenario could happen

BTW, welcome back, Seannery, old man.

Thanks stromberg. I knew McMahon would be a controversial choice around here but hell so is our Danny "boy" Craig. My reasoning isn't whether I want him to be the next Bond or not(though I think he would be good) BUT that with him greatly impressing Eon already along with his fame and conventional Bond looks would make him a natural successor to Craig if Daniel doesn't take off as Bond and only does 1 or 2 films--then he wouldn't be too old with him being the same age and younger looking than Craig. Craig may succeed and this will be irrelevant but even many of his supporters such as our man Loomis have admitted he is a risky choice and may not fly with the public. And going more serious and back to the beginning makes Craig's tenure even more unstable. If he stumbles McMahon would be positioned to be his PIERCE BROSNAN.

[spynovelfan]

McMahon does have pretty conventional looks, barring the massive forehead. Can't see he'll be as hot a proeprty next time, though.

I'm glad they picked Craig, and hope he sticks around for at least three.

[Peter Franks]

Oh you guys. If Craig flops Eon will kiss and make up with Pierce. Pierce will be back for one more and they will make a box office blockbuster from the hype.

The 7th 007 will come after that in say about five years. Whoever he is going to be he will have to have roughness that the best Bonds had and not blonde and pink like Craig. He will last some years and then the 8th one will be that boy who was the other choice along with Craig. He'll grow balls be a man by then in 10 or 12 years. wtf was his name?

[Seannery]

McMahon does have pretty conventional looks, barring the massive forehead. Can't see he'll be as hot a proeprty next time, though.

I'm glad they picked Craig, and hope he sticks around for at least three.

What's up spy? Craig may work out splendidly--we'll see. If not then McMahon has already impressed Eon and they have a history of going back. If Craig is a short timer I don't see McMahon fizzling out that much at all.

[Seannery]

Oh you guys. If Craig flops Eon will kiss and make up with Pierce. Pierce will be back for one more and they will make a box office blockbuster from the hype.

The 7th 007 will come after that in say about five years. Whoever he is going to be he will have to have roughness that the best Bonds had and not blonde and pink like Craig. He will last some years and then the 8th one will be that boy who was the other choice along with Craig. He'll grow balls be a man by then in 10 or 12 years. wtf was his name?

Let me guess Peter--you don't like McMahon. Seriously though I wouldn't mind at all I don't think they will go back to Pierce--too much bad blood and the years are passing.

[Loomis]

Welcome back, Seannery. As I posted the other day:

I very much doubt that Cavill will succeed Craig. Why? Because he's 15 years Craig's junior (and looks about 30 years younger, thanks to Craig's prematurely raddled appearance), and may well still be in his 20s by the time Craig steps down, even allowing for three Craig Bond flicks. What would they do with Cavill? Make another BOND BEGINS first mission reboot?

Just as Cavill is too young to follow Craig, someone like Owen is (among other things) too old. Of the people who were considered for Bond this time round, I think only Julian McMahon stands a chance of being Bond 7 ("Greatly impressed both Eon and Campbell, but apparently did not make the finals for reasons unknown" - http://commanderbond...es/2995-1.shtml). Well, maybe Gerard Butler, Goran Visnjic and Dominic West, too, but I think we can consider all the others to have fallen by the wayside.

Or maybe they'll be brave and brilliant (again) and cast David Walliams as Bond 7. I really think he could do it.

[Double-O-Section]

On Top Gear recently, David Walliams said he drove an Aston Martin because he liked thinking of himself as James Bond.

Edited by Double-O-Section, 09 January 2006 - 12:49 PM.

[Seannery]

Welcome back, Seannery. As I posted the other day:

I very much doubt that Cavill will succeed Craig. Why? Because he's 15 years Craig's junior (and looks about 30 years younger, thanks to Craig's prematurely raddled appearance), and may well still be in his 20s by the time Craig steps down, even allowing for three Craig Bond flicks. What would they do with Cavill? Make another BOND BEGINS first mission reboot?

Just as Cavill is too young to follow Craig, someone like Owen is (among other things) too old. Of the people who were considered for Bond this time round, I think only Julian McMahon stands a chance of being Bond 7 ("Greatly impressed both Eon and Campbell, but apparently did not make the finals for reasons unknown" - http://commanderbond...es/2995-1.shtml). Well, maybe Gerard Butler, Goran Visnjic and Dominic West, too, but I think we can consider all the others to have fallen by the wayside.

