He played Jimmy Bond, an Americanized version of 007. He did not portray British agent James Bond.
"Jimmy" Bond is still James Bond. And American or not, Nelson gave a good performance.
This thinking that James Bond has to be portrayed by a British actor strikes me as a good example of a narrow mentality. If people continue to insist that a British actor portrays Bond, then I think a campaign should be started to have Henry Cavill replaced as Superman with an American-born actor.
I think you're missing the point. The question concerns whether an American actor could play the same character as the other Bond actors, i.e. British agent James Bond. American agent "Jimmy" Bond is most emphatically not the same character. As I have stated before, I don't really have a problem with an American actor portraying British agent James Bond, but in order for that to work for me the actor would have to be a relative unknown and be able to speak with a convincing accent.
I feel that Batman and Superman are more international than Bond. Superman is from Krypton and one of his traits is ailianation from society. Batman was (as far as I know) trained outside the US and I never thought his Americanness was a central trait. Bond, on the other hand, fights for his country. He was in the military and is now in the MI6. Batman could move to Tokyo or Rio de Janairo and still be Batman. There is actually made a graphic novel where Superman is a Soviet Citizen. To my mind Bond couldn't move to France, US or Japan, change his citizenship and work for their secret servises. It would go completely against who is as a person.
You would think this isn't important for the nationality of the actor, but I feel it is. When a Bond actor is interviewed he is still representing Bond. If John Hamm is interviewed about Bond's Britishness, his background in Scotland and the military and his patriotism it will simply jar.
I think in a faithful, period TV series he'd be great; but for the film series, no.
1- On Her Majesty's Secret Service 2- Casino Royale 3- Licence To Kill 4- Goldeneye 5- From Russia With Love
superadoRegent's Park West (CaliforniaPosts: 2,656MI6 Agent
In this day and age when nationality and even sexual preference take the back seat to audience acceptance, you would think that nationality wouldn't matter for the role of Bond, but for me (and maybe only me) that does affect my mental consumption of the character only where Bond is concerned. Maybe it works one way but not the other? I think of Walking Dead, Band of Brothers and so on, in which key roles are played by Brits or actors from Commonwealth nations and it doesn't matter, though I still cannot accept it when it's the other way around, like Robert Downey, Jr.'s Sherlock Holmes. Maybe the star persona of the actor, or lack of, plays into the mental consumption, like Wes Bentley who played a British officer in Four Feathers, very convincing and I can only imagine how Brits regard Heath Ledger's portrayal of another officer in the same movie; would it be similar to Lazenby as Bond? On the sexual orientation front, I can watch Rock Hudson today and admire his characters' heterosexual ways with his leading ladies but forgive me, I can't think of the Bond role in the same way. Maybe it's the whole, larger than life concept of the character that has ingrained modern mankind with such an involved, conceptual criteria that sets James Bond apart from everything else?
On Jon Hamm, I think he would have been great as Bruce Wayne/Batman, maybe in a retro-style since I think that a good Batman requires an even better Bruce Wayne...what a big, effing waste IMO. Clinically, I think he has the ingredients to make the perfect Bond, save for the crucial aspect of not being British. I think he would have made a cool, dark and sardonic Felix Leiter in the mold of Jack Lord and similar to John Terry and Jeffery Wright.
"...the purposeful slant of his striding figure looked dangerous, as if he was making quickly for something bad that was happening further down the street." -SMERSH on 007 dossier photo, Ch. 6 FRWL.....
I'm not worried about the actor's nationality, but only about his credibility in the role. Although I really enjoy Robert Downey Jr as Sherlock, Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean and Renee Z as Bridget Jones, all were light-hearted roles that didn't require a flawless accent to carry off the characterization. I'm not sure that there's an American actor who can pull-off a flawless British accent. The British have a 'thing' for accents. Accents vary from village to village throughout the British Isles and a favourite pastime is mimicking each other. You combine that predilection for accents with the intensive drama training that most successful British actors have and it's not surprising that so many have succeeded in American roles. Now, if Meryl Streep was a man...
I think we all know what Connery would say (he's known for his views), but it doesn't alter the fact that he was born in Edinburgh. In Scotland. In Britain. He's British, just like James Bond :007)
Thanks Barbel...this is one of my pet peeves that non-British people just don't get. Every Englishman, Welshman and Scot is British...but not all British are English...or Welsh...or Scottish. I have explained it to Americans by saying that every Texan is American but not every American is Texan...or to Canadians by pointing out that every Newfoundlander is Canadian but not every Canadian is from Newfoundland. Not quite the same as there are considerable cultural, linguistic and historical differences between Scottish, Welsh and English but it gets the point across.
