Jude Law Favourite For Bond

British actor Jude Law is the fans favourite to replace Pierce Brosnan as James Bond, according to the results of a Total Film poll.

Law, who turned 31 in December, has starred in several successful box office films recently Artificial Intelligence: AI and Road To Perdition. In the Total Film poll Law recenvied 28% of the total votes, beating Ewan McGregor to the top spot.

McGregor received 26% of the votes with Christian Bale receiving 24%. Once favourite, Hugh Grant, received only 2% of the total votes.

Brosnan Possessive of Role

It is undoubtedly the role for which he is best known, so there is no doubt as to why actor Pierce Brosnan describes himself as “possessive” of the James Bond role.

The actor is still promoting the latest James Bond outing Die Another Day, which is currently nearing a take of US$150 million at the United States Box-office, and while in New York told reporters “It’ll be interesting to see how I really kind of deal with it, you know, letting go, before somebody says, ‘Get off the stage.’ … You become a bit possessive of the role. Especially when you’ve had the success like you do with ‘Die Another Day,’ and each one has gotten better and better.”

Brosnan has conceded, however, that one day enough will be enough. While he currently has hopes to appear as James Bond in Bond 22 he is aware that either Bond 21 or Bond 22 will most likely be his last outing as James Bond.

As for whom Brosnan is tipping to replace him, Colin Salmon. Salmon currently appears in the Bond series as Charles Robinson and is also hired by Eon Productions to stand in as James Bond during the screen tests for characters who will be seen opposite James Bond.

Michael Madsen To Return As Damian Falco

Actor Michael Madsen has confirmed in an interview with Empire Online that he'll be returning to star in Bond 22 as NSA Chief Damian Falco.

Falco is set to appear for this first time this November when Die Another Day is released world-wide. Earlier in 2002 Madsen confirmed that he would be returning to star in Bond 21, creating speculation that his character may be a Blofeld-like villain.

On the longevity of the character? Madsen has said that the character is his as long as he wants it. When he wishes to leave the role producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli have told him the character will be killed off.

Brosnan Says 'Bond 22' A Possibility

While at this stage actor Pierce Brosnan is taking a break off from the filming of Die Another Day and is busy promoting the film at the Cannes Film Festival the actor has still taken the time to look to the future. While commenting he's definetely going to be playing James Bond in Bond 21 the actor has talked about Bond 22.

In an interview from Cannes with Access Hollywood the actor was asked about playing Bond in Bond 22. "It's not out of the question," he said smiling. A comment sure to leave Bond fans smiling as well.

Thanks to 'JReber007' for letting us know.

Martin Kemp To Be James Bond 6?

The Sunday People has reported that former Eastender's bad boy; Martin Kemp, who played the sinister Steve Owen, is in with a chance of being the next James Bond, after Pierce Brosnan steps down from the role.

Kemp's agent has speaken to "the people who make the Bond films", (one would assume he means producers: Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson). He told the British tabloid, that they had taken his suggestion on board. He goes onto say that he thinks:

"He would make a great James Bond – he's got the looks and the screen presence."

Martin left British soap:Eastenders, after four years of playing the smooth talking, and devious character of Steve Owen. Thought by many as the best character in the show, Martin Kemp, does have the right qualities to make it as the next Bond. I have heard many people comment that he would be perfect for the role, and the best successor for Irish-born; Pierce Brosnan.

You can read the report here.

Robbie Williams Doesn't Want To Be James Bond

Only a few months after EON Casting Director denied rumours that Robbie Williams would be considered to take the title role of James Bond the hit singer has denied reports he ever considered playing James Bond.

It was reported the singer’s gig at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff
was watched by one of the producers of the James Bond movies.

“To put paid to all the James Bond stuff, I’ve never wanted to play
James Bond,” he told Radio 1.

“The people who run James Bond, who are lovely people, said they didn’t
want me to play him.

“I’ve never asked or wanted to play James Bond. I did the Millennium
video as a pastiche of James Bond and I left it there.”

Every man wants to be James Bond doesn’t he? Well I’d say the same for Williams, but perhaps it’s just not a career change that he’s after! But well done to him for clearing this up!

Update:

A big big thank you to ‘SmokeGoddess’ for sending this in. In the magazine OK she’s found more of the original interview which we hadn’t previously included. It would seem that Williams knows some of his Bond quotes.

“Rumours have been circulating that you’re keen to play James Bond after
Pierce Brosnan?

I don’t want to do James Bond. I met Barbara Broccoli the other night and
she’s really sweet. But it’s like, I’m from Stoke-on-Trent and I speak with a
high pitched voice.

But Pierce Brosnan’s Irish…

Yes, but he’s suave and sophisticated while I pee off balconies from hotel
rooms!

I don’t want to do a James Bond movie where I’d have to be politically
correct. I want to slap a girl on the bottom and go: “That’s nice luv, on
your way, pet. Man talk.” That’s what Sean Connery said in one of them:
“Felix, meet Bunny. Bunny, meet Felix.” He slaps her on the bottom and goes:
“Now off you go Bunny, Man talk.” That’s great.”

If that’s how Williams would play it well, I don’t think the Bond producers would jump at the chance. But as to whether or not Robbie should record the title track of a future James Bond film? Definetley.

Wrapping Up Replacement Rumours

I had originally decided not to report this, afterall I feel I already have. But after a fair few requests I’ve decided I would. Afterall, perhaps it’s not been clear on the site.

To clear up the whole issue of who will play James Bond in future movies, not just Bond 20 but Bond 21 as well, an EON Spokesperson has declared;

“Pierce Brosnan will play James Bond in the forthcoming production and for the foreseeable future.”

And while we will report future media reports of replacements (it is afterall our job) please be sure that no decision to replace Pierce Brosnan would be made till after Bond 20 is completed. Futhermore, it has been rumoured, but never confirmed, that Brosnan has already signed a new contract which states he will do a total of 7 Bond films. We will definetley see Pierce Brosnan as James Bond in Bond 21, it is only his role in Bond 22 that could possibly be ‘up-in-the-air’.

And finally a big thank you to NJ, David Ebersole and anyone else who sent it in for sending it in! Sorry if I’ve forgotten you.

Eon Productions Confirm Butler Rumour Is False

I hate to say I told you so, so I won’t. But it’s the reason that I didn’t reprint the rumour when it came to press about three days ago.

Apparently, Gerald Butler himself confirmed that he would take over from Pierce Brosnan as James Bond in a future film, possibly Bond 20. However, Eon Productions have now told TeleText UK that these rumours are all false:

A report in a Scottish newspaper that Wes Craven’s Dracula 2001 star Gerard Butler will be the next James Bond has been dismissed as “nonsense” by Eon Productions.

A spokeswoman for the 007 company told Teletext: “There is no truth in this story whatsoever. Pierce Brosnan must be a bit miffed with all this talk about his job.”

But Eon Productions says: “Pierce Brosnan is James Bond and there are no plans to find a new James Bond.”

Brosnan Won't Rule Out Staying As Bond

Ananova has reported that the saga over who will replace Pierce Brosnan as James Bond has taken another twist, this time with the news that he hasn't ruled out doing more films.

Speculation over who will take on the role after the next film has been increasing over the past few months. It was believed that Brosnan would call it a day after the next film, currently titled as Bond 20, which will be when his contract finishes.

But according to the Chicago Sun-Times, sources close to Brosnan are saying he hasn't ruled out making up to three more Bond films after the one he's contracted to making.

It had been reported Brosnan wanted US$20 million to do a fifth Bond film. But the paper claims sources close to the negotiations say that number is not even close to what he will be paid, should he and the producers agree on a further deal.