Who should/could be a Bond actor?

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  • Posts: 2,742
    bondsum wrote: »
    Having taken a brief hiatus I thought I'd rejoin the conversation on Aaron Taylor Johnson's rumoured screen-test. Do I believe it? As a matter of fact, I do believe it. I think this gives us a much clearer insight as to the type of actor EON are going for as 007 in Bond 26. I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn that ATJ is probably the most wildly known out of the screen-tested candidates so far, which might explain why his name has leaked ahead of the others.

    Whilst I'm slightly ambivalent to ATJ as the final choice—his David Beckham high-pitched voice and lack of height is my main concern—I do like everything else about him. He's a very good actor, although his strengths do appear to lie in playing quirky, oddball characters rather than the strong, stoic male lead type. As others have pointed out, who truly remembers his bland performance in 2014's Godzilla as Lieutenant Brody Ford? No, me neither.

    Anyway, I'm not here to knock Aaron Taylor Johnson as I think he has the potential to go on and deliver a very good performance as Bond, depending on the final script, of course.

    No, I thought I'd take this opportunity to throw in a few other British actor names of a similar age that could be screen-testing alongside ATJ for the role. I've only managed to come up with four names myself, those being Alex Roe, Tom Hughes, Sean Teal (as mentioned above by @parkert5) and Jack Reynor. I'm sure there are others, but I've yet to see any real suitable candidates.

    I also think ATJ puts to bed any hope of Henry Cavill or Aidan Turner being screen-tested for the role, which was pretty much what I'd been told from an insider who will have to remain anonymous. (Those of you that I've confided in will know who I'm referencing). Anyway, we'll find out more about Bond 26 in the coming months.

    Until then, sayōnara.

    Interesting point about Johnson potentially being indicative of what kind of actor they're looking for if there's truth to the rumour (less overtly stoic 'manly man' type, known for playing quirky characters etc.) Not saying they're going to go in a completely out of the box, 'non-Bondian' direction with this casting, but perhaps it's a sign we're going to get someone consciously different to Craig - less brutish, more subtle perhaps. I've said in the past I'm fine with that, but it makes it tricky to predict the actor.
  • TheSkyfallen06TheSkyfallen06 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
    edited November 2022 Posts: 975
    bondsum wrote: »
    I hate to be pedantic about such things, but Reynor isn't British.

    True, he's Irish-American. Erase that name and replace it with Thomas Doherty then ;)

    Yeah, have him for a Trigger Mortis adaptation.
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 7,888
    He definitely has potential; he looks better without the inky black hair.

    B32242Y.jpg
  • LucknFateLucknFate 007 In New York
    Posts: 1,419
    My qualifications go beyond "kind of looks like a cheap pretty Sean Connery" but I'll check out some of Doherty's work.
  • edited November 2022 Posts: 2,742
    He's ok. There's definitely a seductive quality to him that comes out in his performances but I don't see much 'warmth' to him as an actor if that makes sense (which I guess is the logic in casting him as a Dracula character in The Invitation, and actually it's more interesting seeing him as a villain). Must say despite his appearance he doesn't remind me much of Connery in terms of mannerisms or screen presence at all. Actually the likes of Sope Dirisu and Jack O'Connell remind me more of Connery in this sense.
  • Posts: 3,333
    mtm wrote: »
    It is quite curious that Broccoli and Saltzman let Connery stay Scottish really, isn't it? Considering he wasn't a star at that point, has anything been said about whether they considered making him do the accent?

    I'll give you my take on this query. I don't believe Broccoli and Saltzman did allow Connery to stay Scottish, as you put it. If you rewatch Dr No, FRWL, GF, it's pretty clear that Connery is trying to speak in an affected English uppercrust voice. Sure, some of his Scottish burr seeps through every now and then, but his regional brogue is dialed right back as far as he feels comfortable taking it. Also, Connery did take elocution lessons to improve his diction before the role of Bond. Besides, most Americans wouldn't be able to understand a regional Scottish accent unless it was first modified by the actor themselves. The same applies to actors from the North of England, such as the Geordie accent from the Tyneside area. Some fans even had a similar complaint about Dalton's Welsh accent occasionally seeping through, such as when he said "nassty" instead of the southern English pronunciation of narsty.