As for Connery not wishing to be called British, that simply can't be true otherwise he wouldn't have accepted his knighthood. He's made it clear that he wants Scottish independence, but if he had a major issue with being called British he would also have a major issue being called 'Sir'...unless he's a hypocrite, of course. :v
I feel that Batman and Superman are more international than Bond. Superman is from Krypton and one of his traits is ailianation from society. Batman was (as far as I know) trained outside the US and I never thought his Americanness was a central trait. Bond, on the other hand, fights for his country. He was in the military and is now in the MI6. Batman could move to Tokyo or Rio de Janairo and still be Batman. There is actually made a graphic novel where Superman is a Soviet Citizen. To my mind Bond couldn't move to France, US or Japan, change his citizenship and work for their secret servises. It would go completely against who is as a person.
You would think this isn't important for the nationality of the actor, but I feel it is. When a Bond actor is interviewed he is still representing Bond. If John Hamm is interviewed about Bond's Britishness, his background in Scotland and the military and his patriotism it will simply jar.
Agree totally on both points.
Superman/Batman are comic strip fantasies, Superman is an alien from Krypton, and Gotham has never appeared on any map of the United States I've ever seen. Yet, James Bond is still based in a kind of real-world emanating from contemporary London, serving under the very-real British flag.
And you are very right. The James Bond actor has to represent Britain off screen (regardless whether socially or politically the actor agrees or disagrees with the "state of the nation" and its governance), be, essentially, the ultimate Brit abroad to "Johnny Foreigner" in the general public, even when being himself, simply because he can never shake off 'being' James Bond.*
*Hell, for all his Mid-Atlantic, nostalgic Orishness, I for one always felt Brosnan had a very soft spot for his "Englishness"; has anyone ever seen anyone carrying themselves a more obviously as an "Englishman"abroad?
My only requirement is that Bond is British. I'm fine with (and embrace) change in most instances. I'm an American, but I love that Bond is a British treasure and I want it to retain those cultural qualities as the series goes on.
If they did pick an American Actor, I'm sure the movies would still be good, but the franchise would lose a large part of its identity in my eyes.
If they did pick an American Actor, I'm sure the movies would still be good, but the franchise would lose a large part of its identity in my eyes.
Oh rubbish. As long as the accent is perfect, it should only matter to an Englishman. And perhaps not even then.
Bond is of (half) Scottish descent...so I'm not sure why it matters to an Englishman
The accent would have to be good...although Brozza got away with a mid-Atlantic one...and he would have to be - for me anyway - an unknown...
The accent would have to be good and he would have to be an unknown...
I can agree. Of course, an American would never be my first choice... there is a charm in having a character played by someone from the character's country...
If they did pick an American Actor, I'm sure the movies would still be good, but the franchise would lose a large part of its identity in my eyes.
Oh rubbish. As long as the accent is perfect, it should only matter to an Englishman. And perhaps not even then.
It would matter to me, and (as anyone who reads the 'locations' thread will know by now ...) am a Norwegian. I probably wouldn't stop being a Bond fan if they cast an American as 007, but I would feel it's a minus. It can be compared to the way I feel about Craig as 007; his portrial of Bond is very good, but his hair colour is wrong. His hair colour is a negative, but not a deal breaker. An American actor in the part would be a wrong, but not neccecerily a deal breaker.
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,927Chief of Staff
It would matter to me, and (as anyone who reads the 'locations' thread will know by now ...) am a Norwegian. I probably wouldn't stop being a Bond fan if they cast an American as 007, but I would feel it's a minus. It can be compared to the way I feel about Craig as 007; his portrial of Bond is very good, but his hair colour is wrong. His hair colour is a negative, but not a deal breaker. An American actor in the part would be a wrong, but not neccecerily a deal breaker.
It would matter to me, and (as anyone who reads the 'locations' thread will know by now ...) am a Norwegian. I probably wouldn't stop being a Bond fan if they cast an American as 007, but I would feel it's a minus. It can be compared to the way I feel about Craig as 007; his portrial of Bond is very good, but his hair colour is wrong. His hair colour is a negative, but not a deal breaker. An American actor in the part would be a wrong, but not neccecerily a deal breaker.
What about a blond American ? :v
There are many factors in what makes a good Bond actor, where acting ability and screen presence is of cource the most important. But nationality and apperance are also important. To answer a jokey question earnestly: I honestly think that would be a stretch. There is a limit to how radical a casting should be and the filmmakers shouldn't take to many liberties. Here is an example: Idris Elba has been mentioned as a potential Bond. He is very talented, British, tall and has leading man looks. This has made many fans accept him as a potential Bond in spite of his skin colour. If Elba had also been short and from Denmark, the total number of "strikes" against him would probably have been too much for most.
