Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang; the official James Bond Thread

[Willravel]

After doing a search and coming back with nearly nothing, I've decided to take it upon myself to open a decent James Bond thread.


Recent news:
-Pierce Brosnan is no longer going to be playing the worlds favorite british spy.

In early 2004, it was confirmed that Brosnan was not under contract for Bond 21. This led to dismay and surprise. Pierce then indicated in interviews that the situation had indeed become ‘opaque’, which led to all sorts of theories as to what was happening behind the scenes. Now, after months of mystery and intense media and fan speculation, Pierce has given his most detailed account so far of what was really going on.

Brosnan is reported to have said: “It’s over, it’s over, it’s absolutely over”. Far from voluntarily quitting, Brosnan revealed that he was effectively fired from the role. He confirmed that he had been willing, even eager, to take on Bond 21 and do a fifth and final stint as 007. He pointed out that the Bond producers, Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson, had asked him to return as 007 after the success of ‘Die Another Day’, although no contracts had been signed: “They invited me back right before I went to present that film. They said: ‘We’re so happy with the success, we want you to come back!’ I went on the road a happy man, you know. I thought we’d get a fifth and no more. That would be it, really”.

And then, according to Brosnan, one day the phone rang and his agents told him “that the goal posts had moved and that they had changed their minds”.

Referring to Hollywood, the Irish-American star said: “It’s very hard to find the truth in that town or in this business at times. But it was their prerogative to change their minds. They can do it!”. He also reflected: “It was disappointing. It was surprising”, and added that he accepted it “after 24 hours of being in shock”.

In a frank admission, the star said he always knew the end was coming at some point, and claimed he harboured no bitterness. However, fans of Brosnan’s interpretation of Bond are bound to be angry over how he was treated. Moreover, it is still mystifying why, after the last Bond movie was such a box-office success around the globe, the producers decided that it was time to revoke Brosnan’s tenure as 007. It is also doubly disappointing that Pierce is being denied the opportunity to ‘round off’ his Bond career with a strong and meaty character-driven performance, as there is every indication that the Bond 21 script will get back to basics after the effects-driven nature of ‘Die Another Day’.


- The next Bond moive is set to come out in 2006. MGM has delayed the planned Nov. 2005 release of the next Bond movie in the wake of its takeover by Sony, Reuters reports.

The Reuters article (http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackage...4&section=news)quotes an MGM spokesperson as saying that the delay was made because the company has not found a director. In fact, the only thing they do have is a script.

MGM's spokesperson said that the company has not decided whether to aim for a summer 2006 release or wait until Nov. 2006.


-Who in God's name will be the next Bond? Actors such as Eric Bana, Guy Pierce, Sean Bean, Scott Dougray, Ioan Gruffudd, Hugh Jackman, and Clive Owen have been named by various tabloids and newpapers worldwide. As much as we will all miss Pierce in his Bond role, we are now in that awkward transition time again. It's time to start looking outward for the next agent 007 on her Majesty's Secret Service.

Rules: This thread is intended to be enjoyed by all Bond fans alike. All forum rules apply. Thanks for participating.

[Halx]

I thought the last movie, Die Another Day, was the best of Pierce Brosnan's era. They hit on somethere there that they could have made even better with the next one. It's sad to hear that he probably won't be back. I am not sure about who to replace him with. I just gotta say that Eric Bana and Hugh Jackman are big NO's in my book. It's not their acting ability, it's their accent. I elect Guy Pierce.

[spindles]

Originally Posted by Halx

I thought the last movie, Die Another Day, was the best of Pierce Brosnan's era. They hit on somethere there that they could have made even better with the next one. It's sad to hear that he probably won't be back. I am not sure about who to replace him with. I just gotta say that Eric Bana and Hugh Jackman are big NO's in my book. It's not their acting ability, it's their accent. I elect Guy Pierce.

I kinda thought it was funny that you decide no to two Aussies, then nominate a third Aussie for the role.

I think that the newer bond films don't have the oomph of the old. In the older movies he always had gadgets that were "futuristic" but slightly believable - I just don't think his gadgets have been like that anymore - either they are probably doable now, or they are complete fantasy (like the invisible car). I think the francise is just about due for retirement. Quite frankly, I think the success at the box office may in part be due to there being a complete lack of decent films coming out of hollywood.

