What if George Lazenby had been in Diamonds Are Forever?

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  • edited February 2012 Posts: 11,425
    If bond had always been played by an english actor I'd say no americans, but we've already had a scottish bond, an aussie, a welshman and an irishman. So if the american can pull of the right accent then by all means go for it.

    I sort of agree, although casting an American has the potential to be a total disaster. I also find it annoying when Brits get cast as Americans but have awful accents.

    However, I think Rennie Zellwiger and Meryl Streep have showed that Americans can do the British accent pretty well. Am yet to see an American guy do the accent as well as those two. Downey Jr as Holmes is highly entertaining but not a very convincing accent!
  • echoecho 007 in New York
    Posts: 5,921
    Getafix wrote:
    Volante wrote:
    Since Bond is a British film, I'd like to see it remain peopled with British actors. It's a big opportunity for British or European actors to become huge stars. Look at all the British talent it has introduced to the world.

    I'm an Australian, and I feel a real connection to England and Ireland (strong ancestral links) so it makes me happy to see the films retain a British heritage. I'm pretty strongly opposed to an American Bond, it just wouldn't feel right.

    But back on topic, Lazenby definitely should've done a few more. OHMSS is quite good, and the revenge subplot could've made DAF far more interesting. DAF left me dissatisfied, particularly since Tracy's death and the revenge on Blofeld was barely addressed. The final scene of OHMSS leaves me in tears each time I see it. Sports and Tracy Bond, the only things to bring me to tears.

    Lazenby could've done so well... Shame, really.

    I've never been a fan of DAF and am not sure Lazer could have improved it. I sort of fear that if he'd done DAF then the series might have died.

    Laz would never have gotten whupped by Bambi and Thumper, that's for sure.
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    Volante wrote:

    I'm an Australian, and I feel a real connection to England and Ireland (strong ancestral links) so it makes me happy to see the films retain a British heritage. I'm pretty strongly opposed to an American Bond, it just wouldn't feel right.

    .

    I agree. Much as I dont have any feelings for the commonwealth either way, theres still some intangible link in our DNA that makes the idea of an Aussie or Kiwi seem acceptable where casting a yank sounds like heresy.

    Part of it is our ancestral heritage I suppose but I think it's also our sense if humour. You can have some banter with antipodeans which Americans would never get and when you live in foreign countries there is a certain je ne sais quoi when you meet up with Aussies and Kiwis which you dont get with yanks.

    I also think the British media would hammer the casting of a yank but would be more sympathetic to someone from down under.

    Personally I would like to say I would have nothing against a yank playing Bond but deep down there's just a gut reaction that feels it would simply be wrong. Like when a foreigner manages England - and look how that's turned out.
  • Posts: 11,189
    Volante wrote:

    I'm an Australian, and I feel a real connection to England and Ireland (strong ancestral links) so it makes me happy to see the films retain a British heritage. I'm pretty strongly opposed to an American Bond, it just wouldn't feel right.

    .

    I agree. Much as I dont have any feelings for the commonwealth either way, theres still some intangible link in our DNA that makes the idea of an Aussie or Kiwi seem acceptable where casting a yank sounds like heresy.

    Part of it is our ancestral heritage I suppose but I think it's also our sense if humour. You can have some banter with antipodeans which Americans would never get and when you live in foreign countries there is a certain je ne sais quoi when you meet up with Aussies and Kiwis which you dont get with yanks.

    I also think the British media would hammer the casting of a yank but would be more sympathetic to someone from down under.

    Personally I would like to say I would have nothing against a yank playing Bond but deep down there's just a gut reaction that feels it would simply be wrong. Like when a foreigner manages England - and look how that's turned out.

    I think it would depend on who the actor was. If the American was an "Indie" actor I can't help but feel he would be accepted a bit more. If he was a flashy movie star actor then yes, that wouldn't feel right.

