I don’t think Orlando Bloom’s speficic age would be that big of a hindrance - Sean Connery was only 32 when he was in Dr. No after all - but I do think that he just looks too…modern. He just doesn’t have the classic, rugged, refined look of a worldly spy.
“I’ll have a Vodka…and Red Bull. Shaken, not stirred.”
Orlando Bloom? I’m just not seeing it. Not only does he seem too young, but he’s not all that attractive to me either. He has a pleasant-looking face but that’s all. I don’t think he’s that remarkable and can’t figure out what all the fuss over him is about. I had been figuring that perhaps he only appealed to the teenaged/20-something set.
My mom, however, immediately commented on how “handsome” Bloom was in the Pirates movie. My mom’s other heartthrobs include Burt Lancaster and John Garfield, (I think they’re cool too) so apparently Bloom’s appeal isn’t a generational thing. Or perhaps, at least in our family, his appeal skipped a generation. 'Cause I’m just not seeing it.
My personal vote goes for Clive Owen, who has that dreamy, brooding, attractive thing going, but would be excellent at the “morally ambiguous good guy” thing as well. (Besides, my mom thinks he’s a heartthrob too. )
I’m a “me too” on Clive Owen, to get a Bond closer to the earlier books, if nothing else. Morally ambiguous, as mentioned, and just two hairs away from being burnt out by the job. Hell, give him back his blower Bentley while we’re at it.
Yes, “attractive” as in “nice to look at.” Not pretty-boy or beautiful, which seems to describe Bloom a little better. I don’t think that, for instance, Clive Owen is even that handsome (unlike Sean Connery, Roger Moore or Pierce Brosnan). But Clive Owen is—oh my word—very attractive.
Well, it’s official. My mom was consulted on this issue and she gave a very emphatic “thumbs up” to Clive Owen. She has a great deal of good sense on such topics so as far as I’m concerned the matter is settled. Clive Owen it is!
I could be wrong about this since I’ve never read the books myself, but I think the Bond of the novels is actually supposed to be Scottish and not English.
Eh, you’re not the only one who doesn’t get it. This isn’t very nice, but I have privately referred to him as “Orlando Bland”. Nothing against the guy, but I can’t see getting excited over him. However, I guess being pleasant-looking while seeming nice and non-threatening is nothing to sneeze at. Among my students I’ve got both high school students and housewives who are crazy for young Mr. Bloom, so his appeal isn’t just limited to youngsters.
Me too, considering Flemings death in '64 and Moore’s first outing as Bond in '73…
I think the best bond since ‘You only live twice’ (and chosing not to remember Connery trying to look Japanese) was Brosnan, but not in a Bond flick but as Andy Osnard in ‘Tailor of Panama.’ For me, Bond has always been that sexist ruthless bastard that Brosnan portrays so well in that movie. I only EON productions had the guts to let him play Bond in the same manner.
Matt LeBlanc? JOEY?!? Oh my god, I can see it now:
Bond: That’s it, Blofeld! You sit in my chair. You take my underwear. Now I’m gonna do the exact opposite to you! Blofeld: The exact opposite? Wha–? Are you going to give me my underwear? Bond: EXACT OPPOSITE! Bond disappears into Blofeld’s room and emerges shortly. Bond: I’m wearing every single piece of clothing you own. And I’m goin’ commando! It would be a shame if I started doing lunges! Blofeld: NO! Octopussy enters. Octopussy: Dr. No didn’t have any dresses that fit me, but he did have this little Christmas ribbon that covered up the hummus. Do you like it?
No thank you!
OP: As much as I adore Orlando Bloom and as many times as he’s represented on my Wall o’ Hotness, I don’t think James Bond is the role for him. He needs a few more years behind him. Ewan McGregor on the other hand . . .
Lamia, I read “John Garfield” as “James Garfield” and I was trying to figure out exactly how old your mother was that she would have him on her list of hotties. Or even why he’d be on there.