NationStates Jolt Archive


Ahahaahhaha: Diddy says he wants to be the first black James Bond.

The Atlantian islands
04-11-2006, 19:42
AHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHHA....This is the stupidest/funniest thing I've ever heard!!!:D :D :D :D

Diddy says he wants to be the first black James Bond:

Diddy says he wants to be the first black James Bond. The rap star put himself forward for the role at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Copenhagen last night.

Diddy, who's only previous acting role was in Monster's Ball five years ago, said: "One day the time will come for a black Bond, and hopefully I can audition for it.

"It's a dream of mine to play a great role like that," he admitted before insisting he was the man to keep Bond fans entertained should he get the part in the future.

http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/36886773

Yeah....right.

Diddy or Daniel:

http://cityrag.blogs.com/photos/uncategorized/diddy.jpg

OR

http://re3.mm-a6.yimg.com/image/2155564757

http://mry.blogs.com/les_instants_emery/images/daniel_craig_bond.jpg

But seriously...a Black James Bond isnt James Bond. Its like having a movie about Michael Jordan, played by Owen Wilson.:D
Greater Trostia
04-11-2006, 19:45
But seriously...a Black James Bond isnt James Bond. Its like having a movie about Michael Jordan, played by Owen Wilson.:D

Yeah, or it's like having the same character played by both Sean Connery and Timothy Dalton. That would be really hard to believe!
Drunk commies deleted
04-11-2006, 19:45
I think it should be flaor flav



http://i12.tinypic.com/2crttw0.jpg
The Atlantian islands
04-11-2006, 19:47
Yeah, or it's like having the same character played by both Sean Connery and Timothy Dalton. That would be really hard to believe!
.....Right...because the swing from Sean Conner to Timothy Dalton is just as radical as the swing from Pierce Brosnan to Puff Daddy. :D :rolleyes:
Vetalia
04-11-2006, 19:47
I don't know, maybe we should pick an actor who has real, actual talent to play the character. I mean, I couldn't care less what race James Bond is but you should at least pick someone capable of acting in the role and not some shitty has-been entertainer.
The Atlantian islands
04-11-2006, 19:48
I think it should be flaor flav



http://i12.tinypic.com/2crttw0.jpg

Hahaha.

"The names Flav. Flavor Flav.":cool:
Greater Trostia
04-11-2006, 19:50
.....Right...because the swing from Sean Conner to Timothy Dalton is just as radical as the swing from Pierce Brosnan to Puff Daddy. :D :rolleyes:

Both require a suspension of disbelief since both are very clearly not the same man. So what is your point, again? Black people look too different for you to accept any suspension of disbelief regarding fictional movie heroes?
The Atlantian islands
04-11-2006, 19:52
Both require a suspension of disbelief since both are very clearly not the same man. So what is your point, again? Black people look too different for you to accept any suspension of disbelief regarding fictional movie heroes?
Yes. Ofcourse a black would be too different from a British guy to play James Bond, a British White character. Are you mad? How do you not see how this is the most retarded shit ever?
Katurkalurkmurkastan
04-11-2006, 19:54
But seriously...a Black James Bond isnt James Bond.
Oh I don't know about that. The producers managed to make the incredible leap to a Blond Bond. A Black Bond is just three more letters.

How about Wesley Snipes? Wesley Snipes could do the trick.
Greater Trostia
04-11-2006, 19:54
Yes. Ofcourse a black would be too different from a British guy to play James Bond, a British White character. Are you mad? How do you not see how this is the most retarded shit ever?

I never knew James Bond's whiteness was an integral part of his character any more than Sean Connery's accent was.

This IS some retarded shit, but it's coming out of your ass, not mine.
Dinaverg
04-11-2006, 19:55
Pff, I don't even want a black Bond.
The Atlantian islands
04-11-2006, 19:56
Oh I don't know about that. The producers managed to make the incredible leap to a Blond Bond. A Black Bond is just three more letters.

How about Wesley Snipes? Wesley Snipes could do the trick.

First of all, he is blonde but they made his hair dark for the film. Look at the pictures I posted in the OP. Second of all, even though I love Wesley Snipes and I worship the sweat from his body, he could never play Bond. How stupid would it look to have a Black guy playing a white-british secret agent.

Its like I said..how dumb would it look to have a movie on Michael Jordan, played by Owen Wilson.
The Atlantian islands
04-11-2006, 19:58
I never knew James Bond's whiteness was an integral part of his character any more than Sean Connery's accent was.

This IS some retarded shit, but it's coming out of your ass, not mine.

Uh..yes it was. This is as stupid as Brad Pitt playing "The Mexican" or Tom Cruise playing "The Last Samari"....we arnt all the same....a White guy cant play a Japanese warrior, a black guy cant play a white British spy, ect....
Greater Trostia
04-11-2006, 19:58
First of all, he is blonde but they made his hair dark for the film. Look at the pictures I posted in the OP. Second of all, even though I love Wesley Snipes and I worship the sweat from his body, he could never play Bond. How stupid would it look to have a Black guy playing a white-british secret agent.

Oh, let me guess - black people can't be British either.

Its like I said..how dumb would it look to have a movie on Michael Jordan, played by Owen Wilson.

False analogy. Michael Jordan is a real person so a movie based on him would have to be biographical. James Bond is not.
Ifreann
04-11-2006, 20:01
It might work if somehow all previous Bond films were erased from existence.
Ultraviolent Radiation
04-11-2006, 20:01
A black British actor, I would be OK with. A black American rapper, no.
Whereyouthinkyougoing
04-11-2006, 20:02
But seriously...a Black James Bond isnt James Bond.

Why on earth not?
He's supposed to be a British spy, for fuck's sake - what, suddenly there are no black people in the UK anymore?


Not P. Diddy, though, please! Hmm, Taye Diggs, maybe? *salivates* :p
The Atlantian islands
04-11-2006, 20:02
Oh, let me guess - black people can't be British either. Oh let ME guess, you're trying to drag this off topic.;)



False analogy. Michael Jordan is a real person so a movie based on him would have to be biographical. James Bond is not.
And James Bond is a real character set forth by the book "Casino Royale", in which the author describes Bond the way the movies have tried to portray him. We cant have a 5 foot Chinese guy playing James Bond, but we cant have a blonde Dane playing a 5 foot Chinese guy.
Greater Trostia
04-11-2006, 20:02
Uh..yes it was.

Oh, so James Bond has to have the Sean Connery accent? Have you informed any of the actors that played him since then?

It's NOT integral to his character nor is his being white.

This is as stupid as Brad Pitt playing "The Mexican"

Erm, the character Brad Pitt played in The Mexican was a white guy.

or Tom Cruise playing "The Last Samari"....

His character there was also a white guy.

So both of these other films, while certainly showing stupid movies, do not invalidate nor validate your "black people can't play Bond" hypothesis.
Drunk commies deleted
04-11-2006, 20:03
It might work if somehow all previous Bond films were erased from existence.

Since I hate James Bond movies I love this plan.
The Atlantian islands
04-11-2006, 20:05
Why on earth not?
He's supposed to be a British spy, for fuck's sake - what, suddenly there are no black people in the UK anymore?


Not P. Diddy, though, please! Hmm, Taye Diggs, maybe? *salivates* :p

Have you no sense of tradition? James Bond (the character from the book) is not Black, nor have ANY James Bonds ever been black, so why should we change the character?
Greater Trostia
04-11-2006, 20:05
Oh let ME guess, you're trying to drag this off topic.;)


Not really. You seem to have a real problem reconciling being black with being a British character. It's quite on-topic.


And James Bond is a real character

Psst, Michael Jordan is a real PERSON. It doesn't matter if James Bond is a "real character." Your analogy was shit.

He can be played by whoever the hell is able to sell the part.
The Atlantian islands
04-11-2006, 20:10
Psst, Michael Jordan is a real PERSON. It doesn't matter if James Bond is a "real character." Your analogy was shit.

I dont know how to get this across to you. James Bond isnt black. Its just fucking stupid to make James Bond black.

Ok....its like doing another Super-Man movie....and making Super-Man black...just for the sake of having a black super-man and crossing "racial lines"...even though the character of Super-Man CLEARLY isnt black.
Linthiopia
04-11-2006, 20:11
I'm all for embracing diversity, but this seems just silly. Bonds is white and British, I mean... that's his character. That's not racism, that's just the identity of the character. How would they explain the change in the movie?
Wallonochia
04-11-2006, 20:11
And James Bond is a real character set forth by the book "Casino Royale", in which the author describes Bond the way the movies have tried to portray him. We cant have a 5 foot Chinese guy playing James Bond, but we cant have a blonde Dane playing a 5 foot Chinese guy.

In the movie Daredevil (shit movie, but anyway) the Kingpin character was played by a black guy when in the comics he was white. I think Duncan did a quite convincing Kingpin, despite the worthlessness of the script. I don't see any reason a black British man (or at least someone with a convincing British accent) couldn't be Bond.
Greater Trostia
04-11-2006, 20:13
I dont know how to get this across to you. James Bond isnt black. Its just fucking stupid to make James Bond black.

You are entitled to your own, stupid opinion. :) But your arguments have been completely unsuccessful at anything other than giving me something easy to shoot down.

