|
Post by Ace on Dec 1, 2003 17:04:10 GMT -5
Can you trust it... well seeing that all these locations, plot, title and fellow agent rumors came out in 2001 and were about DAD... that would be a no. Ace
|
|
|
Post by Yuliya on Dec 1, 2003 17:31:45 GMT -5
I know. And gloating is a waste of time.
|
|
|
Post by sparklingblue on Dec 3, 2003 11:56:52 GMT -5
The Irish ExaminerOwen and Zeta-Jones deny Bond rumoursAnother name has been, sort of, added to the list of wannabe Bonds, to replace Pierce Brosnan in a couple of films' time. Clive Owen, star of The Croupier, is the latest to be jotted down as the possible next super cool agent, though he's actually denying it. "Just rumours," says the 39-year-old actor. There is also wild speculation that Catherine Zeta-Jones could become the new Bond girl which she is also denying.
|
|
|
Post by sparklingblue on Dec 5, 2003 18:20:39 GMT -5
I'll have to split this up into two posts because the article is rather long. *** The Toronto StarCall him 006 1/2Ewan McGregor ready, willing and Scottish enough to be the next James Bond PETER HOWELL NEW YORK—No wonder Ewan McGregor's name keeps coming up as one of the possible contenders to be the next James Bond. Nothing seems to rattle him. The intrepid Scots actor is running an hour late for an interview. And when he finally shows up, grinning broadly and accompanied by two stressed-out publicists, it's discovered that the hotel room being used for press one-on-ones has inexplicably been turned into a luggage storage area. The publicists begin to stress even more. A journalist helpfully offers to conduct the interview standing up in the hallway. McGregor has a better idea. "Let's go downstairs and find a room," he says. He leads the way through a fire exit, down several flights of stairs to another floor being used by Columbia Pictures for its promotion of Big Fish, the new Tim Burton movie starring McGregor that opens on Wednesday. A spare interview room is found, but there's another problem. The hotel's plastic card key won't work in the electronic door lock. The publicists start stressing again. "I'm going to call security!" one says, snapping open her cell phone. "No, wait!" McGregor says. "I think I can get it!" He fiddles with the card, patiently moving it this way and that. The door eventually opens. "There it is!" McGregor grins again. The room is obtained, but not yet secured. The interview has barely commenced, with McGregor relaxing on a couch, when there's a knock on the door. A room service clerk is delivering a large silver tea tray loaded with goodies. The clerk wants a signature, and McGregor obliges, even though the high-priced talent is not supposed to be fussing over such mundane details. "Would you like a cup of tea?" McGregor asks his guest. With this kind of roll-with-it attitude, McGregor would seem to the ideal choice to play Bond, James Bond, once Pierce Brosnan holsters his Walther PPK — which is expected to happen sooner rather than later. McGregor's name often comes up as a possible contender, alongside such obvious competition as Hugh Jackman and Colin Farrell, and McGregor makes no secret he's interested. He's the right age — 32 — and certainly has the right accent, since fellow Scotsman Sean Connery still tops every poll for the fans' favourite Bond. And since McGregor has already proven himself as one pop icon, playing the young Obi-Wan Kenobi in three Star Wars prequels, why not add Agent 007 to his lifetime to-do list? "There has been talk of it, but not with the people that matter," McGregor says. "I believe Pierce is either doing his last (Bond film) or he's doing one more. "It's interesting. It's a fun thing to talk about when it's not really even on the cards. In the same respects, I'm not sure what would happen if it cropped up. You'd have to really think about it. I think you'd have to really think about it in the same way that I did with the Star Wars films. I really thought about it and spoke to people I knew and in the end I just wanted to do it more and more, the closer it got. "I think it would be the same with Bond. It might take a bigger man to turn it down." Probably a better dressed man, too. McGregor is still wearing the same ultra-casual clothes he wore hours earlier at a Big Fish press conference. He's dressed down in blue jeans with no knees, a well-worn red print shirt over a white undershirt and black-rimmed eyeglasses that look more Michael Caine than Sean Connery. And then there's all the sex. Could he hold up Bond's end in that department? This may be a rhetorical question for a man who steamed up Cannes this year with his love scenes with Tilda Swinton in the sex drama Young Adam, which is still awaiting a North American release. "There's not very much sex in them anymore, anyway," McGregor parries. "There is more sex in Young Adam than there was in the last five Bond films." There's also a lot more nudity, full frontal even, which is why Young Adam has been delayed reaching these shores: American censors are worried. McGregor recently groused about the situation to the British press: "You can blow thousands of people's heads off with a semi-automatic machine gun but you can't show a picture of my willy." His willy stayed sheathed in Big Fish — unless you count his birth scene — but that's about the only thing that is restrained in the film. McGregor plays the younger version of an adventurer and storyteller (read: liar) named Edward Bloom, who gets into all manners of scrapes. (Albert Finney plays the older version.) Bloom's travels team him with a one-eyed witch, a friendly giant and a gorgeous pair of conjoined twins. And that's just the first half of the movie. The role is tailor-made for a guy like McGregor, who has landed himself many unusual assignments in his 10-year career.
