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EW picks the next James Bond. We cast our GoldenEye on potential 007s by Clarissa Cruz SATURDAY, July 21, 2001 Though he's the most bankable Bond ever, Pierce Brosnan's days as 007 are (cue maniacal laughter) numbered. While Brosnan's three Bond outings to date have grossed more than $1 billion worldwide, the 48-year-old Irishman has suggested he'll shoot only one more installment, an as-yet-untitled film due to start production in January 2002. So who replaces him? Rumors are swirling faster than a well-shaken martini. Russell Crowe, pop singer Robbie Williams, and Scottish hunk Gerard Butler (''Dracula 2000'') are a few of the names mentioned. Problem is, all this speculation is premature. ''We're not even thinking about it, not until January 2003,'' says Anne Bennett, rep for franchise owners Eon Productions. And despite tabloid reports, Bond producer Barbara Broccoli hasn't met with any potential subs. Even the manager of most-mentioned candidate Butler admits, ''There's been a lot of talk, but nothing's actually happened.'' Still, that won't stop us from tabulating young Hollywood's Bond ratings. So what does it take to fill our favorite spy's tux? ''Bond would probably be a type A personality, mildly manipulative,'' says British intelligence historian Nigel West (''The Crown Jewels''). Consistent with Bond, he notes, ''both intelligence officers and agents tend to have quite a high libido.'' Former Bond girl Maud Adams (''Octopussy'') has her own wish list: ''He has to be strong, unpredictable -- somebody a woman can't really quite control.'' Herewith, we rate candidates for the next 007. KEY Tux-ability Savoir faire for pulling off a Savile Row suit Babe-ability Capacity to conquer more than just villains Gadget-ability Aptitude for operating heavy machinery on Q Bond-ability Power to make us forget Sean Connery CHRISTIAN BALE After his pumped-up, chain-saw-wielding ''American Psycho'' turn, Bale, 27, has shed his title as prince of corset films (see ''Little Women''). His sexiness (and accent) would be perfect. But is he ready to exchange indie cred for a mega-franchise? ''One part of him is really tickled, and the other part is like, 'Will that typecast me forever?''' says his rep, adding that Bale is a Bond fan. Tux-ability? Yes Babe-ability? Yes Gadget-ability? Yes Bond-ability? Yes RUSSELL CROWE Sure, he can woo half of Hollywood and defeat a coliseum full of foes, but Bond requires subtlety. ''He's got the presence, but can he wear the clothes?'' says Alastair Dougall, author of ''James Bond: The Secret World of 007.'' ''He sometimes looks a bit dim and splobby.'' Then there's the 37-year-old Oscar winner's offscreen high jinks. Says Nathan Cooper of Style.com: ''He'd be more likely to hit somebody over the head with a chair than shoot him with a laser pen.'' Tux-ability? No Babe-ability? Yes (duh!) Gadget-ability? No Bond-ability? No RUPERT EVERETT Fashion savvy? Hell, yeah. Accent? Yup. Everett, 42, has even been working on a script featuring a gay secret agent. ''He would add a new level of camp,'' says Cooper. ''But that might make it too much of a spoof.'' If he can channel his sparkle in ''My Best Friend's Wedding,'' we'd line up faster than Denise Richards strips in ''The World Is Not Enough.'' The hitch? Bond girls. Tux-ability? Yes Babe-ability? No Gadget-ability? No Bond-ability? No HUGH JACKMAN While ''X-Men'' and ''Someone Like You'' proved he handles action and women with equal aplomb, it's hard to imagine his brawn stuffed into a tux. Then again, the ''Swordfish'' star, 32, resembles another Bond: ''He has the same quality as a young Sean Connery,'' says Cooper. ''He looks almost dangerous sometimes; you don't know whether he's going to charm you or attack you.'' Tux-ability? No Babe-ability? Yes Gadget-ability? No Bond-ability? Yes JUDE LAW The thought of him in black tie makes us swoon, but Law, 28, may be too young (and pretty). ''There's not enough of a hard edge to him,'' says Paul Kryriazi, who runs worldwide seminars, seriously, on ''How to Live the James Bond Lifestyle.'' But ''A.I.'''s suave robo-gigolo scores points with the ladies. ''He has an ease about being a snob which is an essential part of being Bond,'' says Cooper. Tux-ability? Yes Babe-ability? Yes Gadget-ability? Yes Bond-ability? No EWAN MACGREGOR ''The Phantom Menace'' star's lightsaber skills show his comfort with gadgetry (though Bond would scoff at Obi-Wan's mullet). And the 30-year-old's ''Moulin Rouge'' love scenes were convincing. But ''The Essential Bond'' coauthor Lee Pfeiffer sniffs: ''He's too boyish.'' Adds Dougall: '''Velvet Goldmine' was a Dr. No-No.'' Besides, after three ''Star Wars'' films, he may not be keen on another franchise. Tux-ability? No Babe-ability? Yes Gadget-ability? Yes Bond-ability? No CLIVE OWEN He looks good in a tux, and his ''Croupier'' experience should help in Bond's whip-smart world. Plus, he plays a Bondlike hero in those BMW.com shorts. ''He's got that lean and hungry look,'' notes Dougall. But is Owen, 35, quick enough on the draw? ''He's a bit grim,'' says Cooper. ''He wouldn't be able to jump in and out of an airplane and make it look like he's having tea.'' Tux-ability? Yes Babe-ability? No Gadget-ability? No Bond-ability? Yes Additional reporting by Sunny Lee Posted:07/19/01 http://www.ew.com/ |