41 replies to this topic

[MHazard]

I have always been disapointed by the casting and use of the Felix Leiter character in all the movies. I think Rik Van Nutter looked like Fleming's description of Leiter, but his acting was stiff and wasn't given anything meaningful to do. Geoffrey Wright in CR was a good actor but, I always have problems with casting people who look nothing like how a character is described (I have a blonde hair problem with Daniel Craig which I am overlooking because he is such a phenomenal actor). I hope Wright continues in the role because I really can't stand lack of continuity in casting Leiter and he seems like a good actor. The Leiters of GF and DAF really annoyed me as they were nothing like the character in the book. Has anybody actually liked any movie Leiters? Who would have or would make a good Leiter?

[Brian Flagg]

Jack Lord was and is the best Felix Leiter. He's the only version of the character I could imagine on equal footing with Bond in terms of putting someone in the morgue or getting chicks in a Bondian fashion. Lord's Leiter was coooool....

[Ernst Stavro Blofeld Jr.]

I always liked Hedison, and Lord is of course great. But all the others just don't work.

I hope Jeffery Wright is given more to do in Bond 22 because he is a great actor (see The Manchurian Candidate, Syriana).

[Kilroy6644]

Lord and Wright. Lord for all the reasons Mr. Flagg just gave us, and Wright just because. Going in I didn't buy it, but when I saw the movie, I was really surprised. He did a great job.

[00Twelve]

Yes, he did. I always wanted the tall hawk-nosed, straw-haired Texan as well, but when I saw Wright in the role, I just realized that he was pretty perfect. No, he's not tall or lanky or any of that, but the inportant thing is still there: he doesn't look like an American James Bond. It's important that we know these two can be colleagues and good friends, but they probably wouldn't go for the same girl, and she probably wouldn't go for both of them.

I always thought Lord captured the essence of the characer the best in his one shot, but it's possible that if Wright is given good material to work with in 22 or 23, he may best both Lord and Hedison. We shall see.

[Kalel577]

[

i]Jack Lord was and is the best Felix Leiter. He's the only version of the character I could imagine on equal footing with Bond in terms of putting someone in the morgue or getting chicks in a Bondian fashion. Lord's Leiter was coooool.... [/i]

Hence why Lord wasn't invited back. Legend has it Connery didn't take to kindly to being upstaged by Lord.

[Colossus]

I always thought Lord wanted more money for the role. And you know how Bernard Lee and Lois Maxwell hinted at the abysmal salaries they got for the movies.

Anywho Lord is the Connery of the Leiter's i'd say. The best cinematic Leiter so far. I hope Wright comes back for 22 and has more to do than like 2 lines.

[Diabolik]

I have always been disapointed by the casting and use of the Felix Leiter character in all the movies. I think Rik Van Nutter looked like Fleming's description of Leiter, but his acting was stiff and wasn't given anything meaningful to do. Geoffrey Wright in CR was a good actor but, I always have problems with casting people who look nothing like how a character is described (I have a blonde hair problem with Daniel Craig which I am overlooking because he is such a phenomenal actor). I hope Wright continues in the role because I really can't stand lack of continuity in casting Leiter and he seems like a good actor. The Leiters of GF and DAF really annoyed me as they were nothing like the character in the book. Has anybody actually liked any movie Leiters? Who would have or would make a good Leiter?

You have a problem with Jeffrey Wright not looking like the book's Felix Leiter? You Have a problem with Craig's blond hair?

Man, you do have problems.

Give me good acting over "literal literary" appearance anyday. For example, Lazenby looked close to the literary Bond -- but he couldn't act his way out of a paper bag!

I admit, when I first saw photos of Craig, pre-CR, I was worried. But now that I've seen his amazing performance, I must say he has captured the essence of Bond like no other actor since Connery.

And I'm really looking forward to Wright returning as Leiter in Bond 22 in an expanded role. This is the 00s, not the 50s. You have to change the characters to fit the times.