Or maybe they'll be brave and brilliant (again) and cast David Walliams as Bond 7. I really think he could do it.

Thanks a lot Loomy! That's funny--great minds think alike. Now if Loomis and I predict it then McMahon is a shoo-in as Bond #7! Though your secondary choices--Gerald, Goran and Dominic--seem to be less warmly thought of and were not GREATLY impressive to Eon from reports.

[SecretAgentFan]

Could very well be McMahon

[Seannery]

[quote name='SecretAgentFan' date='9 January 2006 - 13:56']Could very well be McMahon

[Loomis]

On Top Gear recently, David Walliams said he drove an Aston Martin because he liked thinking of himself as James Bond.

Of course, he'll never even be considered, since no one (in the UK, at least) would take him seriously in the Bond role after "Little Britain".... but he does sorta have a traditional Bond look (much more so than Craig, but then many would say that Jack Black has more of a traditional Bond look than Craig), and is a terrific actor. Which should probably wrap up the Walliams-as-Bond discussion, given that he won't be so much as looked at by Sony and Eon, and if he were to be considered it wouldn't be for some years.

I don't see McMahon as a shoe-in for Bond, though, Seannery. He's probably in with a chance, but to call him (or anyone else) the "Bond-in-waiting" would really be stretching things.

[Seannery]

On Top Gear recently, David Walliams said he drove an Aston Martin because he liked thinking of himself as James Bond.

Of course, he'll never even be considered, since no one (in the UK, at least) would take him seriously in the Bond role after "Little Britain".... but he does sorta have a traditional Bond look (much more so than Craig, but then many would say that Jack Black has more of a traditional Bond look than Craig), and is a terrific actor. Which should probably wrap up the Walliams-as-Bond discussion, given that he won't be so much as looked at by Sony and Eon, and if he were to be considered it wouldn't be for some years.

I don't see McMahon as a shoe-in for Bond, though, Seannery. He's probably in with a chance, but to call him (or anyone else) the "Bond-in-waiting" would really be stretching things.

Well Loomis that(the "shoo-in" word) was half tongue in cheek since we had similiar thoughts. Though he's my prediction as most likely--right or wrong we will find out eventually.

[Loomis]

Sorry, I know your remark was tongue-in-cheek (as, to an extent, was my support for Walliams). I think I was being a bit too literal-minded back there.

A couple of things that, IMO, count against McMahon, though:

- Appearance. Count me among those who view him as not quite perfect on a visual level. As I remember someone or another pointing out here on CBn a while back, McMahon looks smug and oily. And I don't see any menace or toughness to him (no coolness, either - and these are areas where Craig scores highly), although that said I've not actually seen him in anything.

- Audience demand. I don't believe McMahon is in the same position as Brosnan was in the late '80s and early '90s from the point of view of being an audience favourite to take the Bond role. Even in hardcore Bond fandom, I see very little call for McMahon. Still, it's early days, and perhaps demand for him will grow.

At which point let me say that I personally would not wish to see him as Bond.

[marktmurphy]

On Top Gear recently, David Walliams said he drove an Aston Martin because he liked thinking of himself as James Bond.

Of course, he'll never even be considered, since no one (in the UK, at least) would take him seriously in the Bond role after "Little Britain".... but he does sorta have a traditional Bond look (much more so than Craig, but then many would say that Jack Black has more of a traditional Bond look than Craig), and is a terrific actor. Which should probably wrap up the Walliams-as-Bond discussion, given that he won't be so much as looked at by Sony and Eon, and if he were to be considered it wouldn't be for some years.

There was a rubbish article-ette in The Sun a couple of weeks ago about Walliams wanting to be a henchman in the new Bond movie.

As for McMahon, many may find Craig's looks challenging, but at least he actually looks heterosexual.

[Peter Franks]

McMahon's kangaroo pørn home video will be stolen by the paparazzis and released as a B side to PAris Hilton's greatest hits so now way McMahon will be it.

If Craig is a flopster the result will be

BROSNAN - 2007 - 2008
A NEWCOMER - 2010-2020
HENRY CAVILL - 2020-2030

[spynovelfan]

Odd as it may sound, between Julian McMahon and David Walliams, I'd rather see Walliams. He was great as an arrogant in the not-as-good-as-THIS-LIFE-but nevertheless-very-underrated ATTACHMENTS. As long as he doesn't dress in drag, why not? Who looks more like Bond to you?