CLIVE OWEN: At 35, Owen is rapidly gaining momentum as one of the best contenders for the role of James Bond after Pierce Brosnan leaves. His role in the indie film CROUPIER has generated a surprising amount of positive buzz. Entertainment Weekly (July 14th, 2000 pg.52) said of Owen`s performance: “The gamble paid off in a chilling portrait of an emotionally frozen novelist who heats up his life with women, scams, and fights, then retreats inside his head to chronicle the outcome.” The rogue aspects of this character sound in some ways remarkably like Ian Fleming`s vision of James Bond.
Director Mike Hodges saidof Owen:“There`s a mysterious quality to him. He had the right look-something kind of sexual. And his voice is like good music, it`s hypnotic.”
The Austin Chronicle also noticed a twinkle of Ian Fleming in Owen`s eyes. In their review of Croupier, they write:
“There`s something of Ian Fleming in his character: He could be one of the faceless, nameless croupiers James Bond so often finds himself seated before. In this case, Bond, James Bond, would do well to watch himself…Owen`s brilliant turn as Jack is icily cool; despite his third-person narration, you`re never quite sure what this fellow`s going to do next. Hodges directs with an equally cool hand, very steady, very controlled, and very much stirred, not shaken. Admittedly, Croupier takes some time to get going, or, at the very least, it takes some time to get into. Viewers who stick with it will be rewarded, not only by Owen`s masterful turn, but by Hodges` prickly, not-quite-a-surprise ending. How veddy British.”
Just looking at Owen in a tux makes him a very attractive prospect for the role. With his research for the film CROUPIER, he`d be a natural in any casino scene. He`s got a great build, looks like he could age well with the role and would probably do the part for a song. He should definitely be on EON`s short list of candidates. Icebreaker`s odds: EVEN MONEY
JOHN BARROWMAN: At 33, he`s in a great position to take over the film series after Brosnan, bringing in a youthful take on the character of 007. That he looks a bit like Tom Cruise doesn`t hurt either. He`s immensely talented, and Scottish to (he was born in Glasgow, though has lived most of his life in the United States). He has numerous stage credits and rave reviews to back up his work. His brief forays into Hollywood have been less impressive. He was gold on CBS` short-lived CENTRAL PARK WEST and he stars in NBC`s upcoming drama TITANS. Based on early reviews of the new show, John may be available for the role pretty soon. His youth and undisputed acting abilities are positives particularly if EON wanted to re-invent the franchise with a `James Bond: Year One` type project, but his model “pretty-boy” looks may be off putting, which makes him a long shot. Icebreaker`s odds: 100-1
CLIVE ROBERTSON: 35 years old, ex-star of NBC soap opera SUNSET BEACH. Robertson`s good looks and intensity make him a hybrid combination of Connery and Dalton There`s been a grass roots campaign among his fans to get him the job of 007. He`s commented on the record that he is interested. He already has a substantial fan base from his days on SUNSET BEACH (though it was a low rated show). Icebreaker`s odds: 50-1
HUGH JACKMAN: 32 years old. Starred as Wolverine in X-MEN. Is one of the youngest candidates on this list which gives him the inside track the longer Brosnan stays with the role. His body type is a bit on the lean side. Needs to bulk up more and look a bit more menacing if he wants to get the role. Barbara Broccoi reportedly visited one of his plays (perhaps to size up his potential?). But would Jackman really be interested in playing James Bond now that he`s playing Wolverine in what is sure to be many sequels? Doubtful. It`s also doubtful that EON would want to hire an actor whose priorities could be compromised by another rival, prosperous franchise. Icebreaker`s odds: 75-1
ADRIAN PAUL: Best known as `Duncan` on the syndicated television show HIGHLANDER, Adrian Paul has been the fans overwhelming choice for years. He bears a striking resemblance to Connery in terms of both his voice and his looks. Bond fan Ted DeMaio says: God, come on! He`s Connery`s double. A very good actor and already a hit on another series, “Highlander”. He would be cool.”
But I disagree. Right now he`s the right age for the role but with the role not up for grabs for at least another 3 years, Paul will simply be too old to take over the series and age with it. And that is a conservative estimate based on a guess that Brosnan will stop Bond after only 4 films (he`ll probably do 5). I personally have seen nothing in his performance on the HIGHLANDER show that tells me he is particularly suited for Bond; his acting range is suspect. He was reportedly on EON`s short list back in 1994 and passed over. Icebreaker`s odds: 100 to 1.
BILLY ZANE: 34 years old. Played a grape colored superhero in THE PHANTOM but mostly recognized for his role as Cal Hockley in TITANIC. a talented actor with a wide range, he`d be perfect as a much darker, more cruel James Bond. His youth, looks and sex appeal are enough to pull off the kind of performance that Dalton was never able to make connect with the audience. On the plus side, he really wants the role. He told USA TODAY that his career goal was to be the next James Bond. He`s got my vote. Still, he`s American (born in Chicago), which automatically stacks the deck against him. Icebreaker`s odds: 80 to 1
RALPH FIENNES: 36 years old. Fiennes supporter Ted DiMaio says: “I always thought he would be a good Bond. He`s a great actor and people have to forget “The Avengers”, and remember his performances in films like “Schindler`s List”, “The English Patient” and “Strange Days”. I believe he has the right look for Fleming`s Bond in the books.”
I have a couple of problems with Fiennes. I don`t think he possesses the sophistication of Roger Moore or the brute charm of Sean Connery that so many women found irresistible. His take on the character is also somewhat out of sync with what audiences want from James Bond. He was approached about doing the role in 1994, but his vision for Bond was even more ruthless than Dalton`s portrayal. He is a long shot at best. Icebreaker`s odds: 80 to 1.
RUSSELL CROWE: 36 years old. Mega-star on the rise. Would he be interested in James Bond? With his star making performance in GLADIATOR, Crowe is now generating a lot of buzz as a potential Bond. I like him. He`s got the build, he`s got the looks, he`s got the talent…but something tells me he also shares George Lazenby`s temperment, which could spell trouble for a series trying to make a transition. His bar brawls and legal troubles, not to mention breaking up Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid, are the exact kinds of off-set problems EON would want no part of. Barring any sort of personal turnaround, this GLADIATOR is a long shot. Icebreaker`s odds: 90 to 1.
HUGH GRANT: 40 years old. Star of such films as FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL and NOTTING HILL. “LandHoLN” likes him: “Hugh Grant, should be on the list. No 007-purist seems to want to admit it, but truthfully the Roger-Moore era lasted as long as it did because he appealed to a larger mass audience than any other Bond. Hugh would be the man to re-capture this group.”
Reportedly Hugh was approached back in 1994 to gauge his interest in doing Bond, but hiring him now, just as then, would be a terrible mistake. Bond is all wrong for Hugh and Hugh is all wrong for Bond. He`s Woody Allen, only better looking. If people thought Brosnan wasn`t tough enough for the role, how much of an improvement would Grant be? Age-wise he straddles the line. He can`t wait too much longer to take over the role before he becomes too old to see the series through. Icebreaker`s odds: 100 to 1.
Disagree with our choices? Do you know of an actor that should be included on this list? If so email Icebreaker@fandom.com with your suggestion. Be sure to include why he should be on our list.