4014 replies to this topic

[bebopfoot]

I think that at this point, post-reboot, you need a friendlier, more known actor a la Brosnan or Moore, and that kind of approach to things. I think Connery started with the series, and I think Dalton was ahead of his time, so the reason Craig did so well was partially because they restarted the continuity for new fans with him. So, given that I think a new actor the same as Craig would have a hard time competing with his memory right now, they should go with someone with more women and youth and general audience appeal, to carry the series for awhile before people say ok, ok, now we want darker Bond again, we've had enough of a break. There aren't any more major shows in America, or any shows in America really, with a great British lead who would be known enough to be known but cheap enough to play Bond for awhile, so, provided people are ok with his age in a half decade at mid-40's or a full decade at 50, whenever they get to a new actor, I nominate-Ewan McGregor.

He was in a well known series and considered generally the best part of it-people like him, he does good work, and he hasn't exploded since then into major superstar territory, therefore he might be just right. I think the time would be right for a return for a decade or so to old-school, older-guy, blockbuster, quip-spouting, clever-killing, crazy villian popcorn Bond again.

[Frankie]

Tom Hardy would be a decent shout after Craig. I think he could the role justice.

........., I nominate-Ewan McGregor.

What the H is this board's fascination with midgets?!!!!

[The Shark]

Tom Hardy would be a decent shout after Craig. I think he could the role justice.

........., I nominate-Ewan McGregor.

What the H is this board's fascination with midgets?!!!!

Since when did 5'10" constitute as midget height?

[Frankie]

Since when did 5'10" constitute as midget height?

Oh I dunno..... since Daniel Craig was sold to us as 5'11"?

[Doctor Whom]

I nominate-Ewan McGregor.

About time for another Scot. Problem is, he turns 40 in March. Assuming arguendo, that Craig does no further Bond films after Bond 23, McGregor would be around 43 by the time they started shooting Bond 24.

[Germanlady]

I nominate-Ewan McGregor.

About time for another Scot. Problem is, he turns 40 in March. Assuming arguendo, that Craig does no further Bond films after Bond 23, McGregor would be around 43 by the time they started shooting Bond 24.

McGregor is as boring as they come..never will he even be considered. He has been around for quite a while and hasen't managed to get a larger following yet - for a reason, I think. He is the type to play the secretaire or so...

[Doctor Whom]

I nominate-Ewan McGregor.

About time for another Scot. Problem is, he turns 40 in March. Assuming arguendo, that Craig does no further Bond films after Bond 23, McGregor would be around 43 by the time they started shooting Bond 24.

McGregor is as boring as they come..never will he even be considered. He has been around for quite a while and hasen't managed to get a larger following yet - for a reason, I think. He is the type to play the secretaire or so...

I don't know about boring, but I really don't see how he's all that suitable for the part.

[Frankie]

McGregor is as boring as they come..never will he even be considered. He has been around for quite a while and hasen't managed to get a larger following yet - for a reason, I think. He is the type to play the secretaire or so...

I don't know about boring, but I really don't see how he's all that suitable for the part.

He is not.

[Safari Suit]

McGregor is as boring as they come..never will he even be considered. He has been around for quite a while and hasen't managed to get a larger following yet - for a reason, I think. He is the type to play the secretaire or so...

He was quite an interesting young actor back in the late 90s, but I think common consensus would agree that he seems to have had some kind of Space Jam-style talent/charisma drain in the late 90s. He still turns in the ocassional good performance, I liked him a lot in I Love You Phillip Morris, but for the most part it's hard to remember what the fuss about him was all about. Might have been an interesting pick in the late 90s though.

[Germanlady]

I suggest, whoever they will be screentesting to change from the "From Russia with love" sequence to this. I doubt, I have ever seen anything more Bondian..

[Zorin Industries]

Don't dismiss Cavill.

