Who would be the best older Bond?

[harrypalmer]

Many people feel Brosnan was too old to play Bond in 2006. I would have preferred Christian Bale, or someone who looks somethng like Bond. But, Brosnan could have played Bond again.

Connery was 53 in Never Say Never Again. Roger was 58 in A View To A Kill. Brosnan is 55 now.

If Brosnan had starred in his last Bond in 2006 (or even laster!), which of the three do other members think looked the best in their last Bond film?

I thnk Brosnan would have been the best, although he would have had 5 or so years advantage over Roger.

[adam]

Brosnan did'nt just the juice to make a Bond movie in 2006, he could have also starred as Bond in 2008. That was one of the reasons fans went ballistic when DC took over, people felt Brosnan was getting into his stride and would have got better. I'm sure getting Bale would have appeased the fans and there would'nt have been a 'BalenotBond' site. However I doubt he was even approached as Eon would have known they would have no chance of getting Bale

Brosnan looks younger and in better shape than Moore and Connery did in their 50's. However people in 2008 generally live healthier, longer lives and look younger. Moore and Connery in the 80's looked good for their ages. Connery had to play a more mature Bond in NSNA as he did look quite old. It was also quite obvious he was wearing a syrup. Physically Connery looked in good shape. Moore still looked good in M, FYEO and O and Cubby Brocoli kept him on as Bond. Moore's memoirs state he was ready to retire after O, only to get a phone call from Cubby asking him to star in AVTAK.

[FormerBondFan]

Pierce would've made best older Bond IMO. Since his tenure was cut short, I would go for Sean.

[Robert Sterling]

I find it odd - this twaddle about Brosnan being to old to play Bond back in 2006. If I were to cast him today I would give it a second thought, but then? He looked just great in DAD. In CR he would have been 53. So was Sir Rog in FEYO and even his most passionate critics don't state he was too old in it.
And Brosnan, I must admit, has been ageing even better than Moore. Cosequently I concur that Brosnan would have certainly made the best older Bond in terms of apperance and possibly in terms of acting.

[Stockslivevan]

Sean Connery. He was more of a believable tough guy in THE ROCK at the age of 66 than either Moore or Brosnan at any age.

As for how old you should be for Bond, I say early 30s to late 40s. That's it. After 50, you're out. I also think a new Bond should have been brought for FYEO. Moore really aged terribly. Plus he already had four films in the 70s and made his mark on Bond, it was simply time for new blood with the start of the 80s and I think Dalton would have been ideal.

[Robert Sterling]

Nov 5, 2008 15:31:54 GMT -5 Stockslivevan said:

I also think a new Bond should have been brought for FYEO. Moore really aged terribly.

It seems I underestimated Moore's critics. Shame on me!

[poirot]

Brosnan would've been the best oldest Bond- per the original question's criteria- simply because his physical appearance had changed very little.

By comparison, Connery was still a badass, but his physical appearance was radically different from his 007 prime.

I think it really depends on how the (hypothetical) role of Bond is written. If Moore had been allowed to play 007 as nearing retirement in AVTAK, it could've been a very classy swansong. By the same token, Dalton and Brosnan could've each delivered a great 'aging Bond' story well into their 50's.

When The Rock was first released, some critics commented on the fact that Connery's fate (ie. being locked up with state secrets) is probably what would've befallen James Bond. So while a 60-year-old Connery (as Bond) would've been nothing like his prime, it would've still been one hell of a film.

[Stockslivevan]

They did toy the aspect of Moore's Bond being old in OP and AVTAK. OP had an older Bond woman pushing 40 as opposed to the standard twentysomething Moore always had in his films. While referencing the fact that Moneypenny had aged (indirectly commenting on Moore as well). In AVTAK the relationship between Moore and Stacey was more of a father and daughter thing. Things such as Bond making her dinner and tucking her to bed, which I thought was a sweet touch.

However, it looked like Cubby couldn't help himself, as if he thought having Bond never have sex with the main Bond girl would undermine the entire film and ruin everything. So he chickens out and has Bond shag her rotten in the shower complete with a grinning Q watching through video camera.

Wonder what persuaded Cubby to have Dalton not do the deed with Pam in LTK, but then again that film did break away from most of the formula so that was probably part of idea. But hey, looks like they're doing it with QOS (another LTK comparison!). I hope they one day use Gala Brand, complete with her turning him down, walking toward her real man and the last shot has Bond take a breath and take it in like a cool guy. Shame Moonraker was never adapted.

[skywalker]

Sean looked great in NSNA, far better than he did for DAF, so If pushed to give one name I'd be inclined to say he aged better.

Roger looked good in both FYEO and MR which was a similar age to Sean in his final film, but to be fair, I think all the actors look or looked pretty good in their early 50's.

With DC being a decade off the big 50 mark it is unfair to judge him, although if his current looks are anything to go by he facially looks worse than the other Bond actors.

[harrypalmer]

Here is a pic of Tim aged about 50 in Cleopatra (1999):



He could have made another too.

Adam is right about people looking younger today: when you watch films from the 1950's, actors in their 30's look like 60 year olds of today! So Brosnan looks a bit younger than Moore and Connery did when they were 50. Although Pierce sometimes looks a bit tubby - I think he loves those expensive Malibu restaurants!

[adam]

Cubby obviously choose Dalton as he thought he would be around for a decade or so & make half a dozen Bonds. Just like Moore & Connery did. For one reason or another it did'nt happen. But looking at that picture I'm sure he could have starred in G, TND and perhaps TWINE.

Actors can still play Bond into their 50's providing they still look good, are in shape and motivated. Obviously having a man in his 50's starring in a QOS type film, charging around like Rambo murdering people would look ridiculous. But having a older Bond using charm, intelligence and experience to get the job done would work. Brosnan was sacked at 50 and millions of fans went ballistic. No doubt they thought he was going to improve with age.

[poirot]

Nov 6, 2008 2:43:10 GMT -5 Stockslivevan said:

They did toy the aspect of Moore's Bond being old in OP and AVTAK.

Yes, the elements are (largely) already present, which is why it's surprising they didn't just go with it. It would've been interesting to see Moore playing his age- especially against such a younger threat. (Note that at one point, Zorin even outwits Bond by using a computer!)

But instead, they chose to pretend it was still the 1970's, and had Bond frequently employing stuntmen.

[Stockslivevan]

Wow, and Dalton is supposed to be 53 in that photo? He even looks younger than Pierce Brosnan in DAD, he could pass as a man in his mid 40s. Incredible. Maybe he could have been an exception and remained as Bond until 1999. *sigh* He deserved more films.

[bondy76]

timothy dalton is iron man tony star not downy jr