Also, James Bond isn't Timothy Dalton. It's just fucking stupid. Sean Connery was the only Real James Bond. See? I can have an opinion too.
Whereyouthinkyougoing
04-11-2006, 20:13
Have you no sense of tradition? James Bond (the character from the book) is not Black, nor have ANY James Bonds ever been black, so why should we change the character?

Look, the character of James Bond is characterized by about four things:

1) he's a spy

2) he's British

3) he wears a suit at all times

4) he's a womanizer.


If one of these precludes him from being black, you'll have to point it out for me.

Seriously, James Bond! I mean, why would there be *any* problem in him being black, or hispanic, or Asian, or whatever?
Not only is he such a sparsely drawn, clichéd character that the four points above (plus the Martini) are really *all* that is to him, he's also already been played by several different people, for like, what, 30 years now?

So I really, REALLY don't see your problem with this.
Drunk commies deleted
04-11-2006, 20:13
I dont know how to get this across to you. James Bond isnt black. Its just fucking stupid to make James Bond black.

Ok....its like doing another Super-Man movie....and making Super-Man black...just for the sake of having a black super-man and crossing "racial lines"...even though the character of Super-Man CLEARLY isnt black.

Why is it stupid? Why can't either of those characters be black? You would have a point if James Bond was a Klansman instead of a secret agent, but black folks can be secret agents.
The Atlantian islands
04-11-2006, 20:14
I'm all for embracing diversity, but this seems just silly. Bonds is white and British, I mean... that's his character. That's not racism, that's just the identity of the character. How would they explain the change in the movie?

I can see it now:

******
"On a mission deep in the Siberian wastelands of Northern Russia, while infiltrating a former KGB warehouse, Bond tripped over his untied shoelaces and feel into a tub of afro-poof and black paint....":rolleyes:
Smunkeeville
04-11-2006, 20:16
Why is it stupid? Why can't either of those characters be black? You would have a point if James Bond was a Klansman instead of a secret agent, but black folks can be secret agents.

why doesn't he (whatever his name is this week) just make his own movie? I hate Bond, just as much as anyone could, but really? why don't they just leave it alone, quit making movies.....make up a new character?
The Atlantian islands
04-11-2006, 20:16
Look, the character of James Bond is characterized by about four things:

1) he's a spy

2) he's British

3) he wears a suit at all times

4) he's a womanizer.

5) he's White

If one of these precludes him from being black, you'll have to point it out for me.

Edited for correction. So yes, now one of those precludes him from being black, and its number 5.
Whereyouthinkyougoing
04-11-2006, 20:17
I'm all for embracing diversity, but this seems just silly. Bonds is white and British, I mean... that's his character. That's not racism, that's just the identity of the character. How would they explain the change in the movie?

See, that's exactly where we disagree; and not because of Political correctness, either.

As Greater Trostia pointed out back on page one, being white has *never* been Bond's character. He just was white. It never came up, it was never an issue, there is no significance in the fact that he happened to white.

Now, being suave, being handsome, having a British accent - those are the identity of the character. But being white? Most certainly not.
The Atlantian islands
04-11-2006, 20:17
Why is it stupid? Why can't either of those characters be black? You would have a point if James Bond was a Klansman instead of a secret agent, but black folks can be secret agents.
Yes, but not secret agents based on a famous white character.
Greater Trostia
04-11-2006, 20:18
why doesn't he (whatever his name is this week) just make his own movie? I hate Bond, just as much as anyone could, but really? why don't they just leave it alone, quit making movies.....make up a new character?

Heh, because Bond movies make money.

As for Diddy... well of course he would make a crappy Bond even from a purely financial standpoint. It'd make money, but it would kill the Bond franchise and they know it.
Ultraviolent Radiation
04-11-2006, 20:18
Bond has been played by several different actors so far and his hair colour has been black, brown and now blonde. Why can't his skin change too? He cannot, however, be an American rapper. What is it with rappers and big egos? "OMG I can rhyme words, I'm like James Bond" :rolleyes:
Whereyouthinkyougoing
04-11-2006, 20:19
Edited for correction. So yes, now one of those precludes him from being black, and its number 5.
:rolleyes:

So, everybody who says being white is what characterizes the fictional figure of James Bond, explain to me how that is. I'd be interested to hear it.
GreaterPacificNations
04-11-2006, 20:20
I get what you mean, in that PDiddy would be a ridiculous James Bond. However I can conceptualise a black Bond. You know those british black people. He'd need to be upper class though, and speak recieved english. I can't think of a british version, but Tiger Woods has the right air about him to do the concieted rich playboy spy.
Drunk commies deleted
04-11-2006, 20:20
why doesn't he (whatever his name is this week) just make his own movie? I hate Bond, just as much as anyone could, but really? why don't they just leave it alone, quit making movies.....make up a new character?

Because he's incapable of doing anything original. Remember his lousy rap tribute to Biggie? It was just the Police's Every Breath You Take with him trying and failing miserably to rap over it. In fact, I feel bad for the guy. Imagine being a black man who can't rap or play basketball. That's got to suck.
Soviestan
04-11-2006, 20:21
James Bond isnt supposed to be black, he's to supposed white and British. I doubt diddy could pull off being white or British.
The Atlantian islands
04-11-2006, 20:22
Bond has been played by several different actors so far and his hair colour has been black, brown and now blonde. Why can't his skin change too? He cannot, however, be an American rapper. What is it with rappers and big egos? "OMG I can rhyme words, I'm like James Bond" :rolleyes:

For everyone using the "Hes blonde why cant he be black!" argument, it loooks like they are dying his hair for the movie:
http://www.cinemaeye.com/images/uploads/daniel_craig_bond.jpg
Greater Trostia
04-11-2006, 20:24
:rolleyes:

So, everybody who says being white is what characterizes the fictional figure of James Bond, explain to me how that is. I'd be interested to hear it.

Because Atlantian Islands says so.

Because Bond is "supposed" to be white.

I guess he's a spokesman for the White Pride movement now or something.
Ultraviolent Radiation
04-11-2006, 20:29
For everyone using the "Hes blonde why cant he be black!" argument, it loooks like they are dying his hair for the movie:

TBH, I don't really care whether his ethnicity is counted as part of his character as long as everyone agrees he can't be played by a rapper.
Arthais101
04-11-2006, 20:30
The fact is, James Bond is not a "movie character", he is, in fact, a LITERARY character created in a series of books by Ian Flemming. The first James Bond was in books, not movies.

And the character from the movies was british, and white.

While Michael Jordan is a real person, a Black James Bond would be as nonsensical as a 7 foot Frodo Baggins or Charles Xavier played by a woman.
GreaterPacificNations
04-11-2006, 20:30
Have you no sense of tradition? James Bond (the character from the book) is not Black, nor have ANY James Bonds ever been black, so why should we change the character?
You are thinking about it the wrong way. When it comes to movies, comics, tv series and such if you have to replace an actor it is better to get someone who has a unique but consistent style. Not a clone of the previous actor. Think of Batman for example. I've always considered each actor who plays james bond as a reincarnation of Bond. I agree it would be suicide to do it now, though. First they'd have to attune people to this kind of thought with a short blonde white guy, a huge scotsman, then someone ethnicy, like Antonio Banderas. Then bust the black move on them. Suddenly you'd have people looking forward to Bond's new incarnation/look.
Arthais101
04-11-2006, 20:31
:rolleyes:

So, everybody who says being white is what characterizes the fictional figure of James Bond, explain to me how that is. I'd be interested to hear it.

Honestly? Because Ian Flemming who wrote the first Bond books made him white.
New Xero Seven
04-11-2006, 20:32
Not a black Bond, but a brand new character along the same lines as Bond who is black.
Rasselas
04-11-2006, 20:34
James Bond is a well-spoken, stereotypical (yes, that pretty much means white) British upper class secret agent. I can imagine a black actor playing him, but I don't think it'd go down well with the fans, or fit the character well, and if it was P Diddy...lol... he's an idiot. :)
The Atlantian islands
04-11-2006, 20:35
You are thinking about it the wrong way. When it comes to movies, comics, tv series and such if you have to replace an actor it is better to get someone who has a unique but consistent style. Not a clone of the previous actor. Think of Batman for example. I've always considered each actor who plays james bond as a reincarnation of Bond. I agree it would be suicide to do it now, though. First they'd have to attune people to this kind of thought with a short blonde white guy, a huge scotsman, then someone ethnicy, like Antonio Banderas. Then bust the black move on them. Suddenly you'd have people looking forward to Bond's new incarnation/look.

So what your saying is, we should destroy the imagine we have, just to include Blacks for the sake of breaking the racial barrier on the James Bond character.:rolleyes:
Whereyouthinkyougoing
04-11-2006, 20:36
Honestly? Because Ian Flemming who wrote the first Bond books made him white.

I don't think I ever read one of the books (I might have read one, actually, but I'm not sure), so you'll have to tell me:

Does him being white have any significance in the books?

Or is it just something that happens to be in his physical description, like his hair color, or having a beard or not?
GreaterPacificNations
04-11-2006, 20:36
From a creative point of view, making Bond Black would be easier than making him asian, but harder than making him a paki. I think you coul *almost* get away with a lightskinned paki, maybe half-white.
Drunk commies deleted
04-11-2006, 20:37
From a creative point of view, making Bond Black would be easier than making him asian, but harder than making him a paki. I think you coul *almost* get away with a lightskinned paki, maybe half-white.

