1519 replies to this topic

[crashdrive]

I think you're both right. But do you think the next candidate has to be different from Brosnan in order for Bond to stay up-to-date? If so, how? Has time really changed the last ten years?

[Roebuck]

It stands to reason than any candidate who isn't Brosnan is going to be different from Brosnan in many respects. I think it's safe to say that rule applies regardless if you talking the last ten years, the next ten years or any subsequent block of ten years.

[Loomis]

Originally posted by M_Balje

I like Roger Moore as 007 and it's my favoriete Bond actor.
But mabey defeat Brosnan him soon.
But i like the other Actor's to as 007.
The only reasen there Quit with Dalton is that the American people don't like him as Bond.
And as American people don't like it there lissen and the reasen is is that america is the biggest box office for the Bond movie's together with China.

M_Balje, don't you mean Japan, not China? I would imagine that no James Bond film has ever been given any kind of theatrical release or public screening in the People's Republic, or distributed officially in any way. I doubt that a Bond film has ever been shown on television there, and I'm pretty sure that DIE ANOTHER DAY didn't make it to mainland Chinese cinemas (I'd be interested to find out otherwise).

However, I'm sure that illegal DVD and VCD copies of DAD were available from last November for about US$1 a pop on the streets of cities like Beijing and Shanghai, thanks to the shadowy commercial activities of the People's Liberation Army.

China is supposedly starting to liberalise its cinema market following the country

[Killmaster]

CRASHDRIVE writes: "But do you think the next candidate has to be different from Brosnan in order for Bond to stay up-to-date? If so, how? Has time really changed the last ten years?"

ROEBUCK writes: "It stands to reason than any candidate who isn't Brosnan is going to be different from Brosnan in many respects. I think it's safe to say that rule applies regardless if you talking the last ten years, the next ten years or any subsequent block of ten years."



Based on the tremendous financial success of the four Brosnans to date, I think it would be safe to assume that regardless of who is finally chosen to replace him, the actual movies themselves won't stray too far from the type of film that Brosnan has starred in. By that I mean a film with a realistic center based on current headlines, with the humor drawn from the situation and not thrown in gratuitously just to draw a laugh. Whichever actor is chosen, I'm sure any script will be tweaked to fit his individual style, but I would think the basic formula wouldn't be altered that much.

[Roebuck]

Originally posted by Killmaster
I think it would be safe to assume that regardless of who is finally chosen to replace him, the actual movies themselves won't stray too far from the type of film that Brosnan has starred in.  By that I mean a film with a realistic center based on current headlines, with the humor drawn from the situation and not thrown in gratuitously just to draw a laugh.

Yup, Michael Wilson is adamant about not returning to the broader comedy of Moonraker or AVTAK (Purvis & Wade got short shrift when they tried to put a gag in TWINE about a transvestite being 'outed' by Q's x-ray specs). Wilson has also said his preference would be for scaled down FRWL or LTK type adventures but, generally, audiences expect plots revolving around 'global jeopardy'. Which I suppose means we're more likely to see Bond saving the world from weapons of mass destruction than taking down a Columbian drugs syndicate. What will be interesting is to see if future films see him venturing to real life flashpoints like Korea or if EON go the less controversial route of ''megalomaniac billionaire'' villains.

[Mourning Becomes Electra]

Loomis, DAD was indeed released in mainland China and made $2.500.000. The Chinese market is just starting to grow for foreign releases. But yes it's far from the 2nd biggest market for Bond films, that would be the U.K., then Germany, France etc.

Here's a worldwide listing for DAD upated as of 2 weeks ago:

http://www.4youweb.d.....ag Profil.htm

[Loomis]

Well, I'm staggered! Thanks for the information, MBE. When I was at university in Beijing a few years ago, I went to see most of the handful of Hollywood films that opened. I remember catching JUMANJI and DANTE'S PEAK, and when I visited Shanghai last summer I saw that SPIDER-MAN and the new version of E.T. were playing.

I'd assumed that only anodyne family fare with no political connotations whatsoever was approved for official release, and certainly nothing that might be seen as glorifying Western espionage (that said, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE was screened in Beijing during my time there). And, after all, DIE ANOTHER DAY has British and American spies taking on hardcore communists and winning! (Still, the Chinese are portrayed as good guys.)

I'm also stunned that DAD has taken as much money in mainland China as it has taken in Taiwan, and more than it has taken in Hong Kong! It's also made more in the People's Republic than in Singapore, New Zealand, Turkey, Portugal and Israel! Postively shocking, as someone once said.

I wonder where next we'll see a Bond film boldly opening where no Bond film has opened before. Cuba? Vietnam?

I've checked the IMDB to find out when DAD was released in China. No date is given, but it opened in Hong Kong in January and in Taiwan in February. Could it be that China got it before Japan? If so, my mind is boggled even further!

[Mourning Becomes Electra]

Loomis, I believe it opened in China around January, that's when it's numbers started appearing, so yes before Japan. The only country to get DAD after Japan was Venezuela which lagged behind the rest of South America by a large extent.

