A few weeks ago, I read an "article" in some British online
rag, yet again stating the betting odds or some such nonsense on Aidan Turner
becoming the next James Bond. My comment was something to the effect that Bond would be a career killer for him, that it was
a tired franchise needing a Zimmer frame and a comfy chair; Aido would be
happier doing what he wanted to do: acting. Doing interesting roles for
directors he admires, in indie films that don’t get into the limelight, etc.
I was told I was being selfish and that I was “another Bond
hater.” For the record, I am no Bond hater. I own nearly half of the 24 films
(not going to count Never Say Never Again,
because it’s not really part of the franchise) and have seen more than half of
them—been thinking lately I need to catch up. They’re fun films. They aren’t
great cinema, but they’re fun. Lots of action, derring-do, impossible
technology, and pretty cars.
As for being selfish? Quite the contrary. I suppose this
woman’s opinion (I think her name was Gina) is based on making a kabillion
pounds and having your name plastered all over every tabloid from Bakersfield
to the East End. From all I’ve ever learned about Aidan, I can safely say that
is not what he is about.
I’ve been researching some statistics about the Bond films.
Interesting, useless trivia pops up. When adjusted for inflation, only three
Bond films have made the top two highest grossing films in their year. Both From
Russia with Love and Goldfinger were 2nd highest
in 1963 and 1964 respectively and Moonraker
was 1st in 1979.(1) None of them rank on the 25 highest grossing
films of all time (Gone with the Wind is
still undisputed champion). However, if we don’t adjust for inflation, Skyfall is #13.(2)
And just for shits and giggles, I ran some numbers. When I
average the ranking of the 24 films by four different film sites, Screencrush,
Rotten Tomatoes, AMC Filmsite, and Rolling Stone, they line up like this:
1 - Goldfinger
2 - From Russia with Love
3 - Casino
Royale (2006)
4 - Dr.
No
5 - Skyfall
6 - On
Her Majesty’s Secret Service
7 - The
Spy Who Loved Me
8 - Thunderball
9 - GoldenEye
10 - You
Only Live Twice
11 - For
Your Eyes Only
12 - The
Living Daylights
13 - Diamonds
Are Forever
14 - Licence
to Kill
15 - Live
and Let Die
16 – Spectre
(only Screencrush and Rotten Tomatoes had rated
this film as of this writing)
17 - The
Man with the Golden Gun
18 - Moonraker
19 - Die
Another Day
20 - A
View to a Kill
21 - Tomorrow
Never Dies
22 - The
World Is Not Enough
23 - Octopussy
24 - Quantum
of Solace
The Bond starring role has only ever gotten one BAFTA nomination
for best actor in a leading role for Daniel Craig in Casino Royale. Lazenby was nominated for a Golden Globe, best new
star-actor. Only Casino Royal has
been nominated for best film (Alexander Korda
Award for Best British Film at the 60th
British Academy Film Awards).(3)
Not the greatest career builders, are they? Timothy Dalton
was barely heard from, doing mostly television after his three Bond films. Sean
Connery ended up hating the role (4); Daniel Craig reportedly
abandoned £100 million and was quoted as saying he’d rather “slit his wrists”
than play Bond again. Pierce Brosnan reportedly had to produce his own work to
get noticed again. Why on earth would Aidan want that? He follows the writing,
the direction, not the money and fame.
I would counter, Ms Gina, that you are the selfish one,
wanting a brilliant, up and coming young actor to play the fantasies you want
him in, rather than respect his choices as an artist.
nbr