How about an eskimo?
The Atlantian islands
04-11-2006, 20:38
Because Atlantian Islands says so.

Because Bond is "supposed" to be white.

I guess he's a spokesman for the White Pride movement now or something.

Oh well done, fool. Arthais101, an Indian, Dinaverg, an American-Black, and I, a Jew, are all spokesmen for the White Pride movement because we admit the fact that James Bond is White.

Honestly, do you PRACTICE being dumb in the mirror, or does it just come naturally?
The Atlantian islands
04-11-2006, 20:39
From a creative point of view, making Bond Black would be easier than making him asian, but harder than making him a paki. I think you coul *almost* get away with a lightskinned paki, maybe half-white.
And why would you want to? Just for the sake of racial/ethnic diversity, YAY!....?:rolleyes:
Pledgeria
04-11-2006, 20:39
I thought xXx was the black James Bond. :confused:
Arthais101
04-11-2006, 20:39
I don't think I ever read one of the books (I might have read one, actually, but I'm not sure), so you'll have to tell me:

Does him being white have any significance in the books?

Or is it just something that happens to be in his physical description, like his hair color, or having a beard or not?

Not of any real significance no. But that is who the character is. The character is a certain way, just as Xavier is bald, frodo is short, and characters are...what they are.
GreaterPacificNations
04-11-2006, 20:40
So what your saying is, we should destroy the imagine we have, just to include Blacks for the sake of breaking the racial barrier on the James Bond character.:rolleyes:

haha no, I was saying there wouldn't be a problem with it if everyone saw him as I do, (i.e. a constantly reincarnated immortal character who can be played by anyone as long as he sticks to the right theme and brings something new to the role). Seriously, bond would have gotten boring if they'd just kept hiring Connery clones. 'Breaking the racial barrier', what do you think I am?!
Whereyouthinkyougoing
04-11-2006, 20:40
So what your saying is, we should destroy the imagine we have, just to include Blacks for the sake of breaking the racial barrier on the James Bond character.:rolleyes:

God, this is not about doing anything "for the sake of including blacks". :rolleyes:

It's not like you're talking about some group that wants to make James Bond black for some affirmative action quota reasons.
Arthais101
04-11-2006, 20:40
Oh well done, fool. Arthais101, an Indian,

I'm a what now? You might have me confused with someone else. I'm as pale as they come, but I'm jewish if that helps....
Greater Trostia
04-11-2006, 20:40
TBH, I don't really care whether his ethnicity is counted as part of his character as long as everyone agrees he can't be played by a rapper.

Why, if the rapper could act the part? (Not that this one could. Hypothetically though.)

The fact is, James Bond is not a "movie character", he is, in fact, a LITERARY character created in a series of books by Ian Flemming. The first James Bond was in books, not movies.

And the character from the movies was british, and white.


And had a Sean Connery accent. Oops, guess we can throw THAT aspect of his character out. But not his whiteness, which is apparently an integral aspect of his character.


While Michael Jordan is a real person, a Black James Bond would be as nonsensical as a 7 foot Frodo Baggins or Charles Xavier played by a woman.

It is impossible for there to be a 7 foot Hobbit. It is not impossible to have a black man as a british secret agent. Hobbits are another species, black people are an ethnic group. Analogy fails!

They could womanize Charles Xavier's character, though. But that would require extensive rewriting, not least because of all the personal pronouns that would have to be changed. A black Bond would not require any rewriting whatsoever.
New Xero Seven
04-11-2006, 20:41
How about an eskimo?

Secret gadget parka and the souped-up snowmobile with invisibility capabilities...
The Atlantian islands
04-11-2006, 20:41
I'm a what now? You might have me confused with someone else. I'm as pale as they come, but I'm jewish if that helps....

Ah, yeah, I did. You have a very close nick-name as someone else on this board. Sorry.:D

What I said can still work though because you're Jewish. :)
Whereyouthinkyougoing
04-11-2006, 20:42
Not of any real significance no. But that is who the character is. The character is a certain way, just as Xavier is bald, frodo is short, and characters are...what they are.

Again I ask:

How is being white "who the character is"?
Wallonochia
04-11-2006, 20:42
So what your saying is, we should destroy the imagine we have, just to include Blacks for the sake of breaking the racial barrier on the James Bond character.:rolleyes:

Actually, I do agree with you on that. Much as Michael Duncan was the best person to play the role of Kingpin in Daredevil a black man being chosen to play Bond should be chosen because he's the best man for the job. Just like any white (or anything else) man chosen to play Bond.
Greater Trostia
04-11-2006, 20:43
Oh well done, fool. Arthais101, an Indian, Dinaverg, an American-Black, and I, a Jew, are all spokesmen for the White Pride movement because we admit the fact that James Bond is White.

No, apparently JAMES BOND is the spokesman for White Pride, since being White is apparently an integral, key aspect of his character.

Honestly, do you PRACTICE being dumb in the mirror, or does it just come naturally?

If that pathetic flame weren't as watered down, lame and ineffective as your arguments and reading comprehension, I might be offended.
Arthais101
04-11-2006, 20:44
It is impossible for there to be a 7 foot Hobbit.

You've seen a hobbit? In fact the whole race is fictional. If anything that supports the theory that you could have it, if you just felt like abandoning the principles of the literary work.
GreaterPacificNations
04-11-2006, 20:45
And why would you want to? Just for the sake of racial/ethnic diversity, YAY!....?:rolleyes:
Jesus fucking christ, again with the 'liberal' stereotype. I'd want do it to bring some spice to the role. Gotta keep it kinda the dsame, but I think you could bring something to the role if you could get people to deal (which you never ever could). It really isn't much different from Sean Connery's accent. I mean Bond isn't supposed to be scottish, but it was kinda cool, and it didn't ruin the role. It added to the character. I think you could do different races so long as you didn't make a thing about it (like black people always are made to do in movies). You know what I mean. None of this "Hey I'm streetwise and have rhythm because I'm black" shit. hmm.. got me thinking now...
Whereyouthinkyougoing
04-11-2006, 20:46
Actually, I do agree with you on that. Much as Michael Duncan was the best person to play the role of Kingpin in Daredevil a black man being chosen to play Bond should be chosen because he's the best man for the job. Just like any white (or anything else) man chosen to play Bond.

Nobody in this discussion ever said anything to the contrary, no matter how TAI made it look in his reply.
Ultraviolent Radiation
04-11-2006, 20:47
Why, if the rapper could act the part? (Not that this one could. Hypothetically though.)

That's like having James bond wearing a baseball cap and a hoody... it's just wrong.
Greater Trostia
04-11-2006, 20:48
You've seen a hobbit? In fact the whole race is fictional. If anything that supports the theory that you could have it, if you just felt like abandoning the principles of the literary work.

The principles of the literary work in question included an entire chapter "concerning Hobbits" which defines exactly what a hobbit is. Frodo's Hobbit-ness is constantly referenced; his hairy feet, small size, stout heart, the fact that he comes from Hobbiton where, incidentally, only Hobbits (again, as defined by the book) come from.

Now maybe you can cite me the literary work in which Bond's character is defined and dependent on his being white. Maybe he comes from Whiteytown, and maybe you think his being suave, British and cultured is White-ness.
Wallonochia
04-11-2006, 20:49
Nobody in this discussion ever said anything to the contrary, no matter how TAI made it look in his reply.

I know, it's just not that often I agree with him and I thought the event noteworthy enough to point out.
Whereyouthinkyougoing
04-11-2006, 20:52
I know, it's just not that often I agree with him and I thought the event noteworthy enough to point out.
Fair enough.

I'm glad I toned down my post before I posted it, then. :p
GreaterPacificNations
04-11-2006, 20:53
ok I know what you are saying TAI, but I really don't think the white thing is integral. like I understand you couldn't have a black Superman, , but I think you could have a black Batman.. getting sidetracked. uh yes, Superman I think is integrally white. Perhaps this is because he hasn't changed at all ever. Also I asscociate him closely with that whole racist happy 50's USA thing.Again you get my point. you could make Superman black, but that would just be dumb. However i can conceptualise a black bond (black only in skin, not culture). Again, though, I find it much easier to see a Paki...
Gauthier
04-11-2006, 20:55
Diddy just needs to give the next Bond film to Barry Sonnenfeld and it's done.
Wallonochia
04-11-2006, 20:55
Fair enough.

I'm glad I toned down my post before I posted it, then. :p

You almost thought I would think something like that? I'm hurt.
GreaterPacificNations
04-11-2006, 20:58
Here try and think of this. The James Bond Character 'Q'. you know, the inventor. He always changes, and isn't too consistent. As I understand he has thus far been white, but nevertheless. Q is easily reinvented. Put any genius tottering old man scientist there and he could have done it. I think of Bond in the same way. Any smooth, handsome, restrained, calm, womanising, upper class, well spoken brit can do the job, pretty well. I mean a perfect bond act from a black guy would deviate less from the bond character tan Roger Moore's rendition did, IMO.
Rasselas
04-11-2006, 20:58
Now maybe you can cite me the literary work in which Bond's character is defined and dependent on his being white. Maybe he comes from Whiteytown, and maybe you think his being suave, British and cultured is White-ness.

