AJB Interview with Debbie McWilliams
Barbel
ScotlandPosts: 37,856Chief of Staff
Our next guest is an integral member of the Eon Bond team. Debbie McWilliams is the casting director for No Time To Die, formerly Bond25. As she was for Bond24. And Bond23, Bond22…. all the way back to For Your Eyes Only.
Her career has also included Barbara Broccoli’s Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool, Superman 3, and many others.
Naturally, Ms McWilliams will not be discussing the current Bond movie and equally naturally there are many sensitive areas in casting which she will not be going into. Don’t be surprised if your question goes unanswered. To that end, please keep your questions general. Ms McWilliams reserves the right to not answer any question(s) as she chooses, which I’m sure you’ll understand. She has said she will look at our questions but no promises.
Clearly she is a busy person, and I can’t guarantee when she will find time to reply. Nevertheless it looks like this will be an interesting interview!
Please post your questions below. As usual, 48 hours before I send the questions on ie 21.00 GMT on Sunday.
Her career has also included Barbara Broccoli’s Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool, Superman 3, and many others.
Naturally, Ms McWilliams will not be discussing the current Bond movie and equally naturally there are many sensitive areas in casting which she will not be going into. Don’t be surprised if your question goes unanswered. To that end, please keep your questions general. Ms McWilliams reserves the right to not answer any question(s) as she chooses, which I’m sure you’ll understand. She has said she will look at our questions but no promises.
Clearly she is a busy person, and I can’t guarantee when she will find time to reply. Nevertheless it looks like this will be an interesting interview!
Please post your questions below. As usual, 48 hours before I send the questions on ie 21.00 GMT on Sunday.
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Was Sean Connery actually pursued for the role of Kincaid in Skyfall, or was that media speculation?
- What casting dicisions have you found most challenging/difficult in your career? I'm thinking especially of the Bond movies, but also in general.
- Have you started working on casting the next James Bond? If not, when do you expect to start on this?
- How much input/say does Daniel Craig get on casting other actors in his Bond Movies?
Made her job harder or easier ? or just different
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Higgins, you might want to rephrase that one....
How often do the producers suggest cast members they may have seen in other things? And given how international the casts are, can that prove challenging?
I guess on-screen 'chemistry' is an important factor, especially between Bond and the leading female roles. How many actors are screen tested for each role before the final part is cast?
I note that An American Werewolf in London was one of Debbie's first films - can she share any interesting anecdotes about that film, one of my favourites?
1. Where do you think the series will be heading in the future, especially with the casting of the Bond-role?
2. What’s the most regrettable case of an actor (initially belonging to the main cast) not getting cast ? Let it be villain or Bond-girl...or even 007 himself...
3. Are there any actors that first didn‘t land a part only to be cast in a later movie (like M.Bellucci)?
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For instance, the hero is frequently matched with a heroine who has similar features and hair coloring. If the star has a long face, most of the cast will also have long faces, some even more narrow to make the star's face seem better proportioned. If the star has a receding hairline or a large nose, other actors will, too. The exception might be with the villain, who will look unlike the star (unless there's some familial angle to the story). That sort of thing.
Am I reading this correctly as a consideration? If so, might there have been actors you wanted to cast for the Bond movies but rejected because they didn't contribute to this "ensemble look"? Did you cast them in later Bond films with a new star?
Also, to me, Daniel Craig seems cut more of the Connery/Lazenby mode than the Moore/Dalton/Brosnan one, giving him something of a retro quality as Bond. Do you know if this was a consideration for his getting the part?
Thank you for your consideration.
Good question for Barbel! I remember we had a member, an EON mole claiming to have worked in Debbie McWilliams’ office and he gave us day to day updates leading to them finalizing Clive Owen.
No way, I'm not the interviewee!
Villain
Allies
Bond Girls
" I don't listen to hip hop!"
I'd think that height is a major consideration. Choosing a female lead taller than the hero would be vetoed in most films, and it's also unlikely that the principal villain would be taller, unlike the henchman.