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,927Chief of Staff
Here is an example: Idris Elba has been mentioned as a potential Bond. He is very talented, British, tall and has leading man looks. This has made many fans accept him as a potential Bond in spite of his skin colour. If Elba had also been short and from Denmark, the total number of "strikes" against him would probably have been too much for most.
I wouldn't bother...Elba won't get the Bond gig...well...not Bond anyway...I agree a certain 'look' is required...and the accent needs to be right...
Comments
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
I think you're missing the point. The question concerns whether an American actor could play the same character as the other Bond actors, i.e. British agent James Bond. American agent "Jimmy" Bond is most emphatically not the same character. As I have stated before, I don't really have a problem with an American actor portraying British agent James Bond, but in order for that to work for me the actor would have to be a relative unknown and be able to speak with a convincing accent.
You would think this isn't important for the nationality of the actor, but I feel it is. When a Bond actor is interviewed he is still representing Bond. If John Hamm is interviewed about Bond's Britishness, his background in Scotland and the military and his patriotism it will simply jar.
On Jon Hamm, I think he would have been great as Bruce Wayne/Batman, maybe in a retro-style since I think that a good Batman requires an even better Bruce Wayne...what a big, effing waste IMO. Clinically, I think he has the ingredients to make the perfect Bond, save for the crucial aspect of not being British. I think he would have made a cool, dark and sardonic Felix Leiter in the mold of Jack Lord and similar to John Terry and Jeffery Wright.
Thanks Barbel...this is one of my pet peeves that non-British people just don't get. Every Englishman, Welshman and Scot is British...but not all British are English...or Welsh...or Scottish. I have explained it to Americans by saying that every Texan is American but not every American is Texan...or to Canadians by pointing out that every Newfoundlander is Canadian but not every Canadian is from Newfoundland. Not quite the same as there are considerable cultural, linguistic and historical differences between Scottish, Welsh and English but it gets the point across.
As for Connery not wishing to be called British, that simply can't be true otherwise he wouldn't have accepted his knighthood. He's made it clear that he wants Scottish independence, but if he had a major issue with being called British he would also have a major issue being called 'Sir'...unless he's a hypocrite, of course. :v
Agree totally on both points.
Superman/Batman are comic strip fantasies, Superman is an alien from Krypton, and Gotham has never appeared on any map of the United States I've ever seen. Yet, James Bond is still based in a kind of real-world emanating from contemporary London, serving under the very-real British flag.
And you are very right. The James Bond actor has to represent Britain off screen (regardless whether socially or politically the actor agrees or disagrees with the "state of the nation" and its governance), be, essentially, the ultimate Brit abroad to "Johnny Foreigner" in the general public, even when being himself, simply because he can never shake off 'being' James Bond.*
*Hell, for all his Mid-Atlantic, nostalgic Orishness, I for one always felt Brosnan had a very soft spot for his "Englishness"; has anyone ever seen anyone carrying themselves a more obviously as an "Englishman"abroad?
If they did pick an American Actor, I'm sure the movies would still be good, but the franchise would lose a large part of its identity in my eyes.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
Bond is of (half) Scottish descent...so I'm not sure why it matters to an Englishman
The accent would have to be good...although Brozza got away with a mid-Atlantic one...and he would have to be - for me anyway - an unknown...
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
Yesh, that ish sho.... :007)
of that Leonard Nimoy bloke.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
It would matter to me, and (as anyone who reads the 'locations' thread will know by now ...) am a Norwegian. I probably wouldn't stop being a Bond fan if they cast an American as 007, but I would feel it's a minus. It can be compared to the way I feel about Craig as 007; his portrial of Bond is very good, but his hair colour is wrong. His hair colour is a negative, but not a deal breaker. An American actor in the part would be a wrong, but not neccecerily a deal breaker.
What about a blond American ? :v
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
The Vulcan in Thunderball was more believable.
There are many factors in what makes a good Bond actor, where acting ability and screen presence is of cource the most important. But nationality and apperance are also important. To answer a jokey question earnestly: I honestly think that would be a stretch. There is a limit to how radical a casting should be and the filmmakers shouldn't take to many liberties. Here is an example: Idris Elba has been mentioned as a potential Bond. He is very talented, British, tall and has leading man looks. This has made many fans accept him as a potential Bond in spite of his skin colour. If Elba had also been short and from Denmark, the total number of "strikes" against him would probably have been too much for most.
I wouldn't bother...Elba won't get the Bond gig...well...not Bond anyway...I agree a certain 'look' is required...and the accent needs to be right...