Tom Hardy as James Bond?

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  • David SchofieldDavid Schofield EnglandPosts: 1,528MI6 Agent
    Would Hardy play a good Bond? I'm not sure. He might. But that doesn't change the fact that his appearance isn't much like the Bond that Fleming described.

    As a Fleming purist, I wish EON had been able to stick with the Fleming description.

    Indeed of the six Bonds, if Fleming had to pick 'em out in a bar, he'd never tag Craig or Roger physically as his creation. And the most authentic - dark but not too big - Brosnan gets much derision from modern movie audiences for wimpishness.

    And yet strangely, Fleming himself is reported as having advocated David Niven for the role of Bond. And there is NOTHING of the Fleming literary description physically in Niven...

    Fleming advocated Niven because they were personal friends (Niven was
    an officer in the army and first met Fleming at their gentlemen's club) and
    because he had already seen his films. I worked at a NATO base back in the '70s and knew a Royal Army colonel in our division who had know Niven, because he himself had worked in theatrical shows they put on for soldiers in the field during the war. He became the theatrical director for the plays they put on at the NATO base theater while I was there as well. He did not know Fleming, but Niven had talked about Fleming and what he thought when Fleming asked him if he though he could play Bond. Niven loved his novels, but told him Bond was just too out of his range for him, and didn't think audiences would accept him in such a role. He told him he wouldn't mind playing Tanner or Q, since there could be some humor involved, and it would also keep his shooting schedule short if he could play those roles. He suggested having Robert Morley play M, though he did not say what Fleming thought of that. He did suggest having Stewart Granger play Bond and Fleming apparently thought that was a great idea, but Granger was a little too old by then. Anyway, Fleming's idea of Niven playing Bond came more from his admiration of Niven as a friend and actor than as ideal casting. Ironically, Niven took Bond's role in the '67 CR version out of his reverence for his old friend Fleming and because the script was to be just a comic farce - which Niven enjoyed doing.

    Happy to take this as it is.

    However, the point I make still remains; Fleming describes Bond as dark haired, tall and ruggedly handsome. Yet he advocated Niven as a movie Bond (regardless of whether through friendship, admiration or that he might have thought he epitomised movie Bond). And yet we are dismayed at the image of Craig, joke at the idea of Hardy...
  • The Domino EffectThe Domino Effect Posts: 3,631MI6 Agent
    Moore Than wrote:
    Tom Hardy has stated "I would love to play Bond with Chris Nolan director or something, it would be awesome."

    What is it they say about Papal enclaves? He who enters as Pope leaves as Cardinal.

    I think Hardy would be fine, but I reckon we'll not see any change for 5 or 6 years and anything could happen in the meantime.
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,239MI6 Agent
    Well, Hardy might have been right after Layer Cake, playing a younger Bond. Too late now.

    I think Hardy likes to mix it up a bit. He doesn't need to be tied to the Bond role, he's a big name star unlike all the other stars who have played Bond. Same with the Shame star, these actors like to experiment. Sure, Craig had some pedigree beforehand but is really using Bond as a springboard for his A-list movies and the chance to hang out with Spielburg et al imo.
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • Richard--WRichard--W USAPosts: 200MI6 Agent
    Tom Hardy as James Bond?

    No.


    Richard
    The top 7 Bond films: 1) Dr No. 2) From Russia With Love. 3) Thunderball. 4) On Her Majesty's Secret Service. 5) For Your Eyes Only. 6) The Living Daylights. 7) Licence to Kill.
  • DaltonFan1DaltonFan1 The West of IrelandPosts: 503MI6 Agent
    IMO Hardy is the best candidate around. He has been great in whenever I've seen him (Tinker Tailor, Inception, Bronson, Layercake etc.), and I bet few people even recognised him in RocknRolla.
    Plus, we know he'll be in tip-top shape.
    As for the height issue, it can't be difficult to make him look taller, I don't think Craig looks short in his films even though he is reputedly much shorter than his predecessors.
    “Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to a better understanding of ourselves.” - Carl Jung
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 21,702MI6 Agent
    Hardy is a very talented actor. I could accept and even like him as Bond in spite of his blond hair, relative shortness and unconventional looks - just tlike I did with Craig. But Craig`s face looks better than Hardy`s, Hardy has some feminine features while Craig looks tough. My favourite is still Michael Fassbender with Henry Cavill, Clive Standen and Max Brown as other possible candidates.
  • DavidJonesDavidJones BermondseyPosts: 253MI6 Agent
    Do you think Hardy is too old to play Bond now? If Bond 26 comes out in autumn 2022, the anniversary year, he will be 45. (Three years, however, would be a swift turnaround.)

    if it's released in 2023 - four years being the current gap - he will be 46. Same age as Roger was when he started. However, that was a different time and Eon needed a safe bet which the former Saint provided.
  • Matt SMatt S Oh Cult Voodoo ShopPosts: 6,596MI6 Agent
    DavidJones wrote:
    Do you think Hardy is too old to play Bond now? If Bond 26 comes out in autumn 2022, the anniversary year, he will be 45. (Three years, however, would be a swift turnaround.)

    if it's released in 2023 - four years being the current gap - he will be 46. Same age as Roger was when he started. However, that was a different time and Eon needed a safe bet which the former Saint provided.