If they do decide to keep going, perhaps they could choose someone British/English for the role - Ewan McGregor perhaps...?

[bundy]

yeah, of the three Aussies in Halx's list i'd have to say Guy is probably the most appropriate. Bana just doesn't seem refined enough, and Jackman is too fake. like Bana, Sean Bean just seems too rough... while on the other side of the coin, Ioan Grufford is just too pretty. i'm all for the next Bond being Christian Bale (unlikely since he's now Batman) or Clive Owen...

but, even though i find Brosnan repulsive in real life, i've enjoyed him as Bond (esp in Tomorrow Never Dies)... and i'd like to see him in a few more.

[FatherTed]

I never thought of Guy Pierce, he would be very good although :-

Barbara Broccoli, producer of the long-running spy series, has reportedly said that in the next film, due for release next year, she wants to return 007 to his film roots, with a brooding Bond in the mould of original star Sir Sean Connery.

Quote ataken from this article http://news.scotsman.com/features.cfm?id=1079082004

it goes on to say

Fife-born Dougray Scott, star of Mission Impossible 2 and Enigma is the bookies’ favourite. His dark, smouldering good looks and husky Scottish accent make him the closest equivalent to Sir Sean Connery.

[Willravel]

I agree that in the aussie catagory, Guy takes it hands down. Sean Bean was already a villan (see Janus, Goldeneye), Bana has neither the experience, nor the swagger, and Jackman is a poor actor, IMO. I remember seeing Brosnan in an interview naming Clive Owen as his choice, and I am starting to agree. The BMW films (www.bmwfilms.com), and I'll Sleep Whn I'm Dead are fantastic movies, and show that he has the ability to play the role in action, swagger, and finesse. Dougray Scott might be good to, though.

Ion Grufford was mentioned in the british tabloid 'Guardian' as the Bond in 2020, as he is too young by far right now. He was mentioned by Timothy Dalton as his choice for Bond.

Ewan McGregor was seemingly gunning for the role when he accpeted the role of Catcher Block in that terrible 'Down With Love' movie. His work in 'Trainspotting', 'Star Wars', 'Black Hawk Down', and 'Big Fish' have established his acting talent. McGregor said that he would be interested in taking over the role of James Bond from Pierce Brosnan in Bond 21. "I think about this the same way I thought about the rumors that I might do 'Star Wars.' I always said with that one, too, that I'd have to wait and see if they really wanted me and how I felt about it at the time. What would worry me about Bond is that it does seem to require an enormous commitment in the same way that 'Star Wars' doesn't because those movies were so far apart, whereas Bond seems to be closer together. ... I also notice Pierce Brosnan spending a lot of the year promoting Bond films. So, I would worry about that because I'd have less time to do other films."

Remember that this role is always subject to change. We may hear a Bond named officially, and see it change a week later. Sean Connery wasn't supposed to be the first James Bond. Roger Moore was Ian Fleming's original choice to play James Bond. Boy, they sure dodged the bullet there! I was never a fan of Moore's later Bonds, as they almost killed the series.

[Halx]

I just wanna get off subject for a second and say Down With Love was a great movie.

I think the issue with the gadgets can be worked around. Back in the day, movies with far-out ideas were accepted, but I think audiences have become more sophisticated and thus find far-out concepts in 'modern life' scenarios to be corny. Would it pain the writers to create a character-based story?

Look at what that did for Spider-Man.

[Daval]

I thought I heard or read somewhere that the dark haired guy from Nip|Tuck was slotted to play bond next time around.

Julian McMahon -

The James Bond Rumors: Julian McMahon was discussed as a front-runner candidate for the role of James Bond. While on the set of The Fantastic Four, he would neither confirm nor deny that rumor, which usually means something’s happening. “Unfortunately, it’s something I really can’t talk about,” McMahon said. “We’ll see what happens in regards to that but they’ve obviously got an extraordinary franchise which I’d be honored to be involved in at any point in time. We’ll see what happens.”

source - http://actionadventure.about.com/od/...mahonffpro.htm

[Redjake]

I thought Goldeneye was easily and by far the best James Bond that Pierce did. I consider it one of the best out of them all, actually. Little-to-none computer graphics made this one come out on top. I mean seriously.....who doesn't get chill bumps when 007 comes busting through the wall in the tank, chasing after Natalia in the Mini? I just think Die Another Day went WAY too over the top with the graphics. It made it seem too, well, not-James-Bondish. I did enjoy aspects of the movie though.