    Pierce was the closest we've had to that but I wouldn't have counted him as a full blown "American" - at least during his time as Bond.
  • edited February 2012 Posts: 401
    I love the DAF we have, but a Lazenby DAF would have most likely been just as enjoyable. Lazenby as Bond was my favorite aspect of OHMSS.
  • edited February 2012 Posts: 11,189
    While I'm not the biggest Laz fan I suspect it would be better than the film we have. To be honest I've always found DAF quite dull.
  • Posts: 4,762
    DAF had some colorful locations, a grand-scale plot, a good lot of villains, and a great score, but what kills it for me is the lack of good action. This might be due in part to Connery, and could also be because of the convoluted script with cut scenes and all that stuff. Anyway, I think that Lazenby could have improved on this and given us much better action.
  • Posts: 232
    I completely agree, Lazenby had an edge at that time, where Connery really seemed to stroll through it for a big payday. Connery is a good enough actor to make a stroll an enjoyable one, but Lazenby had an energy which will forever be untapped.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    BAIN123 wrote:
    While I'm not the biggest Laz fan I suspect it would be better than the film we have. To be honest I've always found DAF quite dull.
    Indeed. A disgrace of a film that sadly featured Sean, and instead should've been a revenge tale with George. Alas, we have to play the cards we're dealt.
  • Posts: 4,813
    Damn- I have to admit, every week or so I always come back to this thread just to look at that fan-made trailer!!

    Very cleverly put together! Even most of the shots that were actually from DAF were alternate/deleted scenes, which made the whole thing feel new!
    God George, why didn't you do DAF???
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    Damn- I have to admit, every week or so I always come back to this thread just to look at that fan-made trailer!!

    Very cleverly put together! Even most of the shots that were actually from DAF were alternate/deleted scenes, which made the whole thing feel new!
    God George, why didn't you do DAF???

    Yes, WHY GEORGE?! YOU MADE SEAN GET MIXED UP IN IT. >:P
  • edited April 2012 Posts: 1,082
    With all due respect to all the OHMSS-lovers here, I think that a Lazenby DAF wouldn't have been as good as the Connery DAF we got. After the 4 year break Connery returned, and gave his IMO best performance as Bond.
  • We can all play coulda, woulda, shoulda, but the bottom line is Lazenby didn't play Bond in DAF, and I am glad he didn't. Connery delivered his second best Bond film and my 2nd favorite Bond film in the form of DAF.
  • edited April 2012 Posts: 612
    We can all play coulda, woulda, shoulda, but the bottom line is Lazenby didn't play Bond in DAF, and I am glad he didn't. Connery delivered his second best Bond film and my 2nd favorite Bond film in the form of DAF.

    We all have different opinions. I personally think DAF is the worst Bond movie ever made.

    Here's what it could have been.
    diamonds_are_forever_by_ckfraser-d4vhg8h.jpg
  • Posts: 4,762
    We can all play coulda, woulda, shoulda, but the bottom line is Lazenby didn't play Bond in DAF, and I am glad he didn't. Connery delivered his second best Bond film and my 2nd favorite Bond film in the form of DAF.

    Agreed, DAF as it is remains a true legend. Lazenby might have been okay in DAF, but let's face it, Connery was better. Now what would have really made me glad was if Roger Moore had come in early for DAF! At least we wouldn't have gotten the "getting old" Connery that in some scenes, like the tussel with Bambi and Thumper, shows his age tremendously.
  • Posts: 4,813
    Isn't that funny? Then they bring in Rog, who's older- yet looks 10 damn years younger! A lesson to us all to take freaking good care of ourselves. I hope I look like Rog when I get older!

    (of course, Sean bounced back later and became awesome again)

    But if I had my way, George should have been the 'Dalton' of the early Bond age, and done two movies.

    However, seeing as how George quit before his own movie was even released, I'd have loved to see Roger show up one film early.
    I'm really sorry for the hardcore followers, but I'm not so much a fan of Sean in DAF. (I love him in everything else)
  • Posts: 4,762
    @Master_Dahark: Even in YOLT? That's the one movie of his six where I really want Roger or Pierce to step in!
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    edited April 2012 Posts: 28,694
    00Beast wrote:
    @Master_Dahark: Even in YOLT? That's the one movie of his six where I really want Roger or Pierce to step in!

