Matt Damon as Bond? First choices for roles intriguing

[Blowfeld]

I never heard his name as a serious contender, although looking back it is obvious by the way Bourne was cloned so blatantly.

Matt Damon has starred as Jason Bourne in two movies but was among the actors considered to be the next 007.

Matt Damon as James Bond? Will Smith as Captain America? Sean Connery as Obi-Wan Kenobi? Or Gandalf? Nicolas Cage as Superman? Leonardo DiCaprio as Spider-Man? Or Heath Ledger?

They all could have happened if things had gone as originally planned.

For example, Damon was among the actors under consideration to be the next 007 when producers and the studio were unsure whether they were going to radically re-imagine the concept.

Some thought went into an American Bond, and Damon's performance in "The Bourne Identity" (2002) was enough to garner him some consideration for the role.

This was, of course, before Universal Pictures decided to turn the Bourne character and concepts into a franchise.

Smith was briefly discussed as a possible contender to play the Marvel Comics character Captain America. It was an interesting, if somewhat controversial choice.

Filmmaker Joe Johnston and Marvel Studios still have yet to decide who will don the character's stars-and-stripes costume. (Supposed contenders at one time included Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt. Damon still appears to be in the running for the part.)

As for Connery, he rejected the "Star Wars" role that eventually went to Alec Guinness — in favor of appearing in "Zardoz," the poorly received, 1974 science-fiction thriller.
Extraordinary Gentlemen" (2003). He could have played author J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved wizard character.

So Connery either needs to fire his agent or let someone else choose his projects for him.

And as ridiculous as it may sound, Cage was the person director Tim Burton wanted to play Superman, when he was going to make a movie based on the DC Comics character.

James Cameron wanted to make a Spider-Man movie back in the late '80s/early '90s. And his eventual "Titanic" star, DiCaprio, was his web-head of choice.

When that movie project was revived, Sony Pictures officials targeted Ledger, who was a hot commodity, thanks to both "10 Things I Hate About You" (1999) and "A Knight's Tale" (2001).

SPEAKING OF SPIDER-MAN.

There's already been a lot of speculation as to which actor will replace Tobey Maguire now that he and director Sam Raimi, and Sony Pictures officials, have decided to go their separate ways.

Also, there's some question about whether the studio wants to reboot the concept. One idea is to concentrate on a teenage version of the character, as in "Ultimate Spider-Man" monthly comic or Disney Toon Channel's "The Spectacular Spider-Man" series.

Entertainment Weekly writers speculated that they're also mulling over a grim-and-gritty approach. That's based on the fact that screenwriter James Vanderbilt teamed with director David Fincher for the serial killer thriller "Zodiac."

Fincher is apparently one of a handful of filmmakers under consideration to direct the new movie. However, Marc Webb, of "(500) Days of Summer" fame, is emerging as a favorite.

And if Webb is selected, a decent replacement for Maguire could emerge — "Summer's" leading man, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who can do angsty and sarcastic well.

This story can be found at Matt Damon as Bond? First choices for roles intriguing

[Kristatos]

They forgot Christopher Walken as Han Solo and, going back even further, George Raft as Rick in Casablanca

[katied]

Matt Daaaaaamon as Bond? interesting!

[Capt. Sir Dominic Flandry]

Sir Alec is iconic in Star Wars, but that role would have a great one for Sean Connery.

[katied]

Sir Alec is iconic in Star Wars, but that role would have a great one for Sean Connery.

Gotta disagree, as much as I like Sir Sean.

[James]

They forgot Christopher Walken as Han Solo and, going back even further, George Raft as Rick in Casablanca

How about Tom Selleck as Indiana Jones? He had to bail out because of television duties. Jack Lord was asked to be the Captain of the Enterprise before Shatner but wanted 50% ownership of the show. Gene Roddenberry told him to take a jump.

[carl stromberg]

Tom Selleck's Indy screentest with Sean Young as Marion.

[007]

Below is a still of Daniel Craig during his audition for Casino Royale.

[Omega]

Matt Daaaaaamon as Bond? interesting!

I am sorry they think he was someone to look at because he was the farthest from Bond I can imagine Craig I guess is mimicking the Damon which should have been a sign.

[katied]

Matt Daaaaaamon as Bond? interesting!

I am sorry they think he was someone to look at because he was the farthest from Bond I can imagine Craig I guess is mimicking the Damon which should have been a sign.

Team America is the first thing that comes to my mind when I hear Matt Daaaaamon's name!

[Dr. No]

Matt Daaaaaamon as Bond? interesting!

I am sorry they think he was someone to look at because he was the farthest from Bond I can imagine Craig I guess is mimicking the Damon which should have been a sign.

Team America is the first thing that comes to my mind when I hear Matt Daaaaamon's name!

Same here.
He is ok in few roles but somehow I fell the south park guys nailed him overall.

[Dr. No]

Tom Selleck's Indy screentest with Sean Young as Marion.

I can't see Selleck as Indy. As he said it would have been done differently from Fords indy. There is a Magnum PI in the last season where he does a Indy spoof. A nod to his losing the role because of Magnum, and he could have done both roles the scheduling ended up not conflicting.

Some was saying that ford was the only star to come out of Stars wars thats true but it wasn't Empire that made Ford a Star it was Indy & Raiders that made him something more than skywalkers buddy

[katied]

Harrison Ford as Indy is iconic, IMO. I like Tom Selleck,but him as Indy?No.