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.

EWAN MCGREGOR 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.

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.''

Originally posted Jul 27, 2001 Published in issue #606 Jul 27, 2001 Order article reprints
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