[Publius]

I thought Jack Lord was cool, but probably too cool to be Felix Leiter. David Hedison was the only other one I liked prior to CR, as he had that friendly and lighthearted disposition of the literary Leiter that worked so well in the novels with Fleming's Bond and in the films with Dalton's Bond.

Jeffrey Wright is my new favorite, however, simply because he managed to have his own brand of cool that didn't conflict, and instead worked very well, with Craig's (something I don't think was the case with Connery and Lord). I really, really hope Wright returns, and that his Leiter can play a more prominent role (amazing what he did with such short screen time in CR, though).

[MHazard]

I have always been disapointed by the casting and use of the Felix Leiter character in all the movies. I think Rik Van Nutter looked like Fleming's description of Leiter, but his acting was stiff and wasn't given anything meaningful to do. Geoffrey Wright in CR was a good actor but, I always have problems with casting people who look nothing like how a character is described (I have a blonde hair problem with Daniel Craig which I am overlooking because he is such a phenomenal actor). I hope Wright continues in the role because I really can't stand lack of continuity in casting Leiter and he seems like a good actor. The Leiters of GF and DAF really annoyed me as they were nothing like the character in the book. Has anybody actually liked any movie Leiters? Who would have or would make a good Leiter?

You have a problem with Jeffrey Wright not looking like the book's Felix Leiter? You Have a problem with Craig's blond hair?

Man, you do have problems.

Give me good acting over "literal literary" appearance anyday. For example, Lazenby looked close to the literary Bond -- but he couldn't act his way out of a paper bag!

I admit, when I first saw photos of Craig, pre-CR, I was worried. But now that I've seen his amazing performance, I must say he has captured the essence of Bond like no other actor since Connery.

And I'm really looking forward to Wright returning as Leiter in Bond 22 in an expanded role. This is the 00s, not the 50s. You have to change the characters to fit the times.

All things being equal, I think a good actor who looks like the character in the books is preferable to a good actor who doesn't. If you have seen my posts anywhere else (not that you should) you would know that I think Craig is a fantastic James Bond. I would also add that apart from the hair color I think he fits Fleming's general description. I also began the post by stating I hope they keep Wright because he did a good job and I'd like some continuity. Nonetheless, it seems that they could have, in some movie, cast a good actor who resembled the straw haired Texan from the books. As for Jack Lord, another good actor who could have transcended not looking like Felix Leiter. I thought the story on him was that he got offered the lead in the t.v. show Hawaii Five Oh (for you youngsters a hit t.v. show of the sixties) and wasn't available for the next movie.

[Vauxhall]

All things being equal, I think a good actor who looks like the character in the books is preferable to a good actor who doesn't.

Probably fair, but I'd say that a great actor who doesn't look identical to the character in the books is preferable to a good actor who does.

[PrinceKamalKhan]

Jack Lord was and is the best Felix Leiter. He's the only version of the character I could imagine on equal footing with Bond in terms of putting someone in the morgue or getting chicks in a Bondian fashion. Lord's Leiter was coooool....

I always liked Hedison, and Lord is of course great. But all the others just don't work.

Lord and Hedison are the 2 best Leiters. I wish they had cast native Texan Lee Horsley
better known as 1980s TV detective Matt Houston to play Leiter opposite Dalton's and/or Brosnan's Bond. That would have rocked.

[LadySylvia]

I have always been disapointed by the casting and use of the Felix Leiter character in all the movies. I think Rik Van Nutter looked like Fleming's description of Leiter, but his acting was stiff and wasn't given anything meaningful to do. Geoffrey Wright in CR was a good actor but, I always have problems with casting people who look nothing like how a character is described (I have a blonde hair problem with Daniel Craig which I am overlooking because he is such a phenomenal actor). I hope Wright continues in the role because I really can't stand lack of continuity in casting Leiter and he seems like a good actor. The Leiters of GF and DAF really annoyed me as they were nothing like the character in the book. Has anybody actually liked any movie Leiters? Who would have or would make a good Leiter?

