Who is the best James Bond & who will be the next?
It is all very subjective as who people think is the best James Bond and could also depend on age and how one views James Bond as a character. Should he be the smart, slightly wise cracking spy or the colder hard-nosed assassin.
When you look at the list of actors who have played Bond, you can’t really argue that the casting department ever really got it wrong. And that is also likely to be a credit to the artists who have played the famous factionary character. Looking back, of all the actors I have read about who have been considered for the role I was only surprised that the late Lewis Collins (The Professionals) never got the part. Apparently, he did audition for the role to replace Roger Moore, but it did not go well, and he was deemed by the producers as too aggressive. I believe he could have done an admirable job.
The comments below are purely personal views which are obviously up for debate by anyone who loves James Bond movies.
Regarded by many as the best and original James Bond, Connery made the part his own by being the first to play the role in feature length films. His first Bond film was Dr No (1962), and he went on to play him seven times. His last appearance as Bond was in Never Say Never Again which was outside the normal Bond production and, although the film received some good reviews, some have dismissed it as not a real Bond movie. Connery played the role as a tough, smooth and sophisticated character with a quick wit. Some regard his Bond movies such as Goldfinger and From Russia with Love as the best ever.
The Australian actor and former model made just one appearance as Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. This was in between Connery’s films You Only Live Twice and Diamonds are Forever. Lazenby had no real acting credit to his name before playing the role. However, when Connery had announced his premature retirement from the character, his physic and presence had attracted the producers when he appeared in an advert dressed as the part. I have read that Lazenby only wanted to play the part once, but I also read that he upset the producers on his shabby un-Bond like appearance at the film’s premiere. He was very convincing as Bond and although the film initially received mixed reviews it is now regarded as one of the best in the franchise. Therefore, had Lazenby gone on to play Bond a few more times, he may have established himself as a candidate for being the best Bond
Roger Moore took over from Sean Connery in 1973 and is personally my favourite Bond. This is a very biased opinion as I was 11 when Live and Let Die was released, and it was first James Bond film I saw at the cinema. I think it is still my favourite Bond film and I have been influenced by Moore playing the part from my youth. I believe Batman’s Adam West and Burt Reynolds had been approached to play Bond and then a host of other British actors were considered before Moore was cast. Moore’s previous role of Simon Templar may have held him in good stead. Moore’s portrayal was completely different from Connery and much more lighthearted and slightly tongue in cheek. I can imagine younger viewers, accustomed to the more recent Bond movies, reacting in horror at the way Bond is played by Moore. Roger Moore also played James Bond on seven occasions. All of which I thoroughly enjoyed apart from A View to a Kill as by then one could tell that Roger Moore’s time as Bond was up.
Pierce Bronson was selected to play the famous spy next but, due to contract issues on Remington Steele, complications arose, and he was not able to take up the part: just yet!
Timothy Dalton’s portrayal of Bond did not sit that well with me but that is nothing against the actor. I just didn’t think that it was the right part for a more theatrical actor. He played a more reluctant hero and emotional figure which may not have sat quite right with the viewers of the old-style Bond. In contrast some have said his interpretation was more akin to the character depicted by Ian Fleming in the books. I have also read that some critics called him best Bond ever. I guess it depends on how the audience wants to see it’s hero and how much they have been influenced by previous actors. Dalton made two Bond films The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill. The latter being a much more violent film to the ones we have seen previously. For me it also seemed to be a more Americanised type of movie and plot but is nevertheless fairly enjoyable.
Brosnan finally landed the role after he had fulfilled his TV contract details. Not my cup of tea but I believe he was a very popular choice and seemed to be very well received by many during his Bond era. It wasn’t really a problem with Bronson as such for me, it may have just been the Bond films. My enthusiasm for Bond films subsided somewhat over this period. Casting Judi Dench as M was a masterstroke, but I just felt the plot and the character was coming a bit old and tiresome. My opinion doesn’t really hold up well against a lot of people who loved Brosnan and his Bond films. Bronson played the role four times.
In my humble opinion the role and narrative of James Bond needed a reboot. I believe this is exactly what happened. The Bond production was up against very successfull American franchises like Mission Impossible and Jason Bourne. These films were very popular, and I believe these films were starting to overtake and overshadow the Bond storyline. They needed to raise their game and Daniel Craig was brought in. His Bond was a tougher, more ruthless and vulnerable figure. The scripts were darker and richer in plot. Probably my second favourite Bond. Craig and the producers have proved highly successfully in the four films they have made together. Craig is due to do one more film as Bond in the delayed and eagerly awaited No Time to Die.
I guess we can’t leave all the actors who have played James Bond without mentioning the great David Niven. Niven played Bond in the spoof version of Casino Royal released in 1967. As well as Niven the film boasted a host of stars including Woody Allen, Peter Sellers and Orson Wells. It received mix reviews and, being a comedy and can’t really be considered as proper Bond film, there is not much more to say.
The Next Bond
There has been so much debate on the subject with so many names put into the hat. Could it even be a female? If so, there are some excellent candidates. The ones that come to my immediate mind are Emily Blunt and Claire Foy (what would the royals say!?). And what about Jodie Comer? She has already proved her worth and popularity as an assassin! Below are the names that I repeatedly see in the rumour mill.
We all love Idris Elba. He certainly has most of the credentials and could act as a more street wise Bond, but will he be able to shake off the Luther image to convince Bond fans?
Again, has the physic and presence. Would we accept Superman as Bond? However, Cavill has proved himself adaptable in TV and films such as The Tudors, The Man from Uncle and Mission: Impossible — Fallout
Another credible option. Lewis has been a very popular figure in some excellent TV dramas such as Homeland, Band of Brothers and Billions. He certainly has all the credentials. A ginger Bond. Why not?
Hardy has demonstrated himself as a very versatile actor in many films and made many physical changes for his roles. However, for such a character actor, would he really by comfortable in the role of Bond?
Hiddlestone all but auditioned for the role of James Bond with his performance in The Night Manager and what a great job he did! He certainly would be a credible choice.
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One person who is never mentioned and I often think could make a good Bond is Adrian Lester. He may need to beef up a bit, but he certainly has all the acting, charm and sophistication to do Bond. He was so good in Hustle. However, as someone who is on the theatrical side, I would doubt whether he would be interested. Who knows? He may surprise us. It would meet with my approval.
I am sure the Bond casting department have something up their sleeve and they will probably surprise us all!
