Meet the New James Bond

[Ash]

It's official, according to a report, Eric Bana has been selected to play James Bond.



Here's the full article:

"Aussie star Bana chosen as next James Bond: report
 
LONDON (AFP) - Australian actor Eric Bana, star of films including "The Hulk" and "Troy", is the surprise new choice to take over as James Bond, a report said.

The beefy 35-year-old had beaten off competition from British actors such as Jude Law and Ewan McGregor to take over the role of the super-spy in the long-running series of films, the News of the World said.

Current Bond, Irish actor Pierce Brosnan, has stepped down after four films following a row with producers, the Sunday tabloid title said.
Bana was still negotiating with the series producers but they were hopeful he would take over for the 21st title in the series, due to begin filming later this year, the paper cited an unnamed "insider" as saying.

"Eric is the guy they want but he has a reputation for being demanding. They want to modernize Bond and turn him into a youthful, suave and modern hero to compete with the likes of Spiderman and Keanu (Reeves) in the Matrix," the source said.

Bana was formerly a popular comedian in Australia before grabbing attention in 2000 film "Chopper", in which he played a real-life character, a famous -- and famously violent -- Australian criminal, Mark "Chopper" Read.

He has subsequently appeared in a string of US blockbusters, most recently playing Hector in swords-and-sandals epic "Troy".

The James Bond films, based on the novels of Ian Fleming, have proved hugely successful ever since the first title, 1962's "Dr No", in which Sean Connery took the lead role. "

What do you think?
Do you think Bana is the right choice for the role?



Post Edited (07-31-04 20:37)

[daveblackeye15]

He COULD work. I mean on looks alone, if he get's a shave and the right haircut. However if he can walk the walk then he's got to talk the talk. Bond can't just be good looking he's got to have the right AIR and feeling and charisma. I haven't seen too many of this guys films so I can't really say on it.

[raj]

Hell, it's not Leo DiCrapio, that's ok; but as another has said, Bond does need to be a bit older & worldlier.

[daveblackeye15]

raj:

D'oh! How could I forget the third one! Handsome,charismatic and worldly/experinced(I forgot that one!)

Good call raj. And I'm glad he's not Lionardo Decaprio or Orlando Bloom.

[dean]

I like Bana, but I don't think he's the best choice for bond.  I guess I've seen too much of his comedy to take him all that seriously [although I think he's a great actor]  I just don't think he fits the type.

Brosnan and Connery were such a good fit, you could just tell they were going to be great bonds.  Bana, I'm not so sure about.

But good on him!  Let's hope they actually make a good film for him with the 21st bond.  I'm really disliking the direction the series is going at the moment.

Bring back the old school bond.  Get rid of all the wacky gadgets [you really only need a couple of ok ones]  Then maybe you will have a bond worth watching!

[The Burgomaster]

Thus, the Bond legacy comes to an end . . .

[Jack Frost]

I don't like this switch.... Thats my opinion

[JohnL]

I predict that it will do well with teenagers who just want to watch stuff blow up while most Bond fans will hate it.

[dean]

I hate producers, or whoever makes the 'major' decisions in these movies...

I hate them so very much.

It reminds me of the oft-cited example of studio execs involved in Hellboy asking if he could have a hell-mobile or a hell-hound or something to give him more 'popular appeal'

The film industry is rife with evil...

[nshumate]

Sorry, but someone's got to make this joke:


"Meet the new Bond, same as the old Bond."

[Neville]

It's OK for me, I prefer him over the rest of candidates that got leaked to the press (specially Orlando Bloom). Hey, maybe it was all a set-up from the Broccolli's! They leaked the worst names first and then announced the most decent name in their list!

Now seriously, he might do a good job if the producers are ready to take some risks and introduce some new blood in the series. I'm not that hot about Bana, but you have to admit he was very good in "Troy".

[Mr_Vindictive]

I'm not too disappointed in seeing Bana as James Bond.  I have a feeling that he will do well.  Hell after seeing him in Chopper, I have a hell of a lot of faith in him as Bond.

As for the other possible Bonds, I felt that Ewan McGregor would have been a pretty good choice.  I'm surely not a big fan of his work in the new Star Wars films but I do enjoy his early work with Danny Boyle.......well excluding the awful Life Less Ordinary.

[Flangepart]

Hummm....
Well, if he can play as badass as i hear "Chopper" is, maby.
He just don't get it in that pic!
Shave, boy!
Can he play ruthless, as well as Connery did? We'll see....

[Michael]

No kidding!

[AndyC]

I agree, the picture doesn't fill me with confidence. He looks more like a late-70s nice-guy p***y in that shot than a cold-blooded British secret agent.

I'll give him a chance if he gets it, but I think I'd rather have Jude Law.