    Roger was 45 when he did Live and Let Die and when it was released. And considering that Bond was not an action hero back then he could be 45 and have a decade to go. That isn't going to work today.
    Visit my blog, Bond Suits
  • Sterling ArcherSterling Archer Posts: 197MI6 Agent
    DavidJones wrote:
    Do you think Hardy is too old to play Bond now? If Bond 26 comes out in autumn 2022, the anniversary year, he will be 45. (Three years, however, would be a swift turnaround.)

    if it's released in 2023 - four years being the current gap - he will be 46. Same age as Roger was when he started. However, that was a different time and Eon needed a safe bet which the former Saint provided.

    People are aging much slower these days. Hardy doesn't look 41 at all.
  • Matt SMatt S Oh Cult Voodoo ShopPosts: 6,596MI6 Agent
    DavidJones wrote:
    Do you think Hardy is too old to play Bond now? If Bond 26 comes out in autumn 2022, the anniversary year, he will be 45. (Three years, however, would be a swift turnaround.)

    if it's released in 2023 - four years being the current gap - he will be 46. Same age as Roger was when he started. However, that was a different time and Eon needed a safe bet which the former Saint provided.

    People are aging much slower these days. Hardy doesn't look 41 at all.

    Huh? I thought he was older. He looks similar to a man I know in his late 40s.
    Visit my blog, Bond Suits
  • JTMJTM Posts: 3,027MI6 Agent
    People are aging much slower these days. Hardy doesn't look 41 at all.

    I agree. I thought he was only in his late 30's.
  • LoeffelholzLoeffelholz The United States, With LovePosts: 8,988Quartermasters
    I'll pass on Hardy as Bond; thanks. I don't think a Bond actor should ever be shorter than Craigger.
    Check out my Amazon author page! Mark Loeffelholz
    "I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
    "Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
  • zaphod99zaphod99 Posts: 1,415MI6 Agent
    I'll pass on Hardy as Bond; thanks. I don't think a Bond actor should ever be shorter than Craigger.

    Would love to see him in a Bond film, either as another 00 or nemesis but not Bond. If my dream Netflix in period FRWL got made he would make a superb Grant (my real wish is an in period Moonraker)
    Of that of which we cannot speak we must pass over in silence- Ludwig Wittgenstein.
  • CheverianCheverian Posts: 1,446MI6 Agent
    zaphod99 wrote:
    I'll pass on Hardy as Bond; thanks. I don't think a Bond actor should ever be shorter than Craigger.

    Would love to see him in a Bond film, either as another 00 or nemesis but not Bond. If my dream Netflix in period FRWL got made he would make a superb Grant (my real wish is an in period Moonraker)

    I have no idea who should be the next Bond, but Hardy would be the perfect Red Grant.
  • zaphod99zaphod99 Posts: 1,415MI6 Agent
    Cheverian wrote:
    zaphod99 wrote:
    I'll pass on Hardy as Bond; thanks. I don't think a Bond actor should ever be shorter than Craigger.

    Would love to see him in a Bond film, either as another 00 or nemesis but not Bond. If my dream Netflix in period FRWL got made he would make a superb Grant (my real wish is an in period Moonraker)

    I have no idea who should be the next Bond, but Hardy would be the perfect Red Grant.

    Tom Cullen gets my vote
    Of that of which we cannot speak we must pass over in silence- Ludwig Wittgenstein.
  • Enjoying DeathEnjoying Death Toronto, ON CANADAPosts: 1,231MI6 Agent
    I know he's famous due to Outlander, but Sam Heughan at age 38, would make a fine Bond after Craig. -{
    Pussy Galore: “My name is Pussy Galore.”
    Bond: “I must be dreaming.”
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 21,702MI6 Agent
    I don't think Heughan is too famous for Bond because of Outlander. He may be borderline too old, but he looks young for his age. I would like to see him as Bond :007)
  • Enjoying DeathEnjoying Death Toronto, ON CANADAPosts: 1,231MI6 Agent
    Number24 wrote:
    I don't think Heughan is too famous for Bond because of Outlander. He may be borderline too old, but he looks young for his age. I would like to see him as Bond :007)

    When I said famous, I meant with the ladies lol. My wife and her friends love him in Outlander. They are unaware of anything else he may have been in.

    Craig was the same age in CR I believe.
    Pussy Galore: “My name is Pussy Galore.”
    Bond: “I must be dreaming.”
  • Matt SMatt S Oh Cult Voodoo ShopPosts: 6,596MI6 Agent
    Number24 wrote:
    I don't think Heughan is too famous for Bond because of Outlander. He may be borderline too old, but he looks young for his age. I would like to see him as Bond :007)

    When I said famous, I meant with the ladies lol. My wife and her friends love him in Outlander. They are unaware of anything else he may have been in.

    Craig was the same age in CR I believe.

    Craig was 38 in CR, the same age as Heughan is now. Unless there's a possibility of Craig dropping out for Bond 25, if Heughan becomes Bond he would be older than Craig is when he starts Bond. Good thing for Heughan is that he looks much younger.
    Visit my blog, Bond Suits
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 21,702MI6 Agent
    I see your point, even though I I have to admit I watch Outlander. I justify it by saying I'm a history buff :D
  • dr. evan-gelistdr. evan-gelist SheffieldPosts: 398MI6 Agent
    No too boyish looking. My choice is Nicholas Hoult.
    "You're in the wrong business... leave it to the professionals!"
    James Bond- Licence To Kill
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 21,702MI6 Agent
    Who is too boyish looking?
  • dr. evan-gelistdr. evan-gelist SheffieldPosts: 398MI6 Agent
    Tom Hardy
    "You're in the wrong business... leave it to the professionals!"
    James Bond- Licence To Kill
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Why not John C. Reilly he played Oliver Hardy, surely that's close enough :D
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
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