Actually, I've read that Brosnan is very popular in China. I think Remington Steele is syndicated there. (but then it seems to be syndicated everywhere but the U.K.) Brosnan is a spokesman for a Chinese clothing company, he did a photo shoot with Gong Li in London for it last year. So DAD is probably not the first Bond shown there.

[Loomis]

Originally posted by Mourning Becomes Electra

I've read that Brosnan is very popular in China.  I think Remington Steele is syndicated there. (but then it seems to be syndicated everywhere but the U.K.)  Brosnan is a spokesman for a Chinese clothing company, he did a photo shoot with Gong Li in London for it last year.  So DAD is probably not the first Bond shown there.  

If DIE ANOTHER DAY can be approved for release in China, I don't see why other Bond films can't be, although I imagine that this is a fairly recent development.

I don't know what the first Bond film to be shown publicly in China was, but I'm sure it must have been one of the Brosnan outings (1989, the year of LICENCE TO KILL, is of course better remembered as the year of the Tiananmen Square massacre). I've always understood that GOLDENEYE was denied a Chinese release*, but I can picture TOMORROW NEVER DIES creating a certain amount of goodwill, not just because the heroine is a Chinese agent, but also because China is portrayed not as a pariah state (see Hollywood thrillers as recent as LETHAL WEAPON 4 and SPY GAME), but as a responsible superpower. There's also the fact that TND was released in 1997, year of the Hong Kong handover (which mainland Chinese cinema commemorated with Brit-bashing propaganda epics like THE OPIUM WAR), and the villain is an Englishman whose ultimate goal (in pursuit of which he tries to start a war) is the subjugation and exploitation of China.

I don't know whether TND was released in China, but maybe it was the Bond series' equivalent of Richard Nixon? Which would make sense, given that Henry Kissinger was a consultant on the film!



*According to an article I've just found, "China Bans 007 In Fall-Out Over Nuclear Testing" (http://www.klast.net...d/ge_news3.html), GOLDENEYE was indeed refused a release in China, but not, as I'd always assumed, because it paints communism as a failed experiment. Seems Beijing took exception to Brosnan's views on nuclear testing.

[crashdrive]

Looks like we can add a new name to actors who either tested or were interviewed by EON; 24 year old Irish actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers.

[MattCasey009]

This reply may be a little late, but I haven't been here in awhile... Colin Salmon would make one helluva 00 agent. Call me old fashioned, but I just can't see anyone except a white man playing Bond. Not trying to sound racist, I mean his character is fricken cool, but I don't think many people could adjust to the fact that Bond isn't white.

[DLibrasnow]

Originally posted by MattCasey009
This reply may be a little late, but I haven't been here in awhile... Colin Salmon would make one helluva 00 agent. Call me old fashioned, but I just can't see anyone except a white man playing Bond. Not trying to sound racist, I mean his character is fricken cool, but I don't think many people could adjust to the fact that Bond isn't white.

Salmon is Pierce Brosnans choice.

[BONDFINESSE 007]

Originally posted by DLibrasnow


Salmon is Pierce Brosnans choice.

well i think pierce should have another drink, because he had to have had been drinking something to say that

[crashdrive]

Originally posted by DLibrasnow
Salmon is Pierce Brosnans choice.

Brosnan recently mentioned Paul Bettany ('A Beautiful Mind') as a possible successor. Personally, I take Brosnan's suggestions with a huge grain of salt.

[Jar Jar Bond]

I voted for Ewan McGregor. I like him anyway as a fan of Star Wars. If you seen the previews for Down With Love he seems to have that Bondian look and style going for him. Seeing him in a tux and holding a martinni just screams 007 to me.

[MattCasey009]

No way! Ewen is way too young to play Bond. The character of Bond has to be in his mid 30's - early 40's because Bond has to be somewhat of a "hardened" experience man, whose seen it all and doesn't get spooked easily. When you have somebody, that I don't think is even 20 yet, you can't have that play Bond. That's like Dalton when he was 21 being considered for the role of Bond for OHMSS.

[Righty007]

Originally posted by MattCasey009
No way! Ewen is way too young to play Bond. The character of Bond has to be in his mid 30's - early 40's because Bond has to be somewhat of a "hardened" experience man, whose seen it all and doesn't get spooked easily. When you have somebody, that I don't think is even 20 yet, you can't have that play Bond. That's like Dalton when he was 21 being considered for the role of Bond for OHMSS.

I totally agree with you.

[crashdrive]

I saw 'Johnny English' today (don't ask me why) and I was surprised to see Greg Wise, who auditoned for the part in 94 and is one of the top contenders if you believe the bookies, as the Bond-esque MI7 agent 'Number One'.


