James Purefoy the reluctant star with a licence to thrill

[Blowfeld]

Doesn't seem to be another Dougray situation.

By Alun Palmer 4/03/2011

JAMES PUREFOY MISSED OUT ON BOND, BUT SAYS HE PREFERS TO KEEP A LOW PROFILE. By ALUN PALMER

He has become known more for the roles he has failed to get than the ones he did. James Purefoy's name has been in the frame for James Bond twice, only to be scuppered first by Pierce Brosnan, then Daniel Craig.

He was also up for the lead of V For Vendetta before Hugo Weaving landed the part and was attached to a new reworking of the classic TV show The Saint, but shooting never began. Yet the charming and self-effacing Somerset actor - who stars in the new 13th-century thriller Ironclad, out today - isn't fazed in the slightest. "The whole celebrity thing is not really my bag," says James, 46. "I'm not terribly comfortable with it. You know, the invitations stack up at home to all the shop openings and premieres that you could go to. But why would I be doing that? What's it about? Maybe if I was doing more of that stuff I'd be better known, but it doesn't make me very happy. It makes me awkward."

Despite this, James has been making a bigger splash recently and admits he gets into each role by going on a specific diet. "Take Rome, for example, in which I was playing Mark Antony," he explains. "He was a bit of a boozer, so I did more drinking than usual in order to get a slightly puffy, raddled look.

For Solomon Kane - a late 16th century Puritan - I got as fit as hell and didn't touch a drop of alcohol. "In Ironclad, I play one of the medieval Templar knights who, in their role as the Church's private army, were actively required by the clergy to eat a high-protein diet, so they were in a state of perpetual fighting fitness.

That meant I did a lot of meat eating leading up to filming. "But if you eat 2,000 calories, you have to burn it off. I also try to limit anything white - pasta, rice, bread - stuff with a high white sugar content."

Ironclad is out today.

This story can be found at http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/201 ... -22965939/

[carl stromberg]

I think it's a shame that actors like Purefoy never got to play Bond while Daniel Craig did. He would have been a good choice a few years ago.

[Kristatos]

Plus, he's a huge Bond fan. He wouldn't have insisted on changing the films to suit him, because he thought they were beneath him. I think he'd have brought the same sort of infectious enthusiasm to Bond that David Tennant did to Doctor Who.

[James]

Found this from 2004. Interesting how they note his height as a plus for Bond given how they brush this factor under the carpet now when anyone points out that DC is a bit on the small side.


http://www.mi6.co.uk/sections/articles/ ... 1&s=bond21



Casting James Bond #6

The long list of potential candidates named in the press are exactly that - potentials - and most of them have already announced their unapproached or disinterested status. For one reason or another, fans taking notes can cross off the 007 #6 list: Hugh Jackman, Clive Owen, Ioan Gruffurdd, Colin Farrell and Rupert Everett.

Traditionally kept top secret, screen tests and read through's for potential 007's can take years to come out of the woodwork. With James Bond #6 that may be set to change.

Close to the official Bond camp are a tight ring of long standing 007 aficionados who often get a whiff of the future before anyone else. Names, dates and details are passed along well in advance of the wider fan community and press being made aware. With the spotlight on the `Next Bond` question, one man has flown under the radar of all speculation and media rumours - and it is the same man the inner circle have been tipped off to.

It's All Just A Little Bit Of History Repeating

Timothy Dalton screen tested for his eventual role as 007 back in 1971 but had to wait 16 years before he was made James Bond # 4 as he was considered too young at the time. Pierce Brosnan, long tipped as a favourite, screen tested to take over from Roger Moore, but due to contractual problems had to wait 8 years to become James Bond #5.

James Purefoy screen tested for "GoldenEye" back in 1995, but the role would go to the public's favourite - Pierce Brosnan. Nine years later, Purefoy is back in the frame to play James Bond... #6.

The credentials which led producers to consider him back in 1995 put him above everyone except Brosnan. Standing at 6' 1" (1.85m), the English born actor met all the requirements the public expects of the super-spy. Whether or not Pierce Brosnan returns in Bond 21, Purefoy is top of the list to become his eventual successor. The well-informed agree, it's likely we will be seeing "Purefoy, James Purefoy" headlines in 2005 or 2007.

[Kristatos]

The well-informed agree, it's likely we will be seeing "Purefoy, James Purefoy" headlines in 2005 or 2007.[/i]

It seems the well-informed were misinformed.

[katied]

Purefoy was really good in Rome.I am blanking on the name but he was on a show a year or so back where he played a humanitarian(?) That was a great show.(Edited to add:The Philanthropist)

[James]

How come they weren't campaigning for their hero Daniel Craig in 2004? He's the obvious and natural person to be Bond according to them.

[Dr. No]

I liked him from A Knights Tale. There was a neat interviews where he talked about being so excited about he could keep his legs still when talking to them about the job.

Looking back I don't think he was Bond material but after Craig it is hard to say that any 6ft tall handsome actor with dark hair is wrong for Bond but i think bond needs that special somthing like Connery had. Pierce was perfect for the role and came along at the right time. I can't get over how badly he was treated by the Bond bosses I can't forgive them that. Not taht it matters much I don't like depressed feeling form CR and I will not be going to another bond until they recast. UNless they go with Mark Wahlberg or whoever the British equivalent is.

[Thunderpussy]

When I think of all the Actors Eon saw,Yet went with Craig. I dispair It's almost as If they want to kill of the Series to free themselves up for In their minds more Artistic Projects.

[FormerBondFan]

I can't get over how badly he was treated by the Bond bosses I can't forgive them that.

The worst thing EON did was wasting his time as well as screwing him up with hackney and banal scripts, except GE.

[007]

You wonder sometimes if Barbara made Die Another Day as stupid as possible just so they would have the excuse to get shot of him and go in another direction.

[Thunderpussy]

I think given the chance the producers would film the Next Bond In b/w, with moody out of focus camera work, French subtitles and a Bergmanesque Feel to the Morbid conclusion about the Pointlessness of Life. Just think of all the art-house awards they'd Get.

[Kristatos]

I think given the chance the producers would film the Next Bond In b/w, with moody out of focus camera work, French subtitles and a Bergmanesque Feel to the Morbid conclusion about the Pointlessness of Life. Just think of all the art-house awards they'd Get.

Probably none. The Brocs aren't as clever as they think they are, and I think festival juries know it. It's like Dan Brown trying to impersonate Shakespeare.