24 replies to this topic

[zencat]

I believe I spent the better part of 2005 telling people that Clive Owen was not even in the running for Bond 6 while a wave of "insiders" where predicting he'd be announced the following week. Well...vindication.

[DLibrasnow]

I believe I spent the better part of 2005 telling people that Clive Owen was not even in the running for Bond 6 while a wave of "insiders" where predicting he'd be announced the following week. Well...vindication.

Quite right zencat. I personally never bought all the Clive Owen rumors and continue to think what I thought in 2005

[Trident]

I've only seen Owen in the first Bourne and in 'Second Sight'. Not sure if he'd really have been a good choce though I can imagine him. One odd thing about 'Second Sight': the whole film through Owen wears a Rolex with the crown fully pulled out. It looked decidedly awkward and I'm not sure if that prop detail was deliberately intended to look that way.

[ACE]

As Radiohead would have said, "No Surprises"

From my first post on CBn - 7 September 2003

"Phil Meheux, the Director of Photography of Beyond Borders who has worked on most of Campbell's pictures including Goldeneye ... told me Owen has no interest in playing 007. The question came up on set but Owen was non-committal."

[dinovelvet]

"That's ridiculous. That's where you get bad James Bonds if you cast a guy who looks right. You cast the best actor," he said."

This would appear to be Clive's second back-handed diss of Brosnan(?)

[Loomis]

This would appear to be Clive's second back-handed diss of Brosnan(?)

I never tire of bringing this up, but, in an interview shortly after the news broke that he wasn't coming back for BOND 21, Brosnan mentioned Owen (and Jackman) by name as having been looked at by Eon for Bond 6. Make of that what you will.

Also, just because Owen was never offered the Bond role, it doesn't necessarily mean that Eon was never interested in him (or that he was never interested in Bond). It may be that he took himself out of the running before an offer could be made. I gather he was one of the finalists (or at least auditionees, along with Mark Frankel, Hugh Grant, Jason Isaacs and others) to star in GOLDENEYE, so it would appear that there was at least some mutual Eon/Owen interest at one point.

I'm not saying this as an Owen fan desperate to paint my chosen candidate as The Man Who Was Almost Bond (although I did fanatically champion him for 007 back in the day). I have no problem believing that Craig was always Babs' first choice. However, it seems to me that there are still various question marks over whether and when Owen was considered for Bond, and by whom (e.g. there was a rumour - which I find credible enough - that Broccoli was pushing for Craig while Sony's Amy Pascal wanted Owen).

[marktmurphy]

Also, just because Owen was never offered the Bond role, it doesn't necessarily mean that Eon was never interested in him (or that he was never interested in Bond). It may be that he took himself out of the running before an offer could be made. I gather he was one of the finalists (or at least auditionees, along with Mark Frankel, Hugh Grant, Jason Isaacs and others) to star in GOLDENEYE, so it would appear that there was at least some mutual Eon/Owen interest at one point.

I'm not saying this as an Owen fan desperate to paint my chosen candidate as The Man Who Was Almost Bond (although I did fanatically champion him for 007 back in the day). I have no problem believing that Craig was always Babs' first choice. However, it seems to me that there are still various question marks over whether and when Owen was considered for Bond, and by whom (e.g. there was a rumour - which I find credible enough - that Broccoli was pushing for Craig while Sony's Amy Pascal wanted Owen).

Yeah; that's how I think too- it's very likely that he was considered. Just because Daniel Craig was the 'only man they offered it to', as they always say, we know it doesn't mean that he was the only one they looked at. After all- there's a lot of money at stake- you don't pick a guy to play 007 without having a good look around, and I don't doubt that Owen was heavily considered, and, as Loomis says, he had considered it enough to be involved the last time around. Although it does seem that he wasn't an active participant this time.

[Loomis]

I gather he was one of the finalists (or at least auditionees, along with Mark Frankel, Hugh Grant, Jason Isaacs and others) to star in GOLDENEYE, so it would appear that there was at least some mutual Eon/Owen interest at one point.

Hmmm.... seems even Owen's participation in the GOLDENEYE casting process is shrouded in mystery and speculation. Surfing around, I found a fascinating article on The Men Who Could Have Been Bond:

http://www.alternative007.co.uk/12.htm

First I've heard of Jonathan Rhys-Meyers as a potential star of CASINO ROYALE. I mean, I'd read the Contact Music-type rumours, of course (which also had everyone from Orlando Bloom and Russell Crowe to Dougray Scott and Ewan Stewart pegged as possible Bonds), but until now nothing from a seemingly reliable source informing me that he'd tested for the part.

