Who should/could be a Bond actor?

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  • Posts: 15,095
    People saying Daniel Craig was accepted just because he was the new Bond must not have been paying attention in 2005 when he was cast. It was a very controversial decision. Craig had to earn it and he did. Compare this to Brosnan's casting, which was a borderline plebiscite.
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    edited December 2016 Posts: 13,978
    peter wrote: »
    but, @Major, instead of arguing semantics, what about looking at a sweeping statement like:

    "the audience was already primed with the knowledge that a new guy would fill the tux every few years, and they accepted it."

    Would Laz agree with this? Dalts? Early Moore?

    I wasn't trying to argue semantics, instead I wanted to clarify a fact.

    With Lazenby, EON had the confidence in him to offer him a 7 picture deal. He took himself out of the role, by refusing to do another. As for Dalton, his position wasn't that different to Moore (not exactly the same, Dalton was looked on as second best), except Moore got that all important 3rd film. Like The Doctor, audiences are used to the change of actor, whether audiences take to them, is another matter altogether.
    peter wrote: »
    DC was beaten to a pulp before his first scene was released, and he overcame the vitriol to global praise, a praise that put an end to Bond as a fluff pop culture character that was losing relevancy by 2002...

    Oh I remember that, I still have a number of newspapers with the news of Craig's casting on the headlines. I remember watching the awkward press conference as it happened. And while Bond was looking a little out of touch in 2002 (they thought the biggest threat to Bond was xXx, it turned out to be The Bourne Identity), EON didn't have to gut the series of it's Bondian ingredients just to be different. A change of actor, and bringing the series down to earth (while keeping the momentum of the series going forwards) could've worked.
    peter wrote: »
    @Major and @Mendes, I would say that DC is responsible for breathing fresh oxygen into Bond. By 2002, it's like Bond had taken his last step as an important, iconic figure, and was now a caricature (nothing against Brozzer).

    Craig ignited the fuel and destroyed the caricature.

    Some say, oh it was, Mads, or, it was Eva, and yes, I agree, they were a part of the recipe, but, if the lead actor couldn't portray a hero we could back, CR would have been an absolute failure.

    DC was the monolithic piece of the puzzle that has held everything together from CR to SP.

    If he isn't, and wasn't, then tell me what was that magic component to make Bond relevant to the modern audience ('cause I don't think it was Forster or Mendes, nor Haggis, or even Babs or Wilson, or Mads or Green, or Javier Bardem)...

    I can't speak for @Mendes4Lyfe. But that isn't what I am debating. What I am debating, is the idea that following Casino Royale, the whole world fell to their feet, and worshipped Craig. That is why I replied to the post where you called Craig "universally praised".
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    Ludovico wrote: »
    People saying Daniel Craig was accepted just because he was the new Bond must not have been paying attention in 2005 when he was cast. It was a very controversial decision. Craig had to earn it and he did. Compare this to Brosnan's casting, which was a borderline plebiscite.
    I was there and I paid a great deal of attention. Craig was accepted after everyone saw his debut film and the tone the experience introduced to the series. His Bond was gritty, flawed rookie, but violent when required and vulnerable at times. It was more of a character thing that made Craig to the positive side of things. Many defectors from those who thought he was a bad casting decision at first claimed that it was mainly because Craig was blond and looked too much wild for the Bond role. It's what the more moderate Bond fans call 'rugged'. In fact, despite my sadness to see Brosnan depart, I pretty much supported Craig and was excited to see a new experience coming to unfold. Back to the topic, as I said, Craig isn't the only actor in the industry to go through all that "backlash". Countless had to face that encounter from the public word. Countless people who had to play an iconic franchise character.
  • NicNacNicNac Administrator, Moderator
    Posts: 7,582
    I think after the venomous reception his casting received it felt like universal praise when the film came out.

    I agree with @Major that they moved away from the Bond we knew and loved (although equally I felt they did it with Dalton when Bond's natural grooming and style was forfeited for an off the peg, sloppily dressed Bond). But it was deliberate and the classy Bond appeared at the end of CR,
    The 'thug' Bond I guess is more to do with the way he kills especially in QOS, but it's really just an update of the man who shocked audiences when he killed Prof Dent in cold blood.
    What I do miss is the Bond who knows his wines and can identify a rare species of butterfly. I liked the smart Alec Bond and would love to see that aspect return.
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    Same!
  • Posts: 15,095
    @ClarkDevlin I'm not saying Craig is the only actor in movies that was controversial when cast in a role. Heck he was not the only Bond actor to be a controversial choice! But yes he was accepted after CR, or to a degree during filming. Hence what I said that he had to earn it, his success was not entirely external to him. Just like Heath Ledger success as the Joker is due to his acting, not only to the character.

