The best James Bond that never was?

[Tricky Trevor]

I have to nominate Mark Strong. Good looking fella, good physique, has an air of menace and yet I’ve seen him in lighter roles. Never seen him in fight scenes but I’m sure he’d handle them.

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[LoveCurryPies]

Is that the best you can think of?

[karatekid]

Whoever it is , following Daniel Craig will be a tough one. He did away with the cheap one liners and brought a real menace to the licence to kill authority whilst always showing the glass emotions in his personal life. He took the character from the books and played it rather well.

[claptrappers_union]

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[Bosscat]

Whoever it is , following Daniel Craig will be a tough one. He did away with the cheap one liners and brought a real menace to the licence to kill authority whilst always showing the glass emotions in his personal life. He took the character from the books and played it rather well.

Am sure the script writers had something to do with that kk

[TheFamilyCat]

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[ClaretsPadiham]

Michael Le Vell would of been perfect for the role, still could be.

[PremierLeagueClass]

James Norton. Yet…

[Acting Claret]

Was reading an article just last week about Michael Billington. He auditioned for it three times and was actually offered For Your Eyes Only. But the Roger Moore agreed terms.

[jedi_master]

I hope the rumours of Christopher Nolan taking directorship of Bond on are true. You’d think Tom Hardy or Christian Bale would be a shoe in were that to happen.

In answer to the question though, I always thought that Liam Neeson could have pulled it off.

[Red Fox Rocks Socks]

Bond should be able to kick the f-ck out of you but have the presence to be taking home every lass in the room. Connery and Craig both fitted the bill, I don’t think anyone else matched that

[TheOriginalLongsider]

I was thinking James Norton as well

[Bosscat]

I was thinking James Norton as well

I was picturing him as John Matrix in the remake of "Commando" can just see the cinema posters now

"James Norton - Commando"

[Jel]

James Norton or Tom Hardy for me but Michael Cane would have fitted the bill years ago.

[gawthorpe_view]

David Niven.

[whiffa]

I really rate Strong so would be pleased with that, also Henry Cavill. Think it's time for some young blood though, especially given the "ending" to the last Bond film.

[yTib]

oliver reed you fools.

[fidelcastro]

John Inman.

[claret2018]

Someone young and stylish this time please, and bring a bit of camp back. Harry Styles could do a good job.

[Guppyspotter]

Cillian Murphy

Nuff said.

[Quicknick]

I have to nominate Mark Strong. Good looking fella, good physique, has an air of menace and yet I’ve seen him in lighter roles. Never seen him in fight scenes but I’m sure he’d handle them.
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Good physique? He's too thin, but he's a great actor.

[Darnhill Claret]

Ralph Fiennes.

[Darnhill Claret]

Alan Rickman, Gary Oldman, David Tennant, Robert Carlisle.

[Vegas Claret]

Bella Emberg

[Varler]

Lewis Collins

[ChrisG]

No mention of Idris? He's got it all, hard as nails, suave, women love him. One of the best British actors of the last 30 years.

Has to be a better bet than bloody Brosnan, now he was bobbins.

[A.Claret.Fan]

If only!!!

[whiffa]

Alan Rickman, Gary Oldman, David Tennant, Robert Carlisle.

The fact that Alan Rickman who sadly died a few years ago isn't even your worst suggestion, isn't great.

[Dark Cloud]

David Niven.

Played Bond in the "unlicensed" version of Casino Royale circa 1969. Wasn't great in it tbf although definitely a great actor.

[bfcjg]

Shaken not stirred my arse.

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[Ric_C]

The issues with Idris Elba is that in Luther and Hijack (where he is both great) he basically plays it exactly the same. Not sure it would be too different with Bond.

Personally I think Bond has done the reboot and gritty realism angle now, and in many ways has been superseded by the Mission impossible series. I'd like the next set of Bonds to be set in the 50s / 60s with old fashion gadgets, I think this could be a good avenue to explore.

[karatekid]

Am sure the script writers had something to do with that kk

Daniel Craig explained what prompted him to play James Bond ahead of his final outing as the British spy.
"The deal was, I said to [producers] Barbara [Broccoli] and Michael [G Wilson] before I read the script – it's so arrogant, it's ridiculous – I just said I can't do an impression of something that's come before," Craig said.

He continued: "I can't recreate what you've done before. Brilliant though that is, I can't do it. I can't come in and try and be something that people expect."

Craig told them: "I can come in and try and reinvent it, because that to me is fascinating and interesting."
Thankfully, the producers had the exact same idea in mind.

"Instead of them saying, 'Thanks very much, bye,' they said, 'Yeah, that's exactly what we want you to do.'"

[Middle-agedClaret]

I suspect it’s almost entirely an age thing (mine) but I’ve never taken to Daniel Craig in the role.I find him wooden and humourless.
As to the excellent question posed by the OP, I too think James Norton or TomHardy could be contenders.
As for those who missed out down the years - I think Edward Woodward could have given it a good go.

[andyh]

Idris Elba

[OakSmokedClaret]

I think Sam Claflin would be a great Bond.

[bobinho]

David beckham…

[pushpinpussy]

I have never understood James Bond movies. James Bond is what sophistication looks like to people who don't have any.

[Tricky Trevor]

Michael Le Vell would of been perfect for the role, still could be.

He’d have been better in The Mechanic.

[Pickles]

I haven't watched many so I may be wrong but he never seems to get injured? A hundred terrorists shooting at him and at the end of it his tie is maybe a bit wonky. Also never needs the loo. You're not telling me secret-agenting and crime-fighting has never been delayed because a cappuccino's gone right through someone and they've had to take a detour?

[Lord Beamish]

I think they missed a trick when Nick Berry left “Heartbeat”.

[houseboy]

If Mark Strong did get the gig after Daniel Craig it would be an amazing coincidence that both played in one of the best dramas ever on TV, Our Friends on the North. All four main characters in that terrific series went on to become big.

[Goobs]

I always thought Damien Lewis would have made a good Bond.

[IanMcL]

Norman Wisdom

[timshorts]

Not being into actors, I mistook the picture in the op for Robbie Brady with his hair shaved off. But that's only a good match in the middle section.

[CoolClaret]

Can’t believe the thread has gotten this far and no mention of this gem of a bloke yet

[davideyresleftear]

I hope the rumours of Christopher Nolan taking directorship of Bond on are true. You’d think Tom Hardy or Christian Bale would be a shoe in were that to happen.

In answer to the question though, I always thought that Liam Neeson could have pulled it off.

That would be insane. I haven’t heard that but really hope it’s true. I’m not sure about Hardy or Bale though, I’d be happier for Christopher Nolan to branch out in his choice of actors for this one.

I’d really like a mini-arc of films centred around an older
Bond. Like the Wolverine film ‘Logan’.

Maybe a Bond in his late fifties could be an interesting way to take the films. They can always time loop back to young Bond when they’re done.

[Hendrickxz]

Arthur Mullard!

[HahaYeah]

Eddie Izzard.

[Zom Zom]

Ade Edmondson

[AfloatinClaret]

David Niven.

He did play James Bond