Another interesting nugget: Welsh actor Geraint Owen admitted to a newspaper that he made it through five auditions (for a possible 007 screentest) in the Casino Royale casting call. Who the heck is Geraint Owen? A Google search throws up pretty much zip. The Finlay Light of the Bond 6 hunt, perhaps?

[Loomis]

Just because Daniel Craig was the 'only man they offered it to', as they always say, we know it doesn't mean that he was the only one they looked at.

Exactly. And he patently wasn't.

I don't doubt that Owen was heavily considered, and, as Loomis says, he had considered it enough to be involved the last time around. Although it does seem that he wasn't an active participant this time.

It's ironic that it seems as though Owen may have been (in effect) a finalist/serious contender for Bond back in the days of the early '90s when he was virtually unknown.... yet Eon wouldn't give him the time of day in the early '00s when thousands of Bond and film fans all over the world thought he was born for the role! In other words, Eon unwittingly anticipated massive public demand for Owen a decade too soon, then completely ignored it when it actually happened!

(Maybe. I guess we'll never really know the true ins and outs of all this, which is why I still stand by the main point of my first post in this thread: that Owen's latest remarks actually lay to rest not a lot. Ditto the question of whether Jackman was looked at (and if so by whom)/was interested. Not forgetting, of course, the Ewan Stewart affair. )

[Tarl_Cabot]

With all these 'Bond vs Bourne' write ups lately, would we(Bond fanboys) want Owen as Bond knowing full well Damon/Bourne killed Clive Owen in TBI?

[Turn]

I like at least Owen has been open and somewhat positive in even talking lately about Bond rather than dismissing it as being beneath him.

Everybody is assuming Owen is talking about Brosnan with the model comment, but maybe he was speaking about Lazenby. Then again, maybe not.

[dinovelvet]

I like at least Owen has been open and somewhat positive in even talking lately about Bond rather than dismissing it as being beneath him.

Everybody is assuming Owen is talking about Brosnan with the model comment, but maybe he was speaking about Lazenby. Then again, maybe not.

I think the question is why the hell is Owen STILL talking about Bond? I suppose if an interviewer asks him, he has to answer, but you've got to wonder if he's still going to be discussing it in 10 years time! It must piss him off a bit that he's trying to plug a movie and all anyone wants to know about is something that's really nothing to do with him or his work.

[WC]

I'm sure Clive Owen could have been considered. It all depends what "considered" means. The fact that he was mentioned by fans a and other actors alike sugggests he was in EON's mind at least - if only in their minds and nowhere else. It's like if I said now: "how about Tom Hanks for Bond?" You'd think for a minute (consider it) and say.... umm... no. lol.

[HildebrandRarity]

It's ironic that it seems as though Owen may have been (in effect) a finalist/serious contender for Bond back in the days of the early '90s when he was virtually unknown.... yet Eon wouldn't give him the time of day in the early '00s when thousands of Bond and film fans all over the world thought he was born for the role! In other words, Eon unwittingly anticipated massive public demand for Owen a decade too soon, then completely ignored it when it actually happened!

You have to speak for yourself and some others my friend.

Many many of us wanted Hugh Jackman. Some were worried that Van Helsing would be so big that Jackman couldnt possibly do 3 franchises (!) LOL.

Also, if everyone remembers, Clive Owen was said to not be interested. The thinking was he was too good/too serious (*cough*)for something as 007. So he may have closed the door on himself even before it was open in '04.

His 006 role in The Pink Panther is the closest sniff he'll get to a Bondian tux. Serves him right for being so high on himself post the BMW commercials which followed his minor role in The Bourne Identity.

Edited by HildebrandRarity, 04 August 2007 - 02:51 PM.

[Royal Dalton]

"Phil Meheux, the Director of Photography of Beyond Borders who has worked on most of Campbell's pictures including Goldeneye ... told me Owen has no interest in playing 007. The question came up on set but Owen was non-committal."

Ironically, I think Martin Campbell himself might have stoked the fire a bit regarding Clive Owen, though.

I remember him saying on Talking Movies, when he was promoting Beyond Borders, that if Owen played Bond, he would "Take it back to Connery."

But to be fair to Owen, even when all the rumours were going around, he always maintained that he hadn't been offered the role.

