Film historian weighs in on James Bond #6 contenders

26-Apr-2005 • Casino Royale

USA Today asked film historian Leonard Maltin to weigh in on potential spy contenders:

Daniel Craig
Age: 37
Nationality: English
Best known for: Playing poet Ted Hughes in 2003's biopic Sylvia
Maltin's take: "He's an up-and-comer and a solid actor. He's a contender."

Clive Owen
Age: 40
Nationality: English
Best known for: Playing Julia Roberts' malevolent husband in 2004's Closer
Maltin's take: "He's an excellent choice. He's a really good actor. He's serious without being somber and is sophisticated, but doesn't seem to take himself too seriously."

Colin Farrell
Age: 28
Nationality: Irish
Best known for: His ill-fated turn as the tousle-haired conqueror in last year's Alexander
Maltin's take: "Just because we haven't seen him play this kind of character doesn't mean he couldn't. I don't want to be guilty of typecasting."

Ewan McGregor
Age: 34
Nationality: Scottish
Best known for: His run as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequels
Maltin's take: "He can do almost anything. He's got a lot of range."

Christian Bale
Age: 31
Nationality: English
Best known for: His upcoming turn as the caped crusader in Batman Begins
Maltin's take: "He's too intense."

Jude Law
Age: 32
Nationality: English
Best known for: His Oscar-nominated turns in Cold Mountain and The Talented Mr. Ripley
Maltin's take: "We think of Bond as a dark-haired guy. If it weren't such a famous role, it might not matter so much. But on the surface, he doesn't seem to have the right look, although he's got the talent."

George Clooney
Age: 43
Nationality: American
Best known for: Being a smooth-talking thief in Ocean's Eleven and Twelve
Maltin's take: "Bond has got to be British. And George has already played the American equivalent of this role. It would seem old hat to me."

Thanks to `Kyvan` for the alert.