Anghus Houvouras on why Liam Neeson would have made a terrible 007…
Like a lot of you, I get way too caught up with speculative casting and thinking about ‘what might have been’ when it comes to certain actors taking over the most iconic cinematic characters. The entire school of thought is practically a sub-genre. Half the articles I see on Zergnet are devoted to articles about movie casting revealing little kernels of info like Tom Cruise was originally slated to play Iron Man. People seem to have an endless appetite for this kind of stuff.
So I was hardly surprised this week when I saw a lot of web space devoted to Liam Neeson discussing his flirtation with the role of James Bond. While I can understand why they were interested in Neeson for the role, I’m extremely grateful he was never cast. Why?
Because Liam Neeson would have been a terrible James Bond.
I like Liam Neeson. I’m not Key & Peele crazy about him, but he’s a very entertaining performer who has found a fantastic third act in his career appearing in the kind of movies Steven Seagal used to headline: generic thrillers with an action element.
Movies like Taken, Taken 2, Unknown, and Non-Stop are fun, forgettable little jaunts that showcase what is great about Liam Neeson while simultaneously exposing why he’d make a sub-par 007.
The best Bonds have been the ones who can marry intensity and effortless charm. Daniel Craig makes a great Bond because he’s intense as hell, but he’s also pithy. He can do playful and coy. Neeson’s attempts at ‘off the cuff’ are kind of awkward. If you don’t believe me, go watch The A-Team where his smarmy mugging is strangely off putting. Neeson might do intense really well, but his comedic chops are a little obtuse. I have no problem believing he could play Bond with the intensity required, but the thought of Neeson in a tux at the bar trying to pick up the lady with some corny one liners is a troubling one. Picture Neeson saying ‘Pussy Galore’ or ‘Xenia Onatopp’ and try to tell me this would have been a wise decision.
I can buy Neeson in a lot of roles, especially this current run of blue collar action leads he’s been excelling at. But he’s not Bond. The fact that he passed on one of Hollywood’s most iconic roles is a good thing. 007 dodged a bullet.
Anghus Houvouras is a North Carolina based writer and filmmaker. His latest work, the novel My Career Suicide Note, is available from Amazon.
Originally published March 11, 2014. Updated April 11, 2018.