In order of favorites: Goldeneye, Tomorrow Never Dies, Die Another Day, The World Is Not Enough


Goldeneye holds a spot as one of my favorite movies of all time. Character oriented:

Famke Janssen as Xenia - holy shit. What a character.

And one of my favorite characters of all time from any movie, Trevelyan (Sean Bean).

I am invincible! Alan Cummings as Boris

And, of course, Pierce Brosnan as James Bond. I love it.

It just seems to me that they took the Bond series way more seriously in Goldeneye than with the rest. It reminded me of the Sean Connery movies. Maybe it's just me.

[Willravel]

Julian McMahon is an interesting choice. His first real film role will be f4, and it's the film is said to be a big risk. Most people know him from his roles on Charmed, and the critically acclaimed (i've always wanted to say that) Nip/Tuck. I've watched Nip/Tuck from the beginning, and I am a big fan of the show's writing, directing, and acting. I think that someone like Julian McMahon would need to establish himself in a Bond like role before he could win my vote for Bond, though. Look at Pierce, Moore, Lazenby, and Dalton. All of thse actors played Bond like roles before getting their licence to kill. Brosnan had Rmington Steele, The Heist, Death Train, and Night Watch. Moore had The Saint. Lazenby had Espionage in Tangier. Dalton had Permission to Kill. Seems tha anyone gunning for the role has about a year to get into a spy role. I'm going to try!

[Willravel]

- John Cleese (Q #2) has risen worry about the return of one of the most beloved characters in the Bond series; Q.
Q, or quartermaster, has been the master of gadgets, and great back and fourth with James Bond ever since 'From Rissua with Love'. Recently John Cleese, who assisted Desmond Llewelyn’s ‘Q’ in ‘The World Is Not Enough’, and then played ‘Q’ himself in ‘Die Another Day’ was interviewed at the 2004 Irish Film and Telivision Awards.

When asked about his role as ‘Q’ in the next James Bond film, while he did not rule out his own return, Cleese also made comments which have set alarm bells ringing in some people’s ears: “I’m told that if there is a Q, I will be Q. But I think if they were to cast someone much younger as Bond, I’m not sure they’d want an old Q. I don’t believe there’s a Q in the current version of the script”.

What? Is there a possibility in all of the scrambling for a new Bond, we might lose Q?! I would be more then perterbed by such a decision. Vote Bond/Cleese 2006!

[tropple]

Originally Posted by willravel

When asked about his role as ‘Q’ in the next James Bond film, while he did not rule out his own return, Cleese also made comments which have set alarm bells ringing in some people’s ears: “I’m told that if there is a Q, I will be Q. But I think if they were to cast someone much younger as Bond, I’m not sure they’d want an old Q. I don’t believe there’s a Q in the current version of the script”.

Well that is plain silliness! Of course Q should be older. That is the image of Q: The older genius mechanical engineer/tinkerer. If Q were to turn up as a young guy it not work. Desmond Llewelyn was much older that Sean Connery (and the others) and always looked like a cranky engineer (i.e., an engineer with 3-in-1 oil in his coffee).

[3zos]

i would have to agree with goldeneye being the best of the brosnan era bonds, and i dare say a large part of the credit is due to the fact that it was the last bond script based on an actual fleming book. the last three have been commercialized simplified fuster clucks in my opinion, though the opening to die another day was pretty cool (im sorry but the whole surfing bit later in the movie... ugh).

[Averett]

http://entertainment.msn.com/movies/...px?news=172029

Brosnan Favors Colin Farrell As Bond
Nov 1, 9:53 AM EST

The Associated Press

Pierce Brosnan, the actor who has played British agent James Bond in the last four "007" films, says he thinks fellow Irishman Colin Farrell would be his ideal successor.

Brosnan, 51, said several actors could ably fill his shoes for the coveted role, which he began in 1995 with "GoldenEye" and concluded with 2002's "Die Another Day."

"But I'll give it to Colin Farrell. He'll eat the head off them all," Brosnan said following an entertainment awards ceremony Saturday in Dublin.

Farrell, 28, appeared with Tom Cruise in the 2002 science fiction movie "Minority Report" and has the title role in Oliver Stone's forthcoming epic "Alexander."

Brosnan didn't specify any other actors that he thought would make a good 007.

