170 replies to this topic

[double o ego]

So, James Bond is half swiss and half scottish. You know, you can get black scottsmen and black swiss. Race isn't an issue with Bond and please, why do people like to throw in literary Bond as though it's gospel in these movies. Since the very start of the movie series, the films havn't exactly adhered to what was in the books, hell most of the time movie bond and literary bond aren't even the same character.
Personally, I'd prefer if Bond remained a white guy, hell there was uproar and there still is with Criag in the role and God help us all if they should cast an American as Bond, people moaned that the Americans need to step off even doing the theme music. I however, wouldn't mind Bond to be black, as long as Bond is British, can do suave and sophistication as well as being able to dish out beatings, it's all good. However, it's also important to know, the role should be given to the best British actor for the job. I don't care bif Bond was blue, black, purple or green. If he's British and can pull off the character traits, then we're good to go.

[quantumofsolace]

If a black actor auditions and is the best at being like Bond, and is the right age, and has or can do a British accent, then there's no problem. I don't think that it would hurt ticket sales. Snipes and Murphy have been huge action stars and I always thought that Washington would have made a good Bond if he could do the accent.

[Pete]

Which got me wondering about James Bond. He doesnt HAVE to be white. Black people can be British. I mean...how would you feel if he was black?

(I'm black by the way)

Personally I think it would be wrong. It would be done just as a PC move and/or a publicity stunt. You can'y just change his skin colour when he has been white for 50+ years.

Now if you had asked if 007 could be black I wouldn't have a problem. 007 is his given number but James Bond is white.

[double o ego]

If a black actor auditions and is the best at being like Bond, and is the right age, and has or can do a British accent, then there's no problem. I don't think that it would hurt ticket sales. Snipes and Murphy have been huge action stars and I always thought that Washington would have made a good Bond if he could do the accent.

Washington did this english film where he put on a pretty convincing accent. Anyway, for me, Bond being black isn't a problem. We all know that there are big black actors, like that of who you've mentioned and of course the likes of will smith and samueal L Jackson BUT for me, it's all about Bond's britishness. If they can't get that right then, it's doomed to fail. To be honest, I'd rather see a black M.

[dodge]

Oh God, this one again? Memories are short here.

[Mister Asterix]

Which got me wondering about James Bond. He doesnt HAVE to be white. Black people can be British. I mean...how would you feel if he was black?

(I'm black by the way)

How would you feel if Shaft were white?

Oh God, this one again? Memories are short here.

Yes, wasn’t it last week we had this discussion?

[Sigma7]

In the words of Noel Coward to Ian Fleming about the role of Dr No.......NO NO NO

[double o ego]

Bond and Shaft are very different. A white person can't be shaft because race plays a large part of the character, not to mention, it'll just be stupid to cast a white person to play yet another lead cop. It'll just be John McClain version 2 whereas, with Bond, his race isn't an issue. Bond just has to be British.

[Mister Asterix]

Bond and Shaft are very different. A white person can't be shaft because race plays a large part of the character, not to mention, it'll just be stupid to cast a white person to play yet another lead cop. It'll just be John McClain version 2 whereas, with Bond, his race isn't an issue. Bond just has to be British.

I contend that race is a large part of the character of James Bond. Well, as much as any white fictitious character. Except maybe Captain America.

[Mister E]

James Bond is a white guy, period.

[Judo chop]

James Bond - American Navajo, raised British.

At least he'd have dark hair.

[double o ego]

James Bond is a white guy, period.

But he could easily be black. I'm not sayng that is should happen just that it could.

[Mister Asterix]

James Bond is a white guy, period.

But he could easily be black. I'm not sayng that is should happen just that it could.

‘A black face in Harlem, nice disguise, Bond.’

[QuantumOO7FSolace]

And its not like its never gonna happen also! There'll be a time when a black guy is going to play Bond and this will infuriate people, but change is a good thing! if the guy doesnt do a good job that must be bad for business, but if he can deliver another thing to Bond, so why not!

[Mister E]

James Bond is a white guy, period.

But he could easily be black. I'm not sayng that is should happen just that it could.

No because James Bond is old fashion white. Really, a black guy playing Bond is really obstuse. Felix Leiter I don't care too much about.

[Athena007]

I heard rumors of Will Smith playing Captain America...

John Barrowman has also been rumoured for Captain America, btw.

[bondrules]

Ghetto Bond, I can see it...he comes from compton, has a filthy mouth, does drugs, unprotected sex with a billion sisters.....oh wait, that's carl williams from GTA San Andreas!! On second thought, no, I don't see it

[QuantumOO7FSolace]

Well if Leiter can be black, i dont have a problem and in fact want Bond to be black! We have evolved guys, stop being so closed minded!! Plus, wether you like it or not Bond will be black someday and wont lose its audience: well except the racist people who will see that as an act of sin! But Bond will return! In Black! Someday! Bet your bank account on it!

[Mister E]

Well if Leiter can be black, i dont have a problem and in fact want Bond to be black! We have evolved guys, stop being so closed minded!! Plus, wether you like it or not Bond will be black someday and wont lose its audience: well except the racist people who will see that as an act of sin! But Bond will return! In Black! Someday! Bet your bank account on it!

