I think it’s a symptom of a broader problem in Hollywood. Namely, there’s very little originality. Most everything is a remake of something that came before, or a continuation, or a reliance on existing IP from comic books, novels, etc. New, groundbreaking, iconic characters are simply not being invented in the way they were 30+ years ago. So, as a way to make recycled IP feel “fresh”, Hollywood casts people of color in the roles. I am not a person of color, but if I were, I’d probably be insulted by the sheer laziness of it, if not the pandering. All of that being said, Bond is somewhat different because the role has already been recast so many times. And in some ways an actor like Page would feel more in the tradition of the cinematic Bond than Daniel Craig.
Page always gives off slightly camp vibes to me. I think he’s really good casting for The Saint (a role he has but will obviously never happen) but perhaps not so much Bond. Although I’m sure he could do it pretty well, I’d just prefer to see him as Templar.
But is it right with a character like Bond, who has more or less an established look over 70 years of both book and film? Ian Fleming gave him half scottish and half swiss heritage, grey-blue eyes and black hair and said he looks a bit like Hoagy Carmichael.
Lifestyle guide to the products and locations featured in the James Bond films.
Makes no difference to me. Not sure any of the actors have had blue grey eyes and we’ve had two with fair hair, and none at all with a facial scar(!), so I’m used to him not looking like Ian Fleming’s vision of the hero of a specific 1950s novel. As long as he embodies the important characteristics (attractive to women, alpha male, ideally British, smooth, funny, charming, sexy, hint of danger and toughness, 30s-40s etc.), as all the actors we’ve had so far have, and is a great screen presence and magnetic lead actor, that’s all I need.
I agree Miles, the laziness with Hollywood writers to create fresh material or even attempt to write a new character who isn't white, that is engaging, is beyond their talentless reach. It also rankles me that if someone says they'd prefer a white Englishman, or Brit, to play Bond, they are quickly labelled as racist or not intelligent enough to consider the option. Sope Dirisu, recently of Gangs of London (Elliot Carter) was utterly brilliant, do I want him as Bond ? No. Would I like someone to develop a character for him in the espionage or Bond world ? 100%. The movie goer and box office will ultimately be a decider in the next Bond IMHO.
It also rankles me that if someone says they'd prefer a white Englishman, or Brit, to play Bond, they are quickly labelled as racist or not intelligent enough to consider the option.
Where's that happened then? I'm looking up the page to where this was brought up and can't see anyone being called a racist or stupid. I myself said he'd ideally be British a couple of posts ago and I'm yet to have my intelligence questioned.
On another note: just a day and half left to announce Johnson! Any second now...
Let’s cut to the chase…..it really doesn’t matter who is the next Bond, so long as my wife fancies him. That way I can continue to admire/ogle the prerequisite Bond girls/women without recourse. I thank you 😎
I am coming around to ATJ. He is not in my top 5 or even 10. However, maybe he could bring a youthful quality to the role. His campaign for Calvin Klein did help a bit. If he gets the job, I hope they keep the longer hair.
They don't even have a script. They never announce such things before making sure they have a good/solid story.
I think the names of the screenwriters are as important as the name of the new Bond. My first concern: will Ernst Stavro Purvis and Julius Wade finally meet their match ?
My mistake ! I got it only after I posted the comment 😂
I'm so used to see many ridiculous speculations like this one that it becomes difficult to know if people seriously believe the rumours or not, fandom included...
Re: Henry Cavill, just watched pointless - which is not an accurate reflection of any kind of artistic preference or cinematic knowledge - but asked to name any actor who featured in MI: Fallout, not a single one of 100 people mentioned Henry Cavill. While I know a new Bond actor does not need to be a household name, the constant buzz surrounding this non-entity of an actor continues to bemuse me. He just fades into the background of any movie he's in. Please, Babs, please, no...
I think Barry Keoghan is a fantastic actor. He is really maturing well, however he is a little overexposed as he is set to be the Joker for Matt Reeves in his Batman films. he has charisma for days and remind same a little of Daniel Craig.
Bond needs to be a man of some maturity. This is perhaps the one common trait that every actor to play the role—sans Lazenby— was consistently able to convey. None of the sub-30 actors who I have seen mentioned are remotely able to convey that requisite maturity. And I think it’s a fallacy to suggest that Bond must be in his twenties to appeal to younger audiences. This is not—and has never been—the case. After all, when I was 10, my friends and I wanted nothing more than to be like 42 year old Pierce Brosnan in Goldeneye! Bond wasn’t some kid, he was a grown up who knew about wine and women and life. That’s the appeal. Is there a single member of this forum who became a fan of Bond because they related to the actor being their age? I doubt it.
Comments
I think it’s a symptom of a broader problem in Hollywood. Namely, there’s very little originality. Most everything is a remake of something that came before, or a continuation, or a reliance on existing IP from comic books, novels, etc. New, groundbreaking, iconic characters are simply not being invented in the way they were 30+ years ago. So, as a way to make recycled IP feel “fresh”, Hollywood casts people of color in the roles. I am not a person of color, but if I were, I’d probably be insulted by the sheer laziness of it, if not the pandering. All of that being said, Bond is somewhat different because the role has already been recast so many times. And in some ways an actor like Page would feel more in the tradition of the cinematic Bond than Daniel Craig.
