Actors who would make great James Bond thugs: part 2
We’re still waiting for more in depth announcements on Bond 25. Last week, I decided to do a bit of fantasy casting for James Bond villains. Now, I want to the same thing for the kinds of henchmen and henchwomen who help the villains out.
This two part list is a group of actors and actresses that I think would make great mini bosses for Bond to face off against.
Gwendoline Christie
Have you watched Game of Thrones or the newest Star Wars trilogy? Then you know exactly who Gwednoline Christie is. In case you need a reminder, she’s Brienne of Tarth and Captain Phasma respectfully.
At 6’ 3’’ (1.91 m), she’s taller than any of the men who’ve played 007. Height is of course, not the only pre-requisite to being a bad ass. Fortunately, she has the physical crediantials to match her intimidating stature. Both the Game of Thrones and Star Wars roles require her to wear full body armour, and engage in hand to hand fighting. That she is able to do so believably would make her an excellent physical foil for any action hero.
Also, she has a larger acting range than the stoicism required for a top enforcer. Christie projected integrity, openness and strength as Brienne. This allows the script writer a lot of scope with what they could do if they cast her.
Sean Harris
Sean Harris serves a niche of tough guys who, in his own words, is “drawn to playing people outside of society“. He was Ethan Hunt’s nemesis in Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, and is going to become the only Mission Impossible villain to repeat when Fallout comes out. He has a no-nonsense flintiness that would serve being a mini boss well.
It’s also worth noting that one film on his resume was ’71. The same movie that Yann Demange, a current frontrunner for the Bond gig, directed. Their previous association gives him a small chance of being a heavy in Bond 25, or a future 007 adventure.
Bokeem Woodbine
All three season’s of FX’s Fargo have a treasure trove of acting talent within them. Even in the company of Kirsten Dunst and Ted Danson, Mr. Woodbine made a standout impression. As the wonderfully named Mike Milligan, Woodbine mixed quirky affability and menace.
I came away from Fargo season 2 wanting to see him sink his fangs into more pulpy dialog. It would be delightful to watch him swap taunts with Bond. He already has done so with Spiderman.
Allison Williams
Between Girls and Get Out, Allison Williams has made herself the current privileged ice queen amongst actresses born after 1986. She would maybe need to do some weapons and hand to hand training. She, like Adrienne Palicki, would be a good fit if the Bond franchise wanted a Fiona Volpe or Miranda Frost type.
Who else do you think would be a good foil for MI6’s most infamous agent? Feel free to sound off in comments below, and thank you for reading.