Who should/could be a Bond actor?

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  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 8,254
    No matter what anyone thinks of Craig personally, his run has been a box office smash with the general audiences world wide.... Arguably this has been the most consistent and loved Era since the 60s...

    I have to believe because of this the cattle call to audition for the new Bond may be the biggest that EoN has had to confront.

    Every agency with viable candidates will be sending film reels into EoN. I also have to believe agents and actors will pounce on Barbra Broccoli's words that James Bond could be a man of any race. This opening will give many young men an opportunity.

    If I was a gambling man, I would bet that EoN don't want the new guy to be compared to Craig, so I can see them going with an actor who was born in the UK, but with a more diverse ethnic background.

    After the risk they took in ending NTTD the way in which they did, I think they will consider more unique risks to stretch and grow their brand. A way of doing this would be to cast a man of color.

    Personally, I just hope they cast the best of the best.
  • Jordo007Jordo007 Merseyside
    Posts: 2,483
    Thanks for the insight @peter

    I hope they cast the best man for the role too, I hope they don't cast the "it" actor simply because he's bookies favourite or looks the part. Pick this generations Daniel and map out his era carefully

    I do hope they don't change Bond's ethnicity, just to meet social standards or the ever changing current climate. That was a big problem for me with the ending of NTTD. But I'm going to try and remain open minded on it
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 14,861
    peter wrote: »
    No matter what anyone thinks of Craig personally, his run has been a box office smash with the general audiences world wide.... Arguably this has been the most consistent and loved Era since the 60s...

    I have to believe because of this the cattle call to audition for the new Bond may be the biggest that EoN has had to confront.

    Every agency with viable candidates will be sending film reels into EoN. I also have to believe agents and actors will pounce on Barbra Broccoli's words that James Bond could be a man of any race. This opening will give many young men an opportunity.

    If I was a gambling man, I would bet that EoN don't want the new guy to be compared to Craig, so I can see them going with an actor who was born in the UK, but with a more diverse ethnic background.

    After the risk they took in ending NTTD the way in which they did, I think they will consider more unique risks to stretch and grow their brand. A way of doing this would be to cast a man of color.

    Personally, I just hope they cast the best of the best.

    I think it's certainly possible: I can definitely imagine they'd want a contrast to Craig, as you say. Which is why I think, even if he were younger and/or available they might not have gone for Tom Hardy as he seems very close in style to Craig to me.
  • edited November 2021 Posts: 12,837
    peter wrote: »
    I can see them going with an actor who was born in the UK, but with a more diverse ethnic background.

    After the risk they took in ending NTTD the way in which they did, I think they will consider more unique risks to stretch and grow their brand. A way of doing this would be to cast a man of color.

    Personally, I just hope they cast the best of the best.

    Yeah I’ve been thinking the same lately. Bond isn’t going to stay white forever, I think that’s inevitable. The world’s population is growing and growing while mixed race relationships are more common than ever, so eventually I think films will end up ignoring ethnicity altogether just for the sake of representation (apart from films that are actually about race, obviously). We’ve already seen the early sign of that with how diverse media as a whole is getting, but I think the best example might be that David Copperfield film with Dev Patel, because I think Bond is in the same bracket. When a character lasts this long, they transcend the author’s vision imo. Not that Fleming wasn’t brilliant. But since we’ve already seen Fleming’s Bond on screen, plenty of times, I think it’s natural to expect deviations (and we’ve already had plenty of those too obviously). And when a character becomes a cultural lightning rod like Bond has, a constant national hero who evolves with the times, then naturally people will want to see people of different backgrounds having a go.

    And I’m fine with that personally, for reasons I’ve made clear many times before, but anyway. If we take Bond’s race eventually changing as inevitable, then now seems like a very likely time for it to happen, because they’ve got a complete clean slate. There’d be no confusion, because the next guy is so definitively not the same character as Craig’s Bond. If they’re ever going to do it (and I think they inevitably will at some point) then a clean slate is what they’d want, so I reckon you could be right. It does seem very likely.
  • edited November 2021 Posts: 6,665
    If so, they will loose me as a fan.

