125 replies to this topic

[Loomis]

As you said, the chap "Broccoli wanted". But that's not the same thing as saying he was the "only one".

It is if it's the case that Broccoli's vote is the one that carries most weight. Remember the "making of" doc on the LIVING DAYLIGHTS DVD in which it's mentioned that (I think) Sam Neill greatly impressed John Glen, Michael G. Wilson and whoever else but totally failed to tickle Albert R. Broccoli's fancy in any way whatsoever and because of that didn't have a chance?

But we also equally know that Martin Campbell was pushing hard for Henry Cavill and I believe he has said so, as have others, in post-CR interviews.

But how much water did Campbell draw? So what if he was pushing for Cavill? What if my grandmother was pushing for Cavill? Or Dougray Scott? So what? If it's the case that the most senior producer on the picture whose surname is Broccoli gets to call the shots, then Campbell's opinion isn't really of any more importance than that of John Q. CBnForumMember. Campbell might have been championing Cavill at the same time as I was calling on this site for Clive Owen, but if Broccoli had decided that it was going to be D.W. Craig, Esq. then that was that and, yes, Craig was indeed The Only One™ to all pratical and realistic intents and purposes.

[Loomis]

To act as if Campbell gets no say is a tad ridicurous.

But was his say remotely as important as Barbara Broccoli's? If so, then fine: the casting of Bond 6 was evidently a democratic process of votes cast by equals and Cavill was just as serious a candidate as Craig until the dust finally settled.

But if not, then Campbell's views were basically of little importance - he was, in effect, just a glorified CBn forum member. I exaggerate slightly, of course, but my point is that if the head honcho of Bond is indeed one B. Broccoli, and if she's the one who does the decidin', then, yes, Craig was indeed The Only One™, or at least as far as it's possible for any of us partially-informed fanboys to ascertain.

[jaguar007]

If I recall correctly, it was Peter Hunt who originally pushed for Lazenby to be hired for OHMSS. So yes, the director of the film does have some pull.

[Napoleon Solo]

But how much water did Campbell draw? So what if he was pushing for Cavill? What if my grandmother was pushing for Cavill?

Yeah, but your grandmother wasn't directing CASINO ROYALE. To act as if Campbell gets no say is a tad ridicurous.

Furthermore, Michael G. Wilson (or anyone connected with the movie for that matter) stating that an actor was always "the one" is laughable. That's what they're supposed to say! Michael Wilson majored in Revisionist History at the University of Blaupunkt. According to EON, Roger Moore was first offered Bond back in 1962 but was unavailable. Dalton was offered Bond back in 1969 but was too young. Dalton was the "Bond of record" back in 1993. Campbell said in the June issue of TOTAL FILM about Goldeneye "It was Brosnan. It had to be Brosnan" (yeah, except for all the other actors they screen tested).

For years EON denied that James Brolin had ever been considered for James Bond, going very close to actually calling people liars for asserting such a claim.

Accepting at face value some of these statements that studio executives made is like accepting a politicians statement that he never took photographs of his naked genitals or had sex with that woman. In other words, take their claims with a grain of salt and a dose of healthy scepticism.

And I don't hate Craig at all. I rank him higher than Lazenby, but beneath #1 Roger Moore, #2 Timothy Dalton, #Sean Connery, and #4 Pierce Brosnan.

According to some on this message board, nothing other than an Eon news release has any validity, even though Eon didn't issue a news release about screen testing Brolin (which actually occurred because we have the video evidence) and similar events over the years.

Just to be clear, that doesn't mean one should accept any news account about Bond movies. At the same time, some news accounts have turned out to be correct. And some Eon statements (i.e. circa 1972 that Roger Moore was the first choice to play Bond when the series was getting started -- something you can see Harry Saltzman saying on the Inside Live And Let Die documentary) turned out to be incorrect.

[Mr_Wint]

If I recall correctly, it was Peter Hunt who originally pushed for Lazenby to be hired for OHMSS. So yes, the director of the film does have some pull.

Maybe they learned something after this experience with Lazenby...

[DR76]

What is with this hostility toward a man that any of us hardly know anything about?


There is no "hostility". I have nothing against John Kerry (don't think he ran a particularly effective campaign for President back in 2004, but that's beside the point).

What makes you think I'm talking about John Terry?

[univex]

What is with this hostility toward a man that any of us hardly know anything about?


