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[AuthenticM]

Elba should be a character in the next Bond film along with Craig. Bond dies at the end and Elba's character takes his name and number as the new MI6 agent. The movie ends similarly to Casino Royale, with Elba uttering the famous line: "My name is Bond, James Bond."

 

[shira]

yeah they do. Branding is probably more important now than it's ever been so far as the film industry goes.

I'd rather see him in a good movie than a blockbuster

 

[Bobby Roberts]

Elba should be a character in the next Bond film along with Craig. Bond dies at the end and Elba's character takes his name and number as the new MI6 agent. The movie ends similarly to Casino Royale, with Elba uttering the famous line: "My name is Bond, James Bond."

That's definitely one way they could do it, but Bond fans don't seem too pleased with the idea of essentially adding "regeneration" films to their series.

I'd rather see him in a good movie than a blockbuster

Being Bond didn't stop Craig from making other movies. Chances are he'll do both if he ever got the Bond job.

 

[Discotheque]

Nope. Watch the next guy be Benedict Cucumber. Should be Idris though.

cumberbatch? oh lord that would be horrible. would be worse than the roger moore years.

 

[a secret-boss]

Idris is getting old

 

[xandaca]

Which is what I'm talking about. While Skyfall was simultaneously showing Bond's personal history right up front, laying it out there and eliminating the possibility his name wasn't James Bond, they were just as explicitly holding up Silva as an example of a 00 who operated under a pseudonym the entire time, to the point where Bond had to press M as to the nature of Silva's actual name. Silly as it may be (and I'm not even in disagreement on that note) - the part about it preserving continuity is what I think makes it a real possibility, and also relevant. The continuity is obviously way more important to EON now than it's ever been. That's partially why I think codename theory is in play - it allows them to stick to that continuity while giving them the freedom to cast new actors who can bring their own takes to "James Bond" - which as has been pointed out already, is just as much brand name as it is character name by this point.

At the point where Bond is literally nothing more than a name, especially since he doesn't really symbolise anything these days - in the way Captain America is a symbol for his country and its values, for instance, or Spider-Man is the bullied kid standing up for what's right, or the Doctor (Doctor Who) represents pacifism, curiosity, wonder, etc - he's basically reduced to nothing. You're not watching Bond, but a totally unrelated character who just happens to have that name and be in an action movie.

That's why, if a non-white actor is going to come in, I'd much rather they just reboot, as conceptually dreadful as reboots are in general. At least then, a modicum of the character - not that there's been a great deal to him in the post-Dalton era at all, if we're honest - endures rather than just the name, which is ultimately meaningless (other than for continuing the franchise by hook or by crook). So codename theory could be implemented without destroying continuity, but would still be profoundly stupid both logically and in terms of its damage to the series' creative value.

(And people who pretend codename theory has any validity for the Connery-to-Brosnan movies would still be cretins)

 

[la_briola]

Dude is 45. Halfway between Idris and Craig.

Someone suggested Fassbender... maybe. I don't know if there's anyone I really like for the role. Can we de-age Dalton and give him another shot?

Would they cast an German born Irish actor as Bond? Is this still good in their rulebook?

edit: Brosnan is Irish I guess...
edit2: still, I think he's too German to be Bond.

 

[AuthenticM]

That's definitely one way they could do it, but Bond fans don't seem too pleased with the idea of essentially adding "regeneration" films to their series.

Screw them, my idea is awesome.

MGM, hire me.

 

[Dead Man]

Dude is 45. Halfway between Idris and Craig.

Someone suggested Fassbender... maybe. I don't know if there's anyone I really like for the role. Can we de-age Dalton and give him another shot?

This is what Musk should be doing with his time, not rockets and cars. Give us Dalton back as Bond.

 

[NotTheGuyYouKill]

What if Elba is a disgraced spy whose real identity is destroyed/burned in Bond 25 and Craig Bond dies/retires/vanishes and then Elba takes his identity to complete the battle against SPECTRE. Then he "becomes the mask", so to speak and assumes the identity.

Codename theory lol

 

[Bobby Roberts]

(And people who pretend codename theory has any validity for the Connery-to-Brosnan movies would still be cretins)

I don't know if they're CRETINS, necessarily, but they're definitely not really paying attention to the films themselves if they think that theory is at all supported by the content of those movies.

But yeah, it really does seem like the two most likely choices going forward is either reboot everything AGAIN (maybe make it a period piece and legitimately adapt the Fleming novels this time?) or adopt the codename theory. The way they're telling the story for this Bond makes a simple "just drop a new actor in" strategy kinda unfeasible.

 

[teruterubozu]

I'd rather see him in a good movie than a blockbuster

Yup. Too much schlock like Thor and Pacific Rim. Bond isn't gonna help. He needs true Oscar bait roles if he wants to be taken seriously by Hollywood and become the next Denzel.