Yes, he is the new MAN OF STEEL and historically Bond actors tend not to be attached to other franchises, but traditionally a Bond film came out every two years, M was a chap and Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne and Peter Parker would never have been played by a Brit in a million years.

[Kreivi von Glödä]

In my opinion Cavill is too much of a pretty boy a la Brosnan. James Bond has to be handsome but also a bit rugged. In my opinion Bond has to be played by someone who would be believable as a character with military background. Connery, Lazenby and Craig all have that demeanor.

[Loomis]

Don't dismiss Cavill.

Yes, he is the new MAN OF STEEL and historically Bond actors tend not to be attached to other franchises, but traditionally a Bond film came out every two years, M was a chap and Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne and Peter Parker would never have been played by a Brit in a million years.

So why didn't Eon hire Cavill for CASINO ROYALE?

The answer, of course, is that Craig was by far the better choice. But let's say that Cavill is hired to play Bond in a few years (which I don't think will happen, but this is just for the sake of argument) - won't it be awkward for Eon to pretend that he's their top choice for 007 when they and Cavill and we all know that he didn't get the role in 2005?

I don't believe that Cavill will "grow into" the role of Bond, at least not any time soon. He'll still look far too young to be Craig's replacement in, say, 2015 (unless Eon are planning another first-mission reboot, which seems unlikely). Craig will need to be replaced by a man, not a boy, and I'd agree that Cavill's too much of a pretty boy. And, yes, I think that Superman will rule him out - not that I see any evidence to rule him in.

[David Schofield]

Don't dismiss Cavill.

Yes, he is the new MAN OF STEEL and historically Bond actors tend not to be attached to other franchises, but traditionally a Bond film came out every two years, M was a chap and Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne and Peter Parker would never have been played by a Brit in a million years.

So why didn't Eon hire Cavill for CASINO ROYALE?

The answer, of course, is that Craig was by far the better choice. But let's say that Cavill is hired to play Bond in a few years (which I don't think will happen, but this is just for the sake of argument) - won't it be awkward for Eon to pretend that he's their top choice for 007 when they and Cavill and we all know that he didn't get the role in 2005?

I don't believe that Cavill will "grow into" the role of Bond, at least not any time soon. He'll still look far too young to be Craig's replacement in, say, 2015 (unless Eon are planning another first-mission reboot, which seems unlikely). Craig will need to be replaced by a man, not a boy, and I'd agree that Cavill's too much of a pretty boy. And, yes, I think that Superman will rule him out - not that I see any evidence to rule him in.

I guess EON would just be as nimble as they were in 1986 and again in 1994 with the "Dalton was the first choice/no, we wanted Pierce all along", or reverse, PR. I'm sure Babs' EON is just as skilled in that sort of thing as her father's was.

Hey, maybe as a bonus, Cavill will say he was too young for the part in 2005 anyway, as Brosnan helpfully outed himself in '94.

Frankly, I think anything that differentiates Cavill from Craig is a bonus - age, pretty boy looks, height, colouring: you CANNOT duplicate what Craig has done with James Bond, and therefore it is best left alone and moved on from.

I had always believed Cavill was on a nod and a wink contract for Bond #7 from EON for when Craig gave it up, after #23 or #24. Superman dirties the waters considerably. If its a success, there'll be sequels and committments to a franchise; goodbye, Henry. If it fails and Cavill goes the way of Brandon Routh after one picture, how long will he need to cool-off so as not to be associated with the failure of Superman???

That said, I tend to side with Zorin; things are very different now. I still think, even allowing for Superman, Cavill is on a nod and a wink promise from EON. Though it might involved some crossed fingers now from the producers...

[Loomis]

Frankly, I think anything that differentiates Cavill from Craig is a bonus - age, pretty boy looks, height, colouring: you CANNOT duplicate what Craig has done with James Bond, and therefore it is best left alone and moved on from.

