How young and how old should Bond be ?

No younger than __ ? No older than __ ?

Comments

  • HardyboyHardyboy Posts: 5,906Chief of Staff
    30, 50
    Vox clamantis in deserto
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,334MI6 Agent
    edited March 2012
    Somewhere between 30 and 45, ideally in his late thirties.
  • oscar rubiooscar rubio Madrid (Spain)Posts: 286MI6 Agent
    30 to 35 years old
  • DEFIANT 74205DEFIANT 74205 Perth, AustraliaPosts: 1,881MI6 Agent
    How old was Fleming's Bond? If I recall correctly, he was in his mid-late 30s. For obvious reasons, we can't just hire actors that are in that age bracket and fire them when they get older. As far as the cinematic Bond goes, I don't care how old or young the actor is, but they've got to be able to pull off a mid-late 30s look. Some people look older than they actually are, which means we could have a younger person playing Bond. Some are the opposite - which means they can keep playing Bond well into their 40s (or even 50s :) ).
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  • Mrs.BryceMrs.Bryce Posts: 139MI6 Agent
    How old was Fleming's Bond? If I recall correctly, he was in his mid-late 30s. For obvious reasons, we can't just hire actors that are in that age bracket and fire them when they get older. As far as the cinematic Bond goes, I don't care how old or young the actor is, but they've got to be able to pull off a mid-late 30s look. Some people look older than they actually are, which means we could have a younger person playing Bond. Some are the opposite - which means they can keep playing Bond well into their 40s (or even 50s :) ).

    Couldn't have put it better myself :)
  • Moore ThanMoore Than EnglandPosts: 3,173MI6 Agent
    The cinematic Bond should ideally look anything from early thirties to early fifties. Age is not a primary concern provided the scripts adjust for it. Such as in For Your Eyes Only where Bond is more of a father figure to Melina Havelock and rejects the advances of Bibi Dahl on the grounds that she is too young. In Octopussy, Bond has a more mature (and delightful) leading lady. It becomes much more of a primary concern in A View To A Kill.
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  • zaphodzaphod Posts: 1,183MI6 Agent
    Enforced retirement for 00's is 46 according to Fleming, although Bond speculates that not many make it that far and expects to die in the field before then. Speaking as someone about to celebrate his 50th birthday on Monday I take comfort that 50 is the new 35.

    As far as cinematic Bond is concerned it does depend upon the actor, but he must remain physically credible. Connery at 40 looked past it in DAF, while Brosnan in DAD pulled it off at 50 ish. I don't think many actors past 45 can get away with it though so for me that is probably the natural cut off.
  • thesecretagentthesecretagent CornwallPosts: 2,151MI6 Agent
    It all depends on the look of the actor. I would say 35 to 50. Craig looks a bit haggered I doubt he'll look good enough at 50.
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  • TurnkeyTurnkey Posts: 31MI6 Agent
    35-50
  • roi007roi007 Posts: 409MI6 Agent
    25-35
    The name is Bond, James Bond...
  • BodieBodie Posts: 211MI6 Agent
    30 to 40. Ideally about 35.

    Bond has to look old enough to be experienced and worldly wise, but young enough to be active and fit to be believable in the action scenes. In AVTAK you could tell RM used a stunt double to walk upstairs.
  • LexiLexi LondonPosts: 3,000MI6 Agent
    35 - 50-55 (depending on how fit he is)

    I wouldn't believe a Bond that was younger than 35... and he wouldn't have the experience.... but I think, depending on the fitness level, then an older Bond is fine.
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  • TRSTN1TRSTN1 NORTH DAKOTAPosts: 20MI6 Agent
    30 - 60
  • UltimateTruthUltimateTruth Posts: 140MI6 Agent
    In some weird way, I would say that Connery pulled off NSNA
  • Agent007jamestAgent007jamest usaPosts: 163MI6 Agent
    32ish to no older than 50

    unless your this guy than for the rest of your life
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  • zaphodzaphod Posts: 1,183MI6 Agent
    I think in the Novels 00's have to retire at 46. Bond in one of his dark moments ruminates that most don't live that long. I think any older than 45 is pushing it. This is why I feel that no actor in the future should do more than 3 films as it is a short window. I thought Pierce looked fine in DAD but he was exceptionally young looking for his age. I guess it depends on the actor, but I certainly think that beyond 50 is questionable as we really want to avoid the embarrassment of AVTAK ever happening again.
  • JamesbondjrJamesbondjr Posts: 462MI6 Agent
    I think this depends on the actor. Connery was 31 when he first played Bond and looked fine but another actor who is 31 could possibly look too young.

    Personally, I think late 30s/early 40s is a good age to start from.
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  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    He absolutely did! In fact, in some weird way I think Connery pulled it off better in NSNA than in DAF.
    In some weird way, I would say that Connery pulled off NSNA
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  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    You could say NSNA has 99 Problems but Connery ain't One. :D

    He looked better than in DAF, It's such a shame it wasn't a better film ( In my Opinion )
    Loved E Fox as M, Properly Balling out Bond at almost every Meeting. :)) ( I hate the
    Motherly approach in the reboot ) :#
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  • zaphodzaphod Posts: 1,183MI6 Agent
    Agree that bizarre as it seems Big Tam was more convincing than in DAF.
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