He also said he was discussing a possible collaboration with director Quentin Tarantino, who is considering a remake of the original Bond novel, "Casino Royale."

"We have discussed things, Quentin and I, but I don't know if its going to be that particular project," Brosnan said.

Last October, the producers of the planned 21st Bond film, Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson, informed Brosnan he'd gotten too old to be cast again as Bond.

Speculation about the next Bond has since been rife, with Jude Law, Hugh Jackman, Clive Owen and Eric Bana on the list.

I think Colin Farrell would make a great Bond. Ladies love him, guys want to be him. Only deduction is that Colin is on the short side. I think he's listed as 5'10, but I'd doubt he is much over 5'8.

[Willravel]

Thanks, averett. Colin Farrell has been added to the list (made by newspapers and media everywhere) of possible Bonds. Farrill, soon to be seen in Alaxander (Oliver Stone, here we go again), wan mentioned only by Pierce. Pierce has also voted for Clive Owen back in 2003. I'm really going to miss Pierce's Bond.

[Cynthetiq]

i read the farrel thing... eh.. i guess, but i'd prefer Owen

[Willravel]

Well according to EW.com both Colin Ferrell and Julian McMahon have turned down the role.
Thus, my vote for the next Bond goes to: (drumrole) an unknown!!! How perfect was Sean as Bond? He was an unknown at the time. I say it's time to get back to basics. We need a fresh face that the audience doesn't already know. We need a true James Bond. I would like to officially throw my hat in the ring.

"I thought I saw Bond 22 last night, but it was just a cat. Needless to say I was dissapointed."

[jaded]

i am glad farrell won\\\'t be the next bond even though brosnan endorsed him. colin farrell would be a No in my book for the bond role. he just does not have the polished and suave quality i envision in 007. i will miss brosnan.

[archer2371]

Yeah, while the ladies love Farrell, they love him because he's a badass, not because he's suave. Bond has to be suave, not a scruffy nerf-herder. Anyways, Clive Owen is a good choice, but I also rate Hugh Jackman pretty highly as well. I don't know why, just personal preference, they both have the attitude to be Bond. I donno, will the Brits accept an Australian Bond??? Who knows. Julian McMahon, eh, I don't watch nip/tuck, so I have no clue how well he'd do. I think Guy Pierce is too skinny to be Bond. James Bond has to be sort of a broad shouldered type, while Pierce is toned, he doesn't have that image I believe. So for me personally for what I have seen, Clive Owen or Hugh Jackman, and I give Hugh a slight edge.

[Willravel]

Hugh has on several occasions said he would jump at the chance to play the ultimate british gentelman spy. Of course, no one has actually approached him for it. While there are no *official* approaches for Bond #6, you know several people are on the top of the list.

I would like to see a brit, *preferabally a scott*, being plucked from obscurity.

[djflish]

I've just read in the newspaper that Dewi Rhys Williams has been auditioning for the part. Don't know who he is? Me neither, but apparently he plays a policeman in a Welsh soap called Pobol Y Cwm.

I'm not sure he'd be right for the part, but i've only seen pictures. Although Ioan Gruffudd started out in Pobol Y Cwm, and he's playing Reed Richards in the new Fantastic Four movie, so who knows.
Personally, I think Clive Owen is best for Bond.

[FatherTed]

McGregor seems to be the firm favorite now, certainly according to the UK press.
Both Connery & Moore have said they think he would be best.

Odds from the BBC website :-
Ewan McGregor 9/4
Dougray Scott 9/2
Clive Owen 6/1
Colin Farrell, Hugh Jackman 7/1
Ioan Gruffudd 8/1
Eric Bana 9/1
Jude Law, Orlando Bloom, Chris Feeney 10/1
Rupert Everett, Hugh Grant 20/1
Russell Crowe 25/1
Eminem, Robbie Williams 100/1


Anyone know when a decision has to be made by?
When does shooting start for the next film?

[bundy]

man i hope Ewan McGregor doesn't get this gig. i haven't been able to stomach anything he's done since Trainspotting. he can't seem to hide his planet-sized ego behind any of his roles.

interesting point: i've just learned that although Guy Pearce is an Aussie citizen, and has lived here all of his life, he was actually born in Britain... so Halx's distinction between Pearce and Bana/Jackman is right, in a sense.

