Farewell, Brosnan Bond

According to a report in "Entertainment Weekly," Pierce Brosnan is no longer Bond. The movies' producers phoned to tell him his services would no longer be needed. You can read the article at CNN.com: (- EXTERNAL LINK -

John

Didn't they try a face lift with Die Another Day... Lord how they botched that surgery. It's gonna take at least 2 more visits to correct that one. I say by James Bond 23: Bonding Around the World or more commonly: it's working title "Mr Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang", we should be back on track! BTW I'm pulling this crap outta nowhere.

Well, the bond films are allways the same ride. The franchise is one big cliche.
I too believe that the series need a face-lift.
Besides that, we had more debate on "the new bond movie" in the recent past when somepeople tried to shift production teams towards prague, czech republic due to cost factors. Members of the company complained and insisted that bond, a british hero, must remain in the UK.
Prague is being selected by more producers nowdays. From big budget hero films like hellboy, van helsing and doom, to soft teen comedies like "EuroTrip".
Its cheaper to rent, cheaper to hire and cheaper to move.
I've been to prague for a couple of months, and many of the largest soundstages (outdoors or indoors) are being located almost at the center of the city.

Cuba Gooding Jr. was never seriously considered by EON for the Bond role. Rather, Roger Moore made a suggestion years ago that EON should be daring and expand the role's possibilities by casting someone like Cuba. This was before Cuba decided to implode his career.

I'm looking to Frankie Muniz. He's a mature twenty-year-old now, with plenty of secret-agent experience in the Cody Banks films. It's either him or Dakota Fanning, whose star is rising as we speak.

John

Tim,

Clearly then the new James Bond will be Seann Scott Williams.

From what I heard they wanted to make a change that would appeal to the younger audience. The franchise feels that the average Bond fan ranges from mid 30's to the fossil ages like 50s. They're apparently not only looking for a younger Bond but also want to change the entire look and feel of the typical Bond film. When you think about it, it's probably a good decision and the franchise could use a face lift.

All of the people you mention were possibilities for the Bond after next. Up until just this month, Brosnan was still on board for the next Bond flick. According to Brosnan in the August issue of "Entertainment Weekly," the phone call telling him he was out came as a complete surprise.

John

Yeah, I heard this months ago John!! Not your fault, CNN's !

But others that were also rumored at one point or another...

Bloom, Bana, Farrell, Clive Owen, Jackman, McGregor

i might be mistaken, but isnt that really old news?
If i remember well, cuba Jr. was up for the part as the first black bond, then orlando bloom came along.
But they both said its rumours.

"How about Sean Bean?" --mra

That would be an interesting choice (and a good one), given that Bean played the villain in "GoldenEye" and was eventually killed by Brosnan's Bond. It would be Bean's revenge!

BTW, yes, "A View to a Kill," worst, hands down.

John

BTW:
Was "A View to a Kill" the worst one ever?>>

"Moonraker." 'Nuff said.

Cody Banks, Orlando Bloom?
I think a Bond should be older than the wine.;)

How about Sean Bean?

BTW:
Was "A View to a Kill" the worst one ever?

Isn't it a great feeling to know that your contract and career defining role can be ended with a simple phone call? How important that must make you feel! Seriously, who runs things like that?

"Mrs. Jonson, we're calling from Elmont Junior High to inform you that your son and/or daughter has been liquidated due to their erroneous and extraneous nature. Thank you and have a nice day. *BEEEP*"
"Well at least we won't have to pay for college"
[crowd laughs and characters freeze on screen mid-laugh; credits roll]

Unfortunately for female actors, the shelf life of the star is not as long as it is for male actors. Ms. Ryan was the queen of the romantic comedy, but the inequities and hypocrisies of Hollywood dictate that, with few exceptions, romantic-comedy stars be young, just as action heroes be young (though not as young as women). Thus will we get a younger Bond.

John

For me, it was the "Crowe-gate" scandal.

When exactly did she move? I can't remember, was it when she had an affair with Russel Crowe (who promptly dumped her for reasons of conscious -I guess) or was it when she started acting all dark and broody (wincing her eyes even more than usual when she was mad) or was it when she started actually trying to act after she bombed her career in one too many romantic comedies (French Kiss anyone?)? Seriously, if anyone can pinpoint the exact moment when she changed adresses from "the girl-next-door" to the... well I wouldn't go that far, but anyways, let me know!

