|
|
Before the role was ultimately secured by Daniel
Craig, who were the other final candidates considered
for James Bond
#6?
|
|
The Men Who Might Have Been Bond
20th January 2010
On the 14th October 2005, British actor Daniel
Craig was announced as the 6th man to take the role of
James Bond in the official big screen series by EON Productions.
His reception as Bond was mixed in the mass media, but his
first outing as Bond in "Casino
Royale" wowed fans and critics alike.
In the initial announcement exposing the "final
five" potential
James Bond actors that were screen-tested in London (including
Craig himself), long-time 007 casting director Debbie McWilliams
said that the others "were
just too young". Aged 38 when he won the role, some feared
Daniel Craig was too old, but behind-the-scenes reports quickly
put that debate to rest. Costume designer Lindy Hemming saw to
the fears of Craig looking old - throwing him in a pair of tight
blue swimming trunks. "It is a statement, she said. "But
also, you will see it's what people will be in ensuing years. And
it suits him physically."
Now, with two films under Daniel's belt, one could say that there was nobody else for the job - but today, four years on, MI6 looks back at what might have been, profiling the four other candidates for the role of the world's most famed on-screen spy.
Goran Visnjic Date of Birth: 9 September 1974
Place of Birth: Sibenik, Croatina
Height: 6' 4" (1.93m)
Famous For: ER (Dr. Luka Kovac)
Recently Seen In: Helen (2009)
Biography
Visnjik was born in Sibenik when it was part of Yugoslavia and from a young age appeared in local dramatic productions. After a short career in both the Yugoslav People's Army and the Croatian Army Visnjik moved to Zagreb to attend the city's Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Goran Visnjic won his first screen role in the 1988 Yugoslavian film "Braca po materi" - he portrayed a young Croatian extremist. From here, the young actor took local roles in films and on stage - notably becoming the youngest ever actor to professionally perform the title role Shakespeare's "Hamlet". After moving to Hollywood to peruse his career, Visnjik held small cameo roles in productions such as "Practical Magic" or even the 1998 Madonna music-video "The Power Of Goodbye".
|
|
|
In 1999 he won his entrance to the public spectacle and was welcomed on-board the popular Hospital Drama "ER" as Dr. Luka Kovac.
Punch power (Action scenes) |
|
Tux savvy (Looks and dress sense) |
|
Romantic ties (Romance and female wooing) |
|
Double-Oh-Who? (Popularity) |
|
Overall (Bond suitability) |
|
|
|
Henry Cavill
Date of Birth: 5 May 1983
Place of Birth: Jersey, Channel Islands
Height: 6' 1" (1.85m)
Famous For: The Tudors (Charles Brandon)
Recently Seen In: Town Creek (2009)
Biography
Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill was born and raised in Jersey. He attended Stowe Boarding School in Buckinghamshire where he won lead after lead in local productions including "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and
the 50s themed musical "Grease".
Cavill quickly broke into Hollywood circles and had auditions
lined up for many of the industry's hottest roles. Despite
his age, he has come close to playing Batman in the 2005
reboot "Batman Begins", Superman in "Superman
Returns" and James Bond, in "Casino Royale".
Reports of the time indicated that Cavill was a serious
contender in late '05, when thoughts for Bond 21 became
intent on portraying a younger 007.
Despite falling short of the mark for these roles Cavill has won notable roles in the great tragedy "Tristan & Isolde" (2006) and the swashbuckling adventure "The Count of Monte Cristo" (2002).
|
Punch power (Action scenes) |
|
Tux savvy (Looks and dress sense) |
|
Romantic ties (Romance and female wooing) |
|
Double-Oh-Who? (Popularity) |
|
Overall (Bond suitability) |
|
Sam Worthington
Date of Birth: 2 August 1976
Place of Birth: Surrey, England
Height: 5' 10" (1.78m)
Famous For: Macbeth (Title role)
Recently Seen In: Avatar (2009)
Biography
English born Samuel Worthington moved to Australia at a young age to study his chosen craft. He graduated from NIDA (Australia's National Institute of Dramatic Art) in 1998 and quickly picked up local theatrical roles including the critically acclaimed Belvoir Street Theatre production of "Judas Kiss".
From his theatrical acclaim Worthington won roles in television, including the Aussie drama "Water Rats" and the centenary episode of international success "J.A.G.".
By the turn of the centaury, Worthington won roles in several feature films and acting alongside several big Hollywood names. In 2004 Worthington was awarded the Best Actor Award by the Australian Film Institute for his role in "Somersault". |
|
|
More recently, Worthington has added films such
as: "Dirty Deeds" - alongside Tony Collette and Bryan
Brown - "The Great Raid" and "Getting' Square" with
Timothy Spall, to his résumé. In 2009 he entered
mainstream blockbuster status with his role in "Terminator Salvation"
and his casting as the lead actor in
epic sci-fi movie "Avatar",
the blockbuster adventure from James Cameron. He will next appear
with Bind girl Gemma Arterton in "Clash of the Titans".
Punch power (Action scenes) |
|
Tux savvy (Looks and dress sense) |
|
Romantic ties (Romance and female wooing) |
|
Double-Oh-Who? (Popularity) |
|
Overall (Bond suitability) |
|
|
|
Alex O'Loughlin
Date of Birth: 1997
Place of Birth: Canberra, Australia
Height: 6' 2" (1.88m)
Famous For: Oyster Farmer (Jack Flange)
Recently Seen In: Whiteout (2009)
Biography
Born in Australia in 1977, Alex "Arod" O'Loughlin
was thrown into the spotlight with the rumors of his Bond
#6 contention. He's best known for his role in Oyster Farmer,
the 2004 Australian-set comedy where he took a leading role
alongside English actor Jim Norton.
O'Loughlin kick started his Hollywood career on the Emmy award winning Cop-Drama "The Shield", appearing in the 2007 season as "Hiatt".
Recently here the Aussie actor has lead
several productions, including a season of award winning
thriller/horror "Moonlight" (2007) and 2009 drama "Three
Rivers".
|
Punch power (Action scenes) |
|
Tux savvy (Looks and dress sense) |
|
Romantic ties (Romance and female wooing) |
|
Double-Oh-Who? (Popularity) |
|
Overall (Bond suitability) |
|
Related Articles
Bond 21 - Road To Production
Daniel Craig Biography
James
Bond #6 - Official Announcement