You have a problem with Jeffrey Wright not looking like the book's Felix Leiter? You Have a problem with Craig's blond hair?

Man, you do have problems.

Give me good acting over "literal literary" appearance anyday. For example, Lazenby looked close to the literary Bond -- but he couldn't act his way out of a paper bag!

I admit, when I first saw photos of Craig, pre-CR, I was worried. But now that I've seen his amazing performance, I must say he has captured the essence of Bond like no other actor since Connery.

And I'm really looking forward to Wright returning as Leiter in Bond 22 in an expanded role. This is the 00s, not the 50s. You have to change the characters to fit the times.

All things being equal, I think a good actor who looks like the character in the books is preferable to a good actor who doesn't. If you have seen my posts anywhere else (not that you should) you would know that I think Craig is a fantastic James Bond. I would also add that apart from the hair color I think he fits Fleming's general description. I also began the post by stating I hope they keep Wright because he did a good job and I'd like some continuity. Nonetheless, it seems that they could have, in some movie, cast a good actor who resembled the straw haired Texan from the books. As for Jack Lord, another good actor who could have transcended not looking like Felix Leiter. I thought the story on him was that he got offered the lead in the t.v. show Hawaii Five Oh (for you youngsters a hit t.v. show of the sixties) and wasn't available for the next movie.

So, what you're saying is that physical appearance is more important to you than acting skills? I really do not know what to make of that.

Jack Lord had asked for a very high fee for GOLDFINGER . . . and Cubby and Saltzman said thanks, but no thanks. Lord had to wait another four years for HAWAII FIVE-O.


Who do I consider to be the best Felix Leiters? I have at least three candidates . . . Jack Lord, David Hedison and Jeffrey Wright.


The only problem I ever had with Lord . . . wasn't really his fault. Connery had a bad habit of acting rather stiff around him.

Edited by LadySylvia, 03 April 2007 - 04:41 AM.

[TheSaint]

Lord and Hedison are the 2 best Leiters. I wish they had cast native Texan Lee Horsley
better known as 1980s TV detective Matt Houston to play Leiter opposite Dalton's and/or Brosnan's Bond. That would have rocked.

During the '90s I thought Lee Horsley would've made a great Matt Helm.

Back on topic, I think Lord, Van Nutter, and Hedison did the best jobs as Leiter.

[Blofeld's Cat]

[

i]Jack Lord was and is the best Felix Leiter. He's the only version of the character I could imagine on equal footing with Bond in terms of putting someone in the morgue or getting chicks in a Bondian fashion. Lord's Leiter was coooool.... [/i]

Hence why Lord wasn't invited back. Legend has it Connery didn't take to kindly to being upstaged by Lord.

The same reason why bride's maids ever look as good as the bride.

I guess this could also be a reason why the producers over the years didn't go with a front-line actor when casting Leiter.

Anyway, for me Hedison is the best Leiter.

[RazorBlade]

I'll cast a descenting vote here and say that while I like Jack Lord as a screen personality, he couldn't act. Talk about stiff, oy, Laz and Al Gore are Mr. Yoga in comparison. Lord acted "cool" because he wasn't acting. He was standing there. When you don't talk much, people assume you're intelligent. When you don't act much, people assume you're cool.

I saw almost every ep of HAWAII 5-0 and loved it. But Jack Lord an actor? No way. He was lucky he found a little corner he could call his own.

[tambourineman]

Lord and Wright are the only actors to do justice to the role. Hedison was horrible casting. No way that bank manager looking guy could be Bond's equal, let alone score a chick like Della.

[MHazard]

I have always been disapointed by the casting and use of the Felix Leiter character in all the movies. I think Rik Van Nutter looked like Fleming's description of Leiter, but his acting was stiff and wasn't given anything meaningful to do. Geoffrey Wright in CR was a good actor but, I always have problems with casting people who look nothing like how a character is described (I have a blonde hair problem with Daniel Craig which I am overlooking because he is such a phenomenal actor). I hope Wright continues in the role because I really can't stand lack of continuity in casting Leiter and he seems like a good actor. The Leiters of GF and DAF really annoyed me as they were nothing like the character in the book. Has anybody actually liked any movie Leiters? Who would have or would make a good Leiter?

