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These are the criteria that I look for in the MAN who could be a Bond actor in order of importance (Bond is not a woman obviously!!!):
1. Charisma / "it" factor / presence (call it what you will)
2. Physically attractive to the opposite sex (could be included in 1)
3. Believable that they cold do the physical side of the job (height / stature etc)
4. acting ability
5. Nationality
I put nationality down rather than race specifically. The role should go to whoever scores best in those areas.
If in two years you offered me a choice between a group of millennial effete types who look like they would curl up into a ball and cry if confronted with something in Bonds line of work that all happened to be white, or a younger (hopefully slightly better acting ability) version of Idris Elba I know which one I would rather choose!
Obviously race would also potentially come into play if both options were totally equal in all other areas.
In short, we should never be looking for a "Black Bond" rather it should go to whoever best fits the requirements and if that person is of a different ethnicity, so be it!
Just been on Twitter, can't believe her comments on that are 'trending'.
How predictably moronic.
She said those exact words two years ago and barely anyone cared. But now people are making a fuss about it?
I think it was smart timing from Barbara to dismiss the idea of a female Bond again, to counter the 'Nomi taking over' rumors.
But people read way too much into the race comments.
Barbara can comfortably talk about female Bonds because she is a woman. (Imagine if Michael said it instead).
But as white people they can not openly dismiss the idea of a Bond with different ethnicity because they will catch a ton of shit and be called racists. Thats how the internet works nowadays, sadly.
Also even IF they test black actors, or any other ethnicity than causcasian in the future, they will probably still end up with a 8/2 ratio for white actors, so how likely is it going to be that a Black actor will be picked?
The only way you end up with a black Bond is if you really, REALLY wanna hire someone because of his skin color. Which is the most appaling and racist idea ever. Everybody would hate it.
Statistically, Bond will remain a white man simply because of the lack of competition.
It shows you how tough it is for black talent to make a mark in that industry.
But it's not like we are not letting Black actors into the Bond films. There are tons of job opportunities. It's doesn't always have to be James Bond himself. I would like to win the lottery too, but thats not gonna happen so i keep working the job i can get. Thats life.
Idris is almost as big as Bond now, Naomi Harris is a Superstar thanks to Bond. Felix is a big role, but he's not from the UK. Colin Salmon had a great run on Bond. I don't know what people are complaining about. I would say there are more famous black british actors out there then ever before. Marvel, Star wars, etc
I thought that as well when I was writing that last post. There is black talent out there (when you consider how many famous British black actors there were in the 70s, 80s and 90s!) and they do pick up good roles in big franchises. But the reality is, for every Chiwetel Ejiofor there are a dozen Tom Hardys.
BUT James Bond is all around the world known as the quintessential British upper class snob.
Put an indian, asian or black on that Poster and Bond will loose something in the process. Until it all falls apart.
Whats the ratio of black and white people in britain? Honest question cause i have no idea. If its something like 12/1 white/black, there's your answer.
86% white.
IN fact the black population in Britian is lower than the Asian population.
There is no real comparison to make here as James Bond is totally unique; but let's try to imagine for one minute that there was a hugely successful black iconic "fictional" character (no, not John Shaft) that had been conceived as a black man, but was also written by a black man; and that had also been played by many different African Americans throughout the past half-century and that I—as a white man—decided to keep posting comments on a forum dedicated to this popular, black fictional character asking that his ethnicity be changed to a white guy. It doesn't take a particularly vivid imagination to picture just what kind of a response I'd get, now does it? Not only would my affection for that character be called into question, but so would my own agenda, plus I'm sure the responses wouldn't at all be kind. Not wanting to be rude, but do you actually like a white guy playing James Bond @Pierce2Daniel, or is it something that you merely tolerate for the sake of the action, fast cars and eye-candy?
What we do have in common is that we like a more artistic approach to the films and we like to think outside the Box sometimes, and we have both discussed the deeper themes of Skyfall for example, at lengths.
But what i feel P2D is often missing is, that Bond is as much about change as he's about Tradition.
