James Bond rumours online are like people in Hollywood who've spoken with Bruckheimer, Del Toro, Tarantino, etc. for like 20 seconds at a party and think they've got a three-picture studio deal signed & sealed. In other words, they're all over the place, new ones emerge every other day and in practically every case it's total bullsh*t in sad tragic kind of way.
Still, just when you thought that the Orlando Bloom 007 rumours were horrible, they've just laid the groundwork for a whole bunch of speculation about a 'young new James Bond' to reinvigorate the franchise. As a result, a bunch of suggestions have come up that will make every fan of the series shudder in fear (thankfully it hasn't gotten to Freddie Prinze Jr. levels yet).
The rumour that's got the most cred right now though is that an Australian will step into the role after Michael Madsen's comments earlier this week to the <em>Toronto Sun</em> which seemed to indicate that the role has already been selected and he was told who but couldn't recall the name - "I don't know the new Bond guy. I've never seen anything he's done. I don't even know what he looks like. I can't remember the guy's name. I would have to feel like he's going to be a good Bond for me to want to do it".
Thus the most obvious talk is of course Hugh Jackman who is the fan favourite for the role right now as he's got the looks, charm, action/fighting cred and can play up the dark side (the only trouble I can see is the guy is too damn nice to be playing cinema's most famous misogynist). Another name suggested is "Hulk", "Troy" star Eric Bana who, whilst not having Jackman's wide appeal, can arguably more convincingly pull off the character's darker elements.
<img src="ledger2.jpg" border="0" vspace="5" height="196" hspace="7" align="left" width="140" />The one candidate which suddenly emerged a few hours ago though has come as a shock - none other than 25-year old ex-blond youngster Heath Ledger. <a href="http://www.mi6.co.uk/sections/articles/bond_21_australian_rumour_april04.php3?t=&s=" target="_blank">MI6</a> reports that according to one of their sources - "Heath Ledger. That's the name. Remember it. Even the big money men, who have their fingers on the pulse as well as their wallets, back this one. Eon want to go in a new direction with 007, a younger Bond for a younger audience, claim the suits".
As much as Ledger has shown good acting ability, if the rumour has any truth it's a bad choice - he's no credibility in the part of a retired naval commander turned super MI6 agent (aside from looking somewhat shaggable in a tux), whilst his track record of late ("The Order", "The Four Feathers", "Ned Kelly") has proven terrible even though the guy has got some interesting upcoming projects.
Thanks to 'Vipul'.