James Bond is based on a stereotype. Upper class, suave, British, well spoken = white. He's a well established character and it's a little late to change him now.
Arthais101
04-11-2006, 20:58
Again I ask:

How is being white "who the character is"?

Because everything about the character is who the character is.

It's the way Ian Flemming made him. He was created to be a very specific thing, male, british, dark hair, white, upper class. That's the character. Every aspect of him was chosen by the author to be the character he created.

To deviate from that frame work is to disrespect the author and his creation.
Yossarian Lives
04-11-2006, 21:00
Wasn't Colin Salmon http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/images/bank/programmes_tv/drama/300souls_salmon.jpg
seriously in consideration for the Bond role after Brosnan, and by seriously I mean Brosnan endorsing him, large bets being put down about it and Salmon fully believing he was going to get the part, to the extent that he got seriously miffed when he didn't get it.
GreaterPacificNations
04-11-2006, 21:03
Wasn't Colin Salmon http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/images/bank/programmes_tv/drama/300souls_salmon.jpg
seriously in consideration for the Bond role after Brosnan, and by seriously I mean Brosnan endorsing him, large bets being put down about it and Salmon fully believing he was going to get the part, to the extent that he got seriously miffed when he didn't get it.

Yeah, he could do it, so long as he knows how to act. Perfect look to him though.
Arthais101
04-11-2006, 21:03
Here try and think of this. The James Bond Character 'Q'. you know, the inventor. He always changes, and isn't too consistent. As I understand he has thus far been white, but nevertheless. Q is easily reinvented. Put any genius tottering old man scientist there and he could have done it. I think of Bond in the same way. Any smooth, handsome, restrained, calm, womanising, upper class, well spoken brit can do the job, pretty well. I mean a perfect bond act from a black guy would deviate less from the bond character tan Roger Moore's rendition did, IMO.

There is a way to get around that. Q, like M, isn't a person, it's a title. M was always male, but in recent movies M was female. It was explained, in an entirely consistant mannor with the original stories, that this person, this individual to hold the JOB of "M" was female. The NAME of M is never given, same with Q (Q again isn't a person, it's the title for the head of MI6's research and development lab).

James Bond isn't a "role", it's a name, it's a person. his JOB is 007, and while it would not be inconsistant to be a black 007 (there have been multiple people to hold the job of 007) James Bond as a character simply isn't black.
GreaterPacificNations
04-11-2006, 21:06
Because everything about the character is who the character is.

It's the way Ian Flemming made him. He was created to be a very specific thing, male, british, dark hair, white, upper class. That's the character. Every aspect of him was chosen by the author to be the character he created.

To deviate from that frame work is to disrespect the author and his creation.
I don't agree. As artists, I feel actors and directors have duty to themselves to deviate slightly. Just enough to put your own spin on it. Though it is important not to butcher the role. What you are suggesting would have killed the bond series a long time ago, maybe it wouldn't have even taken off (seeing as Connery very clearly speaks with a cultivated scottish accent, when every other bond speaks with recieved british).
Sdaeriji
04-11-2006, 21:07
I'm all for embracing diversity, but this seems just silly. Bonds is white and British, I mean... that's his character. That's not racism, that's just the identity of the character. How would they explain the change in the movie?

This new Bond movie is a reboot of the entire franchise. There's no reason we couldn't reboot the series again.

And while I would not want to see the talentless Diddy as Bond, it's because he's talentless, not because he's black. I also find it interesting that you chose the picture that you did instead of the multitudes of pictures of Diddy dressed impeccably well.

http://www.music-artists.org/rap_hip-hop/pictures/p%20diddy%209.jpg
http://www.adjab.com/images/2005/02/diddy%201.jpg
http://images.askmen.com/men/entertainment_60/pictures_60/folder_1/p_diddy/p_diddy_150.jpg
http://www.lyricsvault.net/halloffame/PuffDaddy.jpg
http://flash.atlrec.com/diddy/myspace/img/diddy_newpic4.jpg

Yes, it is laughable that Diddy wants to be Bond. But not because of the reasons that the racist OP has. Because he can't act.
[NS]Trilby63
04-11-2006, 21:07
Wasn't Colin Salmon http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/images/bank/programmes_tv/drama/300souls_salmon.jpg
seriously in consideration for the Bond role after Brosnan, and by seriously I mean Brosnan endorsing him, large bets being put down about it and Salmon fully believing he was going to get the part, to the extent that he got seriously miffed when he didn't get it.

I was having a terrible time imagining a black actor who could play Bond but yeah, he could pull it off.
GreaterPacificNations
04-11-2006, 21:12
There is a way to get around that. Q, like M, isn't a person, it's a title. M was always male, but in recent movies M was female. It was explained, in an entirely consistant mannor with the original stories, that this person, this individual to hold the JOB of "M" was female. The NAME of M is never given, same with Q (Q again isn't a person, it's the title for the head of MI6's research and development lab).

James Bond isn't a "role", it's a name, it's a person. his JOB is 007, and while it would not be inconsistant to be a black 007 (there have been multiple people to hold the job of 007) James Bond as a character simply isn't black.

Ok interesting bond history but the point still stands. My arguement wasn't really tied to the example anyhow. I'll try to think of another one. The only thing I can think of is most comic superheroes/villians.

Here on a seperate approach, I consider making Bond Black as hard as making Xmen's Storm White (=damn hard, but possible, yet unlikely to recieve acclaim from the insular masses).I think making Bond a Paki is about as hard as making Batman Blonde, or black. Batman has an easily modulated character IMO.
The blessed Chris
04-11-2006, 21:14
"s'up fool.....I be popping yo' ass fo' that shi' yo' pulled" hmm.... sorry, but James Bond is a white Englishmen, not a multicultural flagship.
HIVE PROTECTOR
04-11-2006, 21:15
This reminds me of the debate about Marvel Comics' "Captain America" being portrayed as black in the comic book. Stan Lee talked about originally conceiving CA as black, but was worried that the character would not be accepted as being "All-American" at the time. Marvel Comics eventually published the storyline of CA's origin in a "what if" issue in I believe 2003 or 2004.

It's true that Ian Fleming conceived of James Bond as a white secret agent in his series of books. It stands to reason given Fleming's background and demographics.

Having said that, is it really that much of a tragedy to change the character of Bond to be a black secret agent? Or is this hesitancy more about protecting the original concept of a central figure in British pop culture? If so, simply say that and I think more people will see this as motivated by something other than race.

Should Bond be portrayed by a black actor, for God's sake don't let it be Diddy, Ice Cube (who kiled XXX, in my humble opinion) or any other rapper. I'm tired of seeing them get all the good rolls anyway----and I say this as a black man (LOL!)
Arthais101
04-11-2006, 21:15
Ok interesting bond history but the point still stands. My arguement wasn't really tied to the example anyhow. I'll try to think of another one. The only thing I can think of is most comic superheroes/villians.

Here on a seperate approach, I consider making Bond Black as hard as making Xmen's Storm White (=damn hard, but possible, yet unlikely to recieve acclaim from the insular masses).I think making Bond a Paki is about as hard as making Batman Blonde, or black. Batman has an easily modulated character IMO.

I would have equal issue with a white storm.

In fact I had a LOT of issues with the xmen movies, storm being one of them. Mainly because the character of storm...is african. Not just "black american" she was actually african, she has an african accent.

Just as collosus is russian, and should speak with a russian accent (not to mention that in "human" form he was only as strong as any other human, his strength didn't come out until he changed form...he could never carry that big tv in human form.
GreaterPacificNations
04-11-2006, 21:15
"s'up fool.....I be popping yo' ass fo' that shi' yo' pulled" hmm.... sorry, but James Bond is a white Englishmen, not a multicultural flagship.
Grow up and open your mind while you do it. Not everything is about some kind of political agenda.
Duntscruwithus
04-11-2006, 21:17
Because Atlantian Islands says so.

Because Bond is "supposed" to be white.

I guess he's a spokesman for the White Pride movement now or something.

Oh, yes, because TAI doesn't think a black man could do the roll of a white character, he must be an Aryan-loving racist. Fucking get over yourself already.

A black Bond would never fly. A black 007 would stick out in the places he's had to operate, I doubt an agent who everyone notices could be all that effective. How well do you think a black 007 could infiltrate a Russian military complex disguised as a Russian soldier, or pretend to be a local on the street in Budapest? And I will bet you any amount of money that a black man would be much more noticed in an Asian country than even the most well-dressed white man.

Plus, the actors who've played Bond have all resembled the character Ian Fleming created. Sean Combs doesn't LOOK like the character, therefore he would not be able to make audiences believe he was Bond.

Small Bond tidbit. The man Fleming envisioned for the roll was not Connery. He originally wanted Roger Moore for the roll. And after he saw Connery play the character, he liked it so much that he went and changed Bond into a Scottish character.
The blessed Chris
04-11-2006, 21:20
Grow up and open your mind while you do it. Not everything is about some kind of political agenda.

I rather think I was making a fair point. Bond is quintissentially white, British (same thing in any case), and dignified. Not some "fly gangsta" prancing around in baggy clothes and fake diaminds.
GreaterPacificNations
04-11-2006, 21:21
I would have equal issue with a white storm.