    Pierce was 14 at the time! HAHA! =))
  • Posts: 4,813
    I don't rant and rave over him in YOLT, but at least he was in shape.... (sorry Sean)
  • Posts: 1,082
    I would have loved to see Moore in YOLT and DAF. OHMSS (and possibly an unofficial CR66) with Connery would also be good.
  • Posts: 7,653
    00Beast wrote:
    We can all play coulda, woulda, shoulda, but the bottom line is Lazenby didn't play Bond in DAF, and I am glad he didn't. Connery delivered his second best Bond film and my 2nd favorite Bond film in the form of DAF.

    Agreed, DAF as it is remains a true legend. Lazenby might have been okay in DAF, but let's face it, Connery was better. Now what would have really made me glad was if Roger Moore had come in early for DAF! At least we wouldn't have gotten the "getting old" Connery that in some scenes, like the tussel with Bambi and Thumper, shows his age tremendously.

    Since we don't know how Lazenby would have been in DAF how exactly can Connery be better?

    I think it would have at least been a better follow-up from OHMSS. I find DAF's PTS the most awefull of the entire series. It might be because it still has to account for the happenings in OHMSS but does in a really poor way.

  • Posts: 4,762
    00Beast wrote:
    @Master_Dahark: Even in YOLT? That's the one movie of his six where I really want Roger or Pierce to step in!

    Pierce was 14 at the time! HAHA! =))

    And he still would have trumped Connery's blah performance in YOLT, even at 14!
    SaintMark wrote:
    00Beast wrote:
    We can all play coulda, woulda, shoulda, but the bottom line is Lazenby didn't play Bond in DAF, and I am glad he didn't. Connery delivered his second best Bond film and my 2nd favorite Bond film in the form of DAF.

    Agreed, DAF as it is remains a true legend. Lazenby might have been okay in DAF, but let's face it, Connery was better. Now what would have really made me glad was if Roger Moore had come in early for DAF! At least we wouldn't have gotten the "getting old" Connery that in some scenes, like the tussel with Bambi and Thumper, shows his age tremendously.

    Since we don't know how Lazenby would have been in DAF how exactly can Connery be better?

    I think it would have at least been a better follow-up from OHMSS. I find DAF's PTS the most awefull of the entire series. It might be because it still has to account for the happenings in OHMSS but does in a really poor way.

    Lazenby just didn't have it in my opinion, and I really doubt that he could have done any better if he had been in DAF. I mean, we'll never know, but I'd predict that he'd be just as flat in my opinion as he was in OHMSS.
  • edited April 2012 Posts: 1,778

    @00Beast. Lazenby ranks #5 for me in my actor rankings just ahead of you know who. Yes I'll agree he was wooden through much of the film but I believe there was a good chance that you would've matured into the role. Keep in the mind OHMSS was his first acting role in a film. If we judged actors soley on their first performances things would be alot different. Afterall Moore didn't really find his footing until his third film. Regardless a gritty DAF with Lazenby in the role is a tragic missed opportunity.
  • Posts: 232
    Damn- I have to admit, every week or so I always come back to this thread just to look at that fan-made trailer!!

    Very cleverly put together! Even most of the shots that were actually from DAF were alternate/deleted scenes, which made the whole thing feel new!
    God George, why didn't you do DAF???