Arch, you mean, 'will the Brits tolerate another Aussie Bond' don't you?
George Lazenby is an Aussie (or was, i think he may be an American these days)... but he was pretty damn crap, so the Brits might not count that as a plus.

Another theory surrounding this big entertainment question is the fact that there has already been a Bond from Britain (Moore), Scotland (Connery), Wales (Dalton), Ireland (Brosnan), and even Australia (Lazenby)... what about another former colony, like Canada, South Africa or Singapore...?
of course, thats not a serious theory... but can Bryan Adams act? j/k

as for Julian McMahon... god help us... i know its nothing that he can help, but i just can't separate him from his father (Billy McMahon, one of Australias most pathetic Prime Ministers, possibly comparable to US presidents Coolidge and Fillmore)... maybe thats why he can't get a gig here and has to sell his questionable talents overseas.

i'm still backing Clive Owen (even though i have reservations since he was killed by an American, Jason Bourne, in the Bourne Identity).

[jaded]

no no no, no mcgregor please. he might be able to pull off being suave, but he\'s way too \"soft\" to be 007. more fitting for a sentimental, sensitive role like christian in moulin rouge, he just doesnt appear to be sexual and man enough IMHO to be bond. james bond.

[archer2371]

bundy, I thought he was South African, (Lazenby I mean).

[Willravel]

George Lazenby was born 5 September 1939 in Queanbeyan City, New South Wales, Australia. I pity that poor man. He is still considered the bane of the Bond series, despite the fact that it was actually the writers fault that he was married and his wife was killed, not the actors. Recently he is doing voiceovers for japanese anime cartoon Yû yû hakusho and Batman Beyond: the Movie. It brings a tear to my eye.

[Willravel]

*REMEMBER* Pick up your copy of Goldeneye: Rogue Agent
Currently available: USA, Canada
Available soon:
------------------UK: November 36 - PS2, Xbox
-----------------------December 3 - GameCube
------------------France: December 2
------------------Germany: December 3

[jaded]

i just read this from imdb.com\'s movie/tv news:

\"Gruffudd Leads Bond Race

Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd is leading the way to play the next James Bond - ahead of Ewan McGregor and Hugh Jackman. The King Arthur star is said to possess \"all the credentials\" to take over from Pierce Brosnan as the next 007 in the secret spy films. A source says, \"Ioan is the only actor being considered as the next Bond at the moment. He has all the credentials to play Bond and, unlike most of the other candidates mentioned, he\'s relatively unknown. The producers know Ioan is going to be a big star with or without Bond. It\'s just a matter of whether he wants to take on such a huge role and the early indications are that he does.\" \"

he\'s the highest in my books for the bond role. he seems a good match to brosnan.

[crossova]

Originally Posted by FatherTed

McGregor seems to be the firm favorite now, certainly according to the UK press.
Both Connery & Moore have said they think he would be best.

Odds from the BBC website :-
Ewan McGregor 9/4
Dougray Scott 9/2
Clive Owen 6/1
Colin Farrell, Hugh Jackman 7/1
Ioan Gruffudd 8/1
Eric Bana 9/1
Jude Law, Orlando Bloom, Chris Feeney 10/1
Rupert Everett, Hugh Grant 20/1
Russell Crowe 25/1
Eminem, Robbie Williams 100/1

Don't forget P.Diddy, he threw his name into the running *lol*, I highly doubt he will ever make it in a 007 film...not even as an extra.
I think Jude Law, Colin Farrell have the best chance. I dont like Russell crowe for the role. He seems to agressive...Bond has always appeared to be a gentleman who you couldnt immediately look at and know he can kick ur arse. Crowe is too macho

[tropple]

Originally Posted by djflish

I've just read in the newspaper that Dewi Rhys Williams has been auditioning for the part. Don't know who he is? Me neither, but apparently he plays a policeman in a Welsh soap called Pobol Y Cwm.

I'm not sure he'd be right for the part, but i've only seen pictures. Although Ioan Gruffudd started out in Pobol Y Cwm, and he's playing Reed Richards in the new Fantastic Four movie, so who knows.
Personally, I think Clive Owen is best for Bond.

Dydy mo a da. Allai bod naill ai cholla hychydig bunnau ;-)

Ioan Gruffudd would be fine if he'd muscle up slightly.