In fact I had a LOT of issues with the xmen movies, storm being one of them. Mainly because the character of storm...is african. Not just "black american" she was actually african, she has an african accent.

Just as collosus is russian, and should speak with a russian accent (not to mention that in "human" form he was only as strong as any other human, his strength didn't come out until he changed form...he could never carry that big tv in human form.

Ok, I stand corrected. I didn't realise she was actually from africa. I agree she most definitely should have had an african accent. That would have really suited the character, I think. Ok let me think of a different example.Black Bond is as hard as a black wonderwoman. Or perhaps.. hmm...
Sdaeriji
04-11-2006, 21:21
I rather think I was making a fair point. Bond is quintissentially white, British (same thing in any case), and dignified. Not some "fly gangsta" prancing around in baggy clothes and fake diaminds.

Your problem is your assumption that simply because the actor is black the character would be a "fly gangsta". Or are you saying that black people cannot be dignified?
GreaterPacificNations
04-11-2006, 21:22
I rather think I was making a fair point. Bond is quintissentially white, British (same thing in any case), and dignified. Not some "fly gangsta" prancing around in baggy clothes and fake diaminds.

*sigh*
Yossarian Lives
04-11-2006, 21:24
A black Bond would never fly. A black 007 would stick out in the places he's had to operate, I doubt an agent who everyone notices could be all that effective. How well do you think a black 007 could infiltrate a Russian military complex disguised as a Russian soldier, or pretend to be a local on the street in Budapest? And I will bet you any amount of money that a black man would be much more noticed in an Asian country than even the most well-dressed white man.

TO be honest i'd much rather have a James Bond that stuck out like a sore thumb than a 6 foot odd tall Sean Connery Bond who believed he wouldn't stick out abong a bunch of japanese people with the addition of a little bit of makeup.

And anyway most of the time the whole point of the james Bond way of soing things is that they know he's a secret agent, he knows they know and the film is all about how far Bond can push them before they lock him up in their secret hideout and he has to make a daring excape scuppering their plans on the way out.
The blessed Chris
04-11-2006, 21:25
Your problem is your assumption that simply because the actor is black the character would be a "fly gangsta". Or are you saying that black people cannot be dignified?

In the very idiosyncratic Bond sense of the word, no. Perhaps dignified is not quite the correct term, however if one contrasts P Diddy to Connery, Dalton, or, for that matter, Brosnan, the stylistic differences would be untenable.

Do you maintain that any contemporary black actor could perform as Bond with the same panache and class as even the new Bond?
Sdaeriji
04-11-2006, 21:29
In the very idiosyncratic Bond sense of the word, no. Perhaps dignified is not quite the correct term, however if one contrasts P Diddy to Connery, Dalton, or, for that matter, Brosnan, the stylistic differences would be untenable.

Do you maintain that any contemporary black actor could perform as Bond with the same panache and class as even the new Bond?

Absolutely. Chiwetel Ejiofor comes to mind.

http://www.donyell.net/images/53324469KV086_Paramount_Pic.jpg
The Atlantian islands
04-11-2006, 21:30
as even the new Bond?
Who was, by the way, awesome as the Afrikaaner Jew in the group of assassins working for Mossad in "Munich".

In case anyone here didnt see Munich.
The Atlantian islands
04-11-2006, 21:32
Absolutely. Chiwetel Ejiofor comes to mind.

http://www.donyell.net/images/53324469KV086_Paramount_Pic.jpg

No way. Not only is he not even close to being handsome, but I cant even pronounce his name. Now if I cant pronounce his name, do you think Average Joe of Townsberg, USA, will be able to pronounce it?
Sdaeriji
04-11-2006, 21:33
No way. Not only is he not even close to being handsome, but I cant even pronounce his name. Now if I cant pronounce his name, do you think Average Joe of Townsberg, USA, will be able to pronounce it?

Bond. James Bond.

Seems pretty easy to pronounce to me.
The Atlantian islands
04-11-2006, 21:34
Bond. James Bond.

Seems pretty easy to pronounce to me.
:rolleyes:

And anyway, you sideswept the handsome part.
HIVE PROTECTOR
04-11-2006, 21:35
Your problem is your assumption that simply because the actor is black the character would be a "fly gangsta". Or are you saying that black people cannot be dignified?

It's a perception thing, apparently. He's confusing sterotypical clothing associated with blacks to how most blacks actually attire ourselves. Again, any hesitancy I have about Diddy playing Bond is based on his lack of talent, not his abundance of melanin pigmentation.
Whereyouthinkyougoing
04-11-2006, 21:40
In the very idiosyncratic Bond sense of the word, no. Perhaps dignified is not quite the correct term, however if one contrasts P Diddy to Connery, Dalton, or, for that matter, Brosnan, the stylistic differences would be untenable.

Do you maintain that any contemporary black actor could perform as Bond with the same panache and class as even the new Bond?
Holy fuck, now we are knee deep in mindbogglingly stupid racism.

So, what, black people don't have class? Kofi Annan, Barack Obama, Martin Luther King - no class?

And no black actor, either? Denzel Washington, Richard T. Jones, Sidney Poitier - no class?
Sdaeriji
04-11-2006, 21:42
:rolleyes:

And anyway, you sideswept the handsome part.

Your incorrect opinion of this very gorgeous man is irrelevant, because you wouldn't support any black man nominated no matter what. Women find him unbelievably handsome.

And to further elaborate on my other point, it doesn't matter if people can pronounce his name because no one will care. I guarantee you that 75% of people have no idea that Timothy Dalton and George Lazenby ever played a Bond. How many people know the name of the new Bond? I know I don't. Because it doesn't matter. He's Bond, James Bond. Just like any charming, suave, dignified, womanizing British spy character could be. When most people think of Bond, the immediate thoughts that come to mind are: spy, British, charming, martini, tuxedo, lots of sex with beautiful women. "White" doesn't even come to mind because he's not defined at all by his race but by the things I mentioned.

At any rate, you've proven yourself a racist in threads past so I'll go ahead and assume that the underlying reason for your disgust over this whole thing is racism.
Arthais101
04-11-2006, 21:42
Ok, I stand corrected. I didn't realise she was actually from africa.

Yeah, the character of Storm (her "real" name I think being Oroco) was from some African nation...I want to say Nigeria or Ghana, not sure which, but definitly she is African.

Edit: just looked up, her name is Ororo, and from Kenya.
Sdaeriji
04-11-2006, 21:43
It's a perception thing, apparently. He's confusing sterotypical clothing associated with blacks to how most blacks actually attire ourselves. Again, any hesitancy I have about Diddy playing Bond is based on his lack of talent, not his abundance of melanin pigmentation.

His overwhelming lack of talent.
The Atlantian islands
04-11-2006, 21:43
Holy fuck, now we are knee deep in mindbogglingly stupid racism.

So, what, black people don't have class? Kofi Annan, Barack Obama, Martin Luther King - no class?

And no black actor, either? Denzel Washington, Richard T. Jones, Sidney Poitier - no class?
Highly debatable, so we're just gonna have to put Kofi in the questionable pile.
Fassigen
04-11-2006, 21:44
Holy fuck, now we are knee deep in mindbogglingly stupid racism.

Well, it is an Atlantian Islands thread. What did you expect?
The blessed Chris
04-11-2006, 21:44
:rolleyes:

And anyway, you sideswept the handsome part.

If he's handsome, I'm taking a spade to my refined face.
Sdaeriji
04-11-2006, 21:44
Yeah, the character of Storm (her "real" name I think being Oroco) was from some African nation...I want to say Nigeria or Ghana, not sure which, but definitly she is African.

Ororo Munroe. And she was born in Manhattan to an African-American father and a Kenyan mother, then raised in Cairo, Egypt.
Ultraviolent Radiation
04-11-2006, 21:45
Absolutely. Chiwetel Ejiofor comes to mind.

http://www.donyell.net/images/53324469KV086_Paramount_Pic.jpg

Ah, the guy from Serenity. Probably a good choice.
Sdaeriji
04-11-2006, 21:45
Highly debatable, so we're just gonna have to put Kofi in the questionable pile.

Kofi Annan may be corrupt but he acts very proper and dignified.
The Atlantian islands
04-11-2006, 21:45
At any rate, you've proven yourself a racist in threads past so I'll go ahead and assume that the underlying reason for your disgust over this whole thing is racism.
Is that so? Yes, I suppose siding with the Israelis against the arabs in a leftist dominated forums would label me as a Muslims-Hating, Israeli-Supporting racist.:rolleyes:
Sdaeriji
04-11-2006, 21:48
If he's handsome, I'm taking a spade to my refined face.

I'm sorry, but being handsome is far from a defining characteristic of Bond.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40908000/jpg/_40908180_lazen_bbc.jpg
http://www.klast.net/bond/images/td_table.jpg
The Atlantian islands
04-11-2006, 21:48
Well, it is an Atlantian Islands thread. What did you expect?
Yes....that makes perfect sense...but only if you disregard the fact that she was replying to Chris..not me. :rolleyes:

And anyway, just because you disagree with someone, does not mean you can just blow it off as an "Altantian Islands" thread, or a "Fass" thread, or a "Keru" thread...because all of us, atleast I know I do, make very different kinds of threads...which cannot be summed up as an "atlantian islands" thread.:rolleyes:
Arthais101
04-11-2006, 21:49
Ororo Munroe. And she was born in Manhattan to an African-American father and a Kenyan mother, then raised in Cairo, Egypt.

