Clive Owen as Bond?

DavidJones

There were strong rumours in the 2000s that Clive Owen would be the next Bond.

I know this is speculation, but how close do you think he got to the part, and did you want him to have it?

Number24

I remember back in 2006 some members here were of the opinion the anouncment of Clive Owen was only weeks away and CR was practicaly written to fit him. Personally I think he has a very monotone voice (all the Bond actors, with Brosnan being an exception at times) had great voices.) Owen also slouches a lot.
According to Wikipedia the producers were unwilling to provide gross profit points, so he didn't want to take the role.

JTullock23

I don't even think Clive Owen is a good Clive Owen. I wouldn't have bought him as Bond.

JTM

JTullock23 wrote:

I don't even think Clive Owen is a good Clive Owen. I wouldn't have bought him as Bond.

Well he was pretty good in The Pink Panther as 006

JTullock23

Truer words... :007)

JTM wrote:

JTullock23 wrote:

I don't even think Clive Owen is a good Clive Owen. I wouldn't have bought him as Bond.

Well he was pretty good in The Pink Panther as 006

DavidJones

I think he would've been great myself. Owen can do charm and suavity too, which seems to be beyond Craig's range.

The Domino Effect

I like Clive Owe, however, the person who was linked to the role at about the same time (maybe a bit earlier) and who I would have liked to have seen as Bond at one point was Gabriel Byrne. I think he would have been very good.

DavidJones

Well, Byrne's 70 now, so then he would've been fifty-six.

The Domino Effect

Definitely earlier, then!

Mr Martini

I'm going to leave this link here. Its an interesting read and it just may answer your question

https://ajb007.co.uk/topic/51776/ajb-interview-with-debbie-mcwilliams/

Number24

I just re-read the AJB interview of Bond casting director Debbie McWilliams last year. Here is her reply to a question about Clive Owen:

Q - Was Clive Owen ever considered for Bond before Daniel Craig was announced?

McWilliams: - Many actors were considered before Daniel but not Clive Owen.

DavidJones

Thanks, guys.

lilusako

During that time Clive Owen seemed to become pretty popular on the big screens. For me, what made him a potential Bond was seeing all the BMW shorts he did called “The Hire” playing a courier-for-hire driver. I have a feeling perhaps he was already too well known to get the part. But who knows...