The best James Bond that never was?

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Tricky Trevor
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The best James Bond that never was?

Post by Tricky Trevor » Thu Aug 03, 2023 9:55 pm

I have to nominate Mark Strong. Good looking fella, good physique, has an air of menace and yet I’ve seen him in lighter roles. Never seen him in fight scenes but I’m sure he’d handle them.
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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by LoveCurryPies » Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:02 pm

Is that the best you can think of?

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by karatekid » Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:03 pm

Whoever it is , following Daniel Craig will be a tough one. He did away with the cheap one liners and brought a real menace to the licence to kill authority whilst always showing the glass emotions in his personal life. He took the character from the books and played it rather well.
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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by claptrappers_union » Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:16 pm

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by Bosscat » Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:22 pm

karatekid wrote:
Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:03 pm
Whoever it is , following Daniel Craig will be a tough one. He did away with the cheap one liners and brought a real menace to the licence to kill authority whilst always showing the glass emotions in his personal life. He took the character from the books and played it rather well.
Am sure the script writers had something to do with that kk 😉

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by TheFamilyCat » Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:26 pm

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by ClaretsPadiham » Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:34 pm

Michael Le Vell would of been perfect for the role, still could be.

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by PremierLeagueClass » Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:35 pm

James Norton. Yet…

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by Acting Claret » Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:36 pm

Was reading an article just last week about Michael Billington. He auditioned for it three times and was actually offered For Your Eyes Only. But the Roger Moore agreed terms.

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by jedi_master » Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:38 pm

I hope the rumours of Christopher Nolan taking directorship of Bond on are true. You’d think Tom Hardy or Christian Bale would be a shoe in were that to happen.

In answer to the question though, I always thought that Liam Neeson could have pulled it off.

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by Red Fox Rocks Socks » Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:41 pm

Bond should be able to kick the f-ck out of you but have the presence to be taking home every lass in the room. Connery and Craig both fitted the bill, I don’t think anyone else matched that

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by TheOriginalLongsider » Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:47 pm

I was thinking James Norton as well

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by Bosscat » Thu Aug 03, 2023 11:13 pm

TheOriginalLongsider wrote:
Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:47 pm
I was thinking James Norton as well
I was picturing him as John Matrix in the remake of "Commando" can just see the cinema posters now

"James Norton - Commando"

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by Jel » Thu Aug 03, 2023 11:18 pm

James Norton or Tom Hardy for me but Michael Cane would have fitted the bill years ago.

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by gawthorpe_view » Thu Aug 03, 2023 11:19 pm

David Niven.

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by whiffa » Thu Aug 03, 2023 11:36 pm

I really rate Strong so would be pleased with that, also Henry Cavill. Think it's time for some young blood though, especially given the "ending" to the last Bond film.

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by yTib » Thu Aug 03, 2023 11:48 pm

oliver reed you fools.

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by fidelcastro » Fri Aug 04, 2023 12:02 am

John Inman.

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by claret2018 » Fri Aug 04, 2023 12:02 am

Someone young and stylish this time please, and bring a bit of camp back. Harry Styles could do a good job.

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by Guppyspotter » Fri Aug 04, 2023 12:33 am

Cillian Murphy

Nuff said.

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by Quicknick » Fri Aug 04, 2023 4:01 am

Tricky Trevor wrote:
Thu Aug 03, 2023 9:55 pm
I have to nominate Mark Strong. Good looking fella, good physique, has an air of menace and yet I’ve seen him in lighter roles. Never seen him in fight scenes but I’m sure he’d handle them.
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Good physique? He's too thin, but he's a great actor.

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by Darnhill Claret » Fri Aug 04, 2023 5:56 am

Ralph Fiennes.

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by Darnhill Claret » Fri Aug 04, 2023 5:59 am

Alan Rickman, Gary Oldman, David Tennant, Robert Carlisle.

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by Vegas Claret » Fri Aug 04, 2023 6:00 am

Bella Emberg

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by Varler » Fri Aug 04, 2023 7:12 am

Lewis Collins

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by ChrisG » Fri Aug 04, 2023 8:09 am

No mention of Idris? He's got it all, hard as nails, suave, women love him. One of the best British actors of the last 30 years.

Has to be a better bet than bloody Brosnan, now he was bobbins.

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by A.Claret.Fan » Fri Aug 04, 2023 8:13 am

If only!!!
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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by whiffa » Fri Aug 04, 2023 8:15 am

Darnhill Claret wrote:
Fri Aug 04, 2023 5:59 am
Alan Rickman, Gary Oldman, David Tennant, Robert Carlisle.
The fact that Alan Rickman who sadly died a few years ago isn't even your worst suggestion, isn't great. :?

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by Dark Cloud » Fri Aug 04, 2023 8:24 am

gawthorpe_view wrote:
Thu Aug 03, 2023 11:19 pm
David Niven.
Played Bond in the "unlicensed" version of Casino Royale circa 1969. Wasn't great in it tbf although definitely a great actor.