|
|
|
Post by sparklingblue on Dec 5, 2003 18:21:31 GMT -5
Since first gaining attention in the mid-1990s in the Danny Boyle films Shallow Grave and Trainspotting, where first he played a conniving journalist and then a charismatic junkie, McGregor has tackled all manner of characters. In recent years, he's played a wild rocker in Velvet Goldmine, a dashing Obi-Wan in two Star Wars prequels (the third and final one is due in 2005), a musical author in Moulin Rouge, a determined U.S. soldier in Black Hawk Down, a Cary Grant clone in Down With Love and now a teller of tall tales in Big Fish. This list barely scratches the surface of his many roles.
It seems as if his career has proceeded almost by accident, due to his willingness to give anything a go.
"Not by accident," he counters, "but on my gut instinct as opposed to by design. I don't make decisions based on any idea of career. I don't think of it in career terms, like this would be a really good film to do now. I just go with my instinct.
"When I have made decisions based on career, I don't think I've been very good. Choosing to do something because I thought I should be seen doing something different from Trainspotting isn't a good enough reason for me."
He has a point. Not all of his films have been successful. The year after Trainspotting came out to rave reviews, McGregor appeared in the period drama The Serpent's Kiss. The film premiered in competition at Cannes in 1997, but it went nowhere after that. He's also had trouble with romantic comedies, such as when he made A Life Less Ordinary with Danny Boyle, also in 1997. More recently, he saw Down With Love do less-than-stellar box office, despite the fact he was teamed with Oscar-winning actress Renée Zellweger.
He blames the failure of Down With Love on marketing.
"Because it opened with The Matrix Reloaded," he scoffs. "I think the counter-programming argument is valid to a point, but what (the studio marketers) ignore is the fact that The Matrix comes with a tidal wave of publicity which will swamp yours for anything. We can't hope to match the publicity for it. So people don't get to hear that it's on.
"But you can't blame it all on that," he continues, softening his rant. "I have no idea why Down With Love didn't work. Maybe people didn't get it. I don't know."
One thing he does know is that he wanted to work with Tim Burton, which is why he happily took up the Big Fish assignment. It required him to work on getting a southern American accent — no big deal for a lad who grew up watching Yankee westerns on TV — and to spend weeks in Alabama during the filming.
McGregor says he normally bases his decisions on the quality of the role, not on who is making the movie. But in the case of the highly creative Burton, he was happy to make an exception.
"If get a script from Tim Burton, it's going to play some part in your reading of it. You can't help but let it affect the way you see the film in your head as you read it. Because you know Tim Burton's style and therefore it colours it.
"But I'm fascinated by stories, really, and I don't particularly go out of my way to look for something different. I just suppose that the ones that I'm interested in are the ones that I haven't done before."
At the press conference earlier, McGregor spoke of how much Edward Bloom reminded him of his father, a schoolteacher with the gift of gab who would constantly stop to chat with people he met. It used to drive young Ewan and his siblings mad.
