Poll: Who would you like to be the next James Bond in Bond 26? (Page 36 of 39)

Good point.

Richard Madden's new GQ photoshoot reminds me of some movie hero, but I can't remember who …...

The heights listed for Richard Madden on the net differ from 5' 9'' to 5' 11''. Most estimates say he's 5' 9'' something. In my opinion his height is a problem, but it doesn't take him out of the running. Could it be your opinion that Madden doesn't do humour be influenced by the fact that he's played a very serious character on GoT for many years?

It worries me how often people, or at least the press, seems to think Bond is somehow behind the times if the next Bond actor isn't non-white, female, transgender or ideally all of the above. I've got nothing against any of those groups, but in my opinion Bond is a straight white male and there's nothing wrong about it.
I think the opinions I often see in the media is indicative of a small portion of the population in Europe and North America and even fewer in other Places.

He was very good in it. I don’t quite get a Bond-level vibe from him but you never know. Craig is certainly going to be a tough act to follow.

I've seen Madden in three things: Game of Thrones, Bastille Day (has a different title in the States; ironically both Madden and Idris Elba play Americans although the setting is Europe) and all the episodes of Bodyguard. In not one single minute on the screen was there a moment of levity or even dark humor in Madden's performances. Now in fairness, except for Bastille Day (Madden plays some manner of thief) was there really any room for humor. I wonder if EON ends up going to the obvious choice (or maybe the "safe" choice), Henry Cavill. They certainly liked him enough that he almost landed CR. For whatever reason, Cavill is beginning to grow on me and after the very popular Craig, an obvious choice who pretty much checks all the Bond boxes and has international name recognition could be the way EON goes.

Back in 2005-06 when they were casting James Bond the last time there was some mention of Ben Barnes, best known for playing Prince Caspian in the Narnia films. Then he looked like  member of a boy band and overly modelish, so I didn't like him. Now  he's had roles in Westworld and Punisher among other things and Barnes looks more rugged. He's born in 1981 so he's nearly too old, but I think he's young looking enough in my opinion. He's also an experienced  British actor who isn't a star yet, but with good looks, a good height and dark hair. Worth considering, I think.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Barnes_(actor)#Film

Last edited by Number24 (16th Dec 2019 18:34)

If you want to see Ben Barnes showing charm and charisma onscreen I think "Easy virtue" is a good pick.
Unfortunately he's one of several Bond candidates who're on the wrong side of 35: Ed Skrein (36), Sam Hueghan (39), Aidan Turner (36), Tom Ellis (41). It's not ideal because they'll be nearing fifty around the time they make Bond 28, but I think it's preferable to a weaker young candidate. The only candidate I can think of right now who's interesting and under 35 is Max Irons (34) and Aaron Tylor-Johnsson (29).

Last edited by Number24 (16th Dec 2019 20:36)

I think actors like Aidan Turner or Ben Barnes would have to build more muscle mass if they got the role, but I don't think or hope the next Bond will bulk up like Craig did for CR.

Seconded.

Turner has done some shirtless scenes in Poldark and he has got himself pretty jacked and ripped, so I don't think that would be an issue. You could tell Barnes got fit and put some lean muscle on for his role in The Punisher but he has more of a Brosnan type build in general. But there's no question that Craig has set a standard of looking in shape and formidable even at 50+ which is now part of the current Bond canon.

I agree picking the right actor for the role is difficult, but I have a more optimistic view. I can think of about five guys who has real potential, but of cource there are no guarantees. There is also a good chance they'll find someone we never thought of like they did with Daniel Craig. By the way, it wasn't Layer Cake that put Craig on Barabara Broccoli's radar, een though it may have been that movie that halped convinced others who had to be convinced. I read in an interiew it was "Elizabeth" way back in 1998 that gave Barbara Broccoli the idea that Craig could be Bond.