[Willravel]

Originally Posted by crossova

Don't forget P.Diddy, he threw his name into the running *lol*, I highly doubt he will ever make it in a 007 film...not even as an extra.
I think Jude Law, Colin Farrell have the best chance. I dont like Russell crowe for the role. He seems to agressive...Bond has always appeared to be a gentleman who you couldnt immediately look at and know he can kick ur arse. Crowe is too macho

Well Jude and Colin both said "Thanks, but no thanks."

Moving away from role speculation just for a moment, the rumors about the possible storyline are beginning to focus. It seems that Ian Flemming's first book, "Casino Royale", might be the basis for the next installment of the great gentelman spy's movies. In this book, Bond was less charming gentlman and more ruthless assassin. It will be itnersting to see if they play close to the book, or if they try to introduce the modern Bond to the original storyline somehow. I know I would miss the smooth charming side of Bond, as many movies already have single minded assassins and they seem dry and simple as characters. Bond is a gentelman, a brit, a spy, a ladies man, he has a quick whit and he has the Bond swagger. Losing all of that would cripple Bond, IMO.

[M.T. Promises]

After Kill Bill Vol.2 came out, Quentin Tarantino expressed intrest in doing "Casino Royale". A Tarantino Bond would be too much to hope for; but "Casino Royale" makes sense for the next film as it is Ian Fleming source material, and it hasn't been given a serious silver screen treatment.

[begforme2]

Pierce wasn't the best bond but he certianly wasn't the worst. I kinda hope they will pick someone that's lesser known but still a good actor. If Quentin Tarantino were to direct it it would be awesome. He'd probably put a whole new spin on the franchise that they could go with. We'll see.

[Willravel]

December in the UK also saw fairly extensive speculation over what Sean Connery might write in his new memoirs, which are due to hit the bookstores in the autumn of 2006. This coverage was largely based upon an interview that Sir Sean gave to the UK’s ‘Hello’ magazine (no.848, 4 January), which hit British newspaper stands in late December.

It is reported that the memoirs will net the Scottish actor upwards of £1 million and will be a warts-and-all account of his tough upbringing and various aspects of his long movie career. On the challenge of writing, especially as he has never kept diaries, he commented: “It’s rather scary, but utterly exhilarating and I’m looking forward to it”.

But he also emphasised: “I know everyone’s expecting me to list all the women in my life and make torrid revelations about them. But I never will. I’ll take those secrets to the grave”. However, as a couple of newspaper reports commented, the first EON 007 star will undoubtedly have some interesting and perhaps hard-hitting things to say about his James Bond career. Connery revealed that his personal motto is: “To treat people as I would like to be treated myself”.

[Willravel]

Clive Owen set to be announced as James Bond 007 #6?

Following his success at the Golden Globes as Best Supporting Actor, Clive Owen had his odds of becoming the sixth James Bond slashed by British bookmakers. Now the hot favourite to take over the famous role from Pierce Brosnan, who publicly stepped down late last year, Coventry born Owen is tipped to be given the next licence to thrill.

His performance in drama "Closer" has also earned him an Oscar nomination - announced today - and has further enhanced his popularity amongst fans as the best choice to don the tuxedo.

Bond 21 has been in a state of flux since MGM announced that it was canning the scheduled release date of November 18th 2005 due to difficulties finding a director back in September. Since then, rumours have consistently linked Martin Campbell - who helmed the 1995 Bond film "GoldenEye" - to the job. The Hollywood Reporter went as far as announcing Campbell as signing on to direct the project earlier this month.

The Sony buyout of MGM was expected to further complicate proceedings as the lengthy legal process could take until Q4 2005 to complete. It is understood that Sony and MGM have negotiated a deal with Eon Productions to usher the next Bond in whilst the buyout is completing.

If Owen is cast as the next James Bond 007, it is expected he will sign a three picture deal with Eon Productions, with filming of Bond 21 to possibly begin in January 2006. No official announcements have been made, aside from MGM canning the 18/11/05 release date, but insiders believe a statement on Bond 21 could be made by mid-February.

From www.MI6.co.uk.

A lot of people are naming Clive Owen as being in the lead. His official odds from bookmakers went from 8-1 to 4-1. My money is on him or an unknown. Heath Ledger and Orlando Bloom are too young. Guy Pierce (The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert), Hugh Jackman (The Boy from Oz, Van Helsing), and Gerard Butler (Phantom of the Opera) are too nancy for the role. Eric Banna is inexperienced (and it's arguable whether he can act or not). Ewan McGregor and Dougray Scott can't be suave (at least I don't think they can). Jude Law can't do action (see Sky Captian). All the other people have simply said "Thanks, but no thanks".

