British actor Tom Hardy poses for a photograph at the world premiere of 'Dunkirk' in London on July 13, 2017. AFP
British actor Tom Hardy poses for a photograph at the world premiere of 'Dunkirk' in London on July 13, 2017. AFP
British actor Tom Hardy poses for a photograph at the world premiere of 'Dunkirk' in London on July 13, 2017. AFP
British actor Tom Hardy poses for a photograph at the world premiere of 'Dunkirk' in London on July 13, 2017. AFP

James Bond franchise remains unshaken if Tom Hardy rumours are true


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Back in 2018 when Idris Elba was at the centre of peak James Bond fantasy casting, the possibility that a British black man might portray 007 seemed a distinct possibility.

Speaking to Variety, Bond producer Barbara Broccoli, said, "He can be of any colour, but he is male", while Elba himself told the publication, "Everybody would like to see something different with it, why not?"

Fast forward two years, add a global pandemic, more of the #MeToo reckoning and the strengthening of the Black Lives Matter movement, and the world has changed indefinitely and irrevocably.

All of which makes the rumoured decision to cast Tom Hardy a clear message from producers that while the world may change, we can all take a quantum of solace (not) that 007 will be staying firmly in his lane.

The first rule of being Bond … no one talks about Bond

As Sarah Marrs, film critic and entertainment writer at Cinesnark,  says, "The Bond rumour mill exists in a perpetual state of out of control." So, it's worth noting that online chatter putting 007's Walther PPK in the hands of British actor Tom Hardy remain unsubstantiated.

Originating on The Vulcan Reporter website, journalist Emre Kaya declared, "Daniel Craig's successor has been found: Tom Hardy will be taking over the role of James Bond … While Tom Hardy was expected to be announced as the new Bond in November, this does not seem to be the case anymore due to the coronavirus. Nevertheless, I anticipate the announcement to come out this year all the same."

And if the news turns out to be true, Hardy will have beat out a list of his illustrious British peers, including Henry Cavill, Tom Hiddleston, Nicholas Hoult, Charlie Hunnam, David Oyelowo and James McAvoy, all of whom have been attached to the role over the past few years.

However rumours connecting Oscar nominee Hardy to the part have gained groundswell before.

"There's a saying amongst us in the fraternity of acting, that if you talk about it you're automatically out of the race. So, I can't possibly comment on that one," Hardy said of stories linking him to the role in 2017. And when rumours that resurfaced the following year turned out to be an April Fool's gag, the Inception actor took to Instagram to joke, "Dammit I was in my tux and on the runway good to go. No drama. Return to base."

No time for women?

When the news broke last year that 007 would be played by a woman in No Time To Die, a certain subsection of fans (read: white male fanboys) predictably suffered a collective breakdown on Twitter.

Furious that feminism was going to destroy this cinematic bastion of manhood in the same way a female Dr Who destroyed the British TV franchise (spoiler: it didn't), fans set about creating an uproar after confusing the character, James Bond, with his designation, 007.

"I believe we should be creating new characters for women – strong female characters," said Broccoli, eschewing the idea that Bond would ever be portrayed by a woman. "I'm not particularly interested in taking a male character and having a woman play it. I think women are far more interesting than that."

However, while there's a gender barrier on who can play Bond, if Hardy's appointment turns out to be true, it appears there's no age cap, as at 43, the actor is already seven years older than Craig was when he joined the franchise aged 36. And five films and 16 years later, Craig is bowing out at 52.

'No Time to Die' is scheduled to be released in UAE cinemas on Thursday, November 19. Credit Nicola Dove
'No Time to Die' is scheduled to be released in UAE cinemas on Thursday, November 19. Credit Nicola Dove

"Even if we were to entertain the idea of Bond 26, for them to find a director and get a good script into shape, they wouldn't start shooting until at the earliest 2021," said Elaine Lui of Canadian entertainment news show etalk. "You want a Bond who can do at minimum three films for you. That's a decade."

A decade that would mean Tom still shooting, quipping, shaking and stirring at 53.

And judging by his IMDb page, on which he has 11 projects in the works, including the Venom and Mad Max sequels, it's difficult to see where Bond might fit into his schedule.

Oh well, if it doesn't pan out for Hardy, he can rest safe in the knowledge that the list of also-rans when it comes to playing Bond is as long and illustrious as the ones who actually won the role, and he'd be joining the likes of Cary Grant, Dick van Dyke, Burt Reynolds and Mel Gibson in the realms of Dr No Thanks. Next.

______________________________

A look back at the Bond villains:

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Going grey? A stylist's advice

If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”

Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

Mobile phone packages comparison
The specs

Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8

Transmission: Eight-speed auto

Power: 575bhp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: Dh554,000

On sale: now

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Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES

SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities

Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails

Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies

Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments

Company%C2%A0profile
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Tips%20for%20holiday%20homeowners
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If you go

Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.

Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com

A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

Anna and the Apocalypse

Director: John McPhail

Starring: Ella Hunt, Malcolm Cumming, Mark Benton

Three stars

TO A LAND UNKNOWN

Director: Mahdi Fleifel

Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa

Rating: 4.5/5

How to help

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200

THE BIO

Ambition: To create awareness among young about people with disabilities and make the world a more inclusive place

Job Title: Human resources administrator, Expo 2020 Dubai

First jobs: Co-ordinator with Magrudy Enterprises; HR coordinator at Jumeirah Group

Entrepreneur: Started his own graphic design business

Favourite singer: Avril Lavigne

Favourite travel destination: Germany and Saudi Arabia

Family: Six sisters

What%20is%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%3F%20
%3Cp%3EDungeons%20%26amp%3B%20Dragons%20began%20as%20an%20interactive%20game%20which%20would%20be%20set%20up%20on%20a%20table%20in%201974.%20One%20player%20takes%20on%20the%20role%20of%20dungeon%20master%2C%20who%20directs%20the%20game%2C%20while%20the%20other%20players%20each%20portray%20a%20character%2C%20determining%20its%20species%2C%20occupation%20and%20moral%20and%20ethical%20outlook.%20They%20can%20choose%20the%20character%E2%80%99s%20abilities%2C%20such%20as%20strength%2C%20constitution%2C%20dexterity%2C%20intelligence%2C%20wisdom%20and%20charisma.%20In%20layman%E2%80%99s%20terms%2C%20the%20winner%20is%20the%20one%20who%20amasses%20the%20highest%20score.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
NATIONAL%20SELECTIONS
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SQUADS

UAE
Mohammed Naveed (captain), Mohamed Usman (vice-captain), Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Imran Haider, Tahir Mughal, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed, Fahad Nawaz, Abdul Shakoor, Sultan Ahmed, CP Rizwan

Nepal
Paras Khadka (captain), Gyanendra Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Pradeep Airee, Binod Bhandari, Avinash Bohara, Sundeep Jora, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Rohit Paudel, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Basant Regmi, Pawan Sarraf, Bhim Sharki, Aarif Sheikh

MATCH STATS

Wolves 0

Aston Villa 1 (El Ghazi 90 4' pen)

Red cards: Joao Moutinho (Wolves); Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa)

Man of the match: Emi Martinez (Aston Villa)

SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.5-litre%204-cylinder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20101hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20135Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Six-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh79%2C900%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League final:

Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports

SPIDER-MAN%3A%20ACROSS%20THE%20SPIDER-VERSE
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Company Profile:

Name: The Protein Bakeshop

Date of start: 2013

Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani

Based: Dubai

Size, number of employees: 12

Funding/investors:  $400,000 (2018) 

BABYLON
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