James Bond Casting Stalemate

Production for the next 21st James Bond picture “Casino Royaleâ€? is scheduled to begin in January for an October release, and producers are in a standoff over what leading man will bring the movie hero to the screen. Pierce Brosnan, 52, the fifth actor to portray Bond, appeared in four films, the last of which was released by MGM in 2002.  Producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson informed Brosnan in 2004 that they would not be using the actor for the next picture.

According to sources, the producers and Brosnan were vastly far apart on salary for the Irishman to appear in “Casino Royale.â€?  According to one source at MGM parent company Sony, Brosnan was seeking nearly $30 million to reprise the Bond role. With the acquisition of MGM by Sony, the number of interested parties voicing input into the casting of a new James Bond has expanded dramatically to include Broccoli, Wilson, director Martin Campbell, and Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman Amy Pascal.

Clive Owen, 41, was approached by Campbell to gauge interest in assuming the role. The duo worked together on “Beyond Borders.� “He already had so many interesting, varied offers on the table that he wanted to keep his options open,� Owen's spokesman told the Hollywood Reporter, indicating a decision to pass on the Bond opportunity.

The laundry list of names reportedly under consideration ranges from established stars to up-and-comers: Hugh Jackman, 36 (X-Men); Daniel Craig, 37 (Layer Cake); Goran Visnjic, 32 (ER), Henry Cavill, 22 (Count of Monte Cristo); Rikki Lee Travolta, 29 (Camelot: Excalibur); Ioan Gruffudd, 31 (Fantastic Four); Alex O’Lachlan, 28 (The Oyster Farmer); Dominic West, 35 (The Wire); and Julian McMahon, 37 (Nip/Tuck).

Ewan Stewart (Titanic), 47, was reported to have screentested in front of Campbell at Pine Wood Studios, but the Hollywood Reporter received confirmation from a Sony spokesman that there was no test of Stewart and that there is no pending announcement regarding the actor. Visnjic is confirmed to have screentested. The Croatian-born actor worked with a dialogue coach in London for 10 days prior to his test.

The character of Bond is 28 years old in the novel “Casino Roayle� upon which the 21st film is based. The producers have not disclosed how literal they will be with the character’s age in the movie or how closely the film storyline will mirror the Ian Fleming novel.

According to a recent report in the Hollywood Reporter, the delay in casting of a new James Bond boils down to a difference in opinions between Broccoli and half-brother Wilson. The half-siblings both tutored under legendary Bond producer Cubbi Broccoli, but have independent opinions on the qualities necessary of their newest franchise star.

Broccoli reportedly heavily favored Craig, but the actor didn’t spark interest from Wilson. Reciprocally, Broccoli could not be convinced that Jackman has the right masculine charm necessary for the role.

“It was a big mistake to let Pierce go,� says casting agent Debra Zane (War of the Worlds).

Other names that have been banded about in the media and casting circles include: Orlando Bloom, 28  (Pirates of the Caribbean); James Purefoy, 41 (Rome); Jude Law, 32 (“Alfieâ€?); Karl Urban,  33 (The Bourne Supremacy); Gerard Butler, 35 (Phantom of the Opera); Rufus Sewell, 37 (The Legend of Zorro); Hugh Grant, 44 (Bridget Jones's Diary); Paul Benttany, 34 (A Beautiful Mind);  Dougray Scott,  39 ("Mission Impossible II"); Jeremy Northam, 43  (Gosford Park); Matthew MacFadyen , 31 ( Pride and Prejudice); Robbie Williams, 31  (De-Lovely); Jack Davenport, 32 ("Pirates of the Caribbean"); Gary Stretch, 36 (Alexander); and Colin Salmon, 43 (Die Another Day).