"I thought a lot about my dad when I was (making the film)," McGregor said.
"It used to frustrate us in our childhood. It took us hours to get anywhere. He was liked, though, so it wasn't a problem at all."
His dad used to worry about him, wondering if he'd ever get a proper job.
But his parents helped him get into acting school, and "when I started getting work, he was very happy."
McGregor jokes about his success.
"I'm amazed. I'm a terrible actor."
But he's also a firm believer in making things happen on your own, and not being afraid to take risks.
Which is why he has no regrets about playing Obi-Wan Kenobi, even though he's not completely delighted with the first two Star Wars prequels, The Phantom Menace and Attack Of The Clones. (The third episode, still unnamed and wrapped in secrecy, is well underway.)
"No question, I'm delighted to be in them. Just the idea of seeing the next one is quite titillating. I'm quite excited to see how it all ties up. I think it's easy to be critical, but shift your perspective over a little bit to think of them as kids' films and remember how you felt when you were watching (the original Star Wars films) yourself. It's easy to enjoy them."
That being said, he still has some criticisms for Star Wars guru George Lucas and his crew.
"The focus in the three I've made has been the technology and that's a mistake, I think. If what's in the foreground isn't as interesting as what's in the background, you're in trouble. Certainly on set, the energy is spent on the background. So that is maybe something where they've slightly gone askew."
If Lucas wants to get back to McGregor on that, he'll have to hurry. The unstoppable Scotsman is making plans for an around-the-world motorcycle ride that he plans to start next April with his best friend Charlie Boorman, son of filmmaker John Boorman (Deliverance).
Their route will take them to such remote locations as Siberia, and to places that are dangerous enough that they've had to include in their planning training for how to conduct themselves in a kidnapping situation.
Why would McGregor consider doing something so risky?
"There are lots of `what ifs' in life," he replies. "And `what if?' is what stops you from doing stuff."
Okay, but then why Siberia? That's where people are exiled. They don't generally go voluntarily.
"Yeah, I know. I am fascinated to see it. They say crossing Siberia or crossing the Russian Steppes is like crossing the Atlantic because it's the same landscape. Some people think you'd get bored, but I kind of have a goal. We're trying to go around the world and it's just such an obvious route on the map. We don't have the luxury of having a year to do it and this looks like a straight line. Although, you know, once you get half way across Russia, the road system will be shite. We'll be off-road a lot of the way."
Are McGregor and Boorman good motorcycle mechanics?
"Passable, but not good enough. We will be by the time we go. We'll have mechanic's training, medical training and kidnap avoidance training. We'll be trained up so we'll be ready to go."
That's the kind of spirit that could land him the job of James Bond, to get back to that subject.
McGregor grins, and does his best Sean Connery:
"Not this time, Miss Moneypenny."
|
|
|
Post by Jesse on Dec 6, 2003 5:41:01 GMT -5
Yeah! McGregor for Bond.
