Matt Damon Calls James Bond "Repulsive"

So what does Jason Bourne really think of James Bond? "They could never make a James Bond movie like any of the Bourne films," charges Matt Damon in The Miami Herald. "Because Bond is an imperialist, misogynist sociopath who goes around bedding women and swilling martinis and killing people." And just to make sure you're reading him right, the star adds of 007, "He's repulsive." The topic of conversation is supposed to be Damon's interest in global politics, which is one of the reasons he's narrating the documentary, Journey to the Planet Earth, which is what the actor was working on when he sat down with The Herald for the piece, "The Opinionated Mr. Damon." And is he ever:

"[Steven Soderbergh] told me that years ago he was offered a Bond movie. He told them he'd do it if they gave him creative control. Absolutely not, they said. They have a formula, they stick to it, and it makes them a lot of money. They know what they're doing, and they're going to keep doing it."

As for Bourne, Damon says he's happy to get back to the series now that his work on the Paul Greengrass Iraq War movie, The Green Zone has wrapped. "When you make a $125 million Iraq movie, you kind of owe them a Bourne movie," he jokes. Damon also talks about Robert DeNiro's desire to make The Good Shepherd into a trilogy, which is odd, because it already kind of felt like one. But Damon's comments about Bond raise that contemporary question: Why spy series is better? Bond has been around forever, but in terms of films that hold a candle to the Bourne trilogy? There might be six or seven 007 movies as good as ony of the three Jason Bourne flicks. Maybe. But I think Casino Royale is probably as good as either Identity or Supremacy.

Comments

[Lengthy Johnson]

The new Casino Royale did not have the same nerve as the first and third Bourne movies.

Moreover, it displayed exactly the nihilist "qualities" in Bond that Damon found repulsive.

I think it's good that Damon uses his platform to voice his opinions. I'd say he has a fairly decent judgment, although it's important to let entertainment be entertainment sometimes.

[Asana]

I agree to the importance of letting entertainment be entertainment. As such, I'm surprised at Damon's remarks. The Bond franchise is what it is and if they want to take liberties with it so be it. Comparisons to the Bourne films don't quite seem fair because they're very different characters on equally different agendas. Bond moving up to a more Bourne-like level of action? Ok sure but it's not as though Bond films have ever been action free so who cares if Bond's ass-kicking ways get turned up a notch or three?

As a follow on to Royale I think Quantum of Solace had to go in a different direction than the typical Bond film. There had to be more of an edge to it because playing it up as bid for vengeance doesn't work if Bond is just casually sipping martinis while angling up how to get the drop on his foe. Methinks Damon protests too much and his rather outspoken nature of late is bordering on Tom Cruise worthy.

[Emo]

Asana...I think you're right on the mark. Anyone who gets "offended" by James Bond...really needs some other things to worry about in life. Like LJ said in his post...sometimes entertainment is entertainment.

Damon is beginning to sound like that guy in college who told women "I hate men who just try to get into girls pants!"...in an effort to get into a girls pants.

[jack]

I remember the last time Mister Damon opened his mouth so publicly it was to regurgitate some crap someone made up about how Sarah Palin believes that dinosaurs have been around for only 4,000 years ago. Let me say that again: SOMEONE MADE THIS UP AND CIRCULATED IT AS A JOKE. But Mister Damon, being one of those mindless entertainment drones who only looks intelligent when someone gives them a script from which to read from, went around stating it as fact. Yes, that's the type of "opinions" I want from my actors -- the kind that shows them to be the intellectually stunted buffoons they are, so easily manipulated and convinced, and oh so willing to go with the herd as long as it means a date to the prom.

[Lengthy Johnson]

Well, the truth about Mrs Palin may be a lot worse than dinosaurs. And Damon made the excellent point that John McCain, from statistics, would be highly likely to croak it during his first term, leaving us with a president that knew nothing about anything and made the rest of it up.

[Mr. Internets]

Actually Palin does believe in young earth creationism which means that the believes humans and dinosaurs were alive at the same time. Creationists believe the earth is 6,000 years old.

[Hotchman]

Um back to the point, Damon is just Jealous that he didn't come up with Bond and can NEVER play him since Bond isn't a short Bostonian, with no ability to be swave. Bourne should have been done after movie 1. He is acting in a franchise that was extended just cause a movie was good. BOND however has been around for years and is still pulling from the many stories that Flemming wrote. Get over it Damon!

[Man Overboard]

Matt Damon is panzy ass chode who couldn't hold a candle to any of the guys who have been bond and no matter how many times they adjust the camera speed - they will never make Matt Damon a tough guy.