60 replies to this topic

[stromberg]

We're speculating wildly...

The "Parisien" article says that Dimitrius is "one of the film's villains" (and they really seem to avoid naming him as the main baddie). Stax' report quite clearly says that he's a "supporting heavy", and also that the "main villain" is someone different, who has not explicitly been referred to as "Le Chiffre". But just because a source couldn't tell the main villain's name, this doesn't mean that name will not be "Le Chiffre".

I'm also a bit in doubt about the name "Massus". This can simply be a case of misunderstanding. Someone heard a name that could have sounded like "Massus", which could as well have been "Mathis". Sources don't always get or deliver their information in written form. (Heck, if someone just gets to overhear the name "Vesper Lynd" in a conversation, it could as well be misheard as "West-Berlin" - catch my drift? )

No reasons to panic, IMHO.

[ACE]

We're speculating wildly...

The "Parisien" article says that Dimitrius is "one of the film's villains" (and they really seem to avoid naming him as the main baddie). Stax' report quite clearly says that he's a "supporting heavy", and also that the "main villain" is someone different, who has not explicitly been referred to as "Le Chiffre". But just because a source couldn't tell the main villain's name, this doesn't mean that name will not be "Le Chiffre".

I'm also a bit in doubt about the name "Massus". This can simply be a case of misunderstanding. Someone heard a name that could have sounded like "Massus", which could as well have been "Mathis". Sources don't always get or deliver their information in written form. (Heck, if someone just gets to overhear the name "Vesper Lynd" in a conversation, it could as well be misheard as "West-Berlin" - catch my drift? )

No reasons to panic, IMHO.

Great post, stromberg! Stimmt.

As Largo said, "Fools, he's got you shooting at yourselves..."

[stromberg]

As Largo said, "Fools, he's got you shooting at yourselves..."

Never been so true.

[Gobi-1]

Catrina Murino is hot, I mean great news. All three look like good choices too me.

[tdalton]

Catrina Murino is a good choice, but I'm not sure about the other two.

[Moore Not Less]

Caterina Murino and Simon Abkarian certainly look the part judging by the images I have seen of them. However, I have no idea about their ability regards acting. The same applies to Seydina Baldi, but I am not so certain about his looks.

For me, it's a case of let's wait and see.

Edited by Moore Not Less, 14 January 2006 - 08:34 PM.

[DLibrasnow]

Catrina Murino will play the villain's girlfriend (I believe it's the Solonge character from the IGN report)

I thought they were looking for a name actress for that part. They have to have some name actors/ actresses in the movie.

But i can believe this story. Looking foward to the next press conference.

I hope they go for a relative unknown...whenever they sign a name-actress it's always a disaster wether that be Halle Berry or Denise Richards. Better to go with unknowns like Barbara Bach, Claudine Auger or Jane Seymour were when they were signed.

[DLibrasnow]

But just because a source couldn't tell the main villain's name, this doesn't mean that name will not be "Le Chiffre".

I still believe what I stated in an earlier thread. The main villain will not be named "Le Chiffre". It makes no sense for the villain to use his French alias when the movie isn't even set in France.

[Harmsway]

But just because a source couldn't tell the main villain's name, this doesn't mean that name will not be "Le Chiffre".

I still believe what I stated in an earlier thread. The main villain will not be named "Le Chiffre". It makes no sense for the villain to use his French alias when the movie isn't even set in France.

Yup. "Le Chiffre" has likely been entirely dropped.

[blueman]

It'll probably get a passing nod, it's an AKA, something like that.

[Stax]

Nope, his name is Massus not Mathis. He is Greek now and not French. It was all spelled out for me and he was specifically cited as Mediterranean.

And I think the Octopussy suggestion of 2 villains with overlapping plot threads sounds feasible. Abkarian clearly seems to fit the le Chiffre function and, good point, that could be his nickname like Carlos had The Jackal. There could be a Blofeld-esque main villain, too. Osama bin Sane anyone?

