How "the lost Bond girls" should have been cast

Number24

I feel that there are some actresses who are obvious Bond girls but were never used.
Cathrine Zeta-jones, Monica Bellucci, Jennifer Connelly, Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek and perhaps one or two more. Now they are too famous/tall/old. Their age indicates they should have been used during the Brosnan era. At the same time, Brosnan often had leading actresses who haven't really set the box office alight outside of the Bond films. Famke Jansen, Sophie Marcau and Michelle Yeoh have done well but Jansen was the only star Bond "made". The others were huge stars in their home markets before Bond and would probably have become international stars anyway.
In my opinion Zeta-Jones would have been a superb Natalya in GE. Monica Bellucci (who was in considered for the role, I think)or Angelina Jolie would have made Paris Carver into more than just an special appearance by a TV-star.
Denise Richards was perhaps the worst casting in a Brosnan era. Jennifer Connelly would be fairly believable nuclear scientist, and least as beautiful as Richards and has a 100% real bust too!
What do you think?

jbfreak

I like the Bond girls in the Brosnan era just as they are.

Catherine Zeta-Jones as natalya just wouldn't have fit. She might have been a good Xenia, except for I haven't seen her in such a stern and violent, if you will, role. Maybe that, but definately not Natalya.

I would leave TND alone. Maybe I don't have much imagination but Teri Hatcher did a fine job.

Now, to dispose of Denise Richards and add Catherine Zeta-Jones in her place might have worked.

Hank

Denise Richards was so bad she almost ruined every scene she was in.

Terry Hatcher was a non factor in TND. She might as well have been a cardboard cutout. Izabella Scorupco is by far the best Brosnan Bond girl.

Sharon Stone might have made a good Bond girl, but the story would have had to been right.

Harry Palmer

I agree that most the Bond girls in Brosnan's era worked just fine. THe best of them all in my opinion is the divine Sophie Marceau.

Denise Richards and Halle Berry were grave mistakes. The problem is that among the names you mention only Angelina Jolie strikes me as athletic enough to take the role of Jinx. And I can't imagine her as a Bond girl. Maybe CZJ might have worked if they'd written the role with more elegance and less crass.

Salma Hayek would have made a good Christmas.

In my opinion Hayek and Monica Bellucci are still in time to take a Bond role. I'd just like to add that in future I hope for a return to those elegant Bond girls who just sit there looking pretty and wearing nice clothes. Maybe a little banter (see for instance Vesper Lynd) and limited action (Pam Bouvier or XXX). I don't mind some brain work either (as long as its a credible act and not a dumb-looking 25 year old nuclear physicist). Just spare me the martial arts and the athletics that reek of misguided political correctness.

Napoleon Plural

Harry Palmer wrote:

Salma Hayek would have made a good Christmas.

She certainly would have!

jrdoo7

jennifer connely would have been great in twine. they should have never cast denise. it is not her fault. she should have never been in that role.

Barry Nelson

Jennifer Connelly as a Bond girl would have been great, and the idea of her as Christmas makes sense. I also think she would have made a good Vesper.

Never cared for Zeta Jones, I know I am in the minority on that.

Going back a few years, I think Susan George would have been great as a Bond girl. She had great looks and could act.

I have to add I think Caterina Murino was an inspired choice.

Klaus Hergescheimer

Monica Bellucci should definitely be a Bond girl. She oozes pure hot, ala Luciana Paluzzi.

Rachel McAdams would have been an interesting choice as Vesper.

Another actress who would probably be a bit of a controversial choice, but who I think would be great, is Hillary Swank. I think she's very beautiful (when she isn't doing something to herself for a role, although it's great that she takes a lot of risks), and she's obviously a terrific actress. I think she can be very elegant, as well.

Rachel Weisz (who, IMO, is one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen), Kate Beckinsale, Charlize Theron, and Jennifer Esposito would all be terrific Bond girls.

Johmss

Jennifer Connelly and Rachel Weisz... OMG, i won't say anything else.

I wanted that rumour of Elizabeth Hurley in GE to be true...