Did Hugh Jackman Just Throw His Hat in the Ring to Play Bond?
With Daniel Craig’s recent admission that SPECTRE will likely be his last time sipping martinis as James Bond, SPECULATION has begun running wild with who will take over the mantle. Idris Elba has gotten the most ink so far, partly because he has become a fan favorite, but mostly because of Bond writer Anthony Horowitz’s ill-advised choice of words in explaining why he didn’t think The Wire alum was the right fit.
Now, another candidate emerges: Mr. Hugh Jackman. “I’d seriously consider it,” the Sydney-born actor said of taking on 007 if offered the gig. Jackman told the Australian TV program The Project that he was approached about the role of the iconic debonair British spy over a decade ago before the producers ultimately went with Craig, but the timing wasn’t right as he was gearing up to reprise his role as Wolverine in X-Men 2 (2003). “But it was not an easy one to give up,” he said.
Jackman has already made it clear that he’s also calling it quits on his most famous current movie character, saying that 2017’s untitled Wolverine sequel will be last time brandishing mutant claws. So he could very well be primed to make the leap from one mega-franchise to the next.
One factor that could stand against Jackman is his age. At 47 now, he’d likely be 50 by the time he went to work on a Bond project. The actors who’ve previously played Bond were almost all cast when they were in their 30s or early 40s, the one exception being Roger Moore at 46. Elba, by comparison, is 42.
One factor that could bode well, beyond the fact that Jackman, who will next be seen in October’s Pan, is one of the hardest working and most well-respected gentlemen in the movie biz: You know he could carry a tune better than any previous James Bond.
SPECTRE opens Nov 6. Watch the trailer:
(H/t The Guardian)