    We may not have such a controversial choice when the next Bond is cast, but I doubt it will be a plebiscite like when Brosnan became Bond. In fact I think the days of plebiscites are over.
  • 00Agent00Agent Any man who drinks Dom Perignon '52 can't be all bad.
    edited December 2016 Posts: 5,185
    NicNac wrote: »
    I think after the venomous reception his casting received it felt like universal praise when the film came out.

    I agree with @Major that they moved away from the Bond we knew and loved (although equally I felt they did it with Dalton when Bond's natural grooming and style was forfeited for an off the peg, sloppily dressed Bond). But it was deliberate and the classy Bond appeared at the end of CR,
    The 'thug' Bond I guess is more to do with the way he kills especially in QOS, but it's really just an update of the man who shocked audiences when he killed Prof Dent in cold blood.
    What I do miss is the Bond who knows his wines and can identify a rare species of butterfly. I liked the smart Alec Bond and would love to see that aspect return.

    Same here, i'd love that. Thats why I am Stil leaning towards Hiddleston (in case of any replacement) I think he could bring some of the intelect back into Bond... I hope they tone down the personal Drama for the next movies, but i'm afraid they won't
  • Posts: 9,842
    Like I said If Hiddleston got the role I wouldn't mind it but he wouldn't be my first choice... If Craig does one more Hiddleston will likely be 38-40 when he starts would be a good age. Of course I keep going back and forth with Hardy and Fassbender it's tough both are suave tough and look like 007 and great actors both aren't shy from big name films but prefer to do artsy drama films and both remind me of Craig.
  • QuantumOrganizationQuantumOrganization We have people everywhere
    Posts: 1,187
    NicNac wrote: »
    What I do miss is the Bond who knows his wines and can identify a rare species of butterfly. I liked the smart Alec Bond and would love to see that aspect return.
    "What's that?"
    "That is a 1948 Rolls-Royce
    Silver Wraith."
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    @quatum: yes and yes; the authority and love he has for cars came through beautifully
  • QuantumOrganizationQuantumOrganization We have people everywhere
    Posts: 1,187
    peter wrote: »
    @quatum: yes and yes; the authority and love he has for cars came through beautifully
    I feel your being sarcastic, but I can't quite pin it down.
  • doubleoegodoubleoego #LightWork
    Posts: 11,139
    NicNac wrote: »
    What I do miss is the Bond who knows his wines and can identify a rare species of butterfly. I liked the smart Alec Bond and would love to see that aspect return.
    "What's that?"
    "That is a 1948 Rolls-Royce
    Silver Wraith."

    A line delivered with no real conviction. I'm sorry but SP was a massive disappointment and Craig's worst outing as Bond performance-wise. This was the first Bond film where it felt like he was "acting" as opposed to inhabiting the role and being the character.
  • QuantumOrganizationQuantumOrganization We have people everywhere
    edited December 2016 Posts: 1,187
    doubleoego wrote: »
    NicNac wrote: »
    What I do miss is the Bond who knows his wines and can identify a rare species of butterfly. I liked the smart Alec Bond and would love to see that aspect return.
    "What's that?"
    "That is a 1948 Rolls-Royce
    Silver Wraith."

    A line delivered with no real conviction. I'm sorry but SP was a massive disappointment and Craig's worst outing as Bond performance-wise. This was the first Bond film where it felt like he was "acting" as opposed to inhabiting the role and being the character.
    Please, I'm the last one that would defend SPECTRE. I was just making a point.

  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    @Quantum, no sarcasm, I loved the way he delivered the line. Although SP was a mess, I have a very soft spot for it.
  • Posts: 37
    Not suggesting him for Bond as he is too old and American but I think someone like Live Schrieber is what we should be looking for. Physically large but not overly so, bags of charisma (the key part), and menace when he needs it as well as being able to act well. Ray Donovan for me has echoes of a lot of Bondian traits.

    All we need now is to find a younger, commonwealth born version!
  • "I’ve always said I’d like a stab at Bond (but then who hasn’t?!). I think I could bring a bit of the old suave of Connery back whilst maintaining the physicality of Craig. That would be my pitch anyway!" says new Midsomer Murders star Nick Hendrix.

