What If It Had Been Clive Owen Instead?

DoubleUQDoubleUQ Posts: 4MI6 Agent
in General James Bond Chat
What if Clive Owen had gotten the role of Bond? Personally, I'm not sure if he would've been right for Casino Royale, in the way the film is, but could he have been right for Bond just the same? Best way to know for sure is to see him in action, and so to that effect I created a pair of mini-Bond films to help in that visualization [actually, they're re-edited versions of Owen's BMW short films], spiced them up with Barry music and, well, judge for yourself as to whether you think he could clinch it as Bond or not. The first is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Q_f6wzF6bQ, and the second is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt_KKLYW8PM. Enjoy.{[]
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Comments

  • HankHank Posts: 37MI6 Agent
    Let me say before I get crucified, that Daniel Craig was great. His action scenes are really good. I see him as more of an offensive fighter as opposed to a defensive one.

    But, I think Clive Owen would have been as good if not better than DC. Since they decided to go in a completely different direction, DC probably the better choice. Owen would have been more like Brosnan or Dalton.

    Aside from that, I recently saw Children of Men, and I couldn't imagine anyone else playing that role as well as Owen did. So everything worked out well.
  • DoubleUQDoubleUQ Posts: 4MI6 Agent
    I'd have to agree on both counts, especially on your notion that Owen's Bond would've gone more the Brosnan/Dalton route, but likely with more Dalton than Brosnan on his take of 007. Maybe that's one of the reasons why EON ruled Owen out, if he really was ever in, but he otherwise seems to be doing fine just the same. Craig's Bond was initially going to be a hard sell on me, but there's no denying he did a pretty good job when it seemed all odds were against. Still, I think it's kind of neat to fancifully see through the vids the possibility of what might've been if it had been Owen instead.
  • LoeffelholzLoeffelholz The United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
    edited January 2007
    Clive Owen could have done Bond---and possibly done it well, although I dislike his voice---but he would have been a 'status quo' Bond (right down to assuming the role in his early forties, like the last three actors had done)...therefore, it's just as well he didn't get the nod, particularly since Craig's first turn in the role has been such a thunderous success.

    Through the rear-view mirror, it's getting increasingly difficult for me to see anyone other than Craig pulling off such a notable departure from expectations, which had been nurtured over a 40+ year attachment to a particular formula...
    Check out my Amazon author page! Mark Loeffelholz
    "I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
    "Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
  • highhopeshighhopes Posts: 1,358MI6 Agent
    I couldn't access the videos, but I've seen the commercials. I forget: does he drive a stick? :))

    I realize we're just playing "what if ..." here, so I have to say I think Owen would have been just fine as Bond. Maybe he would have been terrific. But he didn't get the part, and although he's a good actor, after seeing Craig, the only reason I can see for anyone to still pine for Owen is his more traditionally Bondian "look." IMO, it's just not enough at this point. Craig nailed the role despite not looking like the Bond we're used to seeing. And for me, that's a more significant test than a commercial that proves only that Owen has a physical resemblance to the last five actors to play the role -- as do literally hundreds of performers.