This too.
Page always gives off slightly camp vibes to me. I think he’s really good casting for The Saint (a role he has but will obviously never happen) but perhaps not so much Bond. Although I’m sure he could do it pretty well, I’d just prefer to see him as Templar.
But is it right with a character like Bond, who has more or less an established look over 70 years of both book and film? Ian Fleming gave him half scottish and half swiss heritage, grey-blue eyes and black hair and said he looks a bit like Hoagy Carmichael.
Personally I'd prefer Bond to keep his traditional look, but I wouldn't be very upset if the next actor isn't white.
Makes no difference to me. Not sure any of the actors have had blue grey eyes and we’ve had two with fair hair, and none at all with a facial scar(!), so I’m used to him not looking like Ian Fleming’s vision of the hero of a specific 1950s novel. As long as he embodies the important characteristics (attractive to women, alpha male, ideally British, smooth, funny, charming, sexy, hint of danger and toughness, 30s-40s etc.), as all the actors we’ve had so far have, and is a great screen presence and magnetic lead actor, that’s all I need.
Those are more important characteristics for Bond to have for me too.
Don't forget that Aaron Taylor-Johnson is definitely going to be revealed as Bond in March, so that means either tomorrow or Friday, yeah? 😅
I agree Miles, the laziness with Hollywood writers to create fresh material or even attempt to write a new character who isn't white, that is engaging, is beyond their talentless reach. It also rankles me that if someone says they'd prefer a white Englishman, or Brit, to play Bond, they are quickly labelled as racist or not intelligent enough to consider the option. Sope Dirisu, recently of Gangs of London (Elliot Carter) was utterly brilliant, do I want him as Bond ? No. Would I like someone to develop a character for him in the espionage or Bond world ? 100%. The movie goer and box office will ultimately be a decider in the next Bond IMHO.
It also rankles me that if someone says they'd prefer a white Englishman, or Brit, to play Bond, they are quickly labelled as racist or not intelligent enough to consider the option.
Where's that happened then? I'm looking up the page to where this was brought up and can't see anyone being called a racist or stupid. I myself said he'd ideally be British a couple of posts ago and I'm yet to have my intelligence questioned.
On another note: just a day and half left to announce Johnson! Any second now...
Let’s cut to the chase…..it really doesn’t matter who is the next Bond, so long as my wife fancies him. That way I can continue to admire/ogle the prerequisite Bond girls/women without recourse. I thank you 😎
Every woman wants to sleep with him, every man wants to be him (and sleep with his women)😊
I am coming around to ATJ. He is not in my top 5 or even 10. However, maybe he could bring a youthful quality to the role. His campaign for Calvin Klein did help a bit. If he gets the job, I hope they keep the longer hair.
Agreed about longer hair. Maybe not that long, though.
Just a few hours left...
They don't even have a script. They never announce such things before making sure they have a good/solid story.
I think the names of the screenwriters are as important as the name of the new Bond. My first concern: will Ernst Stavro Purvis and Julius Wade finally meet their match ?
They don't even have a script. They never announce such things before making sure they have a good/solid story.
I know, I'm only making fun of the silly news story in The Sun about Aaron Taylor Johnson supposedly definitely being announced as 007 in March.
My mistake ! I got it only after I posted the comment 😂
I'm so used to see many ridiculous speculations like this one that it becomes difficult to know if people seriously believe the rumours or not, fandom included...
That's okay, it's not always clear when people are joking or not in text form!
I'm against the hair. Not all of it, but some of ATJ's hair has to go when he no doubt is revealed as James Bond in a couple of hours. 😁
Getting tense now isn't it.
They're cutting it really close. 😬
Ah, if only that were so, @Gymkata.
Re: Henry Cavill, just watched pointless - which is not an accurate reflection of any kind of artistic preference or cinematic knowledge - but asked to name any actor who featured in MI: Fallout, not a single one of 100 people mentioned Henry Cavill. While I know a new Bond actor does not need to be a household name, the constant buzz surrounding this non-entity of an actor continues to bemuse me. He just fades into the background of any movie he's in. Please, Babs, please, no...
I think Barry Keoghan is a fantastic actor. He is really maturing well, however he is a little overexposed as he is set to be the Joker for Matt Reeves in his Batman films. he has charisma for days and remind same a little of Daniel Craig.
He's even the same height as Tom Cruise!
Fine young actor but not James Bond.
Brilliant young actor! But not remotely James Bond.
Jacob Elordi then? He's going to have a big year
Bond needs to be a man of some maturity. This is perhaps the one common trait that every actor to play the role—sans Lazenby— was consistently able to convey. None of the sub-30 actors who I have seen mentioned are remotely able to convey that requisite maturity. And I think it’s a fallacy to suggest that Bond must be in his twenties to appeal to younger audiences. This is not—and has never been—the case. After all, when I was 10, my friends and I wanted nothing more than to be like 42 year old Pierce Brosnan in Goldeneye! Bond wasn’t some kid, he was a grown up who knew about wine and women and life. That’s the appeal. Is there a single member of this forum who became a fan of Bond because they related to the actor being their age? I doubt it.