Edited by Stax, 15 January 2006 - 07:32 AM.

[Agent 76]

I quite like this news.
Seems to me that we've got some talent there, but it's better if we wait and see till the movie premieres...
I for one support the idea of just the 007 role and M are known actors to the public eye, because that could eventually help establish Daniel Craig in the eyes of the movie audience.

That italian woman is quite, as some secret agent would say: "shocking, positively shocking!" Nice Eon, very nice...

[SirHilary]

Nice bit of casting there.

I really hope they don't get some popstar to play a major role, just for the sake of filling a few more seats at the cinema. Look at Maddona's (thankfully short) vanity role in DAD, pointless! It really detracts from the enjoyment of a film if there's someone in the cast that comes with a lot of baggage. I'd rather have relative unknowns who can act, it keeps it fresh. This film dosen't need big names other than Craig and Dench. As someone else said in another post, Bond is the biggest name of all and will attract audiences anyway. Getting the balance between plot and action is more important than casting big name stars to fill out the cast.

So far, so good. Rachel Stirling as Vesper.....yes please!

[stromberg]

Nope, his name is Massus not Mathis. He is Greek now and not French.
....

Ah, thanks for clearification. Was a bit unsure about this.

[MrDraco]

Draco agrees...

she is like silk..

[Alex Zamudio]

I hope they go for a relative unknown...whenever they sign a name-actress it's always a disaster wether that be Halle Berry or Denise Richards. Better to go with unknowns like Barbara Bach, Claudine Auger or Jane Seymour were when they were signed.

I agree a 100 %

And I'm very happy with this news, these 3 look great, and fit their supposed characters profiles very nicely, cool, this is going to be an exciting year!


Regards.

[MarcAngeDraco]

Interesting news... I don't know anything about any of the three, but that's fine with me.

[Double-Oh Agent]

From what I can see, it seems that Romain Duris turned down the role, and Abkarian was chosen over Michael Youn.

Best choice from those three, I'd say:




Seydina Balde looks a bit to young to play the Solari character. Seems more suitable for a henchman. I understand he has a bit of acting and stuntwork experience.

I totally agree with you Stromberg. Simon Abkarian is the best choice for the Demetrius role--I'd say by far, particularly if he keeps the mustache. He looks like he would be a good villain. Catrina Murino looks very nice for his girlfriend. I, for one, approve. As for Seydina Balde, I agree with you that he seems too young for Solari especially if you compare him to the other known contender for the role (Seal). As you said, he is more suited to be a henchman seeing as he's a world karate champion and all. I find that he has an almost angelic-type of face which might make his evilness as a henchman that much more sinister. For some reason though, I doubt he will be the main henchman a la Grant, Oddjob, and Jaws. I see him more like a Perez, Gabor, Kil type. But it does sound like we'll be getting a good hand-to-hand combat fight again much like the Bond-Grant and Bond-Trevelyan battles and that certainly is a good thing.

This casting news gives me a more positive feeling toward Casino Royale than I've had in a few days. Hopefully that continues with the rest of the cast.

Edited by Double-Oh Agent, 15 January 2006 - 06:00 AM.

[Andrew]

I'll take Seydina over that joke Seal. I can't take the man that sang "Kiss from a Rose" seriously.

[Harmsway]

I'll take Seydina over that joke Seal. I can't take the man that sang "Kiss from a Rose" seriously.

Hey, I like that song!

And honestly, Seal definitely looks like he was born to be a Bond baddie, even if he can't act.

[Stax]

Considering fighters in the Sudan can be as young as 14, I think Balde's about the right age as a "commander" in a rebel army. I'm not sure "commander" is an official military rank so much as a position of power.

And, remember, there are rwo girlfriend roles. Solonge, Demetrius' wife, and then the main villain's moll, who is supposed to be the badder girl of the two.

[Agent Spriggan Ominae]

And, remember, there are rwo girlfriend roles. Solonge, Demetrius' wife, and then the main villain's moll, who is supposed to be the badder girl of the two.