    It's also worth noting that one of Roger Moore's own regrets was totally losing his own regional accent as it hadn't done either Michael Caine or Sean Connery any harm.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 8,248
    I'll eat my hat if any producers for any production hold auditions for a lead actor for a historical series with no script.
  • Posts: 3,333
    Interesting point about Johnson potentially being indicative of what kind of actor they're looking for if there's truth to the rumour (less overtly stoic 'manly man' type, known for playing quirky characters etc.) Not saying they're going to go in a completely out of the box, 'non-Bondian' direction with this casting, but perhaps it's a sign we're going to get someone consciously different to Craig - less brutish, more subtle perhaps. I've said in the past I'm fine with that, but it makes it tricky to predict the actor.
    Sorry, I didn't mean to imply the producers are looking for a "less overtly stoic 'manly man' type" of actor, although this has been mooted by some in the press with Timothée Chalamet as a possible ideal candidate.
    Doherty is a much better actor from what I've seen, anyway!
    I haven't seen much of Doherty, but from what little I have seen he does tick a lot of my own boxes. At least he's 6 ft tall and has a deeper voice than ATJ. He could be the one. 8->
  • Posts: 2,742
    bondsum wrote: »
    Interesting point about Johnson potentially being indicative of what kind of actor they're looking for if there's truth to the rumour (less overtly stoic 'manly man' type, known for playing quirky characters etc.) Not saying they're going to go in a completely out of the box, 'non-Bondian' direction with this casting, but perhaps it's a sign we're going to get someone consciously different to Craig - less brutish, more subtle perhaps. I've said in the past I'm fine with that, but it makes it tricky to predict the actor.
    Sorry, I didn't mean to imply the producers are looking for a "less overtly stoic 'manly man' type" of actor, although this has been mooted by some in the press with Timothée Chalamet as a possible ideal candidate.

    I don't think that's specifically what they're looking for either. I was probably being a bit flippant phrasing it like that. I just think they'll be looking for someone consciously different to Craig, and if an actor perhaps approaches the role in a way that's deemed too similar to him they'll be less likely to get the role. Don't think it'll be Chamalet though!
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 7,888
    peter wrote: »
    I'll eat my hat if any producers for any production hold auditions for a lead actor for a historical series with no script.

    So Peter, in the history of the franchise have they never tested actors , in between films, when there was no locked in script? It seems particularly likely in the Connery and Moore years, particularly when they were playing hardball for more money,
  • peterpeter Toronto
    edited November 2022 Posts: 8,248
    @talos7

    I should have emphasized-- contemporary producers in today's film industry, auditioning the lead to a storied franchise, without a scrip, is insanity.

    I was actually going to edit my post, knowing that yesteryear would be called to attention.

    So, I will eat my hat if any auditions, for the new James Bond, have taken place without a script. I can't believe that EON would greenlight this ass backwards approach.

    Nor MGM.

    Nor Amazon.

    A meeting?

    A dinner?

    Certainly, especially as this Kick Ass actor's wife is a director and an acquaintance to Ms. Broccoli.

    But an audition? Without a script? If I'm wrong, pass the ketchup and I'll get chewing.
  • NickTwentyTwoNickTwentyTwo Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts: 7,518
    talos7 wrote: »
    He definitely has potential; he looks better without the inky black hair.

    B32242Y.jpg

    Haven’t seen him in anything yet but IMO he has the look 100%. It doesn’t hurt that he looks so similar to Connery. Looking forward to watching something of his.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    edited November 2022 Posts: 14,861
    bondsum wrote: »
    mtm wrote: »
    It is quite curious that Broccoli and Saltzman let Connery stay Scottish really, isn't it? Considering he wasn't a star at that point, has anything been said about whether they considered making him do the accent?

