Well ... I really don't mind apart from to say that the accent Bond speaks with should respect his origins ...
His origins: educated in the UK from Scots and Swiss parentage who grew up both having attended a Scottish school and having travelled extensively (one would guess predominantly in Europe) with his parents. Following their death, he spent time with his aunt in Kent.
If you think first about the literary character, his accent would have been BBC English with a slight Scots burr. The film character? I don't think any of them have got it wrong yet.
Just popping in from my "assignment" to post something Bond related. I posted somewhere that Michael Weatherly could pull off Bond. Well, in this week's NCIS episode, he got another chance to do some Bond stuff. In fact, he does one of Connery's best scenes from Dr. No. The waiting by the door with gun and cards scene. Once again confirming that if any American were to play Bond, Michael Weatherly would be my pick.
How about a first British born Jewish actor to play Bond?
An actors religion should have no bearing on whether they get selected to play Bond or not. Its about ability, who is the best Actor available at the time.
Coming back to the topic of an American playing Bond, I've asked a lot of people about this and the general consensus is that it would hit the popularity of the series in the UK and possibly Europe but that would probably be offset by an increase in popularity in the States.
Think American actor Robert Downey Jr. playing Sherlock Holmes and recently the American actress Meryl Streep playing the British politician Margaret Thatcher. Their British accent is fake.
How many male American actors have pulled off good, credible English accents? I am afraid that I can't think of a single one. I liked Robert Downey Jr in the first Sherlock Holmes and I liked Don Cheadle in Ocean's Eleven...but neither were close to being believable to anyone with even a half-decent ear for accents. That's not to say that there isn't someone out there who could do it, but I can honestly say that I have never seen a movie and thought that an American actor did even a plausible English accent. I'm not sure why this is the case. For me, I would have huge trouble getting past an awkward or grating accent with anyone portraying Bond...and that's the main reason that I don't rank OHMSS amongst my favourite Bond films.*
*...before someone mentions Sean Connery, he's only acceptible because he was the first one and was established in the role and synonimous with Bond before I was even born.
How many male American actors have pulled off good, credible English accents? I am afraid that I can't think of a single one. I liked Robert Downey Jr in the first Sherlock Holmes and I liked Don Cheadle in Ocean's Eleven...but neither were close to being believable to anyone with even a half-decent ear for accents. That's not to say that there isn't someone out there who could do it, but I can honestly say that I have never seen a movie and thought that an American actor did even a plausible English accent. I'm not sure why this is the case. For me, I would have huge trouble getting past an awkward or grating accent with anyone portraying Bond...and that's the main reason that I don't rank OHMSS amongst my favourite Bond films.*
*...before someone mentions Sean Connery, he's only acceptible because he was the first one and was established in the role and synonimous with Bond before I was even born.
I just don't like knowing their American voice. If I already know an actor's voice, it gets tough for me to accept them changing it...
I'm not necessarily all for an American Bond, but if British actors can play Batman and Superman who are American icons, then surly an American can play Bond.
I'm not necessarily all for an American Bond, but if British actors can play Batman and Superman who are American icons, then surly an American can play Bond.
This is not about looks or acting, but about accents in my opinion. Many British actors have proven themselves most adept at doing American accents. I've yet to see one American actor do a British accent competently.
When it comes to real world, especially in American politics, the US Constitution says that you have to be born in the United States and live there for 14+ years in order become President. A person born in the UK, Canada, France, Australia, any country can not be President. That's why Arnold Schwarzenegger can't run. Now we have an African-American President running America. We might have a Mexican-American President someday.
--not a place to discuss politics--
Thunderbird 2East of Cardiff, Wales.Posts: 2,777MI6 Agent
Personally, I don't think about this kind of thing.
From his performance in CR Mr Craig is an excellent Bond, and I hope we will continue to watch him enjoy playing the character for a long time yet. I'll start thinking about new possibilities when there is reason to.
This is Thunderbird 2, how can I be of assistance?
I'm not necessarily all for an American Bond, but if British actors can play Batman and Superman who are American icons, then surly an American can play Bond.
This is not about looks or acting, but about accents in my opinion. Many British actors have proven themselves most adept at doing American accents. I've yet to see one American actor do a British accent competently.
Many have but DC isn't one of them, I remember his American accent in the tomb Raider movie, not too great. Sounded like he was impersonating an actor from a 1930's gangster movie.