A very good point (I suspect that Tom Hardy, in the unlikely event of his being offered Bond, would be viewed by many as a Craig clone), but "different to Craig" does not automatically equal "Bondian", and I see nothing Bondian about Cavill.

I had always believed Cavill was on a nod and a wink contract for Bond #7 from EON for when Craig gave it up, after #23 or #24.

But where's the evidence for this? Many Bond fans (myself included) believed that, starting around 2001, Clive Owen was on a nod and a wink contract from Eon.

Bond fans are notoriously awful at spotting the next 007. With the benefit of hindsight, Craig now seems to have been the thumpingly obvious choice back in 2005, although prior to his candidacy making the news I believe that he'd only once been mentioned by a poster here on CBn as a possibility, while we were all busy discussing the likes of Owen, Hugh Jackman and Dougray Scott. And I need hardly remind anyone here that the initial reports of Craig as a contender were met with widespread disbelief and horror.

I have a strong feeling that the name of the actor who will eventually be Bond #7 has barely ever been mentioned on this site, if at all.

[Zorin Industries]

The answer, of course, is that Craig was by far the better choice. But let's say that Cavill is hired to play Bond in a few years (which I don't think will happen, but this is just for the sake of argument) - won't it be awkward for Eon to pretend that he's their top choice for 007 when they and Cavill and we all know that he didn't get the role in 2005?

Cavill not getting the part in 2006 does not mean he - for argument's sake - wouldn't get it again. Moore didn't get the role in 1962, Dalton didn't get the role countless times, Brosnan didn't get the role in 1986...

[David Schofield]

I had always believed Cavill was on a nod and a wink contract for Bond #7 from EON for when Craig gave it up, after #23 or #24.

But where's the evidence for this? Many Bond fans (myself included) believed that, starting around 2001, Clive Owen was on a nod and a wink contract from Eon.

Bond fans are notoriously awful at spotting the next 007. With the benefit of hindsight, Craig now seems to have been the thumpingly obvious choice back in 2005, although prior to his candidacy making the news I believe that he'd only once been mentioned by a poster here on CBn as a possibility, while we were all busy discussing the likes of Owen, Hugh Jackman and Dougray Scott. And I need hardly remind anyone here that the initial reports of Craig as a contender were met with widespread disbelief and horror.

I have a strong feeling that the name of the actor who will eventually be Bond #7 has barely ever been mentioned on this site, if at all.

There is no evidence for it whatsoever, beyond the rumours that EON - and their employee of the time, Martin Campbell, particularly so - were very impressed by Cavill's screen test and were at one time trying to convince "The Money" to go with a MUCH younger Bond. Indeed, didn't Campbell indsicreetly let it slip he'd have gone with Cavill - before he saw Craig working the part, of course?

You are right: Bond fans couldn't spot the next Bond if he had an "I'm the New James Bond" badge on and stood in front of them. In 2005, I would consider no one other that Owen or Jackman, checklist Bonds. I admit, I know nothing.

[Zorin Industries]

Frankly, I think anything that differentiates Cavill from Craig is a bonus - age, pretty boy looks, height, colouring: you CANNOT duplicate what Craig has done with James Bond, and therefore it is best left alone and moved on from.

Good point.

Many Bond fans (myself included) believed that, starting around 2001, Clive Owen was on a nod and a wink contract from Eon.

But that was unfounded nonsense due in part (not including you here Loomis) because Clive Owen was a British actor who wore a tux in THE CROUPIER and was poised to be the next big thing... something he has been poised to be for twenty years now.

I genuinely believe the Owen camp got their momentum from THE CROUPIER and that he was a potential leading man material. Time has proved otherwise.

And I need hardly remind anyone here that the initial reports of Craig as a contender were met with widespread disbelief and horror.

Not from everyone - but, like you say, the fans didn't have a clue. To even suggest Jackman is so wrong and I couldn't see where those notions came from. And before anyone chimes in, Eon's Casting Division sees EVERYONE.

