Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007 (updated)

By Jack June 26, 2001 3:17 PM

(http://www.gerardbutler.net) We cracked the secret first SCOTS actor Gerry Butler is in line to play James Bond after Pierce Brosnan gives up the role, as exclusively revealed in OTR in April.

Yesterday on GMTV the actor, who is currently staring in Wes Craven's Dracula 2001, admitted we were spot on.

In a twist that only Bond would find funny, he joked that he agreed to play 007 if Ann Widdecombe was his Bond Girl.

He said: "I've chatted with Barbara Broccoli and she knows that I'll only do it if Ann Widdecombe can be my Bond girl.

"She's off thinking about that right now. It's very flattering and I can't say much more than that.

"I was getting phone calls from Los Angeles saying that it had been announced on CNN that I had been named the new Bond. Since then I've had calls from Israel and South Africa."

Bond bosses wanted Gerry to take over from Pierce when the Irishman finishes his fourth Bond.

Gerry would become the second Scot after Sean Connery to play the famous part. Dougray Scott, star of Mission Impossible II, was approached last year, but turned down the role. Determined to bring Bond north of the Border again, producer Barbara Broccoli met the 32-year-old Butler to discuss taking over the role.

Glasgow-born Gerry, a strapping 6ft 2in, has already appeared in the Bond series - in Tomorrow Never Dies - and played Billy Connolly's brother in Mrs Brown.

Other names tipped for 007 include another Scot, Iain Glen, Welshman Ioan Gruffudd, Eastenders star Steve Owen, Rufus Sewell, Jeremy Northam, Greg Wise - and even Catherine Zeta Jones.

Update: Gerard Butler has fed the frenzy of speculation that he will be the new 007 with a few jokey comments about his ideal Bond girl. But it seems the rumours are as much a fantasy as the spy films's plots.

"I'm sorry but it's not true, he hasn't been approached. These rumours are crazy," Eon publicist Catherine McCormack said.

| comments: 50

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RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 25, 2001 3:08 PM

clive owen from bmwfilms.com seems like a natural for bond.  sounds like this missed the boat on that one too

RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by mlprice (mlprice@mac.com) on June 25, 2001 4:21 PM

I agree with the comment about bmwfilm's Clive Owen. He seems like a natural for the role. I also think that Adrian Paul would have been a good choice. This guy looks like Tom Jones to me - kinda dorky.

RE: RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by 100% AMERICAN (hellskitchen_@hotmail.com) on June 25, 2001 4:38 PM

Adrian Paul, the actor from the lame Highlander series could not portray Bond. I think Ruppert Evertt would have made a fine choice. For this role it takes more than just good acting. I think the car this time around should be the new Astin Martin DB7 Vantage, its incredible. Of course Indiana Jones doesn't need an expensive car, or tuxedo to pick up the damsel and save the world, but then again he's American, so it's no big thing.

  What else has Clive Owen been in?

Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 25, 2001 6:07 PM

I liked the Highlander series.  However, I must agree that Adrian Paul would prolly not be a good Bond.  As for Rupert Everett, give me a break, although he can act, he doesn't have "it." ( bondness)

As for Gerard Butler, I had never heard of him until this article and have only seen stills of him, but he definitely does not look like Tom Jones.  

Interesting.  Perhaps they will take Bond in a new direction.

RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 25, 2001 6:37 PM

Is it just me or does Adrian Paul look ALOT like a young Sean Connery?  Take a hard look next time, and you will be surprised.

And what's with Catherine Zeta-Jones being James Bond!!!  That's blasphemy!!!

Clive Owen..   reply

Posted by Jack (jack@dtheatre.com) on June 25, 2001 6:43 PM

Clive Owen's Acting career has been primarily (until now) in TV movies and shows.. Most interesting to me was the Second Sight series on PBS.. They were(are) incredible.

I am glad he is going towards big screen movies and I think he would make an excelent James Bond (I brought this up about a month ago as well).

Let's just hope Gerry doesn't let us down.

RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by Pumpkin Boy (pumpkin_pie_studios@hotmail.com) on June 25, 2001 8:34 PM

I agree that Rupert Everett, while a fine actor, doesn't quite have what it takes to play Bond.
For example: Bond likes women.

RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 25, 2001 9:47 PM

6/26/01 - An innocent joke sparks Bond rumors. No offer has been made to Gerard for the role of James Bond. Click here for the story from filmUnlimited.

RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 25, 2001 10:10 PM

Have you seen Ann Widdecombe?

RE: RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by sodaboy (contactbm@excite.com) on June 26, 2001 3:22 AM

So now that this Butler guy isn't going to be Bond, maybe Clive Owen should audition.

RE: RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 26, 2001 5:40 AM

I doubt Adrian Paul would cut his hair, he'd better stick to highlander

RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 26, 2001 5:51 AM

Hard to get excited when someone every week is announced as the next James Bond.  At least a variety of actors are being pushed forth.  Personally Id like to see Kramers short friend, "Mickey" from Seinfeld be the next James Bond.

RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 26, 2001 6:00 AM

Who?

RE: RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 26, 2001 7:52 AM

Forget "Mickey", what about Kenny Banya. "That's gold Jerry, gold"

Does anyone know where to get one of those Princess Lea Virtual Reality Sex Machines that I keep hearing about?

RE: RE: RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 26, 2001 8:40 AM

Nah, Banya would be irritating after a while..  "Smersh... thats a funny word..".  Mickey would be cool, cant you see him as Bond.  In a tux, some guy goes after his Bond girl, his eyes widen, eyebrows up, he raises his hands and waddles/runs after the guy and tackles him.....that would be great....

RE: RE: RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 26, 2001 8:55 AM

Clive Owen starred in Croupier. If you haven't seen it you should. Tough to find but Netflix has it.

RE: RE: RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 27, 2001 4:13 AM

what about alec baldwin?

RE: Rupert likes Women.   reply

Posted by 100% AMERICAN (hellskitchen_@hotmail.com) on June 27, 2001 5:15 AM

I'm not following you Mr. Boy, Bond likes women.

  Oh....wait, I see. I think that Ruppert likes women too. However as the movies become more PC, and Bond becomes less, and less of a man, they might as well have him pick up some guys. I know Jaws and Moore had an off screen romance, as did Daltry with one of the lighting guys. Furthermore, this is a movie about a British Intelligence Agency, which in real life probably has hundreds if not thousands of homosexual agents. According to Mr. Biff O'Connors at The National Enquirer: homosexuality was invented by the British, and perfected by the French, and to a lesser extent by the Canadians. So I think Ruppert Evert would make a very fitting James Bond. Nathan Lane could take over as Q's very friendly brother in-law: Bi. Even Bonds buddy Felix could get in on the action so to speak. So you see Pumpkin, perhaps Rupert is just what this series needs. For more information on the subject of homosexuality, and how difficult it is to grow up with gay parents, and a gay dog please speak with Tiny...not that there's anything wrong with that.

RE: RE: RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 27, 2001 6:37 AM

Don't you mean Sir Alec Baldwin.

RE: Baldwin Bond   reply

Posted by 100% AMERICAN (hellskitchen_@hotmail.com) on June 27, 2001 6:37 AM

I agree, after seeing Baldwin in "Outside Providence" I think he'd make an excellent James Bond.

RE: RE: Rupert likes Women.   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 27, 2001 9:44 AM

LOL

It would put an interesting spin on things. What sort of inventions would Bi create?

RE: RE: Baldwin Bond   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 27, 2001 12:19 PM

TO:100% American

I don't see how Alec Baldwin in "Outside Prividence" makes him a good James Bond.  Was it the gut, the bad accent, or the fact that he kept calling his son a dildo.  

Seriously, what gives?

RE: RE: RE: Baldwin Bond   reply

Posted by 100% AMERICAN (hellskitchen_@hotmail.com) on June 27, 2001 2:06 PM

I was joking. Go back to sleep.

RE: RE: RE: Baldwin Bond   reply

Posted by FredHater (fred_hater@hotmail.com) on June 27, 2001 2:25 PM

That movie was freaking wicked funny.

RE: RE: RE: Baldwin Bond   reply

Posted by 100% AMERICAN (hellskitchen_@hotmail.com) on June 27, 2001 2:27 PM

It was a pissa!

RE: RE: RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 28, 2001 10:07 PM

Alec Baldwin has a fear of commitment and wouldn't give too many performances as Bond. Let's look at the Clancy franchise he abandoned after Hunt for Red October. Stealing some of the action pep Harrison Ford  had left in in him to replace him. Thus further pushing Indy 4 into oblivion.