 

[cheststrongwell]

Elba has tons of years before he's too old for Bond. I don't think the producers have big enough balls to cast him though.

 

[Jason's Ultimatum]

Fassbender should play bond. He's got so much suave; just the way how he talks can pull off bond.

 

[xandaca]

I don't know if they're CRETINS, necessarily, but they're definitely not really paying attention to the films themselves if they think that theory is at all supported by the content of those movies.

But yeah, it really does seem like the two most likely choices going forward is either reboot everything AGAIN (maybe make it a period piece and legitimately adapt the Fleming novels this time?) or adopt the codename theory. The way they're telling the story for this Bond makes a simple "just drop a new actor in" strategy kinda unfeasible.

If they pick an actor who more or less fits in with the existing description of Bond, there's nothing to stop them from carrying on. The only thing getting in the way is the 'you're getting old' stuff from Skyfall, but that's a pretty minor thing and easily ignored/forgotten. For a traditional Bond choice (e.g. Fassbender, Hardy, etc), that's exactly what they should do. One reboot was already one too many.

If they do go for a non-white actor, they certainly couldn't make it a period piece. For one thing, Fleming's novels very much place Bond as successor to the Bulldog Drummond tradition of hero of the Empire, asserting snobbery and white male privilege wherever he goes - only what makes him interesting is the fact he's placed in the context of representing and defending an empire which is disintegrating around him. For another, it's hard to imagine a non-white spy being taken remotely seriously in those days. It would be an interesting challenge, and even now the social implications of a black spy would make a great starting point for a character, but it'd be nigh-on impossible to make the Fleming plots function without severe alterations. Not to mention that I doubt modern audiences would go and see any period piece based in that era without it being a spoof, regardless of the actor.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

If they do go for a non-white actor, they certainly couldn't make it a period piece.

Oh, definitely true there.

Not to mention that I doubt modern audiences would go and see any period piece based in that era without it being a spoof, regardless of the actor.

I don't know if I agree with that. I think a 50s/60s era spy flick played completely straight would go over. Ever since Mad Men first took off, audiences of today seem to really enjoy getting a look back at how Grampa & Gramma REALLY acted and thought back then. It allows writers/directors to have their cake and eat it too, in that they get to present bygone social mores as the norm, while also simultaneously distancing themselves from it. It automatically adds a level of moral murkiness to everything going on that can amplify and deepen themes, should the writers/directors care to go that route.

Honestly, I just wanna see a legitimate adaptation of Moonraker. That book is probably my favorite of the Fleming novels.

 

[Boombloxer]

Interesting. I like Craig as Bond, and I think Idris would do great, so it's a win win for me.

Neither is Lazenby or Dalton, who were both terrible. Best part about the Living Daylights was the theme song.

 

[sirap]

I have no problem with older men playing bond. Kingsman has taught me that older>younger when it comes to gentleman spies.

 

[black_13]

Idris would make a great Bond.

If Spectre doesn't turn out great then I'd say time for a new Bond.

 

[Penguin]

I've never gotten where this came from.

I like Luthor (never seen The Wire), but none of his roles have ever screamed James Bond to me. I'm sure he could do it.

But always been strange that it's a name floated about.

And for those saying "Black don't crack" I don't think it's about his appearance as much as it is his physical shape. I'm sure he could probably handle it, but no one wants a retread of A View to a Kill Moore who could barely run up stairs

 

[Zvonimir Boban]

Interesting. I like Craig as Bond, and I think Idris would do great, so it's a win win for me.

Neither is Lazenby or Dalton, who were both terrible. Best part about the Living Daylights was the theme song.

What? Dalton was a fucking boss.

 

[kmag]

42 is not only not too old, but I actually prefer a Bond who looks like he's been around a few times.

He'll be closer to 50 if Craig does another one. But Elba could still get away with it, the issue is more that he'd only be there for 2-3 films just due to the the production lag.

 

[GoldenEye 007]

I don't understand the obsession here. His name is bandied about every few months or so.

 

[CrimsonCrescendo]

I'd be down for it.

 

[Valhelm]

I really hope Elba plays Bond. He's only got about a decade left to play the role convincingly, so he needs his shot soon.

 

[Log4Girlz]

Idris and then Henry Cavill can succeed him.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

Idris and then Henry Cavill can succeed him.

That might work.

Cavill actually auditioned and lost out to Craig, didn't he? Or at least that's the story.

 

[Penguin]

That might work.

Cavill actually auditioned and lost out to Craig, didn't he? Or at least that's the story.

Poor Cavill seemed like he stayed losing in that era

Lost out to Superman to Routh... granted got the finally laugh with that one!

 

[Zvonimir Boban]

I don't understand the obsession here. His name is bandied about every few months or so.