I agree that SUPERMAN VI (I dare them to call it that) muddies the waters re Cavill.

He is certainly perfect Eon casting - off the mainstream radar, the camera loves him, a competent actor, has no offscreen baggage (Tom Hardy would be a marketing nightmare, sadly), has a TV presence both sides of the Pond, looks the part and is most apologetic when you collide with him in the street (yes, my stipulations are very fickle, but based on my own very brief 'casting session').

And I have a lot of time for SUPERMAN V/RETURNS but Brandon Routh is hardly an A-lister hard to cast because of association with that film.

[Loomis]

Cavill not getting the part in 2006 does not mean he - for argument's sake - wouldn't get it again. Moore didn't get the role in 1962, Dalton didn't get the role countless times, Brosnan didn't get the role in 1986...

Did Moore audition for Bond in 1962 (or 1961)? As for Dalton's "countless" misses, when did he attend any casting calls for 007 prior to THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS? There's always a lot of apparent Eon hype about new Bonds - didn't Cubby once claim that he considered hiring Dalton for OHMSS when the latter was just nineteen, or something like that? But one wonders how many of these stories are true.

As for Brosnan not getting the role in 1986, my understanding of the situation is that he was Eon's first choice but had to bow out because of REMINGTON STEELE, at which point Dalton was hired in his stead.

As for Cavill, he was a much better fit than Craig for the CASINO ROYALE screenplay, which I believe called for a 28-year-old Bond. But Eon (rightly) saw Craig as such a wonderful actor for 007 that they modified the script to suit him. So if Cavill can't make the grade as a youthful Bond in BOND BEGINS, despite the material apparently playing right into his hands, what chance does he have of being cast as a "normal" Bond? Very little, I'd suggest, not least because he could still pass for about twenty-one.

There is no evidence for it whatsoever, beyond the rumours that EON - and their employee of the time, Martin Campbell, particularly so - were very impressed by Cavill's screen test and were at one time trying to convince "The Money" to go with a MUCH younger Bond. Indeed, didn't Campbell indsicreetly let it slip he'd have gone with Cavill - before he saw Craig working the part, of course?

Perhaps, but I gather that Eon were also extremely impressed by Julian McMahon, and how many fans talk about him these days?

looks the part and is most apologetic when you collide with him in the street

Well, that for me is the final nail in the Cavill coffin. Were he to collide with someone in the street, Fleming's Bond would fix him with a steely glare, light his fifteenth cigarette of the morning, have a quick, contemptuous toot of Benzedrine and stalk off without a word.

[David Schofield]

Well, if it can't be Cavill because of Superman, it'll just have to be Benedict Cumberbatch, won't it?

Don't think success as Sherlock would count him out.

And he as different to Craig and as close to Fleming's Bond as you might need.

Tall, Old Harrovian (though I understand he spoke at a TUC meeting in Hampstead; Unions in Hampstead? What the next?!), has a certain upper-middle louchness that I can see in Fleming's Bond.

Right age, too. And can do blonde, too, if that's important, from his latest quiff.

[Zorin Industries]

But other names for the pot - now that the Daily Planet has Cavill (potentially) on a retainer...


Sam Claflin

Aidan Turner

Nicholas Hoult

[Virgosy]

Sam Claflin

[...]

Nicholas Hoult

Hell, no ! They're both still too young to envisage being the seventh James Bond, but the eighth, why not ?

Aiden Turner

He doesn't look like an English, but so doesn't Craig, so why not ? But he's American no ?

I've read Michael Fassbender on this topic. I agree. He's the only actor I imagine in Bond. Anyway, it's a real problem this history of the seventh Bond...

[jaguar007]

I had always believed Cavill was on a nod and a wink contract for Bond #7 from EON for when Craig gave it up, after #23 or #24.

As I have previously stated, I believe Cavhill was "Campbell's boy" and not Barbaras. Therefore without Campbell directing Bond #7's debut, i doubt he would have been in the running (with or without Superman)

Did Moore audition for Bond in 1962 (or 1961)?