If anything is fair game to be changed and nothing is sacred then this franchise basically has not core identity and values.
What these values are is a topic of discussion all on itself and I don't wanna get into that here. But what i'm saying is James Bond can not just be "Anything".
Lucidity! Thank you, @bondsum
Hahaha yeah I've read all the books, seen all the films, played most of the video games and have been a fan since I was five and saw TLD at the cinema. But I'm not a "true fan" because I don't see his skin colour as the be all and end all. Unbelieveable.
Bond has been going for nearly 60 years and has probably had more very different takes than most big franchises. If you're a traditionalist and don't like straying too far from the books then good for you. But that doesn't make you more of a "true fan" than anyone else. There are loads of different sorts of Bond fans who've been introduced to it through different mediums and actors, so a lot of those fans are bound to have different priorities in terms of casting and different preferences in terms of how the character should be played. One fan trying to claim superiority over another because of his personal taste is stupid.
This is exactly what I was on about when I said I might have to take a break from this site if/when it happens. It's just going to get toxic imo. There's no nuance, can't agree to disagree. It's either "if you don't want a black Bond you're a racist" or "if you're at all open to the idea you're just a woke fake fan not a true fan like me". It's all a load of bollocks.
You're skewing my words. Don't act like a victim. Very 2019. Get with the times.
I'm quoting your words exactly. You said anyone who rationalises a black Bond isn't a true fan. I've always said I wouldn't mind it for various reasons. Therefore according to you I'm not a true fan. And I'm not having that, that's bollocks.
In your first reply you failed to state "Anyone who rationalises a black Bond...". Instead you, in your opinion, list a bunch of things which make you a true fan. Indeed, in my opinion you aren't a true fan if you are able to or willing to change the literary DNA/ core of James Bond, to such a degree that it's no longer the character, created by Fleming. To me and many others, let alone Fleming, that's sacrilege. Honestly I really do not care if you're offended or throwing tantrums about it, as it's my opinion. The world keeps spinning, the sun will rise tomorrow, it's not the end of the world. People have different opinions, deal with it.
You're one of the most thoughtful and articulate posters on here. A true Bond fan through and through. I always look forward to your input.
That's the society we live in nowadays. Either you're for a certain thing or you're not. A binary society. No nuance and discussion anymore. Which is quite the pity.
Well said, I agree.
Interesting, two 'royales' and one complimenting the other. Ha. Not insinuating anything, but it's...interesting.
In the words of Silva "so tiring"
In the words of Natalya '"boys with toys"
In my words "please stop the fucking bickering"
Yeah, you got us.. I mean me. I'm both royale65 and thelivingroyale. Plus I'm also, @royaleMcDonalds, @royalethegreatandpowerfulliving and @royale69lol.
Oh, and @Thunderfinger, naturally.
Yes!
Good. You're on my ignore list, as well as thelivingroyale. No point in continuing.
@Resurrection I find it dangerous to interprate her words as entirely different, as it's conjecture. We know what she has said, so it could be her opinion, also because she liked the thought of Elba as Bond.
Too soon to judge. If she stand by her words what she said when next bond is announced, i will be the first one to call out @JeremyBondon
“You think of him as being from Britain or the Commonwealth, but Britain is a very diverse place,” Wilson says.
"There are certain things the duo appears open to considering, and other conversations that are nonstarters, when it comes to selecting the next Bond. “He can be of any color, but he is male,” says Broccoli"
It's the combination of their replies which make me think they are serious about and open to the idea of changing Bond's character. We'll have to wait and see.
This is Wilson's last film as a producer, isn't it? So I doubt he will be around after this much.
As I said these statements doesn't happen just like that. They must have plan to say those. As you know most bond girls repeat the same thing all over again everytime, "our character is not like the past, they are more stronger female characters".....
If they can say it why B.B & M.W won't, just to avoid these argument.
We should wait for any rumours for next bond casting first. Even i am not liking this female 007 but i will make my judgement after seeing the film ;)