You have a problem with Jeffrey Wright not looking like the book's Felix Leiter? You Have a problem with Craig's blond hair?

Man, you do have problems.

Give me good acting over "literal literary" appearance anyday. For example, Lazenby looked close to the literary Bond -- but he couldn't act his way out of a paper bag!

I admit, when I first saw photos of Craig, pre-CR, I was worried. But now that I've seen his amazing performance, I must say he has captured the essence of Bond like no other actor since Connery.

And I'm really looking forward to Wright returning as Leiter in Bond 22 in an expanded role. This is the 00s, not the 50s. You have to change the characters to fit the times.

All things being equal, I think a good actor who looks like the character in the books is preferable to a good actor who doesn't. If you have seen my posts anywhere else (not that you should) you would know that I think Craig is a fantastic James Bond. I would also add that apart from the hair color I think he fits Fleming's general description. I also began the post by stating I hope they keep Wright because he did a good job and I'd like some continuity. Nonetheless, it seems that they could have, in some movie, cast a good actor who resembled the straw haired Texan from the books. As for Jack Lord, another good actor who could have transcended not looking like Felix Leiter. I thought the story on him was that he got offered the lead in the t.v. show Hawaii Five Oh (for you youngsters a hit t.v. show of the sixties) and wasn't available for the next movie.

So, what you're saying is that physical appearance is more important to you than acting skills? I really do not know what to make of that.

Jack Lord had asked for a very high fee for GOLDFINGER . . . and Cubby and Saltzman said thanks, but no thanks. Lord had to wait another four years for HAWAII FIVE-O.


Who do I consider to be the best Felix Leiters? I have at least three candidates . . . Jack Lord, David Hedison and Jeffrey Wright.


The only problem I ever had with Lord . . . wasn't really his fault. Connery had a bad habit of acting rather stiff around him.

No, I would take acting skill over physical appearance. That's why I think Craig is a far superior Bond to George Lazenby. If we were going on who looks most like Fleming's Bond, Laz would win. Let me illustrate my point by reference to other movies. I liked Tim Burton's Batman, but I thought casting Michael Keaton was a mistake. Why, because I thought that the producers could have found a very good actor who actually looked like Bruce Wayne (or at least a lot closer than Keaton). In contrast, the producers of Superman in the 1970's cast a relative unknown, Christopher Reeve, who was a good actor and looked like Superman. There are a lot of good actors out there, it's not generally too much to find one who looks at least somewhat like the character. Now, lets bring it to Bond. For Dr. No, a relative unknown, Sean Connery, who was a good actor, and looked like Fleming's description (we can argue at the margins, but apart from brown eyes, he pretty much fits) and even had a Scottish burr. The series is successful and the early movies work. For CR, the producers select an actor not well known in the U.S. who really can act and, apart from hair color is not inconsistent with Fleming's description. (FYI Sam Spade in the novel Maltese Falcon is a blonde). Now, Jeffrey Wright is a good actor who is, of course, nothing physically or ethnically like Felix Leiter but he can act so it's a massive improvement over most other versions. My problem is with the string of Leiters who both look nothing like Leiter and can't act. For example, where did they come up with the Leiter in Goldfinger? Instead of the Leiter of the book we get James' strange, funny looking CIA friend, who comes off as a doofus. That's my problem. So, to reiterate, I love Craig's take on Bond and I hope he does many movies. Now that Wright has been given the role of Leiter I would like to see him continue (particularly if they re-adapt LALD). But, I still hate the way Leiter is portrayed in virtually all of the prior movies and I still believe there was no reason they couldn't cast a good actor who resembled him and more importantly was given a decent role which would augment the movie. This post is not a critique of Wright but of the producers/directors for their complete mis-use of the Leiter character pre CR.

