Speculation is forming that Brit Daniel Craig, 37, is the new James Bond, having beat out Clive Owen.
Apparently, Pierce Brosnan was dumped after demanding US $42 million for the next Bond flick. If this salary demand was true, then one suspects Brosnan really didn’t have his heart in it and knew they would turn him down or make him even wealthier with the outrageous payday.
Word is that Eon Productions has offered Craig a three-film contract.
Craig’s best known films are Lara Craft: Tomb Raider (2001) and Road To Perdition (2002.)
If indeed he is the next Bond, he follows David Niven, Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan.
Word is that Owen, nominated for an Oscar in 2004's Closer, didn't really want the role. During the recent "next Bond sweepstakes", I have maintained that Owen is too good to play Bond, as he carries greater depth than any of the Bond actors, save Sean Connery.
While largely unknown outside the UK, he has received much praise for being a very solid actor and possibly the best actor of his age in the UK.
Other news stories are speculating that Pierce Brosnan is returning to play Bond in one or two more films. The tight-fisted studio paid Brosnan about 11 million pounds for the last film, Die Another Day, but it doesn't give out percentages of box-office receipts. Brosnan's take from his four Bond films (which earned US $1.49 billion) has been far less than Tom Cruise's take from the two Mission: Impossible films. Apparently, the studios are reluctant to risk the francise on an unknown but are interested in grooming a younger actor to take over the role.
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Article comments
1 - El Bicho
I'm confused. How can it be speculation if he's been offered a contract?
2 - Steve
Craig could be it. He has experience and he's the right age to continue the Bond dynasty. Who Bond is at this point is still the stuff of tabloids. All of the idle speculation about who it might be is rarely correct and I suspect might even be intentional hype on the part of EON.We'll know who it is when they announce it.
David Niven was Sir James Bond in Charles Feldman's ridiculous farce of Casino Royale. Peter Sellers, Woody Allen and Terrence Cooper were also Bonds and almost everyone else was 007. I would not list these actors with the serious Bonds, but I would include the very first James Bond, Barry Nelson.
3 - Triniman
There's no official word that Eon offered Craig a contract, therefore, it's speculation.
4 - Triniman
Yes, indeed, the very first James Bond was, in fact, Barry Nelson!
5 - Jim Vane
Much nonsense has been talked about Aussie James Bond X and US James Bond Y. To remain true to the spirit of Bond and therefore the man whom Ian Fleming envisaged, there is only one sort of chap that will do. Full on, industrial strength, irony rich, Bowler hatted and Brolly wielding Brit. However please NOT the usual suspects. Clive Owen has weak eyes, a stiff neck and reinforced lantern jaw. Daniel Craig, looks like he needs a good ironing and has zero Tottie-appeal. Ewan MacGregor made the grave error of appearing all over the British press with an (albeit very beautiful) chorus girl's leg over his shoulder who was clearly taller than he was, horror of horrors while clearly doing a stint as a twirly in a musical! My idea of Bond doesn't include luvvies, "ooh get YOU Gertrude" and air kissing. None of these men fill me with the sensation that they could be the saviours of the free world while nonchalantly picking out a winner for the 3.0'clock at Ascot and finishing The Daily Telegraph crossword.
Come on Broccolis, some imagination is required please.
The RSC is brimming with young dangerous highly educated and great looking actors such as Daniel Caltagirone who was brilliant in The Pianist and his ilk. Young Turks who can grow with the part as did Sean Connery. Franchise this thing any further, dilute the Spirit of 007 by casting smug looking corporate raider/gym bunny types and mark my words, the world will looking to have to invent a new super-cool hero in less time than it takes to say shaken, not stirred. Thank you Sean for remaining a very hard act to follow.
6 - Yoodete
I think whoever gets Bond has to be an established actor but not a blockbuster famous one like Colin Farrell. Daniel Craig looks a good choice, but I would prefer Christopher Eccleston. He can be intense but also fun. His Dr. Who is in my mind rivaling the best of them. He can do a cruel smile (for all you who've read the books). However, he'd be the last person Ian Fleming would have wanted--or second to last because Fleming hated Connery in the role. Wrong accent. Fleming liked Roger Moore because he had the right accent. Being an ignorant American, it's all the same to me. I think he's got the moxie for Bond.
7 - Triniman
I agree that they can't go with a really established actor like Colin Farrell. I think Brosnan is doing Casino Royale.
8 - Bond, James Bond
I think Richard Armitage would make a good Bond. British and not type-cast as someone else yet.
9 - ladyentourage
Daniel Craig is the new JB. It was just announced on the radio.
10 - Triniman
I know Craig has been mentioned a lot today but I don't think EON studios has made the announcement yet.
11 - Beverly
Daniel Craig is an amazing and gifted actor. He's great looking, sexy and sophistocated. He's really too good to play a role like James Bond. He's a real actor. I'm sure he'll do a great job, but it just seems a little beneath him. Although I thought I'd never venture in to a theatre to see another Bond movie, I will have to go see Craig. He's not to be missed! in anything!
12 - Triniman
I can't say I'm terribly familiar with Daniel Craig's acting skills. Bond is definitely beneath Clive Owen's skills, too. We'll have to wait for the official announcement about who got the gig.
13 - cloud
the next person to play james bond has to have the face to be james bond and the personality in and out of the films id say christopher eccleston by far
14 - Rahul
Richard Armitage should be it!