It’s no secret that the selection of the next James Bond has caused some controversy over the years. Opinions have been shaken, emotions have been stirred, but is it inevitable that every James Bond candidate receives initial criticism? And will anyone live up to the expectations created by the likes of Sean Connery?
The finalists for screen testing have been speculated to be Josh O’ Connor, Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, and a mystery final actor. With filmographies ranging from The Crown, Slow Horses, and Masters of the Air, the new Bond will be in good hands, regardless. But how do these actors compare to their Bond predecessors?
What would a modern-Bond be like now? With twenty-seven films and seven different actors spanning sixty-four years, each James Bond brings something different to the role that wasn’t seen before. Even Ian Fleming’s James Bond differed from the films made.
The character of Fleming’s novels was a tall, handsome, middle-aged womaniser with a love of automobiles and gambling. With such a distinct persona, it has been difficult for actors to truly capture the essence of Bond without criticism. Even the first – and popular fan favourite – Bond, Sean Connery, received backlash from Fleming for not being elegant and polished. Despite initial criticism, Connery played Bond seven times within twenty-one years and brought an added element of sex appeal and Bond wittiness that everyone knows and loves.
Will anyone live up to the expectations created by the likes of Sean Connery? Following and in between, Connery’s initial portrayal of Bond, two actors briefly took on the Bond role for two films. David Niven’s 1967 film, Casino Royale, saw a retired Bond in his mid-50s. Despite reflecting Fleming’s image of Bond, many audiences believed it was not a believable display of a killer. Following this, George Lazenby’s 1969 role in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service has often been remarked as the worst portrayal of Bond, with critics considering it a stiff and humourless performance.
Next up was another Bond staple, Roger Moore. Moore held the role of Bond between 1973-1985 and brought comedy and light-heartedness to the role, and is regarded as the most elegant and sophisticated Bond.
A similar interpretation of Moore’s Bond was Pierce Brosnan, who embodied a similar sense of wit and charm. However, Brosnan’s decision to play a non-smoking Bond reflects the changing societal opinions of audiences between 1995 and 2002.
One Bond who differs completely, is that of Timothy Dalton. Dalton’s role between 1987 to 1989 saw very little humour but instead a cold, ruthless killer whose morals are ambiguous.
Tall, handsome, middle-aged womaniser with a love of automobiles and gambling
Finally, Daniel Craig’s performance is probably one which is best known to readers, holding the role between 2006 and 2021 and finishing his stint with No Time to Die, which saw his character’s death and funeral. Craig was the first to show a Bond seriously bleeding, and many widely praised his depiction of Bond. However, Craig did not fit the view of Bond being tall, dark, and handsome, and critics originally mocked the actor with phrases such as James ‘Blonde’ and James ‘Bland’.
Despite all playing the same character, the portrayals of James Bond have changed extensively between actor to actor. So, what would a modern-Bond be like now? And will the four finalists do the role justice? Only time will tell. All we know right now is that for James Bond, You Only Live Twice and his role will be reprised once again.