[LadySylvia]

That's why I think Craig is a far superior Bond to George Lazenby.

Then Craig might as well be a superior Bond to all of the other actors . . . Connery included. Despite his inexperience, I thought that Lazenby was a pretty damn good actor and made a good Bond. And I have to say the same for the other actors who have portrayed Bond. Of all the six actors, I feel that Craig is the most talented. But was he the best Bond? I don't think so. In fact, I don't think there has been an actor who can be labeled as "the best Bond".

I would also like to add that I don't care if an actor or actress does or doesn't physically resemble his or her literary counterpart. All that matters to me is that he or she create a believable and interesting character on screen.

[killkenny kid]

I think they had a great Leiter, now.

[Mister Asterix]

[mra]To me Leiter

[Colossus]

[quote]Very likable

[00Twelve]

[quote name='Colossus' post='722401' date='3 April 2007 - 14:54'][quote]Very likable

[Mister Asterix]

[quote name='Colossus' post='722401' date='3 April 2007 - 14:54'][quote]Very likable

[ComplimentsOfSharky]

I think Hedison is the best hands down...Jack Lord is a little overrated to me.

Bernie Casey is one of the bright spots of NSNA...his relationship with Sean seemed the closest to Bond and Felix relationship in the books.

Jeff Wright is on track to be one of the greats if he stays on for a few films...and benefits from good scripts/writing...both of which are uncertain. But here's hoping.

[killkenny kid]

Jeff Wright is on track to be one of the greats if he stays on for a few films...and benefits from good scripts/writing...both of which are uncertain. But here's hoping.

When I stand back and think about it, you are so right. Time will tell.

[MHazard]

That's why I think Craig is a far superior Bond to George Lazenby.

Then Craig might as well be a superior Bond to all of the other actors . . . Connery included. Despite his inexperience, I thought that Lazenby was a pretty damn good actor and made a good Bond. And I have to say the same for the other actors who have portrayed Bond. Of all the six actors, I feel that Craig is the most talented. But was he the best Bond? I don't think so. In fact, I don't think there has been an actor who can be labeled as "the best Bond".

I would also like to add that I don't care if an actor or actress does or doesn't physically resemble his or her literary counterpart. All that matters to me is that he or she create a believable and interesting character on screen.

I knew you wouldn't let that statement go by without comment. Craig might well be a superior Bond to all the other actors, Connery included, I personally go back and forth on this. For me, there's Craig and Connery at the top and then a major gap in quality for the next guys. I suppose "best Bond" depends upon your criteria: best actor, closest portrayal to Fleming's Bond, most physicall resembling Fleming's Bond, most charismatic, etc. My personal favorite Bonds are Craig and Connery followed by Lazenby.

[crheath]

I think Geoffrey Wright is a fine actor, he just didn't have much of a role. They barely got any scenes together in CR. I think Craig and Wright could work up a really good relationship as buddy agents in the coming films.

[tdalton]

I think Geoffrey Wright is a fine actor, he just didn't have much of a role. They barely got any scenes together in CR. I think Craig and Wright could work up a really good relationship as buddy agents in the coming films.

Agreed. Geoffrey Wright is a fantastic actor, but I can't really pass any judgment on his performance as Felix Leiter because he was barely in the movie. It will take a much more significant role in a future Bond film for me to really be able to develop an opinion on his portrayal of Felix. As for right now, my opinion is still the same it was when his casting was announced. I think he's going to be fantastic as Leiter, now I just have to really see him in the role.

[MarkA]

I'm sorry I think Wright was wrong. No pun intended. He did nothing in Casino Royale that convinced me he was good or even right in the role. And yes I did think someone that has some resemblance to the character as written helps enormously. I think the whole reason Bond warms immediately to the Felix in the book is all about the Texan personality. This has never been captured in any of the films. I thought Wright was another waste of a perfect opportunity to finally get that warm Texan of the novels right. Hell, Craig got closer to Fleming's Bond. They should have made Jeffrey Wright a new character.