Main thing I can point to is Ian Fleming's personal image of Bond

All the real life person's the character is based on were white as well.

He's "required" to be white in so far as that's how he was written.

So it's (mainly) an aesthetic consideration? Where do we draw the line. Fleming's sketch clearly shows a man with dark hair, yet Daniel Craig has blond hair. I wonder how people would react if the next Bond was ginger...

Daniel Craig seems to be pretty well liked despite the fact he bears no physical resemblance to Fleming's idealised version of Bond. I think this is because he's a competent actor and the Bond films he has been in have been of a relatively high standard. Whatever the new Bond looks like, I suspect people will get used to it as long as the films are decent enough.

So it's (mainly) an aesthetic consideration? Where do we draw the line. Fleming's sketch clearly shows a man with dark hair, yet Daniel Craig has blond hair. I wonder how people would react if the next Bond was ginger...

Daniel Craig seems to be pretty well liked despite the fact he bears no physical resemblance to Fleming's idealised version of Bond. I think this is because he's a competent actor and the Bond films he has been in have been of a relatively high standard. Whatever the new Bond looks like, I suspect people will get used to it as long as the films are decent enough.

 

There was plenty of grumbles at a blonde Bond when Craig was revealed. 

 

Basically, I don't see any logical argument for changing race and/or sex of the character? 

 

It's not like they need to revive interest in the franchise, it's bigger than ever. It's completely pointless in my opinion. 

 

Why not cast  Rick Moranis as Shaft and just be done with it? 

There was plenty of grumbles at a blonde Bond when Craig was revealed. 

 

Basically, I don't see any logical argument for changing race and/or sex of the character? 

 

It's not like they need to revive interest in the franchise, it's bigger than ever. It's completely pointless in my opinion. 

 

Why not cast  Rick Moranis as Shaft and just be done with it? 

 

Same as bluedave, I'm not a Bond expert, just a casual fan, but surely the logical argument is to pick the best actor for the role? Daniel Craig has blonde hair but is a terrific Bond, just like a black actor could be best suited to being Bond.

So could a black guy play Hitler in a WW2 film if he's considered to be best for the role?

That's just a logical fallacy and a poor one.

No, it's just controversial on purpose. Could be a fictional character in a fictional story in the same setting. There are some roles and characters where the physical description is given, well known and expected.

 

A black international spy asks for a new story and a new character. Why try to force it to be Bond when it could easily bettern then that? How about a dark and grim spy story with Idris Elba? Could be so much more interesting than another Bond (and I like Bond films). As I see the only reason to make it Bond is to use an existing brand and I happen to find that pathetic.

Same as bluedave, I'm not a Bond expert, just a casual fan, but surely the logical argument is to pick the best actor for the role? Daniel Craig has blonde hair but is a terrific Bond, just like a black actor could be best suited to being Bond.

But if Bond is black he ceases to be Bond.

Regardless of how the actor plays him, he's simply not Bond.

It would be like making Superman black... Just because Jamie Foxx, for arguments sake, is supposedly the "best" actor for the role. It would be stupid.

Ian Fleming's James Bond has a Scottish father and a Swiss mother. I've read all the Bond novels on numerous occasions; this fact was revealed in You Only Live Twice (novel). Fleming was influenced by Sean Connery's portrayal of Bond after he had seen Dr No. He's a white male. Simple as.

 

And he'll stay that way, there is no way EON will change this. They shouldn't either. 

The newer novels, not written by Fleming, could be of our time as could Bond. British society is multi cultural, I wouldn't mind seeing Colin Salmon as a contemporary Bond. The novels have moved with the times, perhaps the depiction of Bond should. British government agents are not all white.

British government agents are not all white.

But James Bond is.

But James Bond is.

In his time as Fleming's creation. New writers could make him different from Fleming's world. Or make him a her, even a black her.

Chances are Bond had a number of off spring and any one of them could take up the reigns.

In his time as Fleming's creation. New writers could make him different from Fleming's world. Or make him a her, even a black her.

Chances are Bond had a number of off spring and any one of them could take up the reigns.

Then do a spin off, make a film about 006 or whoever and make them black, Asian, indian, an alien, a woman, transgender...whatever but I see no logical reason to, after 60 years, change Bond's race. It does nothing to enhance the character, all it does is disillusion and piss off a large section of a loyal following.

In his time as Fleming's creation. New writers could make him different from Fleming's world. Or make him a her, even a black her.

Chances are Bond had a number of off spring and any one of them could take up the reigns.

 

The owners of Ian Fleming's estate would quite simply not allow it. 

White following? Fleming based some of his writing on real life people and gadgets, we now know those who contributed as spies and so forth were male and female and not always white.

I'm a huge Bond fan and went to an exhibition of actual gadgets used in the war, and have drunk in a pub Fleming visited, walked where he lived in Kent; interesting man.

The owners of Ian Fleming's estate would quite simply not allow it.

In Jamaica?

Includes some great walks / routes:

http://kentfilmoffice.co.uk/kent-movie-map/james-bond-ian-fleming/

Still, Bond boys instead of Bond girls...

The press screening of Spectre was held last night. The Guardian, Telegraph and The Times have given it 5 stars. The general consensus is that it's a cracker. More reviews here...

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34600980

Daniel Craig was on radio 1 this morning as I was station hopping. Probably the only time I ever wanted to listen to 'Grimmy' speak as he interviewed Bond.

Really looking forward to the movie next week!

DC said it has everything you could want in a Bond film, expecting big things!!

Daniel Craig was on radio 1 this morning as I was station hopping. Probably the only time I ever wanted to listen to 'Grimmy' speak as he interviewed Bond.

Really looking forward to the movie next week!

DC said it has everything you could want in a Bond film, expecting big things!!

 

I'm with you, I hate that prick "Grimmy"!

 

I'm expecting big things too! Apparently the opening sequence to the film, set in Mexico, is absolutely bonkers action! Can't wait!

Been walking around humming the tune and pretending I'm an operative allll week!

Rewatched Casino Royale last night as a prelude to seeing Spectre next week.  Wow, that was a good film!  Absolutely love DC as Bond - he looks ruthless.  Definitely my favourite Bond.

Rewatched Casino Royale last night as a prelude to seeing Spectre next week.  Wow, that was a good film!  Absolutely love DC as Bond - he looks ruthless.  Definitely my favourite Bond.

 

Great film. Just a shame two excellent Daniel Craig films, Casino Royale and Skyfall, had a crap one between them.

Great film. Just a shame two excellent Daniel Craig films, Casino Royale and Skyfall, had a crap one between them.

 

I don't think that QOS was that bad.  But I haven't seen it for a while so will let you know what I think when I've rewatched that one.

Rich or Blueblur - get over to the Top 5s thread, you're wanted!