| October 14th, 2005 10:03 PM |
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| Gimme Shelter |
Daniel Craig Unveiled As New James Bond
Friday October 14 8:54 AM ET
Blond. James Blond.
Daniel Craig, a 37-year-old, sandy-haired Englishman was introduced Friday as the new James Bond, ending months of speculation.
His selection was revealed as he was whisked down the Thames River aboard a military Rigid Raider boat to a news conference.
Craig replaces Pierce Brosnan in the role of the suave spy in "Casino Royale," due in theaters next year.
"It is a huge iconic figure in movie history, and those things don't come along very often," the star said, after posing for photos with producer Barbara Broccoli and director Martin Campbell.
Craig revealed he only discovered on Monday that he had definitely been given the role and had to consider the offer.
"It was difficult, but I tried to think about it like any other job. We have got an incredible script, and that is my first line of attack. Once I had read it, I knew I did not have any choice," he said. "It is a huge challenge, and I think life is about challenges."
The film's producers tried to keep their decision secret, but Craig's mother told the tabloid Sun newspaper she was "thrilled to bits."
Craig is the first blond actor and only the second Englishman to star as Agent 007 in the movie series. (Roger Moore played Bond in seven films from 1973-85.)
Relatively unknown outside Britain, Craig appeared in the landmark 1990s British TV drama "Our Friends in the North" and in films including "The Mother," "Enduring Love" and "Layer Cake."
He played Paul Newman's sinister son in "Road to Perdition," was poet Ted Hughes opposite Gwyneth Paltrow's Sylvia Plath in "Sylvia" and starred in this year's thriller "The Jacket" with Adrien Brody.
Craig is also the tabloids' dream Bond. He once dated headline-grabbing model Kate Moss and has been linked to Sienna Miller, his "Layer Cake" co-star and on-off fiancee of Jude Law.
Producers announced last year that a replacement was being sought for Brosnan, who played Bond in the last four films.
"Daniel is a superb actor who has all the qualities needed to bring a contemporary edge to the role," Broccoli and Campbell said in a statement.
Ian Fleming's first Bond novel, originally published in 1953, "Casino Royale" is one of the few Bond adventures not to feature the MI6 gadget-maker Q. It was previously filmed as a 1967 spoof starring Peter Sellers.
Before Friday, speculation about the new Bond also included British actors Clive Owen, Ioan Gruffudd, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Gerard Butler and Ewan McGregor, Irishman Colin Farrell and Australians Hugh Jackman, Heath Ledger and Eric Bana.
"I am looking most forward to actually starting getting on with it, and feeling intimidated about pretty much everything," Craig said. "It is a sort of responsibility, but it is also a huge adventure. I want to get as much out of it as I can."
Campbell said the movie would be "tougher and grittier" with "more character and less gadgets." He said the story would begin with Bond first becoming a "00" agent.
"It is really the arc in which he becomes Bond," Campbell said. "He starts out just having earned his double-0 stripes and comes out at the end the Bond we know and love."
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| October 15th, 2005 01:48 AM |
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| Poplar |
Roger Moore was my fav. I know that's not a widely held opinion, but man - he made me laugh at times.
New guy could be good, give him a flick or two.
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| October 15th, 2005 02:05 AM |
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| Bloozehound |
Connery is the original and best, the Bond films have sucked ever since Moore left |
| October 15th, 2005 04:28 AM |
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| Zack |
Timothy Dalton sure sucked, but I think Brosnan was the best Bond after Connery. Roger Moore was too old , and the fact that his films were made in the mid 70s killed the cool wardrobe aspect of Bond. Moore's first two were great though. |
| October 15th, 2005 08:03 AM |
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| Jumacfly |
quote:
Bloozehound wrote:
Connery is the original and best, the Bond films have sucked ever since Moore left
Amen.those modern Bond don't have a single touch of class.
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| October 15th, 2005 12:14 PM |
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| Stonesthrow |
Connery is James Bond as envisioned by Ian Fleming even down to the Scottish heritage. The rest are posers.
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| October 15th, 2005 04:23 PM |
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| Bruno Stone |
quote:
Poplar wrote:
Roger Moore was my fav. I know that's not a widely held opinion, but man - he made me laugh at times.
New guy could be good, give him a flick or two.
Yeah, my favoutite too, very handsome and witty. I`ve ssen pics if this Daniel Crag, he is an ugly man, I think a James Bond got to be good looking.
Poplar, did you see Moonraker? |
| October 15th, 2005 11:50 PM |
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| Rizollin |
My Bond thoughts:
Daniel Craig has the look as described in the Fleming novels. Bond isn't supposed to be super sexy, I believe his face is described as cruel. From the perspective of someone who likes the movies but loves the books, Tim Dalton is the closest representation of the Bond character. Easilly. George Lazenby is the second closest. Funny that, the two most unpopular Bonds are the closest to the original character. I read that they're changing the card game in the new movie (which is central to the plot) from baccarat (in the book) to Texas Hold 'em (!) Your thoughts... |
| October 16th, 2005 01:04 AM |
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| Gimme Shelter |
Daniel Craig is blond and Bond has always had either brown or black hair. I wonder if he'll dye it or leave it. |
| October 16th, 2005 01:33 AM |
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| Poplar |
quote:
Bruno Stone wrote:
Poplar, did you see Moonraker?
it was an ill-advised reaction to the "Star Wars" craze. They were gonna do "For Your Eyes Only" at that point, but they thought space/sci-fi stuff was hot, so they scripted up "Moonraker." The parts in Venice and South America are good, but the finale ... eh, kinda cheesy.
Yes, Moore did have the wit. His exchanges with Q, and moments like the car chase down the mountain in "FYEO" were genuinely hysterical. "Love a ride in the country, don't you?" Stuff like That is why I'm partial to Moore.
and changing the card game is a fucking crime.
it's not Bond at the card table without some "neuf a la banc."
[Edited by Poplar] |
| October 16th, 2005 09:39 AM |
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| Bruno Stone |
I like Moonraker a lot, especially the parts in Rio. And that Bondgirl is probably the most beautiful one ever. Oh no, maybe Kim Basinger... |
| October 16th, 2005 01:27 PM |
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| Riffhard |
C'mon on now! Sean Connery IS 007! Roger Moore was way too campy for my tastes. Connery had the swagger down,and he really pulled off the whole look better. IMHO.
As for the Bond Girls......the hottest of the hot as far as I'm concerned has to be that little French vixen Sophie Marceau!!! God she's gorgeous! Look here now.........%20(2).jpg)
See what I'm sayin' here! Stunning! I would do very nasty things with this woman!
Riffy |
| October 16th, 2005 01:44 PM |
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| thejuf |
I stopped watching Bond after the last Roger Moore instalment anyway...
I am very happy for the Bond addicts that it continues, but frankly speaking: I couldn't care less.... |
| October 16th, 2005 02:02 PM |
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| Riffhard |
quote:
thejuf wrote:
I stopped watching Bond after the last Roger Moore instalment anyway...
I am very happy for the Bond addicts that it continues, but frankly speaking: I couldn't care less....
Yeah,but juf did you se my friend Sophie?!
Actully Peirce Brosnan did a fine job I thought. He was very good in Goldeneye and The World Is Not Enough,which is the flick with my girl Sophie.
Riffhard |
| October 16th, 2005 04:34 PM |
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| Bruno Stone |
Riffhard, I`ve forgot Sophie! You are right, she is the hottest |