There is no "hostility". I have nothing against John Kerry (don't think he ran a particularly effective campaign for President back in 2004, but that's beside the point).

What makes you think I'm talking about John Terry?

Who? Felix? or Chelsea´s Captain?

[The Shark]

Just what the hell are you trying to do, Gravity's Silhouette? Start World War Three?

[jaguar007]

Just what the hell are you trying to do, Gravity's Silhouette? Start World War Three?

[Righty007]

Just what the hell are you trying to do, Gravity's Silhouette? Start World War Three?

Obviously it's a put-up job.

[Germanlady]

Just for those, who might be interested. This is the first time, DC ever opened up a bit more about what happened pre and during CR shooting. "I got NAILED"

http://www.youtube.c...u/1/-JY0cFYxB3o

[elizabeth]

Just what the hell are you trying to do, Gravity's Silhouette? Start World War Three?

IIRC, he's on World War Twenty by now...

[univex]

He looks very good in this video. Hopefully he'll look this good in THE DEATH COLLECTOR and they'll let Craig smile a bit. QUANTURD was just too relentlessly downbeat.

In QOS he was like the terminator with a Cher/Bullock mask Don´t know about you Grav, but I´m trusting Weisz to put a smile on his face... Afterall, she once killed a Mummy, next step, off with the Cher/Bullock mask

Edited by univex, 28 July 2011 - 04:39 PM.

[mercenarykev]

if you ask me daniel should turn down every role because it just makes him just that much better accept for the compass thing he did with that australia woman.

[Emma]

Prior to 2005 Craig would have seemed very unlikely casting for Bond (in the same way that Christopher Eccleston was for Doctor Who); so it may not be a question of him thinking it beneath him but more "have they got the right bloke?".

That was my initial thought until I read this interview. I thought that he wasn't interested in the part because he saw himself as polar opposite from the type of actor who would be tapped for Bond (tall dark and handsome). He thought that the producers weren't serious, so he said no. This is the first time I've gotten the impression that he thinks or thought that the role was beneath him. I just find the view distasteful. When I hear film actors express this sort of sentiment, I wonder why they just don't stick to theatre or independent films. There are many actors out there who would be honoured for the role of James Bond. If Craig was really of the opinion that he is too good for the role. Then he should have had the integrity to say no to it period.

" Also, if an actor is aware that the producers want him for a part, and in this case THE part, a bit of stonewalling may be useful in salary negotiations. l know that sounds cynical but in the end it is a business

No you're not being cynical. But seriously if this is the case, I would think that Craig would have the grace to keep his mouth shut and not announce it in an interview. He just sounds like a pretentious .

[jaguar007]

I think you are reading too much into it Emma. I get the impression that the Bond films as of late were not the type of film he wanted to make (in all fairness, the movies had become a spoof of themselves and focused on action and technology as opposed to the character). The script for CR changed that and Bond became character driven again (at least for CR). That is what appealed to Craig, the chance to reinvent Bond as opposed to playing a comic book character.

[Germanlady]

In one of the hundreds of interviews he said the following:

"Sone people asked me - is Daniel Craig selling out? I wouldn't have done it, if I thought it was BENEATH me." The way he said it made clear, he thought this was an ridiculous idea. He didn't grab it, because there was no script and in my mind, it speaks volums, that he had the guts to turn it down, because he wasn't sure, this was a film, he wanted to make. Most would just go for the money and the fame - never mind what. To bash him for that is ridiculous IMO. He showed a lot of character and made clear, he isn't for sale...my two...

[Jim]

I'm genuinely unclear how you can naturally extrapolate this

This is the first time I've gotten the impression that he thinks or thought that the role was beneath him. I just find the view distasteful. When I hear film actors express this sort of sentiment, I wonder why they just don't stick to theatre or independent films. There are many actors out there who would be honoured for the role of James Bond.

from this

"I’m very honoured that you would even consider it"

[David Schofield]

Suspect any superiority complex Craigy might have had would have been quickly cooled in 2005 after he realised he had agreed to be in THE INVASION (having already slummed it in LARA CROFT), and that any predelection for high-end fashion and the best table in restaurants were better served by signing the Bond contract.

Principal is a high price few can afford to pay, after all.

[David Schofield]

Suspect any superiority complex Craigy might have had would have been quickly cooled in 2005 after he realised he had agreed to be in THE INVASION (having already slummed it in LARA CROFT), and that any predelection for high-end fashion and the best table in restaurants were better served by signing the Bond contract.