[freemo]

His 006 role in The Pink Panther is the closest sniff he'll get to a Bondian tux. Serves him right for being so high on himself

Yeah, he didn't get something he didn't want. That'll teach him.

[Blonde Bond]

"That's ridiculous. That's where you get bad James Bonds if you cast a guy who looks right. You cast the best actor," he said.

Great quote from the man 'That Almost Is Bond', like I call him now.
Maybe they could give him a some other secret agent role to play with. Like Damon has his Bourne. Not a straight rip-off from either of franchines, but a good series of spy-thrillers nonetheless.

I heard they were going to do another spy-film series, from some literature spy. But the name escapes my mind, at the moment.

Edited by Blonde Bond, 05 August 2007 - 08:22 AM.

[Bond Bombshell]

"That's ridiculous. That's where you get bad James Bonds if you cast a guy who looks right. You cast the best actor"

And if the best actor is 5ft nothing, as old as my granny, looks effeminate and has a dirty great mole on the end of his nose that makes him look like Pinocchio? This statement is as ridiculous as casting someone soley on looks. There has always been a trade off between looks and ability when casting Bond whether you're talking Craig or Brosnan or whoever. The statement sounds like pretentious actors' waffle to me.

Edited by Bond Bombshell, 05 August 2007 - 06:10 PM.

[TheSaint]

"That's ridiculous. That's where you get bad James Bonds if you cast a guy who looks right. You cast the best actor," he said."

This would appear to be Clive's second back-handed diss of Brosnan(?)

And you base this on what, exactly? Your dislike of Brosnan, perhaps?

[Andrew]

"That's ridiculous. That's where you get bad James Bonds if you cast a guy who looks right. You cast the best actor," he said."

This would appear to be Clive's second back-handed diss of Brosnan(?)

And you base this on what, exactly? Your dislike of Brosnan, perhaps?

Owen later says in the interview that Craig "swung it around big time" which could be interpreted as saying that he wasn't content with Brosnan's portrayal.

Who knows...only one person really knows what Owen meant with his comments and that's Owen himself.

[Double-Oh-Zero]

Also, just because Owen was never offered the Bond role, it doesn't necessarily mean that Eon was never interested in him (or that he was never interested in Bond). It may be that he took himself out of the running before an offer could be made. I gather he was one of the finalists (or at least auditionees, along with Mark Frankel, Hugh Grant, Jason Isaacs and others) to star in GOLDENEYE, so it would appear that there was at least some mutual Eon/Owen interest at one point.

I'm not saying this as an Owen fan desperate to paint my chosen candidate as The Man Who Was Almost Bond (although I did fanatically champion him for 007 back in the day). I have no problem believing that Craig was always Babs' first choice. However, it seems to me that there are still various question marks over whether and when Owen was considered for Bond, and by whom (e.g. there was a rumour - which I find credible enough - that Broccoli was pushing for Craig while Sony's Amy Pascal wanted Owen).

Yeah; that's how I think too- it's very likely that he was considered. Just because Daniel Craig was the 'only man they offered it to', as they always say, we know it doesn't mean that he was the only one they looked at. After all- there's a lot of money at stake- you don't pick a guy to play 007 without having a good look around, and I don't doubt that Owen was heavily considered, and, as Loomis says, he had considered it enough to be involved the last time around. Although it does seem that he wasn't an active participant this time.

I tend to agree with that as well. I think it's safe to assume that the filmmakers had a list (mental or physical) of hundreds of actors that they'd have considered, and I'd be surprised if Owen wasn't in the top ten by the time Brosnan's contract was up. Craig may have been the first and only they offered it to, but again, given his "look," body of work, and general public support (including myself, who was, like Loomis, a devoted Owen supporter), I'd be blown away if Owen wasn't heavily considered at some point. However, on the point of public support, I wouldn't be entirely surprised if they nixed him when they realised that the public's interest in seeing him take the role made him a bit too obvious of a choice.

[stamper]

I like Owen comments. he is right, you don't cast someone who looks right, you cast someone who acts right. That's the difference between the producer's choice, and the fanboys choice. Some are working into making a movie that works, others are just daydreaming.

[Loomis]

Also, just because Owen was never offered the Bond role, it doesn't necessarily mean that Eon was never interested in him (or that he was never interested in Bond). It may be that he took himself out of the running before an offer could be made. I gather he was one of the finalists (or at least auditionees, along with Mark Frankel, Hugh Grant, Jason Isaacs and others) to star in GOLDENEYE, so it would appear that there was at least some mutual Eon/Owen interest at one point.