    I looking forward to seeing him in Children of Men, though
  • Dan SameDan Same Victoria, AustraliaPosts: 6,054MI6 Agent
    edited January 2007
    DoubleUQ wrote:
    What if Clive Owen had gotten the role of Bond?
    That would have been fantatsic! :D {[] When I first heard that Brosnan was being replaced, my second thought (after 'bring back Bronsnan') was that Owen should be Bond. After watching him in Closer and Sin City, I am convinced that he could have been a fantastic Bond. Craig was okay but I think Owen could have been amazing. (I also think, and this may not be appreciated by some, that Owen looks younger than Craig. {:))
    "He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
  • wordswords Buckinghamshire, EnglandPosts: 249MI6 Agent
    I think Clive would have done a good job as Bond. He is a decent actor and very good in Sin City.
    However, I never have liked his voice much and for me it was always the biggest sticking point in his casting as Bond.(However small-minded and petty that might seem! :p )
  • DoubleUQDoubleUQ Posts: 4MI6 Agent
    You might want to try accessing the videos now. Even I experienced some problem accessing them, and I put them up there myself, but I think it may've had something to do with Youtube doing some maintenance work on the site. I know Google was working on its groups for most of the day and Google does own Youtube, so maybe there was something going on between them in the maintenance area. Everything seems to be fine now.
  • John DrakeJohn Drake On assignmentPosts: 2,564MI6 Agent
    I've liked Owen since I saw him in 'Chancer' all those years ago, but I'm more than happy with Craig. In fact I'll pretty much watch any film either of those two guys appear in. They're both doing a lot of interesting work at the moment. If they'd have been making CR a few years ago Owen would have been perfect, but he would have been 42 when filming started last year and I think that's a little old to be playing a rookie agent. It would be great if somebody cast him in a remake of 'Danger Man' though, or even as Quiller, or in a decent John LeCarre adaptation.
  • DoubleUQDoubleUQ Posts: 4MI6 Agent
    Not only casting Owen in Danger Man, but how about as The Prisoner instead of Christopher Eccleston? I can really see Owen pull off an intense No. 6, but I can't picture Eccleston in the role at all, less so, in fact, than I originaly had trouble picturing Craig as Bond.
  • SeanConnery007SeanConnery007 The Bond Archive - London, EngPosts: 169MI6 Agent
    Having recently watched short BMW advertising films by the likes of Inarritu, Wong Kar Wai and Guy Richie, starring Clive Owen - I actually saw a possible James Bond.
    Daniel Craig has done a fantastic job, but Clive Owen could have pulled off something similar. The only problem being his association as a major Hollywood player.
    Daniel Craig was a relative unknown of independent British films and so could easily embody the character without the problem of association with other characters or highbrow American tailoring - unlike Clive Owen.
    Daniel Craig was an excellent choice for Bond CR +.
    Could Clive Owen have proved a similar performance - its debatable but perhaps earlier in his career but for the time and situation of CR Daniel Craig was the acceptable man for the job.
    Nobody Writes Threads Better.
  • highhopeshighhopes Posts: 1,358MI6 Agent
    DoubleUQ wrote:
    Not only casting Owen in Danger Man, but how about as The Prisoner instead of Christopher Eccleston? I can really see Owen pull off an intense No. 6, but I can't picture Eccleston in the role at all, less so, in fact, than I originaly had trouble picturing Craig as Bond.

    Are there actual plans to do a The Prisoner movie? That was one of my favorite shows growing up, although I haven't seen it in years.
  • Moore Not LessMoore Not Less Posts: 1,095MI6 Agent
    edited January 2007
    highhopes wrote:
    DoubleUQ wrote:
    Not only casting Owen in Danger Man, but how about as The Prisoner instead of Christopher Eccleston? I can really see Owen pull off an intense No. 6, but I can't picture Eccleston in the role at all, less so, in fact, than I originaly had trouble picturing Craig as Bond.

    Are there actual plans to do a The Prisoner movie? That was one of my favorite shows growing up, although I haven't seen it in years.

    There are plans for a Prisoner remake involving six episodes to be made by Granada and broadcast on Sky One TV in the UK. Christopher Eccleston has been linked with the role of Number 6.

    REMAKE OF THE PRISONER

    http://www.sixofone.org.uk/Prisoner-Remake.htm
  • Lazenby880Lazenby880 LondonPosts: 525MI6 Agent
    edited January 2007
    John Drake wrote:
    It would be great if somebody cast him in a remake of 'Danger Man' though, or even as Quiller. . .
    Oh absolutely, I think Clive Owen would make an *excellent* Quiller as he could capture the neurosis, paranoia and edginess of that character very well indeed in my view. A good adaptation of The 9th Directive starring Owen could be superb.

    I used to be a big fan of Owen-as-Bond, indeed he was the chap I thought most likely to replace Brosnan. However, I think Daniel Craig is incredible as Bond and I cannot see Owen besting him at all. Owen would have been a bit of a leap of faith; Craig was even more so. I remember being shocked—in a good way—that the producers had been so daring as to cast Craig. I'm still incredibly happy that they were so daring, and I think Owen lacks the panther-like movement and athleticism of Craig which help ensure a definitive interpretation of the character in Casino Royale.

