Fine, so the Commenter Whose Moniker Must Perforce Remain Unspoken demands to know APCB's stance on the new Bond rumors. For those who don't hang on showbiz news like a slobbering dog, several media outlets are reporting that contract negotiations between Pierce Brosnan and Eon Productions (the prodcuers of Bond 21) have broken down, and Eon is now aggressively pursuing a successor.
Brosnan's Bond movies were among the most profitable of the franchise, each making more domestic box office than the last, yet the star was injured filming all four movies, which might have something to do with his decision to walk. Also playing into Eon's positon were growing complaints about the franchise's growing reliance on gadgetry. Several sources are reporting Eon wants a younger Bond who will, to quote the Daily Mail, "re-energise the franchise and take it to even greater heights." I say just hire Aston Kutcher and be done with it.
Ha ha. No really, who are the contestants?
Hugh Jackman - Appears to be the odds-on favorite (and he'd be the second Australian to play the role, after George Lazenby). I can certainly see him doing it, though I'm not sure what he'd bring to the table that Brosnan couldn't, except bigger pecs. Meaning more shirtless scenes. Give the people what they want.
Orlando Bloom - Too young,. I mean, really too young. If they didn't take Brosnan in his Remington Steele days for that reason, I can't see them going with Bloom. Maybe he could play Bond's punk kid brother.
Colin Farrell - Interesting choice, as his off-screen antics certainly put him closer to Fleming's original conception of Bond as a womanizing alcoholic. I maintain he's a little too rough around the edges for Bond. He'd be hell to insure, too.
Christian Bale - I think I'd rather see Bale get this than Jackman, if only because he's a better actor and has a darker streak to him. And that's exactly why he won't be offered it. If you'd asked me about this a year ago, I would've said Bale has shown no inclination to get involved in an action franchise. Now, of course, he's doing the new Batman movie. Good thing nobody asked.
Jude Law - Has said he'd consider it, which means nothing. Law's got the chops, for sure, but he seems a little...what's the word...light, to play Bond. Good actor, and a debonair rascal to be sure. Something about him leaves me cold, however.
Ewan McGregor - Yeah right. You think he wants to dive into another franchise when he's so close to being done with Star Wars? Personally, I think he'd be great, but I'm not holding my breath. I predict a slew of indies for Mr. McGregor when Episode III wraps.
Clive Owen - Has reportedly said he won't do it.
Russell Crowe - He'd definitely be the burliest guy to play 007. My gut tells me he's not interested in doing something as fluffy as the Bond movies when he's doing so well with more "serious" roles.
Form what it's worth, here are the odds for who might next pick up the Walther (via ITV):
2/1 Hugh Jackman
7/2 Colin Farrell
5/1 Orlando Bloom
7/1 Jude Law
8/1 Christian Bale
8/1 Ewan McGregor
12/1 Greg Wise
12/1 Jeremy Northam
14/1 Russell Crowe
100/1 Robbie Williams
Cast Robbie Williams as 007 and I god damn guarantee you I will never fork my hard-earned money over for a Bond movie again. Worse, I will use the awesome power of APCB to mobilize others to my cause.
That oughta scare 'em.
Who will the next James Bond be? Ask a silly question, get a Cromulent answer. My prediction is Guy Pearce. Sure, he can't act beyond a perpetually gobsmacked expression (perfect for Memento, by the way), but then since when has......
| --Posted to Amish Tech Support on Feb 13, 2004 4:23 PM:. |
Yeah, but I don't see X-Men going past another movie. Jackman seems like he might not mind jumping to another franchise.
And Van Helsing doesn't seem like it has miuc sequel potential, unless he wants to fight Godzilla.
I came out of M&C thinking that Paul Bettany would make a fine Bond.
If "fewer gadgets" + "younger actor" + "more action" = kung fu wirework + bullet time, I may just puke.
Actually, I missed Die Another Day, so for all I know they've already headed down that path.
I'm going to mention a few that haven't been mentioned before:
* Dougray Scott. Suave. Sophisticated. Must atone for Mission Impossible 2.
* Ioan Gruffudd. Lust-inspiring for the ladies. Kind of dark and seamy for the gents. Has acting chops that would be entirely unused in a Bond film.
* James Purefoy. Better known as Edward the Black Prince in A Knight's Tale. Perhaps not young enough (he's 40 now) but definitely has the slightly sinister look.
* Rupert Everett! Also no spring chicken. Is the universe ready for a gay James Bond? I wonder who the next Bond Guy will be! All I know is, I want my Shirley Temple shaken, not stirred.
Jackman also has his own franchise: X-Men. Does that figure into your calculations?