    [url="/http://www.candidmagazine.com/read-exclusive-interview-actor-nick-hendrix/"]http://candidmagazine.com/read-exclusive-interview-actor-nick-hendrix/[/url]

    Well, at least it's a fresh face that hasn't been mentioned before. He seems too young at 31 and lacks experience but on the plus side he's 6ft 1in and a look at his resume reveals a decent apprenticeship in film, theatre and tv. He's got a long way to go before he's a genuine candidate but who knows? It might be somebody currently below the radar like this who snags the role in four or five year's time if Craig does another.

    7S0A0301.jpg
  • QuantumOrganizationQuantumOrganization We have people everywhere
    Posts: 1,187
    He looks two "itv show" for me.
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 8,194
    Wow, compare that 31 to Connery's 31
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    He's a good looking chap, if a little harmless looking. I'd have to see him give a convincing steely glare (or a Moore eyebrow lift) in order to be further convinced.
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 8,194
    Maybe when he's 41.
  • NicNacNicNac Administrator, Moderator
    Posts: 7,582
    doubleoego wrote: »
    NicNac wrote: »
    What I do miss is the Bond who knows his wines and can identify a rare species of butterfly. I liked the smart Alec Bond and would love to see that aspect return.
    "What's that?"
    "That is a 1948 Rolls-Royce
    Silver Wraith."

    A line delivered with no real conviction. I'm sorry but SP was a massive disappointment and Craig's worst outing as Bond performance-wise. This was the first Bond film where it felt like he was "acting" as opposed to inhabiting the role and being the character.

    Good call about the Rolls.

    And yes I agree. Craig embodied the role so totally up to and including Skyfall. Despite the major criticism he receives (lacking charm, humour etc) he was totally in command of his material and his screen charisma as a man haunted by Vesper's death was palpable.
    And then in Spectre - a film I enjoy more than most on here, but noticeably a little less each time I see it - he gives us a Bond who is now at peace with his past and almost enjoying the ride. It doesn't sit so well and I was disappointed with aspects of his performance .
    I have never found much fault with Craig before, and Connery aside rate him as high as any Bond actor. Spectre made me re-think. A 'light hearted' Bond is fine in Roger Moore's hands, but give me Craig's tortured soul any day of the week.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    agreed @nicnac
  • Mendes4LyfeMendes4Lyfe The long road ahead
    Posts: 8,384
    IMO Brosnan could have played Bond as early as 1992. People will try and convince you otherwise, but I don't feel he was too young at 38 in 92 to play Bond.
  • suavejmfsuavejmf Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England
    Posts: 5,131
    Daniel Craig is the highest paid British actor according to the latest list released by Forbes. Their 2015 World's Highest-Paid Actors list has Craig in joint fifteenth place alongside Australian actor Chris Hemsworth. He is the only British actor on the list and his earnings are estimated to be around £17.3m ($27m)......
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    @nicnac, to your point: this is why, if DC returns for "25", the antagonist has to come out strong, they need to hurt Bond so badly.
    Your hero is usually only as good as the villain he's up against (SP, a film I do enjoy as a messy, artsy experiment gone wrong, has this problem. I thought Blofeld would be so much more, but when he was depicted as a jealous step brother, all stakes went out the window, and with it, the urgency of the Bond character and the actor who portrays him).
  • edited December 2016 Posts: 1,661
    He looks two "itv show" for me.

    :D Funny comment!

    suavejmf wrote:

    Daniel Craig is the highest paid British actor according to the latest list released by Forbes. Their 2015 World's Highest-Paid Actors list has Craig in joint fifteenth place alongside Australian actor Chris Hemsworth. He is the only British actor on the list and his earnings are estimated to be around £17.3m ($27m)......

    I guess he doesn't need the money to return! But as that tv advert says... "every little helps." :)>-
  • cwl007cwl007 England
    Posts: 611
    Having just watched Rogue One my punt for the next Bond is... Sean Connery if you get my meaning.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    cwl007 wrote: »
    Having just watched Rogue One my punt for the next Bond is... Sean Connery if you get my meaning.
    Noooooo! I get your meaning, and I hope that never happens, if you catch my drift. It's not up to standards and there's no soul.
  • jake24jake24 Sitting at your desk, kissing your lover, eating supper with your familyModerator
    Posts: 10,591
    Yup. I'd like to keep that technology to a minimum.
  • mcdonbbmcdonbb deep in the Heart of Texas
    Posts: 4,116
    cwl007 wrote: »
    Having just watched Rogue One my punt for the next Bond is... Sean Connery if you get my meaning.

    Or Bing Crosby. I haven't seen RO but I think I get what you're hinting.
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