The day an American plays Bond is the day I cease to be a Bond fan! Sorry but Bond is British - end of!
While an American actor might be a hit in the US it would destroy the whole franchise in the UK and possibly Europe. If you want to destroy Bond then this is the way to do it.
This is nothing against the Americans at all but a reality.
Good grief, with so many complaining that Daniel Craig is too short, how would they react to Cruise? Besides, dude's pushing 50 and is too identified with the Mission: Impossible franchise.
Good grief, with so many complaining that Daniel Craig is too short, how would they react to Cruise? Besides, dude's pushing 50 and is too identified with the Mission: Impossible franchise.
Yeah, I think Mission Impossible is what some consider America's modern Bond franchise competitor and Cruise is just too tied with it to go into a Bond role. And he is indeed short.
"He looks like a cartoon pilot" or a "Disney prince"
From a show Hamm guest starred on. Anyone know which?
30 Rock? By the way, Hamm reminds me a bit of a young Connery. More likely, he would probably be the perfect Felix Leiter if the powers that be decided to make him Caucasian again. That said, I have nothing against Jeffrey Wright or his portrayal.
"He looks like a cartoon pilot" or a "Disney prince"
From a show Hamm guest starred on. Anyone know which?
30 Rock? By the way, Hamm reminds me a bit of a young Connery. More likely, he would probably be the perfect Felix Leiter if the powers that be decided to make him Caucasian again. That said, I have nothing against Jeffrey Wright or his portrayal.
Correct! And I hadn't even thought about who would play Felix in the next round. Interesting idea
I stand by my previous comments. Bond is British regardless whether he has an English, Irish, Scottish or Welsh accent! Yes Lazenby was Australian but look at what a disaster that was!!!
However since it is obviously so important to some of our American membership that they feel Bond should be come a US citizen I put forward the splendid actor below:
I stand by my previous comments. Bond is British regardless whether he has an English, Irish, Scottish or Welsh accent! Yes Lazenby was Australian but look at what a disaster that was!!!
NMS
But Ireland isn't in Britain.
“Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to a better understanding of ourselves.” - Carl Jung
Comments
He's at it again. Daniel Day-Lewis this time.
-Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
His origins: educated in the UK from Scots and Swiss parentage who grew up both having attended a Scottish school and having travelled extensively (one would guess predominantly in Europe) with his parents. Following their death, he spent time with his aunt in Kent.
If you think first about the literary character, his accent would have been BBC English with a slight Scots burr. The film character? I don't think any of them have got it wrong yet.
PS - Connery is also mentioned in the episode.
An actors religion should have no bearing on whether they get selected to play Bond or not. Its about ability, who is the best Actor available at the time.
*...before someone mentions Sean Connery, he's only acceptible because he was the first one and was established in the role and synonimous with Bond before I was even born.
I just don't like knowing their American voice. If I already know an actor's voice, it gets tough for me to accept them changing it...
Sort of like people's reaction to Madonna.
This is not about looks or acting, but about accents in my opinion. Many British actors have proven themselves most adept at doing American accents. I've yet to see one American actor do a British accent competently.
--not a place to discuss politics--
From his performance in CR Mr Craig is an excellent Bond, and I hope we will continue to watch him enjoy playing the character for a long time yet. I'll start thinking about new possibilities when there is reason to.
Many have but DC isn't one of them, I remember his American accent in the tomb Raider movie, not too great. Sounded like he was impersonating an actor from a 1930's gangster movie.
While an American actor might be a hit in the US it would destroy the whole franchise in the UK and possibly Europe. If you want to destroy Bond then this is the way to do it.
This is nothing against the Americans at all but a reality.
NMS
Good grief, with so many complaining that Daniel Craig is too short, how would they react to Cruise? Besides, dude's pushing 50 and is too identified with the Mission: Impossible franchise.
-Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
Yeah, I think Mission Impossible is what some consider America's modern Bond franchise competitor and Cruise is just too tied with it to go into a Bond role. And he is indeed short.
"He looks like a cartoon pilot" or a "Disney prince"
From a show Hamm guest starred on. Anyone know which?
Correct! And I hadn't even thought about who would play Felix in the next round. Interesting idea
However since it is obviously so important to some of our American membership that they feel Bond should be come a US citizen I put forward the splendid actor below:
NMS
But Ireland isn't in Britain.