I don't see whiteness as a factor with Bond. Britishness, yes.

I want to see Bond partnered with a woman who can't stand him. Or a woman who tries to lure away the women who are attracted to him. The "Oh, James!" factor has mellowed in recent incarnations, but he still needs a good comeuppance. Seeing Brosnan!Bond being glared at by Dame Judi was glorious.

I had the same initial reaction as Jimi -- Bond should be white. But I don't think there's any reason for it that goes deeper than that my mental image of Bond has always been a dark-haired white man. There's no real reason he couldn't be cast as black, or Asian, or blonde for that matter.

Just like those nasty Australians already did.

Hah, back in those days Australia was still more British than anything.

Now we're slowly becoming more American than Australian.

Though we remain a Commonwealth country.

However, it's hardly a fair comparison.

I also drool over the idea of Chow Yun Fat as Bond

Oh God.

Clunk.

::falls over dead after paroxysms of ecstacy::

I think Don Cheadle would be a good James Bond,

Teppy is an unqualified GENIUS!

(That is to say, I'd love to see Cheadle as Bond myself, the lack of Britishness notwithstanding)

it's hardly a fair comparison.

Well, I didn't think your initial statement was fair either, so if nothing else, we're equal.

Don Cheadle is an American. As is Steph. Neither of them are America.

To me, it's not just "hey, non-white Bond would be cool!". It's the consideration of this particular black man that I find cool, because the bits of Colin Salmon I've managed to see so far fit so very well with what would make an ideal Bond for me if race factor is not a consideration. He's polished, in possession of enough gravitas that you'd take notice when he's being cold and ruthless, comes across as educated, whip-smart and a tad supercilious, and good at conveying a terrific low-key, dry sense of humor. Plus? HOTT to the power of ten.

But mainly, I just dig the idea of Superintendent Nathanial Johnson being Bond, especially since Eddie always called his secretary "Miss Moneypenny".

I think Don Cheadle would be a good James Bond, if we're looking at non-white guys (and I agree that James Bond doesn't need to be tied to race).

Except Cheadle is American.

Your point? The *character* has to be British, but the actor playing him doesn't.

Do you guys have to steal everything from other countries?

Again, I ask: your point?

Teppy is an unqualified GENIUS!

Thank you, dahhhh-ling!

It's the consideration of this particular black man that I find cool, because the bits of Colin Salmon I've managed to see so far fit so very well with what would make an ideal Bond for me if race factor is not a consideration. He's polished, in possession of enough gravitas that you'd take notice when he's being cold and ruthless, comes across as educated, whip-smart and a tad supercilious, and good at conveying a terrific low-key, dry sense of humor. Plus? HOTT to the power of ten.

Yes, yes, and--oh, what's the word?--YES!! Back when the last Bond film was released I was saying that Colin Salmon should play him next time out, because of all of these factors. If you want to see him in more than a secondary role, watch the second miniseries of Prime Suspect, where he plays the cop who has an affair with Tennison (Helen Mirren--another member of the HOTT club, female division). He can pull off sexy and smooth with the ladies, definitely.