|
|
|
Post by Ace on Dec 6, 2003 16:34:18 GMT -5
Not to be too indelicate but he'd mostly likely need to be a bigger man to be offered the role. He's too short (not to mntion red headed). Sure Dame Judi could hand in her box but then Ewan would then be using it for Cleese and any leggy tall Bond girls or looming Bond villains. Ace
|
|
|
Post by sparklingblue on Dec 10, 2003 14:02:33 GMT -5
::sniggers::
;D ;D ;D
|
|
|
Post by Yuliya on Dec 23, 2003 9:23:15 GMT -5
Oh well, he doesn't really want it anyway. It's too big for him. (Yo, Ace! You were right! ;D) From another board:www.suntimes.com/output/movies/cst-ftr-ewan22.htmlMcGregor not quite sure he wants to Bond with rumored roleDecember 22, 2003, Chicago Sun TimesEwan McGregor says he's not shaken or stirred about rumors that he will be the next James Bond. "I think about this the same way I thought about the rumors that I might do 'Star Wars.' I always said with that one, too, that I'd have to wait and see if they really wanted me and how I felt about it at the time." He adds, "What would worry me about Bond is that it does seem to require an enormous commitment in the same way that 'Star Wars' doesn't because those movies were so far apart, whereas Bond seems to be closer together. ... I also notice Pierce Brosnan spending a lot of the year promoting Bond films. So, I would worry about that because I'd have less time to do other films." Speaking of which, he stars in "Big Fish," opening this week. Cindy Pearlman
|
|
|
Post by sparklingblue on Dec 27, 2003 16:36:34 GMT -5
The Times of IndiaCan't break paramapara for moolah...NIKHAT KAZMI [ SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2003 11:17:05 PM ] The Bride is going places. And no, here we are not talking about Uma Thurman and her samurai splendour in King Quentin’s Double Bill. This time, the arclights are on our very own Bride who’s truly crossed over. Ever since Gurinder Chadha’s musical mesmerised the world with its Amritsar-meets-Austen aroma, Hollywood’s not only been going balle-balle over the ash-eyed Bride in Bride and Prejudice, latest report say the rumours have finally turned true. Yes, Aishwarya Rai is indeed the new Bond girl! Sunday Times catches up with her on Hollywood Boulevard... So Ash, it’s finally happened... He-he-he-he-he At last, you are a Bond Babe? Yes! Can you believe it! He-he-he-he! Tell us, how did you swing this? Oh God! I was in this party with V when P came over. He-he! P? Pierce! Man o’ man! He walked over to me and said he’d seen me on the cover of Time magazine. Gawd! I could hardly say anything at first. He-he-he... But then V started talking and told P how much he loved his trademark intro: ‘‘Name’s Bond, James Bond.’’ But P kept looking at me... And you kept looking at P? He-he-he! I wanted to, but then guess who walked over? Who? Ashton Kutcher! No! Yes. Yes. Yes. With Demi Moore clinging on to him. Gawd! These firang types really know how to express their feelings, don’t they? And Ashton, he looked such a bachcha before her. Ya! But did Mr Brosnan offer you a role or... Nah! it’s not like that. You journalists don’t know anything, do you! Anyway, where was I? Hahn. I kept looking at Ashton and kept thinking how their marriage would last. Why? Demi’s almost his amma’s age, no? But these people, they have no hang-ups. Hmm. So then, Mr Brosnan didn’t offer you a role? No, silly. The casting agent did. But I made it clear that I would say ‘yes’ only if the role was zara hatke . After all, I can’t accept any and every role, can I? Imagine if I have to come out of an ocean in a bikini! Pretty picture! I know. He-he. But nah! Aisa nahin karte . It’s okay for them, they can do anything. This Demi, she was even smooching Ashton, ekdum bindaas . Although, I must say, bechara Ashton didn’t seem to be enjoying it too much. But Bond always smooches his babes, doesn’t he? May be, but I’ve told him we have our own ways. Can’t go breaking parampara for moolah, can we? So, have they accepted? Well, they asked me how I would like it? I said they have two options, either to take my body double or to show it with two swaying dahlias. They agreed? They’ll ask P? I also suggested two cockatoos. Cute na ? Imagine Ashton and Demi as cockatoos. He-he! And the bikini bit? There will be no rising-from-the-ocean for you? They said I could wear a kurti instead. You know what? I think I should give Ashton a Manish Malhotra kurti. Kya lage ga usme! He-he-he... Hmm. How about having a new Bond too? Now that they’ve found a new Bond girl, can’t they find a new 007 too? Oh yes! Ashton! He-he-he... *** Well, at least it's fairly amusing... Wonder why...
|
|
|
Post by Ace on Dec 27, 2003 16:49:32 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by sparklingblue on Dec 27, 2003 17:08:49 GMT -5
I DO hope so!
|
|
|
Post by curious george on Dec 27, 2003 22:46:14 GMT -5
Truly bizarre.