I'm not saying this as an Owen fan desperate to paint my chosen candidate as The Man Who Was Almost Bond (although I did fanatically champion him for 007 back in the day). I have no problem believing that Craig was always Babs' first choice. However, it seems to me that there are still various question marks over whether and when Owen was considered for Bond, and by whom (e.g. there was a rumour - which I find credible enough - that Broccoli was pushing for Craig while Sony's Amy Pascal wanted Owen).

Yeah; that's how I think too- it's very likely that he was considered. Just because Daniel Craig was the 'only man they offered it to', as they always say, we know it doesn't mean that he was the only one they looked at. After all- there's a lot of money at stake- you don't pick a guy to play 007 without having a good look around, and I don't doubt that Owen was heavily considered, and, as Loomis says, he had considered it enough to be involved the last time around. Although it does seem that he wasn't an active participant this time.

I tend to agree with that as well. I think it's safe to assume that the filmmakers had a list (mental or physical) of hundreds of actors that they'd have considered, and I'd be surprised if Owen wasn't in the top ten by the time Brosnan's contract was up. Craig may have been the first and only they offered it to, but again, given his "look," body of work, and general public support (including myself, who was, like Loomis, a devoted Owen supporter), I'd be blown away if Owen wasn't heavily considered at some point.

Assuming that Owen was a serious, active candidate for GOLDENEYE, perhaps, for whatever reasons, he and the folks at Eon just didn't get on at that point, ruling him out of the running on future occasions. I've absolutely no reason to believe that, mind, but it's a theory that would explain why Eon, bafflingly, didn't consider him for CASINO ROYALE (erm, if indeed they didn't - after all, none of us knows ). I gather that there was just such a "personality clash" between Eon and "fan favourite" Lewis Collins back in the day.

However, on the point of public support, I wouldn't be entirely surprised if they nixed him when they realised that the public's interest in seeing him take the role made him a bit too obvious of a choice.

I see where you're coming from: that casting Owen would have nixed a "surprise factor" and the feeling that Eon was making an exciting discovery (both of which were reactions to the hiring of Craig); then again, public interest in seeing obvious choice Brosnan take the role didn't prevent his being chosen. So I think it's unlikely that Owen was considered too popular to be Bond (which would, of course, be frankly bizarre!). Perhaps he was just too expensive.

[jake speed]

I gather he was one of the finalists (or at least auditionees, along with Mark Frankel, Hugh Grant, Jason Isaacs and others) to star in GOLDENEYE, so it would appear that there was at least some mutual Eon/Owen interest at one point.

Hmmm.... seems even Owen's participation in the GOLDENEYE casting process is shrouded in mystery and speculation. Surfing around, I found a fascinating article on The Men Who Could Have Been Bond:

http://www.alternative007.co.uk/12.htm

First I've heard of Jonathan Rhys-Meyers as a potential star of CASINO ROYALE. I mean, I'd read the Contact Music-type rumours, of course (which also had everyone from Orlando Bloom and Russell Crowe to Dougray Scott and Ewan Stewart pegged as possible Bonds), but until now nothing from a seemingly reliable source informing me that he'd tested for the part.

Another interesting nugget: Welsh actor Geraint Owen admitted to a newspaper that he made it through five auditions (for a possible 007 screentest) in the Casino Royale casting call. Who the heck is Geraint Owen? A Google search throws up pretty much zip. The Finlay Light of the Bond 6 hunt, perhaps?

Geraint Owen is a real person. He is best known for the Welsh language soap-opera "Pobol y Cwm" , but then I'm sure everyone knew that...

If you go to the link below you will see a photo of him looking more like a daytime television presenter than James Bond.

http://www.mi6.co.uk...n...21&s=bond21

[dinovelvet]

Geraint Owen is a real person. He is best known for the Welsh language soap-opera "Pobol y Cwm" , but then I'm sure everyone knew that...

If you go to the link below you will see a photo of him looking more like a daytime television presenter than James Bond.

http://www.mi6.co.uk...n...21&s=bond21

Hmm, I've never seen him act but from that photo he looks like someone who wouldn't be out of place at a Bond casting call, well he at least looks better than the other two ponces on that page! What's with that guy with the freakishly long neck on the right?!