    I do like those BMW pictures though. Incidentally, they can be found here. :)
  • HankHank Posts: 37MI6 Agent
    Owen said in a recent interview that he actually turned down the role of Bond. He said he was offered that and Children of Men at the same time, and wanted to do that more.

    If you watched the really lame remake of the Pink Pather, then you got to see Owen as a tongue in cheek Bond-like character.
  • Pierce_BrosnanPierce_Brosnan Posts: 329MI6 Agent
    I can not belieive it. I thought that the "Clive Owen should be bond posts would stop when CR came out! :p

    Anyway, I do not like Owen that much, so I am happy the way things happened.
  • HankHank Posts: 37MI6 Agent
    Pierce_Brosnan wrote:
    I can not belieive it. I thought that the "Clive Owen should be bond posts would stop when CR came out! :p

    Anyway, I do not like Owen that much, so I am happy the way things happened.

    I think most people are happy with DC, but its fun playing the "what if" game.
  • Moore Not LessMoore Not Less Posts: 1,095MI6 Agent
    Neither Daniel Craig or Clive Owen were my favoured choices before Casino Royale. If I had to choose between the two of them I would likely have favoured Owen because of his looks.

    Now that I have seen Casino Royale it's hard to imagine Owen doing a better job than Craig.
  • LoeffelholzLoeffelholz The United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
    Moore Not Less wrote:
    Neither Daniel Craig or Clive Owen were my favoured choices before Casino Royale. If I had to choose between the two of them I would likely have favoured Owen because of his looks.

    Now that I have seen Casino Royale it's hard to imagine Owen doing a better job than Craig.

    Good Lord...I'm in complete agreement :o

    I need a drink -{

    ;) :))
    Check out my Amazon author page! Mark Loeffelholz
    "I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
    "Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
  • Moore Not LessMoore Not Less Posts: 1,095MI6 Agent
    Loeffelholz wrote:
    Moore Not Less wrote:
    Neither Daniel Craig or Clive Owen were my favoured choices before Casino Royale. If I had to choose between the two of them I would likely have favoured Owen because of his looks.

    Now that I have seen Casino Royale it's hard to imagine Owen doing a better job than Craig.

    Good Lord...I'm in complete agreement :o

    I need a drink -{

    ;) :))

    A momentous moment in the history of AJB, likely never to be repeated. So, I will join you for that drink, Loeff's. By the way, you are paying. :D -{
  • Pierce_BrosnanPierce_Brosnan Posts: 329MI6 Agent
    _006_ wrote:
    I think the safest thing to say is that Clive would have been different to Daniel. Not better, not worse, just different. Is the Omega Seamaster Professional better than the Rolex Submariner? Again, they are different. People can have their reasons for prefering one or the other, but, at the end of the day, they are just opinions.

    Interesting analogy? ... 2 watches... 2 bonds... :p
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 37,856Chief of Staff
    _006_ wrote:
    I liked the way Daniel played Bond, but I would have prefered him to have looked more like Ian Fleming intended Bond to look. Clive looks exactly as Fleming intended, but apparently turned down the role ( ?:) :s )
    Pierce Brosnan is still my favorite Bond actor though :D

    Hear hear. Owen has the looks (and the chops), but his voice is what made me against him as 007. I think his Pink Panther cameo proved that.
  • Lady RoseLady Rose London,UKPosts: 2,667MI6 Agent
    _006_ wrote:
    Pierce_Brosnan wrote:
    Interesting analogy? ... 2 watches... 2 bonds... :p
    Of those two watches, I couldn't really pick a favorite... Both have similar sized hands/markings. The Omega has a better clasp/diver's extension, but, I prefer the black finish of the Rolex.

    In my head the Omega is the better watch but my heart goes for the Rolex everytime ... same with Owen and Craig.

    Owen is the Omega, stylish, well liked, very practical but lacking something and bland. Craig is the Rolex, also practical and well liked ( now anyway ;) ), but also with bags of charisma and a style of its own. The Rolex brings something to the party whilst the Omega just turns up empty handed.

    I was never an Owen fan and I thought he would have been quite boring in the role, so I think it was the best thing all round that Owen never got to be Bond.