    Not that they should care, or anyone else for that matter.

    Actually, since NTTD I've been feeling more and more like I did after the winter of 2002. I just hope someday a winter of 2006 will happen again. I'm glad some of you guys don't feel the same. Honestly, I'm glad for you. Keep it up. I'll probably be out of it, waiting for better days, with little hope.

    Part of me thinks they'll go back to the roots and to the books and make something canonical in what the original material is concerned. But nowadays that's viewed as being conservative and narrow minded. So whatever comes, it'll probably won't be for me, like Craig's era wasn't for the craignobond fellas. I've always respected their position, but not their way of showcasing their emotions and opinions, so I'll refrain myself from posting and from the forums. That is, if they further subvert and strip Bond from recognition. It was enough for me to see him as an apple-peeling dad, it was enough for me to see him die, it was enough for me to see him blonde for 15 years, despite my love and respect for Daniel Craig.

    So, that's that.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    edited November 2021 Posts: 8,254
    @Univex, you’re an insightful and thoughtful poster. There’s the tact of the Craignotbond folks and their off-spring— and then there are people like you: educated feedback and telling it as you see it. I don’t see anything disrespectful in anything you’ve written. You seem like a nice and considerate gentleman.
    Keep on posting. Disagree. Debate. Celebrate, or not. Just bring your bit to the table!

    @thelivingroyale … very well stated! I was chatting with a fellow Mi6’er this afternoon and we were saying how James Bond is a man of “today”…. Well if he represents today, and when you look around large cosmopolitans it is certainly a colourful display. And we see all these different colours strolling out of office towers, riding in morning rush hour, in hospitals and in the military……..
    My theory is if Bond represents the present, then this must be shown in future films. If the brand is to stretch and grow, and if Bond was cast with an actor of a more “exotic” heritage, that could be the invitation that piques the interest of a younger generation into this character and his history…

    @mtm … agree fully; whether a man of colour is cast or not, I think Tom Hardy (and actors like him), would be too similar to Craig and should be avoided if the new actor is to be given a shot to carve his era with the greatest chance of success.
  • Jordo007Jordo007 Merseyside
    Posts: 2,483
    @Univex you're a brilliant user on this mate, I rate your opinion massively. I understand where you're coming from but please don't stop posting, it's the well mannered few who disagree that ultimately further the conversation.
    I agree with your post wholeheartedly by the way, Casino was the breath of fresh air that reignited my passion for this series as well

    I personally think a black male M, would be a stronger path for the series at this point. Seeing M being represented by a black man would be a huge leap forwards for the series in my opinion, like it was to see Judi Dench as M in 1995. It's subtle change of the norm that the series has prided itself on for almost 60 years, rather than a drastic change that could cause long term damage to a measured well maintained property that is Bond.

    James Bond the character need not change, but the world around him should reflect the world we live in
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 7,889
    Jordo007 wrote: »
    @Univex you're a brilliant user on this mate, I rate your opinion massively. I understand where you're coming from but please don't stop posting, it's the well mannered few who disagree that ultimately further the conversation.
    I agree with your post wholeheartedly by the way, Casino was the breath of fresh air that reignited my passion for this series as well

    I personally think a black male M, would be a stronger path for the series at this point. Seeing M being represented by a black man would be a huge leap forwards for the series in my opinion, like it was to see Judi Dench as M in 1995. It's subtle change of the norm that the series has prided itself on for almost 60 years, rather than a drastic change that could cause long term damage to a measured well maintained property that is Bond.