It's because he's awesome, even if he won't be a good Bond imo. If we're going to have a non-white Bond then I like the Riz Ahmed shout from the previous page, would be glorious to see the Daily Mail lose their shit over that casting.

 

[Radec]

Too old, too overrated.

 

[Akahige]

Jeremy Renner seems like the best choice for next Bond to me.

 

[Scarphace]

I would love to see Fassbender as the next Bond.

 

[StopMakingSense]

After watching The Guest, IMO Dan Stevens should get a crack at 007 at some point.

 

[NotTheGuyYouKill]

Idris and then Henry Cavill can succeed him.

The Man from UNCLE looks quite good, I hope it's a success.

 

[Sojgat]

Wish this would happen, but instead we'll get more Craig.

 

[matrix-cat]

I don't think the age is an issue: Bond shouldn't be a young man, and Idris Elba hardly looks like a senior citizen. Roger Moore looked older in his first movie and then kept playing Bond until he was 103 (estimating here). Hell, even Craig kind of looks like a leathery old boot when he does his duckface.

 

[blame space]

i didn't know it was the same James Bond in every movie. when does he go to the bathroom?

 

[Any Questions]

Get this bloke into M15 now! I think he would be a great choice.

Saying that Daniel Craig has been fantastic as Bond. I wood say one of the best ever and certainly the best out of the more recent actors.

 

[CadetMahoney]

Watch the next guy be Benedict Cucumber.

bond makes an entrance

 

[bishoptl]

Tonight I learned about codename theory for the first time. This is a thing?

I cheered when Daniel Craig was announced as the new Bond while people were pissing and moaning about a blond guy playing 007. It's like they've never seen Layer Cake. He's done a great job, gave the franchise the shot in the arm it needed (along with Chris Cornell's stellar opening track but that's another story).

As far as Idris Elba goes - I doubt very much that he'd get the shot, considering Craig has another film on tap after Spectre. It's easy for the producers to say how much they'd love Elba as the next Bond, because time will never allow it to happen. I don't know how deep I'll get into this codename theory stuff tonight, but I wouldn't mind seeing it.

 

[jerry1594]

He already looked old in Pacific Rim, but if maybe the makeup department could work something out. Even though there's a snowball's chance in hell an asian Bond would be interesting.

 

[ThoseDeafMutes]

Tonight I learned about codename theory for the first time. This is a thing?

It makes slightly more sense than most Zelda Timeline Theories, but that's not saying much. The Bond films have generally operated on a comic-book style sliding timeline where all the previous films "really happened" to the same guy. However with the Craig films starting at 007's origins, they now have an opportunity to pass the torch from Craig onwards with the James Bond 007 identity transferring from one MI6 agent to the next as the actors get replaced.

IMO the best explanation is Timelord theory, Bond regenerates when he gets killed offscreen each time.

Even though there's a snowball's chance in hell an asian Bond would be interesting.

Problem, offisher?

 

[rokkerkory]

Im in

 

[TheMan]

Isn't it a moot point anyway? Pretty sure he's already said he doesn't want to do it cause he doesn't want to be known as the "black bond." That said, I think he'd be a pretty good for fit for the role.

 

[Boombloxer]

What? Dalton was a fucking boss.

Nope. He's just above Lazenby in my eyes, but they were both bad.

Connery
Brosnan/Craig































Moore
Dalton
Lazenby

The Moore Bonds were too campy for me. Dalton's Bond had potential, but License to Kill was awful. OHMSS is one of the weaker Bond flicks, even though the actual set-up is quite good.

To me, Spectre has the potential to push Craig past Brosnan, largely because I didn't care for Quantum of Solace.

Tonight I learned about codename theory for the first time. This is a thing?

To some, Tamahori included, but the producers squashed that, and I don't need another reboot. 007 can be 007 without much backstory at this point.

 

[Coen]

Yes, he could probably do a Bond movie, but a decade's worth? He's just too old and he looks it too. My name for the next Bond would be Jack O'Connell if they are going to go continue with the Craig vibe. I'd love for Domhnall Gleeson to get the gig, but they probably wouldn't want a lighthearted Bond.

After watching The Guest, IMO Dan Stevens should get a crack at 007 at some point.

This would also make sense.

 

[Replicant]

I'd put the vote for Dan Stevens too now I've seen "The Guest".

 

[ginger ninja]

The funny thing is that people never bitch when it's a white guy playing a traditionally black character.. Oh wait, that never happens, because the later almost doesn't exist. And hence you see the need for opening more roles to black actors.

Idris is a fuckin bad ass, i really hope he gets it.

 

[Always-honest]

Yeah he would have been perfect.

 

[Phantast2k]

I think we should take it slow with diversity and Bond. Let's do all hair colors first.

Spoiler

But seriously: I'll laugh my ass of when Andrew Lincoln becomes the new Bond