    ( Anyway, Clive Owen is the face of Lancome - most unsuitable for a Bond actor. You can advertise, cigarettes, alcohol and watches, but not skincare products :)) )
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 37,856Chief of Staff
    _006_ wrote:
    Ahh, but in Pink Panther, he was 006, not 007 ;)

    Of course he was, silly me...:D

    As for voices, what about Sean Connery? He doesn't even try to do different accents, regardless of the character he plays (ie Bond, Highlander, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and The Untouchables) ;)

    Quite right, he doesn't even try. Son Of Barbel and I had near hysterics at him introducing himself in Highlander! :)
  • Prince Kamal KhanPrince Kamal Khan Posts: 277MI6 Agent
    Owen would have been fine as Bond in CR. Largely because CR has an excellent script, one of the best Bond scripts ever and certainly the best one since Richard Maibaum passed way. Although I think Craig did an excellent job, Craig benefited from a better-than-average Bond script(something Brosnan sadly lacked in GE which badly needed another polish before it went before the cameras IMHO). Owen would have benefited from this as well. Let's hope Craig's(and whoever replaces him eventually) future Bond scripts meet the quality level of CR.
  • Pierce_BrosnanPierce_Brosnan Posts: 329MI6 Agent
    edited January 2007
    _006_ wrote:
    I didn't realize Clive turned down the role, he's always been my Number One choice for the role. Would he have done as good a job as Daniel? To be honest, yes, I think he could have done. And as for the Pink Panther cameo, why else do you think I chose my name? ;)

    Actually, I thought you chose that name because of the GE villain (Alec Trevelyan ) (006) Even though, I like that scene in the movie.
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,331MI6 Agent
    Frankly, I don't think Owen would have been a very good Bond. He is tall, but lanky. He has black hair, but his face is no less rugged than Craig's much critizised mug. Craig has a deep and interesting voice, Owen has a very flat and boring voice. Owen was never asked to play Bond, and I think there were other reasons than his fame. After all, Evan McGregor and Hugh Jackman are at least as famous as Owen is.
    Hugh Jackman, Gerard Butler or Dominic West could have been good Bonds, but Craig is a brilliant Bond!
  • John DrakeJohn Drake On assignmentPosts: 2,564MI6 Agent
    Number24 wrote:
    Gerard Butler or Dominic West could have been good Bonds, but Craig is a brilliant Bond!

    Dominic West would have been fine, but he would have had to leave 'The Wire,' which is a great show, so I'm kind of glad he didn't get cast. I've only seen Gerard Butler in one film, 'Dracula 2000,' although it took so long to reach the UK, that by the time it did get a release it had become 'Dracula 2001.' He was awful. Easily the worst performance by a Scotsman in cinematic history. He made Dougray Scott's performances in 'MI2' and 'Ripley's Game,' look like acting masterclasses. I think we got the best man for the job in Daniel Craig. Much as I like Owen, Craig seems the better choice.
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,331MI6 Agent
    You make several good points, John Drake. Dominic West has all the elements needed for a Bond actor, perhaps save that extra screen pressence that makes Craig so brilliant. But "The wire" is the best crime series I know, so perhaps everything turnes out for the best?
    Butler has a weaker acting CV, it's mostly so-so action. But I saw "Dear Frankie", and Butler handles the male lead in this small film that relies totally on the acting. He may also convince us both for his leading man acting and action skills in "300". I'm really looking forward to that.
    I felt Hugh Jackman had the same problem (he has mainly done action, much of it weak). I haven't seen "The Prestige", "The fountain" or "Scoop", but I have high hopes. At least some major studios and directors feel Jackman can do more than running around in action films without his shirt on.
    They are all better candidates than Clive Owen IMO.
  • Odd JobbiesOdd Jobbies Posts: 26MI6 Agent
    In some perfect casting Clive's apparently going to be the new Philip Marlowe:

    http://comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=18531
  • John DrakeJohn Drake On assignmentPosts: 2,564MI6 Agent
    Odd Jobbies wrote:
    In some perfect casting Clive's apparently going to be the new Philip Marlowe:

    http://comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=18531

    That would be perfect. It would be nice to know which novel they are planning to adapt. Looks like it's just at the idea stage just now, but that's a film I'd love to see.
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