5 Actors: That Refused To Portray James Bond

Richard Todd

Considered to be Ian Fleming’s first choice to play the character of James Bond in Dr. No, this Irish-born Brit was probably tailor-made for the role but refused to take it. Richard Todd had served in the British army during World War II, before establishing himself as an actor. It is believed that the major reason behind him not doing the role is a schedule clash which could not be prevented.

Notable Roles: 

Heathcliff, Wuthering Heights (1953) (TV); Guy Gibson, The Dam Busters (1954); Robin Hood, The Story of Robin Hood And His Merrie Men (1952)

Sir Michael Caine

By the time Caine was approached for the role, James Bond had already become a symbol. Sean Connery had acted in five Bond films and people had already made their affection clear towards the character. However, at that time, Michael Caine had already made a name for himself with a spy character of his own – Harry Palmer. And not wanting to get typecast as a spy actor, he refused the role which was later taken up by George Lazenby.

Notable Roles: 

Harry Tristan Dean, Gambit (1966); Dr Frank Bryant, Educating Rita (1983); Alfred Pennyworth, Christopher Nolan’s Batman series (2006-2012), Dr Wilbur Larch, The Cider House Rules (1999)

Jude Law

With Pierce Brosnan’s decision to quit the franchise after his fourth Bond movie Die Another Day, the job was vacant, with a plethora of actors vying for the role. Of the 16 actors that were considered to succeed Brosnan before hiring Daniel Craig, Jude Law is perhaps the most ideal choice. The British actor has proven his mettle time and again and is perhaps the rightful heir to the franchise looking at where Brosnan had taken it.

Notable Roles: 

Dr John Watson, Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes (2009, 2011); Errol Flynn, The Aviator (2004), Dickie Greenleaf, The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

Colin Firth

Also on the list of 16 actors that were considered to replace Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth is an actor par excellence who would have added something new to a 50-year-old character. Growing from strength to strength with every film that he does, he has produced some gems in the recent years. However, when the role of Britain’s secret spy was offered to him, he refused on the grounds of not being interested in it. The versatile actor is known for picking his roles and James Bond would have only a shade to that rainbow.

Notable Roles: 

Johannes Vermeer, Girl With A Pearl Earring (2003); George Falconer, A Single Man (2009); King George VI, The King’s Speech (2010); Bill Hayden, Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy (2011)

Heath Ledger

The late actor, who will always be known for his role as the Joker in Christopher Nolan’s Batman series, would have been a bold decision on the part of the makers of 007. A brilliant actor with a thirst for different roles, had Ledger taken up James Bond, the series might have looked different today. But the Australian, who refused the role for unknown reasons, later on portrayed and immortalised a character such that nothing would even come close.

Notable Roles:

Joker, The Dark Knight (2008); Ennis Del Mar, Brokeback Mountain (2005); Sir William Thatcher, A Knight’s Tale (2001); Skip Engblom, Lords of Dogtown (2005); Jacob Grimm, The Brothers Grimm (2005)

Published in DNA After Hrs (Pune) on November 9, 2012

Covalent Bond

If there is one thing we have learnt in the past fifty years, it is that if you make a really good film in the same year as a James Bond film, the best you can hope is for you to end up making the second most awesome movie of that year. Sadly, it isn’t true about Skyfall. Yes, it is a great action thriller, and yes, the central character is secret agent 007, but this isn’t a Bond film in its truest sense. An expectation laden fan who enters the cinema hall hoping to witness the greatness of a cinematic legend, ends up coming out a tad bit disappointed.

Silver, a former secret agent that went rogue, returns to terminate M and has a grand plan that involves high-tech computer hacking and years of planning. James Bond, as usual, is in the service of the Majesty and is determined to foil the plan - a pursuit that takes him to a place in Scotland, Skyfall, where the final confrontation takes place. A relatively predictable plot that you just wait to unfold in an interesting manner takes some percentage of the thrill out of the experience, however, apart from a few moments in the middle third, the scenarios keep you on your toes.

What takes your attention away from an astonishingly boring storyline is the high octane action. The film opens with a chase sequence in Istanbul, which, FYI makers of Taken, is how you choreograph an action scene on the roof tops of houses in that city. The explosive finale and classy punch-lines that magnifies the impact of every gunshot, are what make it a better action film than many that we have recently watched. The end, once again, is a dampener as it brings down the graph unnecessarily. And no matter how excited the action gets us, what’s missing from the film is the (there is no better way to say this) Bondness of the thrill. Daniel Craig proves for the third time that he, and this is quite debatable, isn’t suave enough to pull off a Bond.

Although the latter films have been superior in terms of production quality, they have lacked substance as the fans of this series have always wanted something new. With Skyfall, comes another disappointment – the gadgets are not sophisticated enough, and as much as one may avoid saying, the Bond girls also lack (still no better way to say it) Bondness.

As far as the performances go, to his merit, this is Daniel Craig’s best Bond film. Judi Dench as M is charming and Ralph Fiennes in a short but significant role only adds value to the presentation. Javier Bardem, in his role as Silver, is a severely undercooked character that the actor has put his craft into. He is distinct in his ways and is a character that one will take some time to forget.

The animated opening credits to Adele’s track are the highlight of the film. In the years to come, this Bond film will probably be known as ‘The One with Adele’s Song in It’. That apart, the background score and the Bond theme is adapted quite brilliantly and keep up with the pace that the visuals create.

Cinema is in its hundredth year in India and Bond films have been there for fifty of those. The franchise is not only a series of movies but is now a part of our cultural existence. Whether or not it is the best Bond film ever is a judgment call for every individual, but the film is quite entertaining, if nothing else.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Published in DNA After Hrs (Pune) on November 3, 2012