I think I see what's coming. Well first on who's the main villian, I think it will be Le Chiffre, but not exactly like Le Chiffre from the novel. I think Le Chiffre will be the Blofeld like mastermind of the whole plot. What if Le Chiffre(Which translates to "the cipher" or "the number") is the codename or alias for the head or top agent in this new SPECTRE like group and nobody really knows who he is or have seen him. I think Demitrius will be one of his henchmen/agents that he uses to do his gambling. I going to go on record and say that Solonge(Demitrius's girl)will be the other Bond girl along with Vesper.

Now about the main villain's moll, who is supposed to be the bad girl. Again I'm calling it now, but those expecting to see Bond getting his gentials sadisticly tortured by a middleaged male Le Chiffre will be dissapointed. While Le Chiffre will most likely be present during the unpleasant scene I gaurentee you that his moll will be doing the ballbusting.

[Stax]

Good points. Remember, every Bond film has a victim. Pierce's wife and the Italian guy in FYEO, Macnee in AVTAK, Vijay in Octopussy. You get the idea -- there's always a formula. Solonge could be a good bad girl who falls for Bond and helps him out somehow only to buy it at the bad guy's hands.

And the Le Chiffre as Blofeld theory is making more and more sense. Demetrius is Le Chiffre in terms of his function in Fleming's plot but the name will be used as the new terror head's sobriquet. And if that isn't what they're doing it should be because it works.

By the way, here is a very Bond girl shot of Murino:

http://www.allocine....747&page=8.html

And here's some background on Abkarian. He recently appeared in an indie film called YES, which was released by Sony (the studio behind CR):

http://www.yesthemov...Content.CAST#HE

Edited by Stax, 15 January 2006 - 08:44 AM.

[Flash1087]

Is it just me who keeps reading Murino's name as 'Caroline Munro'?

Oh yes. Every stinking time.

[Bon-san]

By the way, here is a very Bond girl shot of Murino:

http://www.allocine....747&page=8.html

Nice!

[Lounge Lizard]

More power to the (relative) unknowns... EON is really giving Danny Craig room to manoeuvre here, and it will be fun finding out if Simon Abkarian, Caterina Murino and Seydina Balde can provide a serious challenge to him. I had never heard of them, frankly, which perhaps says more about my knowledge of French and Italian cinema than it does about these people's careers. Casino Royale will certainly hold many surprises (a statement that both the 'Loyals' and the 'Sceptics' will assent to).

I guess we now have the casting of Leiter/CIA dude, Mathis/Massus/Margaret/Whateverhewillbecalled, Le Chiffre and Girl No. 2 to look out for.

[Agent 76]

couldn't by chance, that the character Demetrius, is instead named Dimitrius? After all, confusions with names have happened before.

[dinovelvet]

And here's some background on Abkarian. He recently appeared in an indie film called YES, which was released by Sony (the studio behind CR):

This article fails to mention Abkarian's most famous role...that of Borat on Da Ali G show!

[lorna99]

LIVE AND LET DRY
STEADY on, Bond -things were never like this at the steamie.

A little-known Italian actress has walked in from the drying green and landed a role in the new 007 film.

Caterina Murino, 31, whose previous roles have been confined to obscure European films, will play alongside new James Bond Daniel Craig in Casino Royale.

Caterina, who came fourth in the 1996 Miss Italy competition, was auditioned in Rome by 007 producer Barbara Broccoli, who was "delighted" with her. Caterina is the first Bond girl cast for the film, which begins shooting at the end of the month.

A number of big-name stars, including Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron and Naomi Watts, are said to have turned down roles in the movie.

One of Caterina's earlier photo assignments saw her being snapped hanging out the washing, for some unexplained reason.

Maybe she thought she was auditioning for another Bond film, Dry Another Day.


http://www.dailyreco...-name_page.html

[Qwerty]

Topics merged.