I suppose it was only a matter of time before the “Who should be the next James Bond?” speculation came around to our Otter King. While promoting Black Mass over the weekend, Benedict Cumberbatch was asked about whether he would consider playing James Bond, because I guess British journalists just ask every British actor that these days.
Benedict Cumberbatch says he doesn’t think he’d be considered for the part of James Bond. He says he hasn’t ruled it out altogether though, saying “who knows” when asked if he’d be up for it.
“I can wear a suit and I can fight. I can raise my eyebrow but that’s not what it takes to play Bond,” he told reporters.
Speaking at the British premiere of his new film Black Mass, he admits it would be “fun”.
But he thinks producers may want to go in “different directions” next. It’s still not clear if Daniel Craig will make another Bond film after Spectre, which is in cinemas on 26 October.
He doesn’t sound into it. Which is good. Because he’s not going to be James Bond. Come on! I like Bendy a lot and I think he’s a very talented actor, but Bendy as 007? No. Not going to happen. James Bond is not ottery.
Meanwhile, Bendy was also asked what it was like to play a locally-famous American politician in Black Mass. Benedict’s character, Billy Bulger, was the president of Massachusetts’ state senate from the late 1970s until the 1990s. Billy Bulger was a well-known and beloved (by some people) figure in Massachusetts politics and Democratic Party circles. Benedict said:
“This role didn’t give me a taste of politics. American politics is a whole different thing. I had to do quite a bit of learning what a state senate and a president of a state senate actually does and what it means. It (the film) gave me a taste for Boston though. It’s an amazing place. I had a great time doing this and prepping for it.”
“I did feel pressure especially those who are still alive, still in the vicinity and who everyone knew I was playing. It is a bit of a pressure but I think it’s one of those challenges I enjoy. The accent was the thing I was most nervous about.”
To be fair, I doubt most Americans really understand how their state government functions. I vote in the governor’s election (the elections are always off-years in my state), but trying to weed through the candidates for state senate and state representative can by mind numbing, especially since I live in such a heavily conservative area that most of the time, the GOP candidates are running unopposed. As for Bendy’s accent work… well, I keep hearing that it’s awful. Poor Bendy!
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Well, I know I don’t.
No, he would be awful.
yeah i just came here to say I DON’T.
(strong feelings about this one).
I add my vote to the “No!!!” column. Please note the multiple exclamation points.
My first thought to this was also “no.” He’s pretty much asking a question no one ever thought or wants to ask.
Absolutely not. That would be one of the biggest casting mistakes in cinematic history.
> Absolutely not. That would be one of the biggest casting mistakes in cinematic history.
Worse than Clooney in Batman?
Oh, and now we have Affleck as Batman coming up.
I felt Nic Cage as Superman was a worse idea than Affleck.
No, no, and a thousand times no. Cucumberpatch is NOT James Bond. Never.
Absolutely terrible. Why did they even ask? Bad joke?
I would take his voice as Bond’s voice, but it’d have to be in someone else’s body.
THIS. totally agree.
So a yes vote on the animated Bond. I’ll join you on that one! Ha!
Terminator Bond? That’d be a fun. Like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies type thing. He or [other guy,name redacted] might make good villains in a bond movie. One whose dark and brooding, the other who’s funny yet crazy.
He did audition for a Bond video game or something and they turned him down,
No way.
No one wants you to play James Bond, Mr. Cumberbatch. Sherlock will do just fine. Plus it would mean more of the “bus stop” red carpet poses from your wife.
No. Please no. He has a hot voice and all, but he’ll always be the creep in Atonement to me. Sorry.
Bond has to be classically over-the-top masculine to me. Stronger jawline.
Nooooooo
I think he is great as a character actor, really do, but as an action hero? Not so much. (I seem to be a lone voice defending his Khan, I liked him in Star Trek although I thought his portrayal of menacing Khan was good in spite of, rather than due to his action scenes. It felt more like he was dangerous because he was driven and brilliant and merciless rather than being a peerless fighter).
Bond needs to be tough, and I like how Craig really captured that well. He can take it and dish it out. I wouldn’t find Ben convincing as Bond. But the speculation will touch every British actor now, so bring on the popcorn!
I really liked his Khan, that was the first thing I saw him in. And I was – who IS this guy?
I also felt that smart and ruthless Khan was more dangerous than a beefy fighter type.
I am still curious what BDT would’ve done with Khan and how that would’ve compared.
His Khan was fantastic. I liked him in Sherlock and thought he was kind of weirdly interesting, but didn’t give him much thought until I saw Star Trek. Then I was like holy sh*t, this dude’s charisma is through the roof. You can’t look at anyone else when he’s onscreen in that movie.
@ EN-please help,who is ‘BDT’? 🙋
BDT – Benicio Del Torro, he was supposed to play Khan but then dropped the role and Cumberbatch was the last minute replacement.
He could be a great villain though. Maybe with Hardy as Bond.
Mmmm, oh god, yes please!