    I'll give you my take on this query. I don't believe Broccoli and Saltzman did allow Connery to stay Scottish, as you put it. If you rewatch Dr No, FRWL, GF, it's pretty clear that Connery is trying to speak in an affected English uppercrust voice. Sure, some of his Scottish burr seeps through every now and then, but his regional brogue is dialed right back as far as he feels comfortable taking it. Also, Connery did take elocution lessons to improve his diction before the role of Bond. Besides, most Americans wouldn't be able to understand a regional Scottish accent unless it was first modified by the actor themselves. The same applies to actors from the North of England, such as the Geordie accent from the Tyneside area. Some fans even had a similar complaint about Dalton's Welsh accent occasionally seeping through, such as when he said "nassty" instead of the southern English pronunciation of narsty.

    It's also worth noting that one of Roger Moore's own regrets was totally losing his own regional accent as it hadn't done either Michael Caine or Sean Connery any harm.

    Great, thank you, good post. I think you're quite right about Connery smoothing his accent towards the border.

    One qualification though: Dalton doesn't have a Welsh accent- he's got remnants of a Derbyshire accent as that's where he comes from; despite the myth he's not Welsh.
  • NickTwentyTwoNickTwentyTwo Vancouver, BC, Canada
    edited November 2022 Posts: 7,518
    Is Dalton not Welsh? wtf...

    EDIT: Maybe I misinterpreted the end of your post.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    edited November 2022 Posts: 14,861
    No, he was just born there because that's where his dad was working at the time. He's half-English, half-American by birth and grew up in the North of England.
  • Posts: 3,333
    mtm wrote: »
    One qualification though: Dalton doesn't have a Welsh accent- he's got remnants of a Derbyshire accent as that's where he comes from; despite the myth he's not Welsh.
    You're quite correct. I meant Derbyshire accent as Dalton was only born in Wales but grew up in Belper in Derbyshire. Nevertheless, his regional accent still affected his speech every once in a while. Not as obvious as Connery's but traces of it were still there.
    peter wrote: »
    So, I will eat my hat if any auditions, for the new James Bond, have taken place without a script.
    EON don't need a finished script for a screen-test as they can use previously written scenes taken from earlier Bond movies. From memory, all the actors have to perform the Tatiana Romanova bedroom scene from FRWL and the Teresa di Vicenzo bedroom scene from OHMSS. There's possibly a few more scenes I've forgotten about. I think once they've narrowed it down to the final three actors, they'll call them back to perform some scenes taken from the working script or draft of Bond 26.
  • Posts: 14,799
    DarthDimi wrote: »
    I was thinking about ATJ and the fact that he's been in a few commercial film series. Then it hit me that with the exception of Lazenby, all Bonds had been in somewhat commercial projects before being cast as 007. I'm thinking Darby O'Gill, Ivanhoe, Flash Gordon, Remington Steele, Tomb Raider, ... Roger in particular had played several 'big' roles; he was in The Saint, The Persuaders, Maverick, ... So the fact that ATJ was Kick-Ass at some point, and has been seen in other commercial projects, doesn't strike me as a problem as such.

    Looking back, no Bond was ever truly an unknown, was he? (Except Lazenby.) Although Connery appears to have been largely under the radar before DN.

    Of all the Bond actors, only Moore was famous when taking the role, imo. Brosnan was mostly known as the guy who could or should have been Bond. Generally they go for relatively unknown veteran actors. Of course in our day and age, with social media and Google, even the most obscure candidate could already be more famous than Brosnan or Dalton when cast.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    edited November 2022 Posts: 14,861
    bondsum wrote: »
    peter wrote: »
    So, I will eat my hat if any auditions, for the new James Bond, have taken place without a script.
    EON don't need a finished script for a screen-test as they can use previously written scenes taken from earlier Bond movies. From memory, all the actors have to perform the Tatiana Romanova bedroom scene from FRWL and the Teresa di Vicenzo bedroom scene from OHMSS. There's possibly a few more scenes I've forgotten about. I think once they've narrowed it down to the final three actors, they'll call them back to perform some scenes taken from the working script or draft of Bond 26.

