There's just four months to go til production begins on "Casino Royale" and there's no new James Bond in sight, today though an interesting article in The Hollywood Reporter revealed a lot about all the political machinations behind the scenes about why certain names have been brought up, why many are no longer on the shortlists, and so on.
Seems much of the disagreement comes from different taste between Producers Barbara Broccoli and her half-brother Michael G. Wilson who often don't agree with each other on the casting possibilities. One source close to the movie reported that Broccoli liked Daniel Craig, 37, but Wilson didn't. Broccoli also thought Hugh Jackman, 36, wasn't masculine enough. Colin Farrell, 29, was judged too much of a bad boy. Eric Bana, 37, star of "Troy" and the upcoming "Munich," wasn't good-looking enough. Ewan McGregor, 34, was too short.
Goran Visnjic, 32, did a screen test. Henry Cavill, 22, also did a screen test, along with 28-year-old Australian Alex O'Lachlan. Glasgow-born Ewan Stewart, 47, was reported to have tested for the role but did not, according to a Sony spokesman. With no pending announcement however none of these guys looks like they've landed it. That doesn't mean agents and actors aren't trying their hardest, although it may backfire on them - the rather public attempts of Julian McMahon, 37, already appears to have alienated the producers.
Clive Owen, 41, was approached by "Casino Royale" Director Martin Campbell but said he wasn't interested in the role and is now already committed to projects well into 2006. Campbell himself apparently "Wants to find a complete unknown, he wants to take credit for re-energizing the franchise again" says a source. There does seem to be a consensus to make him younger now, a Bond in his late 20's or early 30's who's just starting out, but the marketers realise the core audience is over 25 and don't want to risk alienating that.
For more information about potential possibilities, be sure to check out the full report.
Thanks to 'Cammie'
