It feels sort of wrong to be speculating so much about who might become our next Bond before Craig's final film has even come out! But a little over a week ago, the internet seemed in a frenzy over the news that a new Bond has apparently been cast. There were so many articles popping up, it was simply impossible to ignore. Whether it is in fact true is yet to be confirmed, and there are legitimate reasons to doubt the claim.
Regardless, I found the news very exciting. It is, of course, that Tom Hardy has been chosen to step into the role. Now again, I'm hesitant to believe that anything is definite unless it comes from the producers directly. And it's looking more and more like this rumor came from just one online source that may not be entirely reliable, and that a host of other publications simply ran with it. But I, for one, am hoping there's some truth to it.
If I were tasked with selecting the next Bond actor, Hardy is almost certainly the person I'd choose. The actor I'd most like to see do it is Idris Elba, but my understanding, based on news items I've read, is that he is unlikely to get it. I'd genuinely love to see what he'd do with it. But if it can't be him, I'm excited about the prospect of Tom Hardy, and what he can bring to the table. One thing the Daniel Craig era has reinforced for me is how satisfying it is when a legitimately great actor inhabits the role. And I think Hardy is definitely a terrific actor.
There are a slew of other, younger, less popular actors who might be fine choices. And some in the press have talked about how Bond ought to be played by a relative unknown; that the Bond role is ideal for plucking little known actors out of obscurity and catapulting them into stardom. And there's no doubt it has done that. But I guess I don't mind the idea of a popular actor playing Bond. At least not someone on the level of Hardy, who, I would argue, is certainly recognizable but not an enormous star. He's been in mainstream and blockbuster fare (Venom, The Dark Knight Rises, Mad Max), but he's not Superman. (Sorry, I had to take a shot at Henry Cavill, one actor I hope does not win the Bond role. I just think he's too obvious a choice. Too good looking, and (I fear) likely to project too much confidence and invulnerability. In other words, I think he'd be a lot like Brosnan. Which isn't a bad thing, per se, but at this point in the development of the series, would feel like a regression. And am I crazy for thinking Cavill's a bit bland as an actor?)
I suppose the "right" actor to play Bond next really depends on the direction the producers intend to take the series post-Craig. I'm sincerely hoping that it stays at least reasonably hard-edged and serious. While the Craig films haven't been perfect, they represent a lot of what Bond is at its best. They have elevated the series in lots of ways, and I would personally love to see the filmmakers retain the tone, style, and emotional focus characteristic of the films since "Casino Royale." Could I see Hardy in this type of Bond film? Without a doubt. If the producers intend to keep with the toughness, seriousness, and psychological complexity of Craig's era, then Hardy will be the just the man for the job!
No comments:
Post a Comment