Classic Bond Forum

Clive Owen and Hugh Jackman have threads now so I thought we may as well go for the hat-trick. What the hell happened to Gerard Butler?

I think Butler was a good candidate. He was very popular on the Bond forums.

I'm not familiar with Mr. Butler's work, but I'm going to see 300 this weekend, so I'll let you know what I think afterwards.

Butler would have been a very dashing Bond. Good scene stealing actor with a good sense of humour.

Just seen 300. The role was sufficiently different to make it difficult to visualise him as Bond - when he's bearded and wearing armour, it's hard to imagine him clean-shaven and in a tux. But with a bit of effort, I could see him as Bond. He has an angular face vaguely reminiscent of Dalton's and a Conneryesque Scottish accent (though somewhat softer than Connery's - it sounded more Edinburgh than Glasgow to me, is that correct?). Of course it helped that he had a scar on his cheek during the third act, and that people kept saying things like "ah, King Leonidas, I've been expecting you" and even (I kid you not) "choose your next witticism carefully, it may be your last" to him.

A big opening for 300. Looks like Butler will be a big star without James Bond.

Good on him, I do so hate it when an actor dwells on what could've been.
I don't think the guys that tested for Bond in the past sit around mopeing on why they lost out. Maybe Cavill did, but then he still looks like a kid.

Wasn't he already in a Bond movie?
TND? Or TWINE?

Harvey Wallbanger wrote:Wasn't he already in a Bond movie?
TND? Or TWINE?

Nobody knows?

Yep Harvey I have an answer for you.
He was in Tomorrow Never Dies as a leading seaman on the Devonshire.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0124930/
Hope that helps.

Humm, I don’t recall seeing Butler in TND.
Good as reason as any to re-watch it 

Butlers sock is rising with the success of the 300. Too bad he didn't get chance at Bond.
He'll be star in his own right very soon.

Did not notice Butler in TND. (I will admit my attention was not rampant because of company.)
Was he way in the background?
Or is it possible that this in one of those roles where the actor is edited out and still credited?

Butler's appearance in TND was of the blink and you'll miss it type. I think he wasn't much more than an extra back then. Would have been a good Bond in my opinion.

Butler would have been a great Bond. he reminded me a great deal of Sean Connery when I was watching 300. especially when I think about Sean in
"Time Bandits".

Welcome to the forum paco chaos. I hope you enjoy your stay.

thank you mr. stromberg.
i already like the fact that there is some interesting discussion on this board.

300 has taken an astonishing $132,620,872 in the US already. I think Butler will be too much of a star to ever do Bond in the future.

James wrote:300 has taken an astonishing $132,620,872 in the US already. I think Butler will be too much of a star to ever do Bond in the future.

We'll see. One hit movie doesn't necessarily make someone a star. Ask Mark Hamill.

I think that Gerard could have been Bond in 2004 or 2006. He is tall and handsome with black hair - qualities sadly lacking in Daniel Craig.

He has moved on now and by the time Craig leaves the role it will be too late.

Gerard Butler would have been a good Bond, but I'm happy with the current actor. Maybe they could have him brought in once Craig is done? They did that with Roger Moore, who was older than Connery by that point! Only get him off once he looks too old.