No, Moore admitted himself that he was never considered for Bond in Dr.No. His name could have been mentioned by someone, but he nor his agent was ever contacted about the role. In fact he stated in his book that he had never even heard of James Bond until Dr. No was released.

[Zorin Industries]

Sam Claflin

[...]

Nicholas Hoult

Hell, no ! They're both still too young to envisage being the seventh James Bond, but the eighth, why not ?

Aiden Turner

He doesn't look like an English, but so doesn't Craig, so why not ? But he's American no ?

I've read Michael Fassbender on this topic. I agree. He's the only actor I imagine in Bond. Anyway, it's a real problem this history of the seventh Bond...

Ah - different Aidan Turner. Not the one with an "e" but an "a". My fault. There are two, you're right. I meant the one that was in HATTIE and the upcoming THE HOBBIT.

[sthgilyadgnivileht]

I meant the one that was in HATTIE and the upcoming THE HOBBIT.

Him out of Hattie would be a good choice or consideration for a future Bond.

[dinovelvet]

The answer, of course, is that Craig was by far the better choice. But let's say that Cavill is hired to play Bond in a few years (which I don't think will happen, but this is just for the sake of argument) - won't it be awkward for Eon to pretend that he's their top choice for 007 when they and Cavill and we all know that he didn't get the role in 2005?

Cavill not getting the part in 2006 does not mean he - for argument's sake - wouldn't get it again. Moore didn't get the role in 1962, Dalton didn't get the role countless times, Brosnan didn't get the role in 1986...

All of this is assuming Cavill even WANTS it now. Who knows, maybe he's still smarting over supposedly coming thisclose to getting Bond, and now that he has Superman, he'll get offered all kinds of other roles so presumably he won't NEED Bond, even if Superman is a flop. Which I can't see it being. Fun fact- Superman Returns out-earned Batman Begins at the box office, yet it is perceived as a failure and Batman is considered a triumph.

And now Zorin, your opinion is requested regarding Dominic Cooper, supposedly giving a tour-de-force in the Lee Tamahori(!) directed The Devil's Double.

[Zorin Industries]

BRONSON is a stunning piece of acting from Tom Hardy. I would urge anyone with a strong stomach to see it. Not sure it is a Bond audition piece but it's certainly one of the most striking pieces of British screen acting of the last few years.

[jaguar007]

Fun fact- Superman Returns out-earned Batman Begins at the box office, yet it is perceived as a failure and Batman is considered a triumph.

I think much of that has to do with production costs.

Batman Begins:
cost $150million
Domestic: $205,343,774
Foreign: $167,366,241
= Worldwide: $372,710,015

Superman Returns:
cost $270million
Domestic: $200,081,192
+ Foreign: $191,000,000
= Worldwide: $391,081,192

[Zorin Industries]

And now Zorin, your opinion is requested regarding Dominic Cooper, supposedly giving a tour-de-force in the Lee Tamahori(!) directed The Devil's Double.

Not sure about Cooper re Bond. He doesn't have the greatest physical presence in person. He's got an odd look too - good looking but maybe not handsome. Bond should be handsome first and good looking second. If that makes sense.

[Frankie]

In my opinion Cavill is too much of a pretty boy a la Brosnan. James Bond has to be handsome but also a bit rugged. In my opinion Bond has to be played by someone who would be believable as a character with military background. Connery, Lazenby and Craig all have that demeanor.

I agree with this post, especially with, "James Bond has to be handsome but also a bit rugged."

But just rugged is not enough. He has to be the type of rugged who would look proper and suave in a tuxedo. Out of your list, the first two answer that criteria. I'm still not seeing the tuxedo-suave in Craig though. Instead of Craig I'd add Dalton.

Edited by Frankie, 09 February 2011 - 07:38 PM.