Ok, John. Now you've gone too far! Once upon a time, Meg was the cute, lovable, girl-next-door. :D

"Kate & Leopold" was a romantic comedy with a sci-fi, time-travel motif. It worked quite well, and Jackman was excellent.

You don't like my idea about about Muniz as the next Bond, huh? Gosh, and I put a lot of thought and effort into that one. OK, how about Muniz as the next Meg Ryan?

John

I'm with you, Tim. As much as I like "Frankie Muniz" in "Malcolm In The Middle", if the powers that be, cast Frankie, or an actor like him as the next Bond, I might just boycot Hollywood altogether.

You hit the nail on the head, I think, in your descriptions and characteristics that "Bond" should exude. Honestly, I think Jackman would fit the part nicely.


John,

I never saw "Kate & Leopold". The premise from the trailer, just looked lame to me. As I recall, it looked like a Sci-fi/Romance. To me, it was like trying to mix pickles and vanilla ice-cream. Was I wrong? I still haven't seen it.



- Josh ;)

"Ok what about a Hugh Jackman, Bond? I think he'd do quite a good job. He's got the look. He's in good physical condition for it. I'm not sure about the accent however." --Josh

Connery was born in Scotland; Lazenby in Australia; Moore in London; Dalton in Wales; Brosnan in Ireland. Jackman was born in Australia. Did you see him in "Kate & Leopold"? Perfect.

Of course, Clive Owen also looks good, and Jeremy Northam. Who knows.

John

Clive Owen and Jeremy Northam . . . how about no? (think less wrinkles)

From what I gather, the franchise is actually looking for a well-known that will connect with the younger audience. Jackman has a better chance since he's been in X-men films and in the eye-candy extravaganza "Van Helsing" -- which younger audiences enjoyed rather than some of us fossils. However, and considering what the Bond people are looking for, perhaps even Jackman is too old for the part. I'm not saying they're looking for the next Teen Idol but they are on the hunt for a much younger, well-known to fill the boots.

Personally, I'm on the band-wagon of only accepting a bond that is older in character, perhaps late 30s to late 40s. I feel the character should be smooth, clever and debonair. And with that it takes age and wisdom to pull it off. It's quite a risk when you think about it. They may be looking to appeal to the younger audience by changing the characters persona and that may prove to be quite tricky. The real risk is loosing the true die-hard fan (us older guys) because we may not accept a younger baby-face bond as it may not look believable or acceptable.

Honestly, I was looking forward to Brosnan in another installment and I still feel he fits the age perfectly for the part. Unfortunately, some fat, cash cow idiot see otherwise. Oh, well.

Tim :p

Aw, c'mon, guys! Even with the Duran Duran soundtrack? :D

Ok, what about a Hugh Jackman, Bond? I think he'd do quite a good job. He's got the look. He's in good physical condition for it. I'm not sure about the accent however.



- Josh

Meg Ryan's shelf life may be up for romantic comedies, but I think she's still got talent. I never did see "Against The Ropes", but I heard it was good. I liked "Proof Of Life". and "Courage Under Fire". She's got a lot to offer as a dramatic actor.

One thing in particular I noticed about Ms. Ryan, that's quite admirable, is that she's been working as an actor, strait through since 1981! With the exception of 2002, Ms. Ryan has been in film or TV, every year, even until today. In 2002 however, she could have still been working on "Kate & Leopold". That's impressve! 25 years of non stop work. She must really love what she does. Comparitively, when you look at a lot of other actors, or musicians, they'll take a year off here, 2 or 3 years off there, and then come back to work. I wonder if she's a workaholic?



- Josh

You guys forget Ewan McGregor.
In my eyes, he fits the role quite well.

Ya he would be very good. I think he's a great actor and really consider him one of those overlooked mega-stars (becuase according to the producers of "the Island" he isn't, but what do they know? They were just pissed their film flopped and were looking for someone to blame it on, blame the advertising, not the actors). And John, while I agree with the fact that society wants to see young women playing in romantic comedies, I remember "Something's Gotta Give" doing very well both theatrically and critically. But yes, that was a rare exception. But there still is a chance for women to play in romantic comedies. I mean Julia Roberts is begining to fall out of the "acceptable" age level for those types of films but she does a few here and there, although lately she seems to be tending towards more mature, serious work (Ocean films excepted, but to be fair she has to work off her Oscar win to director Steven Soderberg, at least, that's her excuse;)).