1- Has there been a difference between working initially with Cubby Broccoli & Michael Wilson, and then Michael Wilson & Barbara Broccoli?
Their work ethic is very similar. Cubby loved a practical joke. Michael and Barbara have inherited their father’s extraordinary generosity of spirit.
2- Were any casting decisions made by you and Eon overridden by the studios? If so, did they and/or do they still have the final say?
No. They do have the final say but they have never disagreed with any decisions.
3- Was Sean Connery actually pursued for the role of Kincade in Skyfall, or was that media speculation?
Not as far as I know.
4- - What casting decisions have you found most challenging/difficult in your career? I'm thinking especially of the Bond movies, but also in general.
Every film is different and poses it’s own challenges. I’ve never not been able to cast a part.
5- Have you started work on casting the next James Bond? If not, when do you expect to start on this?
No. No idea.
6- How much input/say does Daniel Craig get on casting other actors in his Bond movies?
Daniel is always very interested to know who the leading lady will be and who the villain will be.
7- The Bonds used to be every two years. Has the change to longer periods between films made your job harder, easier, or just different?
It doesn’t make any difference.
8- How often do the producers suggest cast members they may have seen in other things? And given how international the casts are, can that prove challenging?
I specialise in international casting and always have done. The Producers very often make suggestions. It is quite a collaborate effort.
9- I guess on-screen 'chemistry' is an important factor, especially between Bond and the leading female roles. How many actors are screen tested for each role before the final part is cast?
There is no fixed number of actors who are tested. Sometimes hardly any, sometimes quite a few.
10- I note that An American Werewolf in London was one of your first films- can you share any interesting anecdotes about that film, one of my favourites?
Leonard Rossiter was originally offered the part of the police inspector but wrote me a letter to say he’d never been so offended. The part was then played by Paul Kember who went on to be a very successful writer.
11- It’s rumoured that Monica Belluci was possibly going to be in an earlier Bond movie than Spectre- is this true?
Yes it’s true, Monica Belluci tested for Tomorrow Never Dies.
12- Where do you think the series will be heading in the future, especially with the casting of the Bond-role?
No comment.
13- What’s the most regrettable case of an actor (initially belonging to the main cast) not getting cast? Let it be villain or leading lady ...or even 007 himself...
No comment.
14- Are there any actors that at first didn’t land a part only to be cast in a later movie?
Yes but can’t think who off the top of my head.
15- Was Clive Owen ever considered for Bond before Daniel Craig was announced?
Many actors were considered before Daniel but not Clive Owen.
16- I've noticed over the years that casting directors seem to not only look at talent but also how the actors' physical appearance contributes to the ensemble.
This has never been part of how I go about Casting. I’m only ever looking for the best actor.
For instance, the hero is frequently matched with a heroine who has similar features and hair coloring. If the star has a long face, most of the cast will also have long faces, some even more narrow to make the star's face seem better proportioned. If the star has a receding hairline or a large nose, other actors will, too. The exception might be with the villain, who will look unlike the star (unless there's some familial angle to the story). That sort of thing.
Am I reading this correctly as a consideration? If so, might there have been actors you wanted to cast for the Bond movies but rejected because they didn't contribute to this "ensemble look"? Did you cast them in later Bond films with a new star?
Also, to me, Daniel Craig seems cut more of the Connery/Lazenby mode than the Moore/Dalton/Brosnan one, giving him something of a retro quality as Bond. Do you know if this was a consideration for his getting the part?
Thank you for your consideration.
[Ms McWilliams made no response to this. Barbel]
17- What qualities do you look for when casting actors for the following character types?
Villain
Allies
Leading Ladies
The best actors for the role! It’s all driven by the script.
18- If you could cast herself as any Bond character from any of the previous films, which role would it be and why?
It has never crossed my mind!
I still haven't heard back from Yaphet Kotto, though his assistant assures me he is on it and will call.