Making the Bond

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Image credit: Hugh Jackman: Henry McGee/Globe Photos

HUGH'VE GOT THE LOOK Jackman's rakish appearance is perfect for the suave, refined Bond

HUGH JACKMAN While ''X-Men'' and ''Someone Like You'' proved he handles action and women with equal aplomb, it's hard to imagine his brawn stuffed into a tux. Then again, the ''Swordfish'' star, 32, resembles another Bond: ''He has the same quality as a young Sean Connery,'' says Cooper. ''He looks almost dangerous sometimes; you don't know whether he's going to charm you or attack you.''
Tux-ability? No
Babe-ability? Yes
Gadget-ability? No
Bond-ability? Yes

JUDE LAW The thought of him in black tie makes us swoon, but Law, 28, may be too young (and pretty). ''There's not enough of a hard edge to him,'' says Paul Kryriazi, who runs worldwide seminars, seriously, on ''How to Live the James Bond Lifestyle.'' But ''A.I.'''s suave robo-gigolo scores points with the ladies. ''He has an ease about being a snob which is an essential part of being Bond,'' says Cooper.
Tux-ability? Yes
Babe-ability? Yes
Gadget-ability? Yes
Bond-ability? No

EWAN MACGREGOR ''The Phantom Menace'' star's lightsaber skills show his comfort with gadgetry (though Bond would scoff at Obi-Wan's mullet). And the 30-year-old's ''Moulin Rouge'' love scenes were convincing. But ''The Essential Bond'' coauthor Lee Pfeiffer sniffs: ''He's too boyish.'' Adds Dougall: '''Velvet Goldmine' was a Dr. No-No.'' Besides, after three ''Star Wars'' films, he may not be keen on another franchise.
Tux-ability? No
Babe-ability? Yes
Gadget-ability? Yes
Bond-ability? No

CLIVE OWEN He looks good in a tux, and his ''Croupier'' experience should help in Bond's whip-smart world. Plus, he plays a Bondlike hero in those BMW.com shorts. ''He's got that lean and hungry look,'' notes Dougall. But is Owen, 35, quick enough on the draw? ''He's a bit grim,'' says Cooper. ''He wouldn't be able to jump in and out of an airplane and make it look like he's having tea.''
Tux-ability? Yes
Babe-ability? No
Gadget-ability? No
Bond-ability? Yes

Additional reporting by Sunny Lee

Originally posted Jul 19, 2001

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