Principal is a high price few can afford to pay, after all.

LOL! Agreed. It's not like integrity puts a roof over your head and clothes on your back. He knew when they offered him the role that he was going to take it; there was never any doubt. He would've groomed Barbara's schnauzer and cleaned her toilets for a shot at this role. Like any true gigolo, he wanted to be wined and dined and made to feel that this was all about intelligent conversation and companionship and not about the money but in the end that's exactly what it came down to: MONEY. And there's nothing wrong with that either. Just be honest about it.

Come down off the cross, Daniel; other people need the wood.

But hey, to vindicate himself, Dan called his good old mate, the well=known auteur Steven Speilberg:

"But if I take James Bond," asked Daniel with a heavy sigh, "will you employ me again?"

"But of course I will," said the finest director ever known to Hollywood who at that time was just putting the final touches to his latest classic masterpiece - THE WAR OF THE WORLDS....

[jaguar007]

LOL! Agreed. It's not like integrity puts a roof over your head and clothes on your back. He knew when they offered him the role that he was going to take it; there was never any doubt. He would've groomed Barbara's schnauzer and cleaned her toilets for a shot at this role. Like any true gigolo, he wanted to be wined and dined and made to feel that this was all about intelligent conversation and companionship and not about the money but in the end that's exactly what it came down to: MONEY. And there's nothing wrong with that either. Just be honest about it.

Come down off the cross, Daniel; other people need the wood.

I'm sure Craig did have some doubt about the Bond role. He was already a somewhat rising star and I'm sure that the thought crossed his mind that if he did not pull it off, the could become the next George Lazenby and be virtually unemployable.

[Germanlady]

LOL Gravity out in full force again. Mabye not everybody sells his soul for money, like you obviously would. Its common knowledge and NO way around it, that he turned it down and took his chances, they would not ask him again.
I often wonder, how imaginary you get just to trash the man. Get over it...you behave like a school boy stamping his feet. Very poor writing on top and someone like YOU shouldn't talk about honesty. Truly not...now you can laugh this off, but MAYBE someone out here sees some truth in this.

Edited by Germanlady, 08 August 2011 - 07:48 PM.

[Germanlady]

Thanks for this reply. Exactly what I expected and somewhat hoped for in terms of an ill mind. It speaks for itsself and I don't need to comment it any further.

[Jim]

And so the long day winds on along its usual paths.

[Germanlady]

Thanks for this reply. Exactly what I expected and somewhat hoped for in terms of an ill mind. It speaks for itsself and I don't need to comment it any further.

And of course making fun of someone's mental health is quite okay on these boards, eh moderators?

You see, for all of the alleged discomfort some of the so-called administrators and moderators claim to feel when people are being uncivilized on these boards, the truth is that CBn creates a nurturing, comfortable environment for exactly the type of hateful rhetoric and personal attacks that GermanLady and Mr.Blofeld engage in on a regular basis. When CBn really truly wants to put an end to the flame wars and incivility that rears its ugly head on a weekly basis in these forums, it will do so by suspending or cancelling the accounts of people like GermanLady and Mr.Blofeld, who cannot stand or tolerate viewpoints and opinions that run contrary to their own, and will not even think twice about launching personal attacks against people because they know they can do so without impugnity. Until GermanLady and Mr.Blofeld are put on warning, suspended, or had their accounts revoked, please refrain from using faux outrage to goad people into acting better; the bad behavior on these boards is TRULY ONE-SIDED, and it's coming from GermanLady and Mr.Blofeld.

THIS coming from YOU is really funny and ridiculous. So its allowed to foul mouth a decent man (DC), but you are very sensible, where you are concerned - but isn't that always the case with people like you? I think yes. Maybe stop ranting with phrases, that contain no liability whatsoever and then you can rest in peace, as nobody will hit on you. Other then that - you get, what you deserve. And stop whining...its easy to hit others, who cannot defend themselves here, but taking critic yourself is not to your taste...ah well - double morality, yes?

[Jim]

Thanks for this reply. Exactly what I expected and somewhat hoped for in terms of an ill mind. It speaks for itsself and I don't need to comment it any further.

And of course making fun of someone's mental health is quite okay on these boards, eh moderators?