And make ’em wrassle or something…
Nope, I like his acting but he doesn’t have the rawness in him, and please stop with the coy “who knows” crap. It was annoying with Strange, Star Wars and now this.
Bond has evolved and he doesn’t fit the mould.
he’s really not being coy here tbh, the question was would he personally be interested if it ever came up, after he flat out said he wouldn’t be considered anyway
re ds actors can’t directly comment if theyre in any negotiations tho i don’t know why reporters ask
He’s become that annoying actor that likes to drop ‘hints’ that he might be in these big movies is some way because of ‘my good friend [insert name here]’ (yes i know he’s going to be playing the lead in Strange). He’s been hinting about Star Wars for ages, said he was on set – I’ll bet its something like Simon Pegg’s cameo but I cut Pegg slack as JJ is on record saying he’s been involved in the script writing process with him and Kasban.
Bendy has always loved to name drop. He made enough hints to the press about wanting to play Hamlet and viola it happened.
i think he made hamlet happen lol. supposedly him and oldman were up for SW roles, oldman did confirm he was, but script rewrites saw the loss of both characters
anyway my point is here he didn’t drop hints. he flat out said he wasn’t being considered and implied (correctly imo) he wasn’t right for the part. yes he does name drop but so do a lot of them, it’s a networking industry
Nothing was confirmed about him being up for a role in SW but he hustled and hinted enough to the press for it – as i said if he has got a ‘part’ in the new SW it’ll be as an alien and he’ll be in costume so we won’t know it was him. Saying that JJ is notoriously secretive about his movies and doesn’t even like people ‘hinting’ about ‘maybe’ being in them. So my bet is that if he was in it as a cameo it’s been cut because he blabbed (see ‘who knows’).
I’ve gone from being a fan of his work to someone who is put off his work as I find him (the person) incredibly annoying.
yeah nothing confirmed but since him and oldman were a linked rumor and oldman confirmed it, it looked likely imo
but as i said here there is no hinting, he flat out says he’s not up/right for it
tbh idc that much about their personalities just the work but that’s a me thing. you never really know these people. all of em got good and bad points. as long as he’s not hurting people–sad that so many of them dont pass that one–hes harmless
Same, J. I kinda prefer a dickish edge or real flaws. At least I know they’re being themselves sometimes instead of almost entirely what their publicist decided they should be.
[By flaws I mean personality traits, not like wife-beating or child molesting.]
Re. Hamlet: I bet he wishes he had waited for the call of a RSC-type director instead of chasing LT.
I love his work but no, not for Bond.
nay prefer James McAvoy or Idris or even Tom Hardy.. he can’t convince me he can tackle the world and baddies.
Oh yeah…….James McAvoy would be great!!!!
Off topic, but I saw leaked Dr. Strange concept pictures yesterday (unless they are a hoax again) and there it looks like h will have longish hair and moustache. I really don’t see how Ben is going to pull off a moustache.
As for Bond, in all seriousness, he can’t carry 2 huge franchises at the same time, so that was never a consideration.
Plus, in my opinion, he is too good of an actor to waste on 10 years of Bond. One Bond movie is OK, maybe he can have a supporting role, but 10 years of doing the same thing?
He might be a good Bond villain?
I did not think of that, but yes, Lindy79. He’d make an excellent Bond villain.
Yeah he would be! That I can see
Yes to being a villain! I think he can be both creepy and charming in the same character, and can totally pull off being a bad guy.
Moustache will always remind me of Atonement, so nope.
I agree 10 years in a franchise is wasted time for a good actor and I bet Craig is fed up with it too.,
Can he take on Bond and Strange? Not scheduling wise but I doubt either studio would want someone from another big franchise.
And Bond should at least have, you know, a chin!
I hate how coy he always tries to be about what he may or may not be playing, it was annoying with star wars and it still is.
lol i was just saying above he wasn’t being coy here at all
Who is even asking for this????
I like him and all, but no-just no.
nopenopenopenope
Wonder who else the press will pimp forward for this role but he so would if asked. And i’m in the ‘no way can he play Bond’ camp, he’d ruin it.
Please no…..please stop this madness!!!
If we could just use his voice and the camera stayed on his hands and bare forearms throughout the movie it would work. But since we have to see Bond’s face–it’s a no.
I just want the Sherlock special. How long must I wait?!
I’m not saying it would be terrible, but it’s not a role I ever thought about him doing. Then again, I’ve never seen a single Bond film ever.
Ben as Bond? Hahahahahahahaha! Noooooooooooooooooooo!
Oh god no. Please, no. Anyway, he like Elba is too old. He’s nearly 40 and these are all 4-5 picture deals. They need someone under 35. And I’ve never, ever seen him generate real sexual heat on screen. So he can wear a suit. So can my dentist. So he can stage-fight. So can every other guy who gets out of RADA, they’re all taught that. He’s not sexy enough, he’s not young enough, he doesn’t have the right sort of bod. No, Cumbers, the answer is NO.
