Daniel's Age
Bmorelli11
Posts: 197MI6 Agent
Daniel's age seems to be a common topic when discussing him reprising his role as 007. It got me thinking about "older" action stars in recent films and Liam Neeson in Taken came to mind. Neeson was 57 when Taken was released in 2009 and I don't recall anyone thinking he was "too old" for the role. In fact, film critic Kam Williams from NewsBlaze called Liam Neeson's performance "(his) most memorable since his Oscar-nominated outing in Schindler's List."
Think about that. At 57 Liam Neeson was only a year younger than Sir Rog was when A View To A Kill was released in 1985. As much as I love Roger he looked and acted old(er) in AVTAK. In watching Taken I was never distracted by Liam Neeson's age, he looked very capable of the level of action and was believable in the role.
So what's the point? I think that an action hero in his mid-50's in the current day is much different and somehow "younger" than 30+ years ago. As of this writing Daniel Craig is 48, and a very in shape 48 at that. If Daniel's desire to continue to portray Bond is there I'm all for it; I think his desire and passion for the role will be the deciding factor, moreso than his age.
Think about that. At 57 Liam Neeson was only a year younger than Sir Rog was when A View To A Kill was released in 1985. As much as I love Roger he looked and acted old(er) in AVTAK. In watching Taken I was never distracted by Liam Neeson's age, he looked very capable of the level of action and was believable in the role.
So what's the point? I think that an action hero in his mid-50's in the current day is much different and somehow "younger" than 30+ years ago. As of this writing Daniel Craig is 48, and a very in shape 48 at that. If Daniel's desire to continue to portray Bond is there I'm all for it; I think his desire and passion for the role will be the deciding factor, moreso than his age.
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There's no problem. Many actors keep themselves in such good shape these
days, possibly because of the roles they have to play. That I'd say some 50+
actors are in far better shape than some thirty year old actors of a few decades
ago.
Just to set things straight on ages, Moore was 57 when AVTAK was released in Spring of 1985 and Neeson was 56 when Taken was released when Taken was released in Autumn of 2008.
I was using IMDB which lists Taken's US release date as January 30, 2009. 57 or 56 either way, Liam looked very much the part! -{
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0936501/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Okay. I was thinking of the UK release date. But after seeing this page it looks like Neeson was actually 55 when the movie was first released (in France). He was 56 a year later when it was released in the US. Craig looks about the same age now.
At the time of release I think the issue for some was that he was too old to be a new 00, not too old to play Bond. They seemed to deliberately age him in Skyfall to suit the 'old Warhorse narrative. I thought he was looking chipper in Spectre.
He's always been reliably 'too much' or 'too little' of one thing or another :007) Possibly now he's just too successful?
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Whether 38 or 55, Craig has never been too old to play Bond, though he certainly looks old enough to be Lea Seydoux's father (if that's a concern of some people). But I'm one of those people who thought he was too old to play Bond at 38 in the origin story Casino Royale.
It's also about the character. Neeson's character in Taken wasn't supposed to be a womaniser. Bond is. So Bond needs to look like he can pull birds as hot as Lea Seydoux, Sophie Marceau and Claudine Auger. A 48-going-on-55-Putin-replica doesn't quite cut it.
Personally, I'd gladly watch Craig try to top Moore's Bond tenure
Re: post 10. Cheers {[]
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Wish I looked like Craig does when I was 55. Heck, wish I looked like that when I was 35.
I'm sorry to hear that. I know a lot of people in their 50s who look much more youthful than Craig does.
BUT don't have the Bond Girl be 20-35 either. Have her be a reasonable age compared to Bond or else he looks like he's playing her dad. I think that's why Taken was done so well, Liam Neeson character wasn't a Womanizer, he was just saving his daughter.
I think he was probably referring to Craig's physique. I don't know many people over the age of 40 who look like that.
In the face, I agree that Craig looks a few years older than he is.
Well said. I think Craig could easily do another 2 films providing they aren't made in 4 year gaps. I agree his scenes with Monica were more compelling and the next leading lady should match him a'la Maud and Roger in OP.
I certainly prefer Bond in his 40s as opposed to his early 30s. It worked for Sean because at 32 he had a mature, rugged, lived in professional appearance.That's because at that age he pretty much was. I doubt many of the 32 year olds of today's generation have a 10th of the life experience Sean had and James Bond requires. Tom Hiddleson at 35 looks like a college kid compared to the suave rugged Sean of TB.
Pierce certainly looked better in his 40s and could have continued to play Bond well into his 50s.
Daniel Craig has a lived in look, and certainly had it in CR. IMO, although he's aged a bit in the 10 years since he was cast, I don't think it's really that extreme. I actually think he looked his best in SP.
I know one man in his 50s and one in his 60s who have physiques almost like Craig's. So no, that's not very common.
In the real world that is probably a good observation. It's very hard to fight biology, even if one is fastidious with regards to diet, exercise and rest. That being said, in the world of successful film stars they have the resources, time and motivation to maintain their looks and physiques for much longer than the average working stiff. With Craig, while he may not exactly have a "baby face" he is apparently blessed with the type of naturally lean body type that responds well to working out even into middle age which IMO works well for the contemporary cinematic Bond. As much as I like Craig as Bond and want him to return, the day he starts looking a bit soft or doughy he can't be Bond anymore.
He looks rather "doughy" in the Brunello Cucinelli outfit in SP. Low-rise trousers and unstructured jackets aren't Craig's friend anymore. But with a better fit his body can still look great. If he's dressed in good tailoring and jackets (like throughout SP) like Roger Moore his body will still look far better than Moore's.
Some people talk about. -{
I agree. If the next movie was in pre production now I don't think it would be a problem, it the open ended and protracted wait that is driving g this is think. I'd be more worried about his knee and the physical stuff. On the other hand if he were less able to do the physical stuff that could open up some new things...