    James Bond the character need not change, but the world around him should reflect the world we live in

    +1 for both of you.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Jordo007 wrote: »

    I personally think a black male M, would be a stronger path for the series at this point.

    just don t have him blackmailed. Imagine all the stupid puns that would follow.
  • DenbighDenbigh UK
    Posts: 5,834
    Jordo007 wrote: »
    @Univex you're a brilliant user on this mate, I rate your opinion massively. I understand where you're coming from but please don't stop posting, it's the well mannered few who disagree that ultimately further the conversation.
    I agree with your post wholeheartedly by the way, Casino was the breath of fresh air that reignited my passion for this series as well

    I personally think a black male M, would be a stronger path for the series at this point. Seeing M being represented by a black man would be a huge leap forwards for the series in my opinion, like it was to see Judi Dench as M in 1995.
    I'd quite like to see Lennie James or Noma Dumezweni. I think they'd both make really good Ms.
  • Jordo007Jordo007 Merseyside
    edited November 2021 Posts: 2,483
    Good suggestions mate, both would nail it.
    I would love to see Colin Salmon back a new as M, he's a great actor and he has a fantastic powerful voice. I could picture him lecturing Bond

    I think Eon used him to narrate a Skyfall documentary as well in 2012
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 14,861
    Denbigh wrote: »
    Jordo007 wrote: »
    @Univex you're a brilliant user on this mate, I rate your opinion massively. I understand where you're coming from but please don't stop posting, it's the well mannered few who disagree that ultimately further the conversation.
    I agree with your post wholeheartedly by the way, Casino was the breath of fresh air that reignited my passion for this series as well

    I personally think a black male M, would be a stronger path for the series at this point. Seeing M being represented by a black man would be a huge leap forwards for the series in my opinion, like it was to see Judi Dench as M in 1995.
    I'd quite like to see Lennie James or Noma Dumezweni. I think they'd both make really good Ms.

    She's very cool; I was kind of hoping she'd be Dr Who.
  • Posts: 14,799
    Jordo007 wrote: »
    Good suggestions mate, both would nail it.
    I would love to see Colin Salmon back a new as M, he's a great actor and he has a fantastic powerful voice. I could picture him lecturing Bond

    I think Eon used him to narrate a Skyfall documentary as well in 2012

    I'd rather have Ralph Fiennes back as M, like Dench did.
  • edited November 2021 Posts: 9,730
    Univex wrote: »
    If so, they will loose me as a fan.

    Not that they should care, or anyone else for that matter.

    Actually, since NTTD I've been feeling more and more like I did after the winter of 2002. I just hope someday a winter of 2006 will happen again. I'm glad some of you guys don't feel the same. Honestly, I'm glad for you. Keep it up. I'll probably be out of it, waiting for better days, with little hope.

    Part of me thinks they'll go back to the roots and to the books and make something canonical in what the original material is concerned. But nowadays that's viewed as being conservative and narrow minded. So whatever comes, it'll probably won't be for me, like Craig's era wasn't for the craignobond fellas. I've always respected their position, but not their way of showcasing their emotions and opinions, so I'll refrain myself from posting and from the forums. That is, if they further subvert and strip Bond from recognition. It was enough for me to see him as an apple-peeling dad, it was enough for me to see him die, it was enough for me to see him blonde for 15 years, despite my love and respect for Daniel Craig.

    So, that's that.


    I fear for the future as well, though I love most of No Time to Die I fear the future is dark and well strange...

    I dont get why it is wrong to want bond to remain a certain way. but I know many are passionate arguments on both sides.


    For me if they do go with casting another ethnicity as Bond I might give it a shot but I might not.


    The reason I push for actors like Hardy is because if it isn't broken why break it? Having an actor in the mold of Craig with flemingesque plots for another decade or so is definitely something I prefer over radical casting and stunt plotting.
  • I just don't get the fascination with Hardy. He's a descent actor but I'd hardly call him great and I just don't see him as Bond.
    As for Bond himself, keep him a white male. Lord knows there are more than enough white British actors with the capability to do justice to the role, regardless if we know who they are or not. The moment they change Vind's ethnicity/skin colour, that's when they would have gone with the ridiculous idea that Bond is a code name nonsense. Bond at that point would be dead to me anyway.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 14,861
    Jimjambond wrote: »
    Lord knows there are more than enough white British actors with the capability to do justice to the role, regardless if we know who they are or not.