    I think Peter means a script for the film: you can't really cast a main character, even James Bond, unless you have a film for him to be in. Last time they had Casino Royale, a script and a director, and they knew where they wanted to take Bond, which is why Craig was cast and what he was cast to do.
    You wouldn't have cast Christian Bale to be in a Joel Schumacher Batman film.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    edited November 2022 Posts: 8,248
    EON don't need a finished script for a screen-test as they can use previously written scenes taken from earlier Bond movies. From memory, all the actors have to perform the Tatiana Romanova bedroom scene from FRWL and the Teresa di Vicenzo bedroom scene from OHMSS. There's possibly a few more scenes I've forgotten about. I think once they've narrowed it down to the final three actors, they'll call them back to perform some scenes taken from the working script or draft of Bond 26.

    @bondsum :

    Auditions cost money. Quite a bit of it, actually. For recalls, union actors actually get paid to return, but, on top of this:

    Auditions need their own schedules and budgets that include the time of the casting director (and payment), the hiring of set people, camera operators and a director and the hiring of actors to play against (as well as their payments).

    There will be scheduled auditions and they will be shot as close to all at once as possible (before going to final candidates).

    They will not need a finished script (I didn’t say that), nor will they when they start auditioning— but they WILL have an early draft of the new script with the proper tone and direction of the new film, to see if actors can pull off what the producers are looking for (as well as performing FRWL to see how the men do with the romance).

    Make no mistake, the auditions will be scheduled and financed and they WILL be studying scenes from the new script (not a finished/polished script; that happens when they lock the new actor), and the first round of auditions will shoot as close to each other as the schedule will allow.

    No one will green light such an important process without a script/direction in place.

    This isn’t like 1982 where they wanted to see if Brolin could throw a punch.

    The series isn’t the sausage factory it was in Cubby’s latter days (and I say that as a fan of his sausages). These are at least US$200 million dollar investments competing in a crowded market, for a billion dollars in worldwide box office. There’s far too much at stake— especially now having to fill the shoes left by Craig.

    No direction, no script, no auditions.


    EDIT: @mtm nailed it (but I didn’t see it until after I posted, 😂)


  • NickTwentyTwoNickTwentyTwo Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts: 7,518
    mtm wrote: »
    bondsum wrote: »
    peter wrote: »
    So, I will eat my hat if any auditions, for the new James Bond, have taken place without a script.
    EON don't need a finished script for a screen-test as they can use previously written scenes taken from earlier Bond movies. From memory, all the actors have to perform the Tatiana Romanova bedroom scene from FRWL and the Teresa di Vicenzo bedroom scene from OHMSS. There's possibly a few more scenes I've forgotten about. I think once they've narrowed it down to the final three actors, they'll call them back to perform some scenes taken from the working script or draft of Bond 26.

    I think Peter means a script for the film: you can't really cast a main character, even James Bond, unless you have a film for him to be in. Last time they had Casino Royale, a script and a director, and they knew where they wanted to take Bond, which is why Craig was cast and what he was cast to do.
    You wouldn't have cast Christian Bale to be in a Joel Schumacher Batman film.

    But I suppose they might do screen tests for actors before a final script is in place?
  • Posts: 3,333
    Interesting @peter. So, in your opinion, where do you think EON are right now? Have you heard anything with your ear to the ground?
  • VenutiusVenutius Yorkshire
    edited November 2022 Posts: 2,895
    If Doherty's got the voice and masculine presence to go with the look, we could do a damn sight worse. Give the man a screentest, for sure. The one caveat would be the likelihood of his hairline surviving a decade-long stint. Mind you, he'd be able to afford the Rogaine if it came to it, I guess!
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 14,861
    mtm wrote: »
    bondsum wrote: »
    peter wrote: »
    So, I will eat my hat if any auditions, for the new James Bond, have taken place without a script.
    EON don't need a finished script for a screen-test as they can use previously written scenes taken from earlier Bond movies. From memory, all the actors have to perform the Tatiana Romanova bedroom scene from FRWL and the Teresa di Vicenzo bedroom scene from OHMSS. There's possibly a few more scenes I've forgotten about. I think once they've narrowed it down to the final three actors, they'll call them back to perform some scenes taken from the working script or draft of Bond 26.

