Would Lewis Collins have made a good Bond?

osris · January 2011

At his peak, he seemed to have some of the Connery arrogance and swagger, which I think are essential for any film Bond. In Who Dares Wins, he seemed to be auditioning for the role.

Mister Greene · January 2011

I think so Who Dares Wins or The Final Option as it was called in the states was one of my favorite movies and I thought he was really good in it. so yes I think he would have made a good Bond and if I remember right that was released in '83? so it would have been good timing.

osris · January 2011

I read that he approached the producers of the Bond films when they were looking for a replacement for Moore and they turned him down. I think he would have been better than Dalton, and had he got the part I doubt there would have been a 6 year gap between Licenced to Kill and Goldeneye. It's a pity he's too old for it now.

The Domino Effect · January 2011

I agree entirely, but I almost feel that EON never like going with the obvious choice. It seems that they like to discover the next Bond rather than have them presented by the media, the fans or the actor themselves.

thesecretagent · January 2011

I always liked Lewis Collins in The Professionals, and Who Dares Wins was great (although it's years since I've seen it, so...). I always thought he'd have been a good Bond - but he is a bit wooden at times, and his films since WDW haven't exactly been great. Apparently, back when the SAS didn't always take recruits from regular infantry regiments Lewis Collins passed the fitness tests on selection and the escape and evasion tests and was put through to the training stage, but his application was overturned halfway through as it was decided he was too well known for most SAS tasks. He now lives in America where he collects guns and shoots virtually daily... Good Man!

BRIXMIS · January 2011

He definately was in 10 PARA ( reservists) in the early 80's. He got dropped by a 1 PARA lad at Brize Norton doing his para course! I remember seeing him at Airborne Forces Day in about 1984 with 2 beautiful blondes. I heard the story about him being too well known for SAS ( 21 SAS, also reservists) didn't realise he had done any of the selection process. His dad owned a gun shop in South London, so had grown up with firearms. Funny, never thought of his a Bond, but I think he would have made a decent job of it.

Thunderpussy · January 2011

Loved Collins in the professionals, But feel he would of been more of a J Statham Action Movie type than a Bond Contender.

scaramangasgoldengun · January 2011

I thought he was excellent in The Professionals... But As Bond I think he would have ended up Just playing Bodie in a Dinner Suit to be honest. Good actor the guy, But don't think he would have made a great Bond

ke02eww · January 2011

IMHO he would have made a good bond especially at his peak - 1982-84 when he did WDW

He definitely interviewed for bond - this is his explanation of the occasion

"It would be nice to get back to the original Bond, not the character created by Sean Connery - but the one from the books. He's not over-handsome, over-tall. He's about my age and has got my attitudes... I was in Cubby Broccoli's office for five minutes, but it was really over for me in seconds. I have heard since that he doesn't like me. That's unfair. He's expecting another Connery to walk through the door and there are few of them around. I think he's really shut the door on me. He found me too aggressive. I knew it all -- that kind of attitude. Two or three years ago that would be the case, purely because I was nervous and defensive. I felt they were playing the producer bit with fat cigars. When someone walks into their office for the most popular film job in the world, a little actor is bound to put on a few airs. If Cubby couldn't see I was being self-protective I don't have faith in his judgment."

And this episode from the cuckoo waltz gives a hint of the typical bond-moneypenny flirt - joust we might have seen...

With no less than jo-lum/purdey herself...

http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3D8bPqMfh1uFI&sa=U&ei=lBo7TdO2E4aWsgPx_eGwAw&ved=0CC8QtwIwAA&usg=AFQjCNFvvhsWRQPjId5gSvLabtcw8rSP8Q

As to now? He was born in 1946 and yet is looking at the film 1066

I also understand from a friend of his that he is a truly great guy

While there are few pics of him since 2007 I understand he's in great shape....

Maybe a future "M" ?

thesecretagent · January 2011

Thunderpussy wrote:

Loved Collins in the professionals, But feel he would of been more of a J Statham Action Movie type than a Bond Contender.

Is that a bit like now then?

Would Lewis Collins have made a good Bond?

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