I tried to find a picture of this scene, because I was impressed. I never understood why Wise even got to audition in 94, but truth be told, he wasn't half bad. He really got the class and the cool down cold. Now, I'm not saying Wise should play Bond (he's not one of my top choices), but if there are people out there curious how Wise would look as Bond, check out 'English'. Or try and download it from the internet, because the film isn't worth your money. Wise is still young enough (37) to replace Brosnan, so perhaps he's still in the running.

[Jar Jar Bond]

Well Ewan McGregor is 32 or 33 and if Brosnan does Bond 21 and 22 before calling it quits McGregor whould be in his later 30s pushin 40. That whould be older then Connery when he got the part.

[M_Balje]

Originally posted by crashdrive
I saw 'Johnny English' today (don't ask me why) and I was surprised to see Greg Wise, who auditoned for the part in 94 and is one of the top contenders if you believe the bookies, as the Bond-esque MI7 agent 'Number One'.


I tried to find a picture of this scene, because I was impressed. I never understood why Wise even got to audition in 94, but truth be told, he wasn't half bad. He really got the class and the cool down cold. Now, I'm not saying Wise should play Bond (he's not one of my top choices), but if there are people out there curious how Wise would look as Bond, check out 'English'. Or try and download it from the internet, because the film isn't worth your money. Wise is still young enough (37) to replace Brosnan, so perhaps he's still in the running.

Strange on imdb.com i don't see Greg Wise play in Johny Englisch.

http://us.imdb.com/Title?0274166 and http://us.imdb.com/Name?Wise,+Greg

His 37 Birthday is on 15 May and Brosnan's 50 Birthday on 16 May.

An other point he have play in an Dutch production movie of Jeroen Krabbe that is in Englisch. Discovery of Heaven, The (2001)

[crashdrive]

Yeah I also noticed IMDB failed to mention Greg Wise (there is also no mention of the character 'Number One'), but he's in the film alright. I hope an image of this scene will show up on the web soon so you guys can see for yourself how Wise would look as Bond. He's definately not one of my choices, but he's interesting nevertheless.

As for Ewan, he's just not the Bond type. Even Brosnan (notorious for his babyface) looked older at thirty than Ewan. He hasn't changed anything for the last five to ten years. He's too soft to play Bond. And at 5'10, he's too short to be believeable as the character. I have to admit that he looked good in 'Down With Love', but I sincerly doubt he's in the running.

[Killmaster]

I've just recently watched Dracula 2000 for the third time and I have to say I'm still impressed by Gerard Butler. I'd say he could make a solid Bond whenever Brosnan steps down. Right age (born in 1969), right height (6" 2"), right look (dark and dangerous) and born in Scotland. I think we'll be able to see a little better how he handles action sequences when the new Laura Croft film comes out, but I think he's definitely a possibility.

[Jar Jar Bond]

You know what I haven't even thought about how tall Ewan McGregor is. He probably is too short to play bond. Oh well I guess Hugh Jackman becomes my frontrunner.

McGregor is still great though.

[crashdrive]

I also like Butler, but I'm not convinced he's the right man for the job. I have to admit that I haven't seen him enough films, but he seems a little too lightweight. If I watch him in the 'Tomb Raider' sequel trailer, I just can't help thinking he's not attractive or sexy enough to replace Brosnan. Not to mention the fact that there have been rumours that Butler may be homosexual. But I won't believe those untill he comes clean. Right now, I think he's a solid contender, but I have to see him in more films untill I can say; "this guy got what it takes to play Bond". I have more faith in Hugh Jackman.

[Killmaster]

I agree that Jackman appears to be the top contender at this point, but Butler may not be that far off the mark (I hadn't heard about the rumor you mentioned, though. That could definitely affect how he would be perceived). Right now he's still a little too young, but we are talking about AFTER Brosnan steps down. Butler may grow into a stronger contender after a few good performances, much like Brosnan after he left "Remington Steele" and started to WORK in films ("Death Train" and The Fourth Protocol" most notably showed Brosnan could handle the harder-edged action film). Tomb Raider may either hurt or help his stock depending on how he comes off as an action figure.

[crashdrive]

I came across an interesting candidate for the part of Bond: Rupert Penry-Jones. He looks the part, has a great resume (including films like 'Charlotte Gray', 'Four Feathers' & 'Hilary and Jackie'), has the right age (will be 36 in 2007), the right nationality (Born in London) and the right height (6'1). Click here to see his picture and learn more about him. Is anyone here familiar with him? If so, do you think Penry-Jones is Bond material?

[Contessa]

I'm with Chandler Bing...I think it should be Crispin Glover.

[kevrichardson]

Originally posted by Contessa
I'm with Chandler Bing...I think it should be Crispin Glover.  

Then James Bond as we know him should end!

[Roebuck]

Anyone see Hugh Jackman on the Parkinson show? He seemed to be confirming that he (and some other notable actors, including Jude Law) had been tentatively approached as to whether they'd be interested in taking over the role after Brosnan.

[crashdrive]

What was his answer and can you remember more actors who were approached by EON? I hope a transcript of this interview will show up on the web soon.