+100
Clarity here: I meant every guy who gets out of RADA or any other drama school, not every OTHER guy as if Cumbers had gone there, he didn’t . . .
For my US peeps Tom Hiddleston is on the Today show right now talking Crimson Peak!
I’m a fan of his, but don’t want to see him as Bond. Plus there’s no way that would happen. He’s already ramping up one multi-picture franchise, and I think they will go younger for the next Bond.
I think the press is just going to keep asking every British actor about playing Bond until the next Bond is announced.
Ooops, my comment landed in the wrong place.
But as long as I’m here, I’ll continue Marcy’s Crimson Peak mentions:
thought it was funny to see they are doing special Crimson Peak promotions on HSN. So people can buy crazy earrings and rings and other “gothic horror” -y items from the comfort of their living rooms. Unfortunately, Tom Hiddleston is not up for sale, but you can buy a Capeo Cros Pendant for only $99.95 or four payments of $24.99 😛
“I don’t watch HSN, but noticed it on the program guide and couldn’t resist tuning in to see what exactly the “HSN Crimson Peak Movie Event” was.”
Seriously? Al Roker just ask Tom if HE wanted to be Bond. Good grief.
I think Tom HIddleston is a better Bond material than Ben. But the last time I said Tom could be Bond a lot of people disagreed.
Hiddleston would be all wrong too. Same for Redmayne.
I like Elba, but his age is a sticking point.
Fassbender or Damien Lewis. End of.
If they are going macho route, just get Chris Pratt and be done with it. And who cares that he is not British. I won’t watch Bond with either of these anyway. And Americans will love it.
Bond has to have brains.
When I look at Fassebender I am thinking – party boy, when I look at Damien I am thinking – slimy. In neither case I am thinking “smart” or “suave”.
I would’ve said Ben Whishaw for Bond, but he is already in Bond and he is too good to spend 10 years as Bond also.
I also like Henry Cavil. I think he is a better choice than the present frontrunner Lewis.
Ben Whishaw? He’s tiny!!!! I love him as an actor, I absolutely adore him, but he’s a waif. He could never pull it off.
THE BLOKE for Bond!!!!
THE BLOKE for everything, always, forever.
Hardy’s good skill-wise but too difficult on set.
Hardy does have something similar to Craig about him – tough guy, but with a soul and brains.
I still like my choices over Cumberbatch.
Damien Lewis? He looks like a weasel.
I mean an actual weasel.
Yes, Fassy would be great.
Idris for Bond, always always!
Having said that, Cumby would possibly make a good M in a couple of decades, if they ever wanted to go back to a male actor.
He’d be much better as a Bond villain, with a lair and minions.
They already had gone back to a male actor as M…Fiennes. Why is everyone picking on my sweet alien baby, Benevolent Cumbershire? I actually had a thought of him as Bond a month before he said it. He has said he would love to play a spy. I think if he bulked back up…his Khan body, he could be very intimidating and hot. Those eyes can cut a person like nothing I have seen.
Nope!
Not James Bond nor any Villian, rather the Sherlock/Turing etc. Types, he do not have the range for all Types, he is not Sexy or Hot in Lovescenes, he is a terrible Kisser on Screen, i doubt he would be good in any of these Roles. NO
He has shown numerous times he is adept at villains, and he is a character actor, after all. Yeah, the kissing…he just needs practice, that’s all. Drag him to a few French brothels. I wont be mad.
absolutely not.
I couldn’t think of anyone worse to play the Bond role than this guy. *shudder*
He’d make a good villain in it though, much more up his talent/looks.
Skarsgard for Bond!
LOVE her dress.
Seriously? Looks like a shower curtain to me, complete with hooks.
Cumbaby would be a dashing Bond baddy, I concur.
That is by the way the best hairdo I have ever seen him sport. Ever.
He looks so much better with his natural colour (ginger) and natural curls. Natural, Ben, stay natural (unless it’s for work)!
Well, I’ll be a dissenting voice: I think he’d make a great Bond. He has the voice, the (suited) body, and the charisma and presence.
And his non-romance with Irene Adler was one of the best pieces of television I’ve ever seen, so I think he could pull the love/lust story off quite well, too.
I actually think that Daniel Craig does not at all look like a Bond, but apparently, he does a good job and sold himself as a Bond to most fans (I personally don’t really watch Bond movies, so I only know that I would have never picked Craig as a bond based on looks, but can’t really judge how well he translates into the role on screen).
As a joke?
Wait! When you think Hiddleston as a possible Bond, don’t think of him as skinny Hank Williams. Did you see him as bulked-up Coriolanus? He’s got the height; in that role, he was supremely masculine and austere in a Bond way; and for charisma, look at his Loki at ComiCon. And those Jaguar commercials?!? He looks perfectly at home in a bespoke suit and a fast car.
I don’t think he’s a great actor (though I liked him in the first “Hollow Crown” series) but I think he’d make a memorable James Bond.