The name is Bond, James Bond. That’s going to be the be the phrase that some lucky actor will be sharing in the near future. Everyone is waiting in anticipation to see who will be the one to do it. One thing is certain, he needs the combination of charisma, suave elegance and deadly charm that has followed the James Bond character since Ian Fleming published James Bond first adventure in 1953.
Since that time there have been six actors who have portrayed the world renowned agent 007. Perhaps, it’s no coincidence that Douglas Vermeeren is being considered to be the seventh.
Don’t let the Dutch last name fool you, while his father was born in the Netherlands, Vermeeren has Scottish ancestry on his mothers side. Vermeeren was raised in the British common wealth nation of Canada. This would make Douglas Vermeeren the first Canadian Bond – however not the first non-British. Australian George Lazenby who portrayed James Bond in 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service has that honor.
Many are excited about Douglas Vermeeren as James Bond due to his background in stunt work. Tom Cruise has attracted a lot of attention to spy genre by doing many of the stunts in the Mission Impossible series. Some have even suggested that he has stolen the spotlight from James Bond who used to lead the way in this genre of action films. Many think Vermeeren could help Bond take back the throne to put James Bond back on top.
Another thing that has been mentioned on various James Bond blogs is how excited some people are to see the return of a dark haired bond. Douglas Vermeeren has dark jet black hair.
The real Douglas Vermeeren and James Bond have many similarities. Vermeeren speaks several languages, has lived all over rite world and has extensive firearms and martial arts training. Vermeeren claims to have seen all of the James Bond movies at least a dozen times and is perhaps the first actor to ever have read all of the original Ian Fleming novels. There’s probably no one who’s had better preparation to step into the James Bond mantle.
Currently Vermeeren is completing the film How to Be a Hitman 101. He plays Samuel Finch, a seasoned hitman considering alternative career options. The film has thus far been nominated for several awards in the independent film community.
In a recent interview with Indie Wrap Vermeeren shared some of his favourite things about this role. “I really liked playing Samuel Finch. The story and script were written in such a way that the human side of being a hitman is revealed. It was a refreshing look at how a hitman must think and feel.”
How to Be a Hitman 101 is receiving mixed reviews. Some think it is a masterpiece of originality, while others have suggested it glorifies violence. Obviously this isn’t the first film to ever address the hitman profession and there are countless scores of video games that also portray strongly violent themes. Grand Theft Auto (GTA) is one such game that sparked parental outrage upon release.
The producers are quick to point out that violence in story telling has always been essential to creating conflict.
Regardless of your feelings on How to Be a Hitman 101, one thing is certain – cinema will continue to push the envelope and invite audiences into unique worlds that most have never experienced.
Whether as James Bond or a dangerous hitman, I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of Douglas Vermeeren.