    I think Peter means a script for the film: you can't really cast a main character, even James Bond, unless you have a film for him to be in. Last time they had Casino Royale, a script and a director, and they knew where they wanted to take Bond, which is why Craig was cast and what he was cast to do.
    You wouldn't have cast Christian Bale to be in a Joel Schumacher Batman film.

    But I suppose they might do screen tests for actors before a final script is in place?

    Oh yeah, bearing in mind how much scripts can change, I don't think that's impossible at all.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 8,248
    I think they’re really in pre development mode. If I was to guess @bondsum , i think there’s a lot of spitballing going on, but with only the closest creatives.

    I could be completely wrong, but when MGW said they’d be talking to P&W, I don’t think there’s any reason to doubt him. I’m not saying they will be the sole writers, but we can’t be surprised if they at least do the first few outlines for Eon (on commission), if not some of the early drafts (before co-writers and script doctors climb on board).

    I do believe wheels are certainly moving, but perhaps not at the pace of having auditions quite yet.
  • Posts: 3,333
    Venutius wrote: »
    If Doherty's got the voice and masculine presence to go with the look, we could do a damn sight worse. Give the man a screentest. The one caveat would be the likelihood of his hairline surviving a decade-long stint. Mind you, he'd be able to afford the Rogaine if it came to it, I guess!
    Just checked Doherty's age and he's 27. Not sure if that would go against him. I know it shouldn't, but the way these movies are excruciatingly made he could be 30 by the time Bond 26 comes out!!
  • Posts: 3,333
    peter wrote: »
    I think they’re really in pre development mode. If I was to guess @bondsum , i think there’s a lot of spitballing going on, but with only the closest creatives.

    I could be completely wrong, but when MGW said they’d be talking to P&W, I don’t think there’s any reason to doubt him. I’m not saying they will be the sole writers, but we can’t be surprised if they at least do the first few outlines for Eon (on commission), if not some of the early drafts (before co-writers and script doctors climb on board).

    I do believe wheels are certainly moving, but perhaps not at the pace of having auditions quite yet.
    Thank you @peter. I've been out of the loop for a long while and it's really good to get your expert take on things.
  • NickTwentyTwoNickTwentyTwo Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts: 7,518
    Venutius wrote: »
    If Doherty's got the voice and masculine presence to go with the look, we could do a damn sight worse. Give the man a screentest, for sure. The one caveat would be the likelihood of his hairline surviving a decade-long stint. Mind you, he'd be able to afford the Rogaine if it came to it, I guess!

    It didn't seem to stop his spiritual father Sean Connery! ;) But yeah, if his acting chops are sufficient he'd be my #1 realistic choice (true #1 is still Luke Evans).
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 7,888
    As with several of the other “ candidates “, Doherty would benefit from a bit of quality weight and a bit of weathering.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 8,248
    No problem @bondsum ... No one knows exactly what the producers and their partners will do, not even the insiders (since they can only go with what was told, or what they saw).

    But the auditioning process is a complex part of film making, and you don't want to take the wrong step out of the gate. There's a schedule, a small crew, actors and a director to round up and a thorough process to manage. It's an exciting time, and my fingers are crossed that it'll be here soon enough (late spring? Early summer? Just guesses and based on zero info).

    Welcome back. Your posts have been missed.

    P

  • DenbighDenbigh UK
    edited November 2022 Posts: 5,834
    I can see, if the rumours are at least true, the press making it seem like they're far more ahead than they actually are, with the possibility of Broccoli only being impressed by Johnson in initial meetings. Barbara may just want to get an idea of who on their possible list would actually want to do it?

    Is it also possible considering how closely Barbara and Michael worked with Craig that they'd like to repeat that close relationship and want to set that dynamic from the off as opposed to how it built with Craig?
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