Don't give me that closed minded crap, I am black and I am against the idea. Bond has clearly been associated with men's fantasy but he has clearly carried himself as a conservative white person. Leiter has been a character of not much consequence so it doesn't really matter what color he is and it isn't an excuse to make Bond black.

[QuantumOO7FSolace]

Im of Asian community and im totally for either black, Arab, Indian or Chinese community actor taking over the part and proving people so closed minded that they are wrong as they were for Daniel Craig! Same thing! And i think Eon has a pretty good idea of what they need to do to keep the audience wanting more and surprising them in a fair way! At least for one Bond!

[Mister E]

Im of Asian community and im totally for either black, Arab, Indian or Chinese community actor taking over the part and proving people so closed minded that they are wrong as they were for Daniel Craig! Same thing! And i think Eon has a pretty good idea of what they need to do to keep the audience wanting more and surprising them in a fair way! At least for one Bond!

Daniel Craig was only a change in the sense of just being the "Tall, dark, and handsome". Really not important and never was. Black Bond is a whole different story and it's a silly idea. Arab ? Chinese ? Indian ? Are you nuts ?

[QuantumOO7FSolace]

Some people are just afraid of the unknown! what if that unknown proves to be good! And what sin would it be to try it out! If we dont, we'll never be knowing!

[Mister E]

Some people are just afraid of the unknown! what if that unknown proves to be good! And what sin would it be to try it out! If we dont, we'll never be knowing!

That's a pretty thin excuse. You just want change for the sake of change.

[QuantumOO7FSolace]

Mister E, i want change because change can be a good thing! it can be a bad also, but man if we dont try it out, we will never know now would we! It can be screwed like it can be brillant!

[Mister E]

Mister E, i want change because change can be a good thing! it can be a bad also, but man if we dont try it out, we will never know now would we! It can be screwed like it can be brillant!

But you haven't made a point why. You simply just want to see another race take on the role. Your reason holds no water.

[Athena007]

...I want change because change can be a good thing! it can be a bad also, but man if we dont try it out, we will never know now would we! It can be screwed like it can be brillant!

Like casting Will Smith as James West (Wild Wild West)? That was a disaster in casting alone... it completely changed the character and who he was. Part of his character in the time period in which James West existed... he needed to be white. Same goes with Bond in the sense of his "whiteness" is too buried in who he is as a man, it's part of the character. I mean, sure a black man could play Bond, so could an Asian or Indian. But it's like casting a black Sherlock Holmes. Anywho, I wouldn't have a hissy fit if a black man played Bond, but I would feel as if our Bond as he "should be" would be changed forever and that would disappoint me.

[QuantumOO7FSolace]

Well, because i see no reason why Bond cant be anything but white in this day and age, it will be change for the audience instead of each time seing Bond being a white guy! When Craig became Bond, people say that he was too this too that and if another community race becomes Bond, the frenzy is going to be 7 types worst than that Craig has known for the guy because people are protective of the character as i am! But do tell, will it be that much of a pain for your eyes only, if a black guy exuding charm and panache and style delivering his lines well and is a great actor doing everything perfectly, sounding and being true on screen, will that be that much of a problem! If the guy does that, all of that and is convincing, i for one can buy him in the role on screen easily! But he has to be totally believable up there and im sure that it can be made! What else isnt clear Mister E, that you would like further reassurance about?

[bondrules]

Horrible idea, just horrible

Edited by bondrules, 08 October 2008 - 06:52 PM.

[Mister E]

Well, because i see no reason why Bond cant be anything but white in this day and age, it will be change for the audience instead of each time seing Bond being a white guy! When Craig became Bond, people say that he was too this too that and if another community race becomes Bond, the frenzy is going to be 7 types worst than that Craig has known for the guy because people are protective of the character as i am! But do tell, will it be that much of a pain for your eyes only, if a black guy exuding charm and panache and style delivering his lines well and is a great actor doing everything perfectly, sounding and being true on screen, will that be that much of a problem! If the guy does that, all of that and is convincing, i for one can buy him in the role on screen easily! But he has to be totally believable up there and im sure that it can be made! What else isnt clear Mister E, that you would like further reassurance about?

What you are talking about is an empty shell that can be full filled by even Danny Devito, it's more then just line delivery. I am viewing Bond as a CHARACTER that Ian Fleming created with a fairly specific personality and that is why I am aganist the idea of him being black.

[QuantumOO7FSolace]

Yeah, but its pointless argument either way because Bond is going to be black or from another race in a few years time! And i'd called that evolution and people seriously wanting to take a risk just to see if it works or fails! As i said, it can perished or it can be a good thing but it will never have unanimity because even if the guy from another community portrays Bond perfectly up there, there will still be people critizing even if they within think he is good, they wont say it loud! Specific personality Mr E? Like what? And i didnt say a short Bond, but a black one, maybe it is your own personal little fantasy as seing a shortster llike Devito being Bond, dont think that one willl work! Im sure we are gonna see a black Bond than a Devito in Bond on screen...

Edited by QuantumOO7FSolace, 08 October 2008 - 06:07 PM.