[Willravel]

James Bond 21 Is Casino Royale
3rd February 2005

MI6 can confirm that the 21st James Bond film will be titled "Casino Royale" and will be directed by Martin Campbell. Eon Productions officially announced the news in a press release today.

Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, producers of the James Bond films, and MGM announced today that Martin Campbell will direct CASINO ROYALE, the 21st film in the 007 franchise.

This is Campbell’s second time as helmer of a James Bond film. In 1995 he directed the hit GOLDENEYE which introduced Pierce Brosnan to the role of 007 with great success.

Wilson and Broccoli said: “We are thrilled that Martin has accepted our offer to direct CASINO ROYALE. He is an extremely talented director and we believe he will help take our films in a new and exciting direction. He is currently finishing filming ‘Legend Of Zorro’, the sequel to ‘The Mask Of Zorro’, and will be joining EON Productions shortly to work on the development of the script with our writers, Neal Purvis and Robert Wade.”

MGM Vice Chairman and COO Chris McGurk said: “Martin is an incredibly exciting filmmaker. GOLDENEYE was a wonderful movie and helped reinvigorate the Bond franchise. We’re thrilled to have him back to direct the newest Bond.”

Born in New Zealand, Campbell moved to England in 1966 and made his directorial debut on the popular TV series’ ‘The Professionals’ and ‘Minder’. He moved to America in 1986 to direct ‘Criminal Law’ and ‘Defenceless’. Following GOLDENEYE, he went on to direct ‘The Mask Of Zorro’, ‘Vertical Limit’ and ‘Beyond Borders’ and is currently directing ‘Legend Of Zorro’.

CASINO ROYALE will be released in 2006 and distributed world-wide by MGM. No decision has yet been made regarding casting for the role of ‘James Bond’.

Rumours Come True
Campbell directed Pierce Brosnan's "GoldenEye" in 1995 and is set to usher in another new Bond in 2006 with "Casino Royale". Campbell was rumoured to be linked to the production since July 2003, and the Hollywood Reporter announced him as "signed" last month

The first hint that Bond 21 would be based around Ian Fleming's first literary 007 adventure "Casino Royale" came in August 2004 when an insider leaked that "elements of the story have been influenced by Fleming's original 007 novel, but it is NOT completely based on it."

Well, this is the first good news in Bond in quite some time. Despite the fact that Brosnan was asked to retire, we can still expect several more Bond movies at the least. I, for one, am relieved that the merger does not seem to be interfering with the production of on of the most popular movie series of all time. Shooting will probably begin in mid to late of this year. I'll be sure to get on at least one of the sets for an insider look between now and when the movie is released. Stay tuned for more details.

[Willravel]

Yearg!! This is the best Bond news that's come out in over a year!!!! No one cares?

[ICER]

Kind of brave to name it 'Casino Royale' which was a name of a movie in the 60's the spoofed Bond in a very indignant way.

I would think its great news, once I know who gets to play Bond. Are there in any names floating around? any ideas?

[guthmund]

Originally Posted by willravel

Yearg!! This is the best Bond news that's come out in over a year!!!! No one cares?

Yearg!!! Just found the thread

I'm glad that Bond is safe for a while longer. I've always liked Brosnan, but I think he came into the Bond game a bit too late. It's a shame he was stuck with mediocre writing, bad directing and came on right after the Timothy Dalton fiasco/crap.

I think the only responsible choice is Clive Owen. He's on the cusp, in my opinion at least, of being too big to be James Bond. He's not all that well known aside from that horrible, horrible King Arthur movie to the vast majority of the public. I think Bond needs some fresh young blood and unless they can find some terrific unknown actor, Owen is the best choice.

As an aside....

It would be a shame if they took Q away. I'm extremely happy Colin Farrell turned it down. I just can't seem to stomach this guy in any movie. (Phonebooth, The Recruit, Alexander *shudders) Anyway Farrell as Bond would have been painful to watch as I am an avid Bond fan.

[Willravel]

AND Martin Campbell (dir. Goldeneye) is going to be directing!!! I really loved Goldeneye, and that movie helped to save the Bond franchise from the Dlaton effect. Will this movie be able to do the same? We'll see.