Whoops, you're right...kenyan mother, raised in Cairo, then trekked to Kenya.

Either way I think it's been made quite clear that she has an african accent.
The Atlantian islands
04-11-2006, 21:50
Anyway, I'll be back in a little bit...but I'm glad to see that the majority of people do see this whole thing as stupid. :)
Sdaeriji
04-11-2006, 21:50
Yes....that makes perfect sense...but only if you regard the fact that she was replying to Chris..not me. :rolleyes:

And anyway, just because you disagree with someone, does not mean you can just blow it off as an "Altantian Islands" thread, or a "Fass" thread, or a "Keru" thread...because all of us, atleast I know I do, make very different kinds of threads...which cannot be summed up as an "atlantian islands" thread.:rolleyes:

Your threads have a very distinct theme. You make a post with an unpopular view, people disagree and decry your view, then you get indignant having to defend your unpopular view. I would say that almost every thread you've made eventually turned into an "Atlantian islands" thread.
The Atlantian islands
04-11-2006, 21:53
Your threads have a very distinct theme. You make a post with an unpopular view, people disagree and decry your view, then you get indignant having to defend your unpopular view. I would say that almost every thread you've made eventually turned into an "Atlantian islands" thread.

...Hmm..intersting..because last time I glanced up, *glances up* 16 people thought this was stupid, and only 10 didnt.
Arthais101
04-11-2006, 21:53
although I agree with the basic premise, let me say, to me, it's not a "race" issue, it's an artistic issue.

For whatever reason, the character was created to be White. Same as Storm is black, Xavier is bald, Frodo (and all halflings) are short, and Harry Potter has black hair.

That's how their creators made them. To alter them in such a way that would alter a characteristic chosen, for whatever reason, intentionally by the author is to do a disservice to the author.

If bond was created black I would have equal issues with a white bond, as I do with a white storm, a towheaded Harry Potter, a 6 foot Frodo, or charles xavier with a goatee.

That's now how their creators created them. To alter that is to disrespect the work of the author.
Sdaeriji
04-11-2006, 21:54
...Hmm..intersting..because last time I glanced up, *glances up* 16 people thought this was stupid, and only 10 didnt.

What's your point? You're still getting indignant having to defend your position against people who do disagree with you. You throw a tantrum whenever anyone questions your beliefs.
Shikishima
04-11-2006, 21:55
I'm sorry, but being handsome is far from a defining characteristic of Bond.

Dude, Lazenby was the shit. Look at him! Dalton isn't bad-looking at all.

Yeah, the character of Storm (her "real" name I think being Oroco) was from some African nation...I want to say Nigeria or Ghana, not sure which, but definitly she is African.

Edit: just looked up, her name is Ororo, and from Kenya.

She was originally supposed to be from Egypt of all places. Not Arabic, but actually Egyptian.

No way. Not only is he not even close to being handsome, but I cant even pronounce his name. Now if I cant pronounce his name, do you think Average Joe of Townsberg, USA, will be able to pronounce it?

CHEW-ih-tel eh-JI-uh-for.

The NAME of M is never given, same with Q (Q again isn't a person, it's the title for the head of MI6's research and development lab).

Um, actually they were. M. was Admiral Sir Miles Meservy, & Q was Major Boothroyd.
Sdaeriji
04-11-2006, 21:56
or charles xavier with a goatee.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39137000/jpg/_39137111_pg_x_patrick_afp.jpg

:D
Fassigen
04-11-2006, 21:56
What's your point? You're still getting indignant having to defend your position against people who do disagree with you. You throw a tantrum whenever anyone questions your beliefs.

Tantrum, hissy fit, potayto, potahto...
Arthais101
04-11-2006, 21:58
Um, actually they were. M. was Admiral Sir Miles Meservy, & Q was Major Boothroyd.


OK you have a better memory than I. Either way M and Q were job titles, not names. The "M" of the story, Admiral Meservy was simply THAT M, just as Bond is just that particular 007. A whole new person could hold the title of "M", and not be male, just as someone could hold the title of 007 and not be James Bond.
Arthais101
04-11-2006, 21:59
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39137000/jpg/_39137111_pg_x_patrick_afp.jpg

:D

oh that's not what I meant and you know it :p
Fassigen
04-11-2006, 22:01
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39137000/jpg/_39137111_pg_x_patrick_afp.jpg

:D

Did you catch him in Jeffrey? (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113464/) He was great as the campiest fag ever.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b68/The_Wizard_of_OZ/root/November/Jeffrey.jpg http://www.djfl.de/entertainment/djfl/1085/108804b2.jpg
Whereyouthinkyougoing
04-11-2006, 22:03
Did you catch him in Jeffrey? (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113464/) He was great as the campiest fag ever.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b68/The_Wizard_of_OZ/root/November/Jeffrey.jpg http://www.djfl.de/entertainment/djfl/1085/108804b2.jpg
Oh boy, he so totally was.
Arthais101
04-11-2006, 22:03
Did you catch him in Jeffrey? (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113464/) He was great as the campiest fag ever.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b68/The_Wizard_of_OZ/root/November/Jeffrey.jpg http://www.djfl.de/entertainment/djfl/1085/108804b2.jpg

he played a gay man in an episode of Frasier once too.
Vacuumhead
04-11-2006, 22:04
Actors are chosen to fit a character. When a film is based on a book, the actor must at least be similar to the description given.

Maybe they should get rid of that Daniel Radcliffe kid and get a middle-aged black woman to play the Harry Potter character instead, seeing as many people don't think that an actor needs to look anything like the character he's playing. :rolleyes:
Poitter
04-11-2006, 22:09
A black British actor, I would be OK with. A black American rapper, no.

true if there is an american bond i'll spew (accent or not), he has to be at least from a commonwealth country.
Fassigen
04-11-2006, 22:09
Oh boy, he so totally was.

When they're holding the pride banner, and he's quipping about the reporter's tupé - damn, I almost died of love.
Unlucky_and_unbiddable
04-11-2006, 22:11
I don't know, maybe we should pick an actor who has real, actual talent to play the character. I mean, I couldn't care less what race James Bond is but you should at least pick someone capable of acting in the role and not some shitty has-been entertainer.

Agreed
Poitter
04-11-2006, 22:12
there is always the he cant play bond as a black guy crusing around in a aston martin would keep getting pulled over by the cops...


(that was a joke)
Fassigen
04-11-2006, 22:15
Haha, Youtube has everything! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX2M2TZrStU)

God, I covet Patrick Stewart.
Armistria
04-11-2006, 22:21
How ironic. On a thread on imdb where everyone was complaining about the fact that Daniel Craig was picked and how it should've been Clive Owen I remember suggesting that perhaps in 20 years time they might possibly cast a black man as Bond. Oddly nobody payed any attention to it.

Well, it'll never happen for P-Diddy (thank God!). He doesn't have the class, sophistication, or the acting abilities to pull it off. And no black actor that's isn't too old springs to mind for the role (anybody have any suggestions?).

Anyway before they cast a black actor, I'm sure they'd probably try a central/southern American one first. Oooh, the possibilities. I wonder would Gael Garcia Bernal be old enough next time...
New Domici
04-11-2006, 22:29
Yeah, or it's like having the same character played by both Sean Connery and Timothy Dalton. That would be really hard to believe!

What I don't get is that the promos say "every story must have a begining," and Casino Royal is the first James Bond novel.

But there's been a chronological sequence to the movies. 'Q' introduced 'R' who would be his replacement, and in the next movie John Cleese, who had played 'R' was now 'Q.'

So why is Judi Dench playing 'M' when she was introduced as the new 'M' for Pierce Brosnon's Bond, but is now apparently also the original 'M' as well as the latest.
New Domici
04-11-2006, 22:30
I'm not as concerned about Diddy being black as I am about him not being British. However, I have to say I'm torn about which is the worse departure. Diddy playing a Black, American bond, or Rupert Fines playing the first Gay James Bond, an ambition that he has openly expressed having.
Whereyouthinkyougoing
04-11-2006, 22:35
Oooh, the possibilities. I wonder would Gael Garcia Bernal be old enough next time...
*swoons*.....
UpwardThrust
04-11-2006, 22:38
Uh..yes it was. This is as stupid as Brad Pitt playing "The Mexican" or Tom Cruise playing "The Last Samari"....we arnt all the same....a White guy cant play a Japanese warrior, a black guy cant play a white British spy, ect....

Um have you watched the last samari? Tom Cruse was not playing a Japanese warior he was playing a white solder captured by Japanese wariors that ended up loving them and their culture

It may indeed be stupid but I hardly find the charicter choice for an american solider as a white actor to be questionable

As for the black james bond. Why not there are plenty of black british males to be sure seems fine to me that one of them would be an agent

Hell he has been played by a whole slew of actors already ...

As far as diddy, I dont think he would be the right choice for the role though
Shikishima
04-11-2006, 22:38
What I don't get is that the promos say "every story must have a begining," and Casino Royal is the first James Bond novel.

But there's been a chronological sequence to the movies. 'Q' introduced 'R' who would be his replacement, and in the next movie John Cleese, who had played 'R' was now 'Q.'

