How ‘Croupier’ proves Clive Owen should have been James Bond
There’s always a public frenzy around the time when the next actor to play James Bond is set to be announced. While the likes of Idris Elba and Tom Hardy are often touted, one ought to think of the actors who never got a shot at the legendary role and yet who might have been perfect for it.
While Clive Owen’s career seems to have faded somewhat since the 2000s, the Coventry-born actor, known for his brilliant performances in Closer, Sin City, Inside Man and Children of Men, was at one point good money for the 007 job, likely around the same time that Daniel Craig took on the role with Casino Royale. Anyone requiring proof of Owen’s Bond credentials ought to consult his mesmerising effort in Mike Hodge’s 1998 neo-noir crime drama Croupier.
The film sees Owen play Jack Manfred, a struggling writer who takes a job as a croupier in a local casino despite his literary ambitions. Soon, Jack is caught up in the gritty underbelly of the gambling world and he experiences a physical and characteristic transformation, while Owen showcases the charisma and talent that ought to have afforded him a shot at Bond.
For instance, Owen’s depiction of Jack – once the character gets rid of his bleached blonde hair – is one that drips in cool suaveness and atmospheric sophistication, mirroring the kind of charm possessed by Ian Fleming’s iconic spy. Not only does Owen look physically impressive with his slicked-back hair in a sharp tuxedo, but he also embodies a quietness that would have been perfect for a version of Bond. Jack rarely speaks in his croupier guise, and an air of mystery follows his every move, which is highly reminiscent of the best Bonds, those who allow their actions to speak rather than their words.
In addition, there’s always been a moral complexity to James Bond that seems to be at the forefront of Jack’s character as he dives deeper into the criminal underworld of the casino. He’s faced with several ethical dilemmas but seems to stick resolutely to his own written moral code, insisting that he never gambles, even for fun. This reveals a psychological conflict in Jack, one that often rings through Bond’s mind as he traverses the pitfalls of life as a British secret agent, particularly in the later films in the series in which Daniel Craig starred.
Owen is clearly capable of handling himself in moments of romantic and emotional drama, as would be expected of him in the role of Bond, and so too does he possess an unbridled sense of polite British masculinity. What’s more, though, is that his physicality is equally impressive, able to get into a brawl with an enemy, only to moments later shuffle through a deck of cards with the proficiency of an experienced dealer.
Clive Owen’s Jack is a man who has it all: intelligence, wit, strength and a moral compass that allows him to create his own rules and live his own life. In light of that, the producers of the James Bond film really missed a trick by not casting the actor in the role of 007. While Daniel Craig’s efforts have been widely admired, Owen proved in Croupier that he possessed all the ingredients to approach the legendary British spy with all the suaveness and charm that would be expected of him.
Check out the trailer for Croupier below.
