Who is the Next James Bond ?
It’s confirmed. The MGM bosses have said this and so had Pierce Brosnan in his interview. The legacy of Brosnan as commercially the most successful James Bond ever has ended. Now the bigger and the more exciting question is, who would turn up as Agent 007 in the 24th edition of Bond movies. Let’s see…
First of all let me define the criteria that are applied for a person to fit in the Role of James Bond. Earlier it was simple, find a guy who is like Sean Connery, nowadays it’s not that easy, the reason being that Pierce himself has added a lot of dimensions to the character, the question is, do we find the next Connery, or the new Brosnan.
Criteria
He must be extremely Good looking. (who am I kidding ?)
He must be and Englishmen. A Scottish, Irish and Welsh are all fine. He could be an Autralian, or a Kiwi, but certainly an American is out of question because he must have a British Accent.
He must be an established actor. Some people say that he would have to enroll in some specific acting school in London.
He must have a way with ladies, and must be charming.
He must look good in a tux.
He must handle weapons with finesse.
He must have style, needless to say.
The Frontrunners
Here are the list of candidates who are frontrunners for playing the Bond. It’s more of a reaserched choice than a personal one. (The research is based on insider views, imdb.com opinins, people’s choice and choice of people in the industry and betting meters. All factors are combined) I have listed them in a descending order of current status.
1. Ewan MecGregor.
He is a superstar already, no question and best part is that he has already proved himself in both the romantic and action genres. With blockbusters like ‘Moulin Rouge’ and ‘Star wars’ series already under his belt, Ewan looks unstoppable. He is also considered an industry favorite for the role, though no the most popular choice. Though the very thing that’s his USP may turn against him. The fact that Ewan is already a big star and that he is identified with the famous roles he has done earlier may not go well with the studio bosses. You see most of the James Bond’s haven’t been the most famous actors before they became James Bond. Sean was a struggling actor, Piecre was only a TV star, his films didn’t do well. What the studio people want is that there actor must be recognized only as James Bond !
2. Collin Farell
From nowhere in the race, to frontrunner as far as the betting meters go Colin Farell has traveled a long way in the race. The former Bond, Borsnan in his interview, named the Irish star as his favorite candidate. The ‘Phone Booth’ star has already done a role of a CIA agent in the movie ‘Recruit’. Though his role in “Minority Report’ was more like the studio bosses would expect from a Bond. Though inspite of being the bookies favorite many things go against him, starting with his age. He is too young to be a 007 and probably too short too ! Infact personally In my opinion currently he is misfit to play the role. He might be a Bond some 10 years from now, but currently he is better suited as the next Brad Pitt.
3. Hugh Jackman
Who is Hugh Jackman ? Best remembered for his role In X-Men the Aussie born star is the popular choice. He has the finesse, the charm and the looks for the role. Infact he fits naturally in the James Bond shoes and also the fact that apart from a few movie he is not identified by a few particular roles. I personally thing he is a good choice. But then it is a known fact that this actor is known to have acted in a lot of porn movies before making it big in Bollywood. That may not go well with his chances.
4. Russel Crowe
Surprise, surprise ! Yes the kiwi star was once quoted by the MGM studio executive as a likely replacement. Though currently he is completely out of the race, I have added his name as a personal favorite. He is a brilliant actor and fits the criteria superbly. Only two points go against him, one he is a bit plump for the role and two he is already a HUGE star, a person who is always there in the Oscar race would rather be out of a Bond car chase !
The other candidates last heard are Orlando Bloom (Lord of the Rings), Clive Owen (of King Arthur fame) , Christian Bale, Martin Kemp,Dylan Mecdermott. Even the pop star Robbie Williams wanted the role a few years ago.
If Americans could play Bond. …..
I think it’s a pity that Americans are not considered to play the role. This shows the overt conservativeness of the British society or simply shows that a MI6 simply must have Queen’s English. But if Americans were to play the part….here are my favorites who would suite the role. In there respective order….
1. George Clooney
A born charmer, George Clooney is perhaps a natural born Bond character. Just see him as Daniel Ocean in Ocean’s 11 and you have your 007 right there.
2. Richard Gere
Think Richard Gere as James Bond and you would say, hey why not. The man is extremely good looking and a charmer. He has played a secret agent in few of his movies and certainly in roles similar to it.
3. Robert Redford
He is my favorite actor. No doubt. His role in Spy Game with Brad Pitt had shades of Bond. Maybe currently he is too old for the role anyways but probably 10 years back, he would have been the perfect candidate.
4. David Duchonvy
Isn’t Fox Mulder a James Bond in his own right ? Think about it, the truth is out there !
5. Johnny Depp
I heard he is turning British ! Probably too young for the role .
Here is a spooky fact, Eminem asked his fans to vote him for Bond in a popular vote on the net ! Emienem as James Bond ….lol
How about the Indians
Okay, now I am going too far. But I guess the Indian must be given a shot at the role too, after all we do have a slight British accent due a colonial hangover. Anyways if there were a James Bond series in India, the following would be seen playing it….
1.Amitabh Bachan
Okay I heard this rumor, before Brosnan was cast, Bachann was a candidate in the race for the Bond’s post, seriously ! There is no doubt that the big B fits the role perfectly. He has the diction, if not the language of a Bond, but I am sure he is such a fine actor that he could easily ape a British accent, or you could dub him ! Think about it, if he were to play the part the Bond films would make a fortune in India too. Probably now it’s too late , or is it ?
2. Mithun Da
What ! Okay don’t shoot me , listen to me first. I heard that in the 80’s someone tried to make a seires like Bond in India, I don’t quite recall the name and Mithunda played the role of the agent. But seeing the earlier films (not the Ooty B graders), I think he could do a good role.
3. Aamir Khan and Ajay Devgan
These two guys are good actors, and are mysterios, right for the role right .
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