So why is Judi Dench playing 'M' when she was introduced as the new 'M' for Pierce Brosnon's Bond, but is now apparently also the original 'M' as well as the latest.

Becasue they fucked up? The story's not set in the 50s, anyway. Many are taking it as the idea that each actror has in fact been a different person & that the name "James Bond" is inherited with the 007 designation. An interesting concept, to be sure/

true if there is an american bond i'll spew (accent or not), he has to be at least from a commonwealth country.

Already has been. Barry Nelson.
Langenbruck
04-11-2006, 22:49
Becasue they fucked up? The story's not set in the 50s, anyway. Many are taking it as the idea that each actror has in fact been a different person & that the name "James Bond" is inherited with the 007 designation. An interesting concept, to be sure/


What? The James Bond in the 50s is the same James Bond today. He drinks still his Martini, drives an Aston Martin, is an arrogant womanizer and safes the world regulary.

He has only good anti-aging medication... ;)

James Bond is a stereotype - it would be a big break to make him black. A blck actor had to have much style and talent to convice the watchers. It wouldn't be impossible, but I think it's unnessecary. I mean, James Bond isn't even a very nice guy, is he? Brutal, cold blooded, a macho, unrespectful, arrogant...

But Sean Combs as 007: *shouder*
Lunatic Goofballs
04-11-2006, 22:53
Will Smith as James Bond. *nod*
Shikishima
04-11-2006, 22:53
What? The James Bond in the 50s is the same James Bond today. He drinks still his Martini, drives an Aston Martin, is an arrogant womanizer and safes the world regulary.


Doesn't smoke. Doesn't treat women as 3rd-class citizens. Doesn't worry about faygelehs. I could go on.
Ifreann
04-11-2006, 22:59
Will Smith as James Bond. *nod*

You stole my thought! I swear I said that on gabbly!
Armistria
04-11-2006, 23:08
Will Smith's too old. He used to be a pretty attractive guy, but he's starting to age now. He does look good in a suit; Men in Black proved that, but he's 'cool' and not suave like Bond should be. Plus can you imagin him with an English accent. It would just make me thin that he was trying to mock the butler in the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Denzel Washington would've been great if he was 15 years younger. Actually, come to think of it, Roger Mooresuggested that Cuba Gooding Jr. should've been the next Bond. Cuba's got the acting ability, but, no offence, I don't think he's sexy enough for Bond.
Poliwanacraca
04-11-2006, 23:14
While Michael Jordan is a real person, a Black James Bond would be as nonsensical as a 7 foot Frodo Baggins or Charles Xavier played by a woman.

Would he be as nonsensical as a Frodo Baggins who was about half the age of the character as described in the book?

For whatever reason, the character was created to be White. Same as Storm is black, Xavier is bald, Frodo (and all halflings) are short, and Harry Potter has black hair.


Harry Potter's green eyes are mentioned several dozen times in the books, just about as often as his black hair. I invite you to go look at a picture of Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Harry in the movies, and tell me what color his eyes are. (Hint: They're not green.)

People change fairly major details of characters' descriptions for movies all the time. I don't see why changing Bond's skin color would be a particularly big deal. That said, Diddy or whatever his name is this week as James Bond is genuinely nonsensical. But a black guy who actually fit the part? Sure, why not?
Dakini
05-11-2006, 00:17
I don't see why a black James Bond wouldn't work (I also don't see how it's necessary to have a black James Bond eventually... I mean, if skin colour is a non-issue then why should it matter that there's a black James Bond, unless it does matter...) however, if there is a black James Bond, at least the character should be played by a black man with actual acting talent, not P. Diddy. I somehow don't see that man faking a british accent.
Teh_pantless_hero
05-11-2006, 00:22
But seriously...a Black James Bond isnt James Bond. Its like having a movie about Michael Jordan, played by Owen Wilson.:D

Or The Last Samurai starring a white guy... oh, wait...

http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=five_shitty_movies
New Domici
05-11-2006, 03:52
I don't see why a black James Bond wouldn't work (I also don't see how it's necessary to have a black James Bond eventually... I mean, if skin colour is a non-issue then why should it matter that there's a black James Bond, unless it does matter...) however, if there is a black James Bond, at least the character should be played by a black man with actual acting talent, not P. Diddy. I somehow don't see that man faking a british accent.

It's baisicly just Diddy's ego speaking. James Bond was Ian Flemming's fantasy life put down on paper, and Diddy wants to indulge in it.

If you look at it logically however, it is the natural next step in Diddy's career. He is currently a guy who became a huge star in the music industry by having no talent, and paying other peope to appear on his CD's. Baisicly surrounding himself in the talent of other people so that it looks like it's his own. Now he wants to surround himself in the established fame of James Bond. Next he's going to start a company to flay models so that he can make a suit from their skin like that guy from Silence of the Lambs.
Dobbsworld
05-11-2006, 04:29
P. Diddy needs to look for a golden opportunity to get into the world of film. Did anybody ever read the novel 'Mockingbird' by Walter Tevis? If you have, consider P. Diddy for the role of Spofforth if you could visualize it as a big-screen treatment.

With even adequate direction and solid production values, P. Diddy (or anybody, really) could - as Spofforth - be catapulted into the leagues of the very serious actors. Well, that's what I think anyway.
Sel Appa
05-11-2006, 05:32
I have absolutely no problem. James Bnd cannot be defined by the color of his skin and I support this one hundred percent.
WC Imperial Court
05-11-2006, 06:10
I could dig Samuel L Jackson as 006, or Mekhi Pfifer (sp????) as 008. Wesley Snipes would be good too.

TAYE DIGGS! OMG yes. He'd be the sexiest 00-agent since Connery! I 100% support it.

But I dunno if they can be Bond. Altho, I dunno how central race is to his character. I played Snoopy without a dog costume, and I was awesome. Shakespeare's actor were all men, even the women.

I'd pay to see any of those guys blow shit up and kill terrorists tho.
WC Imperial Court
05-11-2006, 06:12
Why on earth not?
He's supposed to be a British spy, for fuck's sake - what, suddenly there are no black people in the UK anymore?


Not P. Diddy, though, please! Hmm, Taye Diggs, maybe? *salivates* :p

You too, eh? Great minds think alike!
WC Imperial Court
05-11-2006, 06:15
I dont know how to get this across to you. James Bond isnt black. Its just fucking stupid to make James Bond black.

Ok....its like doing another Super-Man movie....and making Super-Man black...just for the sake of having a black super-man and crossing "racial lines"...even though the character of Super-Man CLEARLY isnt black.

I'd support a Black Superman. But to be fair, I think Lois Lane should be Asian, then.
WC Imperial Court
05-11-2006, 06:34
You are entitled to your own, stupid opinion. :) But your arguments have been completely unsuccessful at anything other than giving me something easy to shoot down.

Also, James Bond isn't Timothy Dalton. It's just fucking stupid. Sean Connery was the only Real James Bond. See? I can have an opinion too.
Sean Connery WAS the only real Bond!

"Opinions are like assholes. Everybody has one."

Look, the character of James Bond is characterized by about four things:

1) he's a spy

2) he's British

3) he wears a suit at all times

4) he's a womanizer.


If one of these precludes him from being black, you'll have to point it out for me.

Seriously, James Bond! I mean, why would there be *any* problem in him being black, or hispanic, or Asian, or whatever?
Not only is he such a sparsely drawn, clichéd character that the four points above (plus the Martini) are really *all* that is to him, he's also already been played by several different people, for like, what, 30 years now?

So I really, REALLY don't see your problem with this.
It's like your reading my mind!

I can see it now:

******
"On a mission deep in the Siberian wastelands of Northern Russia, while infiltrating a former KGB warehouse, Bond tripped over his untied shoelaces and feel into a tub of afro-poof and black paint....":rolleyes:
ummm, have you ever seen a black person? I've never seen a Black person who's skin colored resembled black paint. Also, do they explain how Bond goes from being one actor to another? Because that'd be the only real change.

The fact is, James Bond is not a "movie character", he is, in fact, a LITERARY character created in a series of books by Ian Flemming. The first James Bond was in books, not movies.

And the character from the movies was british, and white.

While Michael Jordan is a real person, a Black James Bond would be as nonsensical as a 7 foot Frodo Baggins or Charles Xavier played by a woman.
What about Peter Pan being played by a woman?

So what your saying is, we should destroy the imagine we have, just to include Blacks for the sake of breaking the racial barrier on the James Bond character.:rolleyes:
Ummm, did Diddy say he wanted to break a racial barrier?

I want to have a good, sexy actor play Bond. I dont care what race he is, as long as he can act and is orgasmically delicious.

ok I know what you are saying TAI, but I really don't think the white thing is integral. like I understand you couldn't have a black Superman, , but I think you could have a black Batman.. getting sidetracked. uh yes, Superman I think is integrally white. Perhaps this is because he hasn't changed at all ever. Also I asscociate him closely with that whole racist happy 50's USA thing.Again you get my point. you could make Superman black, but that would just be dumb. However i can conceptualise a black bond (black only in skin, not culture). Again, though, I find it much easier to see a Paki...