You see, for all of the alleged discomfort some of the so-called administrators and moderators claim to feel when people are being uncivilized on these boards, the truth is that CBn creates a nurturing, comfortable environment for exactly the type of hateful rhetoric and personal attacks that GermanLady and Mr.Blofeld engage in on a regular basis. When CBn really truly wants to put an end to the flame wars and incivility that rears its ugly head on a weekly basis in these forums, it will do so by suspending or cancelling the accounts of people like GermanLady and Mr.Blofeld, who cannot stand or tolerate viewpoints and opinions that run contrary to their own, and will not even think twice about launching personal attacks against people because they know they can do so without impugnity. Until GermanLady and Mr.Blofeld are put on warning, suspended, or had their accounts revoked, please refrain from using faux outrage to goad people into acting better; the bad behavior on these boards is TRULY ONE-SIDED, and it's coming from GermanLady and Mr.Blofeld.

The point may be a valid one but it will take a more sympathetic advocate to be a convincing display of concern and not the habitual deindividuation.

Thanks for this reply. Exactly what I expected and somewhat hoped for in terms of an ill mind. It speaks for itsself and I don't need to comment it any further.

And of course making fun of someone's mental health is quite okay on these boards, eh moderators?

You see, for all of the alleged discomfort some of the so-called administrators and moderators claim to feel when people are being uncivilized on these boards, the truth is that CBn creates a nurturing, comfortable environment for exactly the type of hateful rhetoric and personal attacks that GermanLady and Mr.Blofeld engage in on a regular basis. When CBn really truly wants to put an end to the flame wars and incivility that rears its ugly head on a weekly basis in these forums, it will do so by suspending or cancelling the accounts of people like GermanLady and Mr.Blofeld, who cannot stand or tolerate viewpoints and opinions that run contrary to their own, and will not even think twice about launching personal attacks against people because they know they can do so without impugnity. Until GermanLady and Mr.Blofeld are put on warning, suspended, or had their accounts revoked, please refrain from using faux outrage to goad people into acting better; the bad behavior on these boards is TRULY ONE-SIDED, and it's coming from GermanLady and Mr.Blofeld.

THIS coming from YOU is really funny and ridiculous. So its allowed to foul mouth a decent man (DC), but you are very sensible, where you are concerned - but isn't that always the case with people like you? I think yes. Maybe stop ranting with phrases, that contain no liability whatsoever and then you can rest in peace, as nobody will hit on you. Other then that - you get, what you deserve. And stop whining...its easy to hit others, who cannot defend themselves here, but taking critic yourself is not to your taste...ah well - double morality, yes?

Please don't engage.

[Chief of SIS]

So...........................ummm...............

........Craig originally turned down Bond, huh?.......

Interesting stuff. Can't blame him really. He was probably watching DAD right before they asked him.

[Dustin]

I presume most of us are not professional actors, so it's perhaps worth remembering that there is really hardly a better way for an actor to drive a career into the ground than accepting the wrong role, especially if it's a popular one. Of course, nobody around these shores here would hesitate even a nanosecond to sign a contract with the hated and much-reviled EON traitors, regardless if we happen to be uncouth overweight hicks from some uncivilised hinterlands, bespectacled greying old scribblers or a green midgets from Mars - if only they would ask us! We'd sell out all kinds of our anatomy for that chance and that kind of money. Anatomy still attached to our cadavers and twitching, never mind the gay talk on the internet!

Thankfully, they didn't. For all that we really are is fans, not actors - at least not professional ones. Instead of bemoaning the insolence that EON didn't give US our chance - instead of that ugly duckling - we ought to be grateful we're not the redundant hams we'd rightfully deserve to be. Craig, being a professional, doubtlessly had more to consider than the things discussed here.

Edited by Dustin, 12 August 2011 - 08:30 PM.

[Santa]

I don't care which of you lot likes or dislikes Daniel Craig or how much you dislike each other, but do you have to bring it to every thread? Can't you at least entertain yourselves with insulting PMs instead? It gets a bit boring to read all the time.

[Dustin]

It's a farce and a joke. GermanLady, Dustin, and Mr.Blofeld treat this place like their own personal Thunderdome.

Gravy, old buddy. Haven't the faintest why you think I would need a personal 'Thunderdome' (is that some colony thing, I wonder?)

By the by, what do you think, would 'Devil Plead His Case' make a good title for Bond 23? It happens to come to mind, for no apparent reason really.

Edited by Dustin, 12 August 2011 - 08:31 PM.