RE: RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 28, 2001 10:22 PM

Despite off-screen sexual preferences, Everett has the "Bond" look. Cool. Calm. Suave. Sophisticated. The movie An Ideal Husband shows how well he can do sporting suits & tux. See how well he kept his cool in Cemetery Man? I can truly see the Bond witticism coming naturally to him

RE: RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by wizkid2u (No Email) on June 30, 2001 9:27 PM

It's just you.  Adrian Paul is about 3 feet tall---could never be Bond when the super model Bond babes were half a foot taller than him!

RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007 (updated)   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on July 1, 2001 4:05 AM

I say... Get Roger Moore
and digitally
touch-up/redo his head/face.

RE: RE: RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on July 5, 2001 6:10 PM

How about Val Kilmer?

RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007 (updated)   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on July 5, 2001 6:42 PM

Who is Gerry or Gerard Butler anyway?

RE: RE: Baldwin As Bond My Butt   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on July 5, 2001 6:47 PM

Alec Baldwin would make a horrific James Bond.

RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007 (updated)   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on August 12, 2001 3:29 PM

Gerard was in Attila and Dracula 2000 check then out

RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007 (updated)   reply

Posted by kdanhen (kdanhen@hotmail.com) on August 27, 2001 7:26 PM

just perusing-
I think Gerard Butler would be awesome- very talented actor- I also though adore Adrian Paul , and yes, he does resemble a younger Sean Connery- but either way- both actors have wonderful, different qualites that would make either one of them an awesome 007.
I do however understand we'll have to wait another couple years to see - who knows

RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on November 26, 2001 12:33 PM

OK - I've seen Adrian Paul in person - he is like 6'2 or something like that - I don't think he could play bond, but don't insult his looks!!

RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on March 23, 2002 5:10 AM

Gerard Butler Is indeed 100 percent perfect for james bond

RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on March 23, 2002 5:18 AM

007 doesnt need a giant man 3 feet tall---all we need to see is a 6'2 man handsome and tall scotish -gerard butler perfect for james bond understand???

RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on March 23, 2002 5:28 AM

no adrian paul , no ruppertjust pure GERARD BULTER PLEASE

RE: Rupert likes Women.   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on March 23, 2002 5:36 AM

i think rupert fits on james bond being james bond's (GERARD  BUTLER)toilet cleaner or his driver i think rupert doesnt like women , i think he likes cleaning cars , toilets etc.!ENTIENDE???

RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on March 23, 2002 5:38 AM

No girl , adrian paul look like tarzan GERARD BUTLER looks like a perfect JB

RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on March 23, 2002 5:46 AM

are you from mount everest?you didnt know who GERARD BUTLER is?you can see him in the movie dac 2000 or attila , but please dont drop dead after seeing him , gosh he is gorgeous!!!

RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on April 20, 2002 6:30 AM

YES YES YES!

RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on April 20, 2002 6:36 AM

I LOVE GERARD BUTLER, IS VERY VERY HANDSOME!!!

RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on April 21, 2002 7:03 AM

mmmhhhhhh, maybe!!!!

RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on April 21, 2002 7:09 AM

oh my god!!!I would be happy, happy, happy...gerry is wonderful, beautiful and...sexxxxyyyy!!!

RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on April 21, 2002 7:15 AM

STOP IT WITH pIERCE BROSNAN,I WANT TO GERARD BUTLER!!!!

      LORENA'76

RE: Rupert likes Women.   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on December 5, 2002 2:53 PM

Rupert for a long time now, admitted to being homosexual. Nothing aginst him, he is an awesome actor. But facts are facts, he is gay.

RE: Gerard Butler Announced as Next 007   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on December 5, 2002 2:56 PM

That is why Gerry made that comment. He was making a joke!

Gerard Butler...the new Bond!!   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on August 14, 2004 11:04 PM

What a fabulous choice Gerard would be for the role of Bond 007 - he has the right look and can certainly handle the action as he aptly showed in Tomb Raider 2.. I am not normally a Bond fan but would definitely start watching if Gerry was in charge!!

Gerard Butler...the new Bond!!   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on August 14, 2004 11:05 PM

What a fabulous choice Gerard would be for the role of Bond 007 - he has the right look and can certainly handle the action as he aptly showed in Tomb Raider 2.. I am not normally a Bond fan but would definitely start watching if Gerry was in charge!!