When Bond20 hits movie theaters November 15th, 2002, Pierce Brosnan’s four picture contract will have run out. Will he sign on for more flicks? Or will four smash hits be enough?
When you are in charge of the most profitable and the most successful movie series in film history, it`s never too early to be looking down the road. Not only will the next Bond have to make his mark as his own, unique 007, but he`ll also have to succeed the enormously popular and profitable Pierce Brosnan. Five years ago I would have said that there was no one that could replace Pierce Brosnan. Now, the field is wide open and indeed there are some interesting choices the producers can make. 007Forever`s “reconnaisance team” has been scouting the potential candidates and has filed this report:
JACK DAVENPORT
Twenty-seven year old English actor Jack Davenport was born in 1973 and is the son of actress Maria Aitken(A Fish Called Wanda) and actor Nigel Davenport(A Man for All Seasons). He studied Literature and Film Studies at the University of East Anglia. His first break happened after he wrote to John Cleese to ask to be a runner on Fierce Creatures where he ended up playing a zookeeper. This led to the cult role of the public school barrister Miles in This Life. Recent projects include the stylish Ultraviolet where he plays a modern day vampire hunter and he co-stars with Gwyneth Paltrow in The Talented Mr Ripley.
Unlike many rumored candidates, Davenport is young enough to be a realistic candidate. Davenport is a talented actor who is extremely versatile, playing Miles on the critically acclaimed BBC show This Life, a public school barrister who seems to have Third Form social skills, a Neanderthal attitude to women, class, race and sexuality and he is on a completely different planet to his flatmates, yet always manages to redeem himself just when you think he`s gone too far, to playing Peter Smith-Kingsley, an English opera répétiteur and the gay lover of Matt Damon in The Talented Mr.Ripley. Davenport brings acting power and class to the part of Bond.
LINUS ROACHE
Thirty-six; born in Lancashire. As the son of William Loache, Linus Roache cut his acting teeth in TV`s soap opera Coronation Street. His first film, in which he gave an outstanding performance, was as Father Greg in Antonia Bird`s controversial `Priest` (1994). Loache followed this story of child abuse and incest with the restrained `The Wings of the Dove`, (1997). Roache`s recent projects include the Australian Siam Sunset, and a part as Denis Law in `Best`, a film about the Irish soccer legend. Here`s an interesting fact. After Priest and the BBC wartime drama, Seaforth, Roache gave up acting and spent 18 months in India where he discovered spiritual meditation. But now he`s on top of his game. His latest feature is Julien Temple`s Pandaemonium, which was the best film of the 2000 Toronto Film Festival. He seems poised to join the ranks of other famous alumni, including Kenneth Branagh and Ralph Fiennes. Roache auditioned for the role but his religious convictions and the way he saw the role dissuaded EON from considering him further.Also like Paul McGann-another English Bond Contender-he shuns publicity which is bad news for the series.
COLIN FARRELL
24 years old; Irish; Dublin-born. Colin Farrell is already a star in homeland thanks to his role as Danny Byrne on the hit series Ballykissangel. His sexy, bedroom eyes combined with strong manly features immediately made girls swoon all over Ireland the moment Danny and his pony first rode into town on the sudsy series. The show made Farrell a star, and after two years, he decided to leave and try his luck in other avenues of acting. Before long, the young actor had a Hollywood agent, a leading role in a Joel Schumacher film, and the kind of up and coming buzz most actors would kill to have. Also auditioned for the part of Peter Parker in Sam Raimi`s upcoming feature film, Spider-Man.
NATHANIEL PARKER
Born in London in 1963; Married to actress Anna Patrick Supposedly screen tested in 1994 for GOLDENEYE. In May 1999 appeared on television once more in a psychological thriller Trust, which also starred Caroline Goodall. He then returned to the theatre in September 1999 with the Oxford Stage Company in 50 Revolutions at the Whitehall Theatre, London.
TOBY STEPHENS
Began his acting career while a stagehand at the Chichester Festival Theatre, in end-of-season productions mounted by the crew. In his brief professional career, he has already won the Sir John Gielgud prize for Best Actor and the Ian Charleson Award for his performance in the title role of “Coriolanus” at the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1994. His other work at the RSC includes “Measure for Measure,” “A Midsummer Night`s Dream,” “Antony and Cleopatra,” “Wallenstein,” “All`s Well That Ends Well” and Unfinished Business.” Stephens also starred in Peter Hall`s production of “Tartuffe” at the Aldwych Theatre and has just finished filming The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. His television appearances include “A View from the Bridge” and “The Camomile Lawn.” He made his screen debut in Sally Potter`s Orlando.
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Toby can currently be seen in theaters as the young version of Clint Eastwood`s character Frank Corvin in Space Cowboys, and in the recently released Onegin as Vladimir Lensky. In the fall, he will appear as the title character in the A&E/BBC co-production The Great Gatsby next to academy award winner Mira Sorvino and Paul Rudd.
As you can see, this is an actor who`s star is rising really fast. He`s experienced and fits the part like a glove and at the age of thirty-one, he`s young enough to be Brosnan`s heir to the throne. Even if Bond 20 won`t be Brosnan`s last.
WHAT DO THE FANS WANT?
Stephen Jones emailed us his pick: Although he may American, a grave disadvantage when the Bond of Fleming`s novels was half Scotch, half Swiss, I feel George Clooney would do well in 007`s tuxedo. Not only does he possess a colossal amount of sex appeal, a quintessential Hollywood attribute which almost always ensures box office success, but he also has the suavity and toughened image of both Connery and Brosnan combined. He has proved himself to be a proficient actor, successfully making the step from television medical drama to big movie stardom. Anyone with such versatile acting prowess and “good looks” should certainly be considered as the next Bond. His availabilty for the role as well as his wage demands are a different matter, however. Probability of becoming Brosnan`s successor: 80-1
Jason Scot supports this choice: I personally think that George Clooney with a little longer hair (not crew cut) will be most suitable..he has personality, style, energy (like Connery) , charm (like Moore)..and a human side (like Dalton)…I mean look at “Peacemaker” …it was a James Bond Movie …Clooney is broad shouldered, tall, with charming smile,piercing eyes…and never looks odd in Tuxedo..in fact he is one of those few people who are fit for that kind of dress….need i say more?”
I`d rate the odds of Clooney ever becoming Bond even greater than that. He`ll be too old to take on the role for any meaningful length of time when Brosnan steps down, he`s still not a proven box office draw and the biggest strike against him is that he`s not British, Scottish or Irish. Not the right age. Not a box office star. Not a chance.
J. Darcy wants Carey Elwes. “Fans of The Princess Bride will recognise his suave English style, as well as his subtle comic skills which would not be out of place (better than a total comic dunce trying to pull off the usual Bond quips). Needs black hair dye and somebench-pressing, but more than capable in action scenes and quite popular with the girls.”
Ray Fiennes this writer’s choice of for looks, if he can turn The Avengers into the action. He used to walk about with “James Bond” chalked on the soles of his shoes at private school!–Matt Sherman
My choices are Kenneth Braugh–has panache, action acting skills, dry humor (Henry V and other Shakespear movies) and is well known by American audiences. Colin–M’s assistant in the last 2 Bond’s —he has presence, knows the film crew, and great physique.–Charles Hewitt, Jr.
If you`d like to suggest a possible candidate to play Bond, email Icebreaker@fandom.com. Be sure to include a detailed paragraph of biographical material, in your own words, of the actor you`d like to nominate and state your reasons why he is the best for the job. The person you nominate must not already be listed in any one of our 3 “Next In Line For A License To Kill?” articles.