I'm feeling rather excited at the moment, in anticipation of the announcement of who will be starring as James Bond in Casino Royale. Perhaps this announcement won't come for some time, but there's a little tingle in my gut that indicates big doings may be afoot (a ripple in The Force if you'll excuse the cross-fandom analogy).
I'm also feeling very un-clenched over whether
my guy gets the nod. This is a nice feeling, as I've been quite guilty of getting overly provincial about this most sensational casting decision. Ever since it became apparent that Pierce mightn't be reprising, a frenzy has ensued as to who will be the next 007. My immediate reaction was to deny that Pierce was out. But when the realization dawned that he was likely a goner indeed, my first thought was: Jackman. But he seemed ruled out, according to many reports, because of Wolverine and Disney musicals. And then, as lots and lots of noise was being made about Owen, I hit on Bale as my preferred choice. When it became apparent that he was Batman, I shifted Butler into the prime position on my favorites list. Owen seemed to take a permanent back seat, in my mind, during this process. Most likely, as a catty response to all the worship he was getting on the boards! This even given that when I first saw Croupier, the thought that "he could be Bond" was strong and immediate. I've looked on Gruffudd approvingly throughout, as a kind of second-tier option. But I was almost completely close-minded in appreciating the merits of any candidates other than my small pack of faves.
As I reflect on this process, I come to the conclusion that it's just human nature to pick a horse and root him on to the finish line. What I find interesting is the process by which we pick our horses. There's lots of talk about what makes the right Bond, but ultimately for me, there is no real paradigm. It's just a gut feeling. Clive Owen, yes. Clive Robertson, no. I could write for days about the virtues of one and the failings of the other, but most of it would be stuff I'd thought up after the fact to buttress my argument. The simple fact is: some guys strike me as right for Bond and I approve. Some guys strike me as all-wrong, and I protest their even being mentioned. Which gives rise to another all-to-human activity--bickering with the other guys all the way to the finish about why my horse is best, and why yours is a sad nag ready for the meat grinder.
When this Final Four thing arose, I immediately dissed it as yet another in the long, long line of media muckups and/or PR self-promotions. And yet it may be. But now, and rather suddenly, a calm has descended upon me in regards to the CR casting circus. I am beginning to reawaken to the notion that I've thoroughly enjoyed all five Bonds thus far, and I probably wouldn't have picked any of them as my first choice at the time they were cast. I might have scratched my head at first re some of them, but when the curtains parted, they were Bond, and good Bond, and I loved them for it.
Clearly, the big difference with the search for Bond #6 is the existence of the internet. Specifically, the fan-forums and pseudo-news agencies therein, which have fueled the speculation engine. And the long wait since DAD has provided lots of time to burn the fires ever higher and hotter. When the new man is finally announced, I think it is unlikely that he will be unknown to us. And as such, many of us will have developed pre-conceived notions about him: too young, too reedy, too short, too foppish, too meaty, too this, too that. There is likely to be backlash from some (perhaps many) quarters. "They should have gone with 'X'" may be a common refrain. But ultimately, I'm inclined to feel that we will, largely, grow to appreciate Bond #6 as we have grown to appreciate the five men before him.
Once again, Eon will give us a new James Bond. Members of the fandom will either like him or dislike him. But mostly, we will like him.
That's what I think.
Bring on Bond #6!!!!
Unless it's Robertson, or Visnjic.