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by bfcjg » Fri Aug 04, 2023 8:39 am

Shaken not stirred my arse.
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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by Ric_C » Fri Aug 04, 2023 8:56 am

The issues with Idris Elba is that in Luther and Hijack (where he is both great) he basically plays it exactly the same. Not sure it would be too different with Bond.

Personally I think Bond has done the reboot and gritty realism angle now, and in many ways has been superseded by the Mission impossible series. I'd like the next set of Bonds to be set in the 50s / 60s with old fashion gadgets, I think this could be a good avenue to explore.

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by karatekid » Fri Aug 04, 2023 9:02 am

Bosscat wrote:
Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:22 pm
Am sure the script writers had something to do with that kk 😉

Daniel Craig explained what prompted him to play James Bond ahead of his final outing as the British spy.
"The deal was, I said to [producers] Barbara [Broccoli] and Michael [G Wilson] before I read the script – it's so arrogant, it's ridiculous – I just said I can't do an impression of something that's come before," Craig said.

He continued: "I can't recreate what you've done before. Brilliant though that is, I can't do it. I can't come in and try and be something that people expect."

Craig told them: "I can come in and try and reinvent it, because that to me is fascinating and interesting."
Thankfully, the producers had the exact same idea in mind.

"Instead of them saying, 'Thanks very much, bye,' they said, 'Yeah, that's exactly what we want you to do.'"

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by Middle-agedClaret » Fri Aug 04, 2023 1:01 pm

I suspect it’s almost entirely an age thing (mine) but I’ve never taken to Daniel Craig in the role.I find him wooden and humourless.
As to the excellent question posed by the OP, I too think James Norton or TomHardy could be contenders.
As for those who missed out down the years - I think Edward Woodward could have given it a good go.

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by andyh » Fri Aug 04, 2023 1:03 pm

Idris Elba

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by OakSmokedClaret » Fri Aug 04, 2023 1:06 pm

I think Sam Claflin would be a great Bond.

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by bobinho » Fri Aug 04, 2023 1:32 pm

David beckham…

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by pushpinpussy » Fri Aug 04, 2023 2:27 pm

I have never understood James Bond movies. James Bond is what sophistication looks like to people who don't have any.

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by Tricky Trevor » Sun Aug 06, 2023 10:33 am

ClaretsPadiham wrote:
Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:34 pm
Michael Le Vell would of been perfect for the role, still could be.
He’d have been better in The Mechanic.
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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by Pickles » Sun Aug 06, 2023 10:54 am

I haven't watched many so I may be wrong but he never seems to get injured? A hundred terrorists shooting at him and at the end of it his tie is maybe a bit wonky. Also never needs the loo. You're not telling me secret-agenting and crime-fighting has never been delayed because a cappuccino's gone right through someone and they've had to take a detour?

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by Lord Beamish » Sun Aug 06, 2023 10:09 pm

I think they missed a trick when Nick Berry left “Heartbeat”.

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by houseboy » Sun Aug 06, 2023 10:52 pm

If Mark Strong did get the gig after Daniel Craig it would be an amazing coincidence that both played in one of the best dramas ever on TV, Our Friends on the North. All four main characters in that terrific series went on to become big.

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by Goobs » Mon Aug 07, 2023 12:03 am

I always thought Damien Lewis would have made a good Bond.

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by IanMcL » Mon Aug 07, 2023 2:23 am

Norman Wisdom

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by timshorts » Mon Aug 07, 2023 6:56 am

Not being into actors, I mistook the picture in the op for Robbie Brady with his hair shaved off. But that's only a good match in the middle section.

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by CoolClaret » Mon Aug 07, 2023 7:12 am

Can’t believe the thread has gotten this far and no mention of this gem of a bloke yet
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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by davideyresleftear » Mon Aug 07, 2023 7:58 am

jedi_master wrote:
Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:38 pm
I hope the rumours of Christopher Nolan taking directorship of Bond on are true. You’d think Tom Hardy or Christian Bale would be a shoe in were that to happen.

In answer to the question though, I always thought that Liam Neeson could have pulled it off.
That would be insane. I haven’t heard that but really hope it’s true. I’m not sure about Hardy or Bale though, I’d be happier for Christopher Nolan to branch out in his choice of actors for this one.

I’d really like a mini-arc of films centred around an older
Bond. Like the Wolverine film ‘Logan’.

Maybe a Bond in his late fifties could be an interesting way to take the films. They can always time loop back to young Bond when they’re done.

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by Hendrickxz » Mon Aug 07, 2023 9:14 am

Arthur Mullard!

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by HahaYeah » Mon Aug 07, 2023 9:18 am

Eddie Izzard.

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by Zom Zom » Mon Aug 07, 2023 9:46 am

Ade Edmondson :-)

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Re: The best James Bond that never was?

Post by AfloatinClaret » Mon Aug 07, 2023 12:31 pm

gawthorpe_view wrote:
Thu Aug 03, 2023 11:19 pm
David Niven.
He did play James Bond

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