    Thanks so much Master Dahark, it really made my day today to read this! I really spent so much time on it, and it's kind of broken my heart a little, that out of 8 ratings on youtube, 3 are dislikes. But I guess it shows that you can't mess with a Connery film without stomping on some sacred ground. I believe I used visual and audio from ten George Lazenby films. I tried my best to use deleted scenes from DAF to kind of tell a little different and grittier version of the film. The only way to establish a revenge film was to include the most ultra violent moments from Lazenby's filmography, which (for me) makes it kind of humorous when it says GP at the end. Also, I used some unused footage from O.H.M.S.S., which has one scene with Lazenby gambling at the casino, though if you look carefully you'll see Shakira Baksh right behind him. For those who don't know, Shakira Baksh is now known as Shakira Caine, Michael Caine's wife! She was an extra in O.H.M.S.S. but ended up on the cutting room floor. This was footage taken from an O.H.M.S.S. featurette, so it felt like fair game to include it. I kind of like the idea that Michael Caine's wife was a Bond girl! I also felt that in any scenes where Connery's stunt double is standing in for him, was fair game to be used as well, as Lazenby's stand in. In any case, thanks for your supportive comments!
  • Is there any evidence to suggest that a Lazenby DAF would be a 'grittier' film that the one we have? After the box office returns from OHMSS, wasn't it pretty much guaranteed that the next film would be lighter in touch, regardless of who was playing Bond?

    I think a Lazenby-led DAF, with a similar-style script to the Connery version, would have been a disaster.

    Was there ever a chance that Cubby and Harry were going to launch a 'revenge pic' as Lazenby's second film?
  • Lancaster007Lancaster007 Shrublands Health Clinic, England
    Posts: 1,874
    Had Lazenby and Hunt returned for DAF with Maibaum on writing credits we might actually have had a decent film instead of the sorry mess that Hamilton and Mankiewicz came up with. If only…
  • Samuel001Samuel001 Moderator
    edited May 2012 Posts: 13,350
    Was there ever a chance that Cubby and Harry were going to launch a 'revenge pic' as Lazenby's second film?

    Yes, that is what would have happened. In fact Diamonds Are Forever was set to open with the end of the film, Tracy's murder as the PTS. Oh, what could have been...
  • Posts: 232
    We'll never know what the Producers had in mind as a follow-up, but I think if Lazenby had returned, a gritty follow-up would not be out of the question for the ending of O.H.M.S.S. In my opinion the tone for DAF in 1971 seems a little off anyways, with it's camp and kitsch moments seeming more in time with 1967- 1968. A part of my choices of rendering a B-movie style trailer was also due to Lazenby's film/tv output, being just that. It's hard to match cheap looking footage from Lazenby's career with footage from a high budget Bond film (luckily DAF probably looked the cheapest anyways, after they gave the entire budget over to Connery's payday). I had to use DAF footage from a pan-scan VHS to match it right. I really don't think Lazenby in DAF would have been the disaster some think. The Bond producers were sincerely pushing to make Lazenby click, with Connery it was effortless to get audience acceptance (hence the lazy production for DAF). I get kind of tired of the immediate dismissal concerning Lazenby's performance and future as Bond, I really think had he been given a chance and stuck with the role, he would have been an interesting early 70s Bond.
  • Lancaster007Lancaster007 Shrublands Health Clinic, England
    Posts: 1,874
    Jarrod wrote:
    We'll never know what the Producers had in mind as a follow-up, but I think if Lazenby had returned, a gritty follow-up would not be out of the question for the ending of O.H.M.S.S. In my opinion the tone for DAF in 1971 seems a little off anyways, with it's camp and kitsch moments seeming more in time with 1967- 1968. A part of my choices of rendering a B-movie style trailer was also due to Lazenby's film/tv output, being just that. It's hard to match cheap looking footage from Lazenby's career with footage from a high budget Bond film (luckily DAF probably looked the cheapest anyways, after they gave the entire budget over to Connery's payday). I had to use DAF footage from a pan-scan VHS to match it right. I really don't think Lazenby in DAF would have been the disaster some think. The Bond producers were sincerely pushing to make Lazenby click, with Connery it was effortless to get audience acceptance (hence the lazy production for DAF). I get kind of tired of the immediate dismissal concerning Lazenby's performance and future as Bond, I really think had he been given a chance and stuck with the role, he would have been an interesting early 70s Bond.

    I quite agree - maybe the series wouldn't have got so silly. I think George did a good job and would have made a great Bond, and OHMSS will always be one of my favourite Bonds.
  • Nowt wrong with Diamonds are Forever, leave the classic alone
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