    At the moment we're not sure about that! :)
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    Posts: 12,914
    Jordo007 wrote: »
    I personally think a black male M, would be a stronger path for the series at this point. Seeing M being represented by a black man would be a huge leap forwards for the series in my opinion, like it was to see Judi Dench as M in 1995.
    Not sure I can see well yeah okay then I guess so @Jordo007.

    41lcqH5zLlL._SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_ML2_.jpg

  • VenutiusVenutius Yorkshire
    Posts: 2,895
    Only if it's Colin Salmon...
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 7,889
    Venutius wrote: »
    Only if it's Colin Salmon...

    He would be an excellent choice.

  • sandbagger1sandbagger1 Sussex
    Posts: 686
    If you're looking for a strong, critically acclaimed actor in the vein of Dame Judy Dench and Ralph Fiennes , then Chiwetel Ejiofor would be a good choice for 'M', imo.
  • Posts: 14,799
    If you're looking for a strong, critically acclaimed actor in the vein of Dame Judy Dench and Ralph Fiennes , then Chiwetel Ejiofor would be a good choice for 'M', imo.

    He's a bit young for that, isn't he? I think he looks too youthful anyway. And too soft (one of my reservations for him playing a Bond villain as he was rumoured to do).
  • NickTwentyTwoNickTwentyTwo Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts: 7,518
    263097522_242768037948181_6508289543761748031_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=0debeb&_nc_ohc=LiIbOuTwkK4AX-TJb0s&_nc_ht=scontent.fcxh3-1.fna&oh=c0bed5a9461ae636e223c17db4fdbf2d&oe=61AF276E

    Too old now probably, but I'll still post every picture that confirms Luke Evans would have made an awesome Bond.
  • BennyBenny In the shadowsAdministrator, Moderator
    Posts: 14,811
    263097522_242768037948181_6508289543761748031_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=0debeb&_nc_ohc=LiIbOuTwkK4AX-TJb0s&_nc_ht=scontent.fcxh3-1.fna&oh=c0bed5a9461ae636e223c17db4fdbf2d&oe=61AF276E

    Too old now probably, but I'll still post every picture that confirms Luke Evans would have made an awesome Bond.

    Have to agree, he would be a great Bond I feel. Although he's coming up 43 it's possible he could do a 3 film stint. Sir Rog was 45 when he took on the role in LALD.
  • Posts: 6,665
    I'd be over the moon if Luke Evans played Bond.

    Not gonna happen, though :(
  • NickTwentyTwoNickTwentyTwo Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts: 7,518
    For anyone interested, that shot's from The Alienist per Evans' Instagram. Lots of good Bond looks for Evans in that show, if the Instagram is any indicator.
  • edited December 2021 Posts: 328
    ...Evans is in great shape and knows how to wear a suit, as opposed to wearing an ill-fitting suit where it looks like the seams and buttons are holding on to dear life.
  • Posts: 14,799
    Benny wrote: »
    263097522_242768037948181_6508289543761748031_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=0debeb&_nc_ohc=LiIbOuTwkK4AX-TJb0s&_nc_ht=scontent.fcxh3-1.fna&oh=c0bed5a9461ae636e223c17db4fdbf2d&oe=61AF276E

    Too old now probably, but I'll still post every picture that confirms Luke Evans would have made an awesome Bond.

    Have to agree, he would be a great Bond I feel. Although he's coming up 43 it's possible he could do a 3 film stint. Sir Rog was 45 when he took on the role in LALD.

    Different times. Roger Moore became Bond when they could still release a movie every year, or two. And my bet is that they'd want someone to last longer than three films.

    Also, and this will never be admitted, but Evans being homosexual, I think they would not dare/would not have dare to cast him. For the record, I'd have no problem whatsoever for a gay actor playing Bond. But I think it would create a controversy, so they'll quietly avoid it.
  • cwl007cwl007 England
    Posts: 611
    Benny wrote: »
    263097522_242768037948181_6508289543761748031_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=0debeb&_nc_ohc=LiIbOuTwkK4AX-TJb0s&_nc_ht=scontent.fcxh3-1.fna&oh=c0bed5a9461ae636e223c17db4fdbf2d&oe=61AF276E

    Too old now probably, but I'll still post every picture that confirms Luke Evans would have made an awesome Bond.