Superman may have been integrally white in the 50s, but the theme has completely changed since then. It is no longer about the Cold War. At leat, Superman Returns wasn't.
Greater Trostia
05-11-2006, 06:41
Sean Connery WAS the only real Bond!


Heh, I guess. It's hard to beat old Sean for style. But I think some of the others filled the shoes OK.


"Opinions are like assholes. Everybody has one."

Well yes, they are quite common, but that doesn't mean they have zero value. Just a very low, and usually stably priced value.
WC Imperial Court
05-11-2006, 07:10
James Bond is based on a stereotype. Upper class, suave, British, well spoken = white. He's a well established character and it's a little late to change him now.
I'm not British, but are there really no suace, British, well-spoken, upper class Black men in Britain??

I rather think I was making a fair point. Bond is quintissentially white, British (same thing in any case), and dignified. Not some "fly gangsta" prancing around in baggy clothes and fake diaminds.
If you are arguing against Diddy as Bond you have (sort of) a point. If you are arguing against a Black man getting the part, you just come off as ignorant.

No way. Not only is he not even close to being handsome, but I cant even pronounce his name. Now if I cant pronounce his name, do you think Average Joe of Townsberg, USA, will be able to pronounce it?
I think he's handsome. So unless you are attracted to men, I don't think your vote counts as much as mine. Cuz I know handsome :cool: Besides, Connery and Brosnan are the only Bond actors whose names I know.

If he's handsome, I'm taking a spade to my refined face.
Take pictures for me?

Actors are chosen to fit a character. When a film is based on a book, the actor must at least be similar to the description given.

Maybe they should get rid of that Daniel Radcliffe kid and get a middle-aged black woman to play the Harry Potter character instead, seeing as many people don't think that an actor needs to look anything like the character he's playing. :rolleyes:
No, but I wish they had gotten a kid who could ACT a little bit better than Radcliffe in the part. I'd rather they had some too tall or too fat or Asian or Black playing Potter than what they have now, which is a kid who bears a physical resemblence, but can't act well.

Will Smith as James Bond. *nod*
Genius!
I don't see why a black James Bond wouldn't work (I also don't see how it's necessary to have a black James Bond eventually... I mean, if skin colour is a non-issue then why should it matter that there's a black James Bond, unless it does matter...) however, if there is a black James Bond, at least the character should be played by a black man with actual acting talent, not P. Diddy. I somehow don't see that man faking a british accent.
You are right. It isn't necessary there eventaully be a Black Bond. But it isn't impossible, either.

Heh, I guess. It's hard to beat old Sean for style. But I think some of the others filled the shoes OK.



Well yes, they are quite common, but that doesn't mean they have zero value. Just a very low, and usually stably priced value.

Yeah, but Sean is the original. The pinnacle of what it is to be Bond. (In my opinion.)

And like assholes, they aren't worthless. But generally, the only ones that matter to a person are their own. (For both assholes and opinions). :p But naw, I know what you mean.
IL Ruffino
05-11-2006, 07:36
White Chicks, Soul Man.

:p
Seangoli
05-11-2006, 07:39
I have absolutely no problem. James Bnd cannot be defined by the color of his skin and I support this one hundred percent.

It's not that he's black. It's that he doesn't fit the "bond" character. Bond is smooth, bond is charming. Bond is subtle when needed, and has a high profile low-key lifestyle, so to speak.

P-diddy is not bond. He is loud, obnoxious, doesn't fit the character, would drink "Crystal, bitch" instead of "Vodka Martini, shaken, not stirred."

I'd be all for a black bond. Not a P-bondy.
The Ariel
05-11-2006, 07:45
Here try and think of this. The James Bond Character 'Q'. you know, the inventor. He always changes, and isn't too consistent. As I understand he has thus far been white, but nevertheless. Q is easily reinvented. Put any genius tottering old man scientist there and he could have done it. I think of Bond in the same way. Any smooth, handsome, restrained, calm, womanising, upper class, well spoken brit can do the job, pretty well. I mean a perfect bond act from a black guy would deviate less from the bond character tan Roger Moore's rendition did, IMO.

Actually, Q only changed three times. In the first bond film Peter Burton appears in the role merely to replace Bond's Walther PPK handgun (Hardly establishing the role).

Then Desmond Llewelyn took up the role for every other Bond film that Q showed up until 1999 when he passed away. Desmond was followed by John Cleese; he was introduced as Q's assistant in The World Is Not Enough, and then he was "promoted" to Q in Die Another Day.

I know it's not directly related to the argument at hand, but I thought it important to make everyone aware of the fact since people seem to be very particular about their analogies here.

Forgive me if someone already pointed this out, but I didn't wish to wade through the pages of comments that came after your post.

Respectfully,
Paul
Desperate Measures
05-11-2006, 07:52
Damn, this place can get racist. But no P. Diddy Bond. No P. Diddy anything. Make him go away.
Pyotr
05-11-2006, 07:54
The character in the Books was a white british guy, he cannot be played by a black american guy.

I would say the same thing if the character was a black guy and pierce brosnan or any of the rest of them tried to play the role.
New Domici
05-11-2006, 18:55
I dont know how to get this across to you. James Bond isnt black. Its just fucking stupid to make James Bond black.

Ok....its like doing another Super-Man movie....and making Super-Man black...just for the sake of having a black super-man and crossing "racial lines"...even though the character of Super-Man CLEARLY isnt black.

I'm pretty sure that Nick Fury and Blade were both white originally. Now Blade has been played by two black guys (movie and TV) and Nick Fury is black.

I can understand the Nick Fury case. They thought they had to scrub pretty hard to get the Hasselhof out of his shorts, so they did a big retcon.

But making Blade black is just dumb. He's supposed to be Romanian. People don't get a whole lot whiter than the Romanians. You can't retcon real countries.
The Potato Factory
05-11-2006, 19:14
I'm pretty sure that Nick Fury and Blade were both white originally. Now Blade has been played by two black guys (movie and TV) and Nick Fury is black.

I'm really not sure about Blade. They switched back and forth. And I think only Ultimate Nick Fury is black; the Ultimate universe is different. Yeah, I don't get it either.
The Potato Factory
05-11-2006, 19:15
The character in the Books was a white british guy, he cannot be played by a black american guy.

I would say the same thing if the character was a black guy and pierce brosnan or any of the rest of them tried to play the role.

Agreed. If they tried to make an MIB movie with a white J, it'd be just as wrong.
RLI Rides Again
05-11-2006, 19:35
The continuing plot (if you can call it a plot) of the films doesn't just allow for a completely different James Bond, it actually demands it. In some of the earlier Bond films we have 007 operating at the height of the Cold War, in the latest he's in the 21st century and looks younger that ever. It's pushing plausibility to the limits to suppose that 'James Bond' could always be the same man. We already know that 007 is an arbitrary codename, why shouldn't James Bond be the same? After all, I doubt any spy with any hopes for a carefree retirement would be so blaise about giving out his real name to everyone he met...
Andaluciae
05-11-2006, 19:36
Diddy can't be Bond because he's not a motherfuckin' englishman.
The Potato Factory
05-11-2006, 19:37
The continuing plot (if you can call it a plot) of the films doesn't just allow for a completely different James Bond, it actually demands it. In some of the earlier Bond films we have 007 operating at the height of the Cold War, in the latest he's in the 21st century and looks younger that ever. It's pushing plausibility to the limits to suppose that 'James Bond' could always be the same man. We already know that 007 is an arbitrary codename, why shouldn't James Bond be the same? After all, I doubt any spy with any hopes for a carefree retirement would be so blaise about giving out his real name to everyone he met...

No, actually, they're all within the same continuity, except for the new one, which is a franchise reboot.
Teh_pantless_hero
05-11-2006, 19:44
I'd support a Black Superman. But to be fair, I think Lois Lane should be Asian, then.

That just sounds like a bad porn set up.
New Granada
05-11-2006, 19:47
Name' Binny. J Binny.
Teh_pantless_hero
05-11-2006, 19:49
Name' Binny. J Binny.

But just call me Binny.
Infinite Revolution
05-11-2006, 19:54
well if james bond can be blond then he can be black. he's never been just one person anyway, maybe he was in the books. but in the films he's been welsh, scottish, english, irish. purists are rubbish. having said that, the idea that p diddy thinks he can be bond is laughable.
RLI Rides Again
05-11-2006, 19:55
No, actually, they're all within the same continuity, except for the new one, which is a franchise reboot.

The first film was in 1962. Given that the latest was set in the 21st century (hence the Millenium Dome) that's at least 38 years later. Bond is a graduate so he can't have been less that 21 when the 1962. This means that by now he's at least 59 and probably quite a bit older given that raw recruits don't get 00 rank until they've had a lot of experience. Do you really find it harder to believe in a black James Bond that you do in a Bond with a zimmer frame? ;)
[NS]Cthulhu-Mythos
05-11-2006, 20:06
The fellow who played Ford Prefect in the film version of Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy would be alright.
Just as long as we can IGNORE the skin color and just enjoy the uppercrust Bond being snooty and particular.
Desperate Measures
05-11-2006, 20:08
Cthulhu-Mythos;11905639']The fellow who played Ford Prefect in the film version of Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy would be alright.
Just as long as we can IGNORE the skin color and just enjoy the uppercrust Bond being snooty and particular.

Mos Def. That'd be cool.