James Bond casting stalemates

NEW YORK - Production for the next 21st James Bond picture “Casino Royale” is scheduled to begin in January for an October release, and producers are in a standoff over what leading man will bring the movie hero to the screen.Pierce Brosnan, 52, the fifth actor to portray Bond, appeared in four films, the last of which was released by MGM in 2002. Producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson informed Brosnan in 2004 that they would not be using the actor for the next picture.According to sources, the producers and Brosnan were vastly far apart on salary for the Irishman to appear in “Casino Royale.” According to one source at MGM parent company Sony, Brosnan was seeking nearly $30 million to reprise the Bond role.With the acquisition of MGM by Sony, the number of interested parties voicing input into the casting of a new James Bond has expanded dramatically to include Broccoli, Wilson, director Martin Campbell, and Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman Amy Pascal.Clive Owen, 41, was approached by Campbell to gauge interest in assuming the role. The duo worked together on “Beyond Borders.”

“He already had so many interesting, varied offers on the table that he wanted to keep his options open,” Owen's spokesman told the Hollywood Reporter, indicating a decision to pass on the Bond opportunity. The laundry list of names reportedly under consideration ranges from established stars to up-and-comers: Hugh Jackman, 36 (X-Men); Daniel Craig, 37 (Layer Cake); Goran Visnjic, 32 (ER), Henry Cavill, 22 (Count of Monte Cristo); Rikki Lee Travolta, 29 (Camelot: Excalibur); Ioan Gruffudd, 31 (Fantastic Four); Alex O’Lachlan, 28 (The Oyster Farmer); Dominic West, 35 (The Wire); and Julian McMahon, 37 (Nip/Tuck).Ewan Stewart (Titanic), 47, was reported to have screentested in front of Campbell at Pine Wood Studios, but the Hollywood Reporter received confirmation from a Sony spokesman that there was no test of Stewart and that there is no pending announcement regarding the actor.Visnjic is confirmed to have screentested. The Croatian-born actor worked with a dialogue coach in London for 10 days prior to his test.The character of Bond is 28 years old in the novel “Casino Roayle” upon which the 21st film is based. The producers have not disclosed how literal they will be with the character’s age in the movie or how closely the film storyline will mirror the Ian Fleming novel.According to a recent report in the Hollywood Reporter, the delay in casting of a new James Bond boils down to a difference in opinions between Broccoli and half-brother Wilson. The half-siblings both tutored under legendary Bond producer Cubbi Broccoli, but have independent opinions on the qualities necessary of their newest franchise star. Broccoli reportedly heavily favored Craig, but the actor didn’t spark interest from Wilson. Reciprocally, Broccoli could not be convinced that Jackman has the right masculine charm necessary for the role.“It was a big mistake to let Pierce go,” says casting agent Debra Zane (War of the Worlds).Other names that have been banded about in the media and casting circles include: Orlando Bloom, 28 (Pirates of the Caribbean); James Purefoy, 41 (Rome); Jude Law, 32 (“Alfie”); Karl Urban, 33 (The Bourne Supremacy); Gerard Butler, 35 (Phantom of the Opera); Rufus Sewell, 37 (The Legend of Zorro); Hugh Grant, 44 (Bridget Jones's Diary); Paul Benttany, 34 (A Beautiful Mind); Dougray Scott, 39 ("Mission Impossible II"); Jeremy Northam, 43 (Gosford Park); Matthew MacFadyen , 31 ( Pride and Prejudice); Robbie Williams, 31 (De-Lovely); Jack Davenport, 32 ("Pirates of the Caribbean"); Gary Stretch, 36 (Alexander); and Colin Salmon, 43 (Die Another Day). Claire Sinman is an entertainment writer based out of New York.

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LibertylaneSep 18th, 2005 - 02:33:21

I want to say all the edgy modern people dont want another stail Bond like Brosnan. The person we wnat is British actor Johnathan Rhys Meyers. He played Elivs Presley like nobody ever could and he Is all the role needs to be an amazing thing beyond belief. He is cocky, a ladies man, on fire, british, young so he can play more than one or two if he is really great. WE are sick of the same old movies and thing. Johnathan Rhys Meyers has something to offer the whole freaking movie business. He has 4 sites check them out.

JRM would be the By FAR best Bond

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ghonomonkeySep 22nd, 2005 - 11:46:57

I have to disagree. Brosnan was the best Bond since Connery...hence the reason they are having such difficulty filling the role. Any serious bond fan understands that Bond has evolved from a two-dimenional character to one of actual flesh and bone. However, he MUST maintain the aloof aura that makes Bond BOND. All due respect Rhys-Meyers is a great actor, but he lacks the sophistication needed for this role. As does Visnjic and frankly the rest of the others up for consideration. A serious tactical error was made letting Brosnan go...remember...Die Another Day did the best in the box office than any other Bond film before it. Hopefully this is a huge publicity stunt to get people interested enough and cause enough of a clamor that they go back with Brosnan.

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John Bryans FontaineSep 27th, 2005 - 16:52:49

Curious that the author didn't mention Adrian Paul, as this actor is number one in many popularity polls to play Bond.

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