Hollywood,
USA - Ever since the media circus came to Bond Town, the
`Next 007`
cottage
industry within the entertainment
press have been circling like vultures over Brosnan's ever
changing situation, ready to start picking the bones of
Bond #5 and ushering in the sixth screen incarnation.
Any available actor who fits the thumbnail sketch of Fleming's
50 year-old character seems to have had screen-tests, contract
talks and approaches from the producers in recent months
- if you believe everything you read in the press. The
good ship Bond Rumour set sail on February 9th 2004 when
the Daily Mail (UK) claimed Brosnan
was axed due to his
age. It seems like "eons" ago since that debacle
wrapped up with official denials, but all hands to the
deck, as the compass spins towards South and the engines
are thrown to full steam.
Hollywood has been buzzing with one story
all week, but not in the usual sensationalised American TV
reports or gossip
columns. Instead, the tale has been whispered through smoky
bars, over water coolers and in the back seats of expensive
cabs. It's just not the usual Hollywood way, which suggests
to everyone who hears it, that there might actually be something
to this one. |
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Step forward
Michael Madsen, the only guy in town who has said anything
on the record to journalists,
who were swarming around the "Kill Bill:Volume 2" press
junkets. Although his only brush with 007 onscreen was
playing
Falco in " Die
Another Day", his bonds are stronger
than his short performance might suggest, for Madsen is
Pierce Brosnan's neighbour. His claims? Brosnan is done with Bond, and the new one
is waiting in the wings. But who? He couldn't remember.
Some young Australian actor, Madsen said he hadn't seen
any of his work, causing all the journalists to strike
through the next word they had written down - Hugh...
George Lazenby may not be a familiar name to a casual
movie viewer, or for that matter, the new generation of
Bondites who have grown taller whilst Brosnan has been
at the helm. However, it is to this one-time 007's homeland
that the good ship Bond Rumour is about to take port -
Perth to be precise.
It's the name on everyone's lips here, and now it's finally
starting to seep out in the wider world, with movie rumour
websites already preparing to unleash it upon Bond fans.
Ledger...
Heath Ledger.
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At only 25
years of age, he never figured on "Next
Bond" lists, not even the ones the Australian press
have published.
Heath Ledger. That's the name. Remember
it. Even the big money men, who have their fingers on
the pulse as well as their wallets, back this one. Eon
want
to go in a new direction with 007, a younger Bond for
a younger audience, claim the suits. Sound familiar? Does
anyone else hear an echo? The good ship Bond Rumour
has
sailed full circle, picking up a new passenger from
a far away land.
Heath Ledger
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Cries by fans for official statements are likely to go
unheard, but that's what keeps wind in the sails of this
ship. All aboard! Batten down the hatches! There's a storm
brewing...
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