    Have to agree, he would be a great Bond I feel. Although he's coming up 43 it's possible he could do a 3 film stint. Sir Rog was 45 when he took on the role in LALD.

    +1
    43 is not too old. 43 IS NOT TOO OLD. NOT NOT NOT. Not over the hill, I won't accept it. A 43 year can and SHOULD still play Bond.
    (BTW I'm 43 years old!😅)
  • BennyBenny In the shadowsAdministrator, Moderator
    Posts: 14,811
    Ludovico wrote: »
    Benny wrote: »
    263097522_242768037948181_6508289543761748031_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=0debeb&_nc_ohc=LiIbOuTwkK4AX-TJb0s&_nc_ht=scontent.fcxh3-1.fna&oh=c0bed5a9461ae636e223c17db4fdbf2d&oe=61AF276E

    Too old now probably, but I'll still post every picture that confirms Luke Evans would have made an awesome Bond.

    Have to agree, he would be a great Bond I feel. Although he's coming up 43 it's possible he could do a 3 film stint. Sir Rog was 45 when he took on the role in LALD.

    Different times. Roger Moore became Bond when they could still release a movie every year, or two. And my bet is that they'd want someone to last longer than three films.

    Also, and this will never be admitted, but Evans being homosexual, I think they would not dare/would not have dare to cast him. For the record, I'd have no problem whatsoever for a gay actor playing Bond. But I think it would create a controversy, so they'll quietly avoid it.[/]
    Ludovico wrote: »
    Benny wrote: »
    263097522_242768037948181_6508289543761748031_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=0debeb&_nc_ohc=LiIbOuTwkK4AX-TJb0s&_nc_ht=scontent.fcxh3-1.fna&oh=c0bed5a9461ae636e223c17db4fdbf2d&oe=61AF276E

    Too old now probably, but I'll still post every picture that confirms Luke Evans would have made an awesome Bond.

    Have to agree, he would be a great Bond I feel. Although he's coming up 43 it's possible he could do a 3 film stint. Sir Rog was 45 when he took on the role in LALD.

    Different times. Roger Moore became Bond when they could still release a movie every year, or two. And my bet is that they'd want someone to last longer than three films.

    Also, and this will never be admitted, but Evans being homosexual, I think they would not dare/would not have dare to cast him. For the record, I'd have no problem whatsoever for a gay actor playing Bond. But I think it would create a controversy, so they'll quietly avoid it.

    I know where you're coming from. I'm sure you're probably right about Evan's age. However it's not impossible to have him take on a three film Bond stint. I sadly have to agree with you on the homosexual part. The press would be relentless in having a gay actor play James Bond. And even if they didn't it would always be an issue, be it via the internet, fans or media. Luke Evans does possess many if not all of the attributes to be a credible James Bond.
  • Ludovico wrote: »
    Benny wrote: »
    263097522_242768037948181_6508289543761748031_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=0debeb&_nc_ohc=LiIbOuTwkK4AX-TJb0s&_nc_ht=scontent.fcxh3-1.fna&oh=c0bed5a9461ae636e223c17db4fdbf2d&oe=61AF276E

    Too old now probably, but I'll still post every picture that confirms Luke Evans would have made an awesome Bond.

    Have to agree, he would be a great Bond I feel. Although he's coming up 43 it's possible he could do a 3 film stint. Sir Rog was 45 when he took on the role in LALD.

    Different times. Roger Moore became Bond when they could still release a movie every year, or two. And my bet is that they'd want someone to last longer than three films.

    Also, and this will never be admitted, but Evans being homosexual, I think they would not dare/would not have dare to cast him. For the record, I'd have no problem whatsoever for a gay actor playing Bond. But I think it would create a controversy, so they'll quietly avoid it.

    I think casting Evans, knowing that he's gay would be a bold move and curry favor. The only problem and controversy would be is if they actually made Bond himself gay.
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