cg
|
|
|
Post by sparklingblue on Jan 4, 2004 14:31:26 GMT -5
Some more bizarre stuff...but at least we know where it's coming from. The SpoofJohnny Vegas to be Next BondThe St. Helens born comic, Johnny Vegas, best known for his T.V. appearances including the ITV Digital adverts where he starred alongside the much more popular monkey, was today announced as the replacement for Pierce Brosnan in the next Bond feature film, "The first Goodbye". After Brosnan’s sacking due to his drunken rampage in an Irish Pub which resulted in the deaths of eight innocent bystanders it was common knowledge that the producers were on the hunt for a new Bond. Vegas’ appointment was not only a surprise to the world's media but also to Johnny himself who had only went to the audition because he was pissed out of his head. The favourites for the role were Jude law and the Welsh bloke out of 'Horn blower', but the producers said they wanted a more 'rugged' actor and Johnny was seen as the man for the job. In "The first Goodbye" Johnny will appear alongside Holly Valance as ‘Sheila Likya’ and Cameron Diaz as ‘Miss Moneypenny’, making their first appearances as Bond girls. The Big baddy of this instalment of Bond is Ringo Star who will play Dr. Von Starhunt who is intent on destroying South America.
|
|
|
Post by curious george on Jan 4, 2004 16:23:22 GMT -5
::Whoops with laughter::
cg
|
|
|
Post by Yuliya on Jan 4, 2004 22:29:36 GMT -5
To follow the idiotic (but funny) "Can't break paramapara for moolah..." intervew SparklingBlue posted on page 2, here is another piece of news (gotten from another board.) timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow/404183.cmsAishwarya shies away from sexAishwarya Rai has agreed to appear in the next James Bond film if its producers agree to use a body double for the sex scenes with Pierce Brosnan, who plays secret agent 007. Rai was asked to play Brosnan's romantic interest in the still untitled film, the 21st in the Bond series, but she has insisted she will take the role only if a look-alike is drafted in for the inevitable sex scenes. She told the British press that her strict upbringing meant there was no question of her doing anything saucy. "I've said I will do the film if there is a body double. The producers have said they will have to ask Pierce," she said. ********** I don't know how relizble the source is, we'll see in time anyway, but if you click on the picture to enlarge, you'll get a link to the photo gallery. She's beautiful.
|
|
|
Post by sparklingblue on Jan 5, 2004 17:20:43 GMT -5
What amazes me most is that the woman seems to be serious! Not on the scenes she doesn't want to play, that's her personal decision. But she makes it sound as if she's about to sign a contract. I received two links to stories similar to the one Yuliya posted, but I don't know how reliable those sources are. We shall see.
|
|
|
Post by Ace on Jan 5, 2004 17:37:27 GMT -5
Yeah she's stunning, but if she doesn't want to show her body (and ina PG-13 film no less) or kiss exactly what's the point of her in a Bond film? She's not exactly Meryl Streep (and even she doesn't demand body doubles and no kissing scenes). Oh please. These rumors about her casting have been going on for months, all from her camp and spread by the Indian press until their picked up unchecked by other outlet, all denied by EON and yet they keep on coming, and now they're coming with demands.
;D ;D ;D
Ace
|
|
|
Post by sparklingblue on Jan 5, 2004 18:21:49 GMT -5
At least they are funny. ;D
|
|
|
Post by Yuliya on Jan 5, 2004 18:53:38 GMT -5
Yeah she's stunning, but if she doesn't want to show her body (and ina PG-13 film no less) or kiss exactly what's the point of her in a Bond film? She's not exactly Meryl Streep (and even she doesn't demand body doubles and no kissing scenes). Oh please. These rumors about her casting have been going on for months, all from her camp and spread by the Indian press until their picked up unchecked by other outlet, all denied by EON and yet they keep on coming, and now they're coming with demands. ;D ;D ;D Oh well, if it's true, they hope she can deliver India, and if it isn't, she hopes to gain some extra publicity - surely the family would understand, considering in 1994-95 they kept running the rumors of Fienness, Lisam, and even Mel Gibson being the next Bond all knowing all the way they wanted PB.
|
|