Aussie to become next Bond
2004-08-02 07:00
London - Australian actor Eric Bana, star of films including The Hulk and Troy, is the surprise new choice to take over as James Bond, a report said late on Saturday.
The beefy 35-year-old had beaten off competition from British actors such as Jude Law and Ewan McGregor to take over the role of the super-spy in the long-running series of films, the News of the World said.
Current Bond, Irish actor Pierce Brosnan, has stepped down after four films following a row with producers, the Sunday tabloid title said.
Bana was still negotiating with the series producers but they were hopeful he would take over for the 21st title in the series, due to begin filming later this year, the paper cited an unnamed "insider" as saying.
"Eric is the guy they want but he has a reputation for being demanding. They want to modernise Bond and turn him into a youthful, suave and modern hero to compete with the likes of Spiderman and Keanu (Reeves) in the Matrix, the source said.
Bana was formerly a popular comedian in Australia before grabbing attention in 2000 film Chopper, in which he played a real-life character, a famous - and famously violent - Australian criminal, Mark Chopper Read.
He has subsequently appeared in a string of US blockbusters, most recently playing Hector in swords-and-sandals epic Troy.
The James Bond films, based on the novels of Ian Fleming, have proved hugely successful ever since the first title, 1962's Dr No, in which Sean Connery took the lead role.