Dougray Scott in Focus:  Articles and Interviews

Only a home-grown 007 can shake and stir the nation

WE'VE had two Englishmen, an Irishman and an Australian, but none of them could measure up to a Scotsman.

It's been 18 long years since Sean Connery graced our movie screens as James Bond. But neither the super-smooth Roger Moore nor Timothy Dalton, non-starter George Lazenby or even suave Pierce Brosnan could equal Connery's ultimate 007.

The James Bond of Ian Fleming's books went to school in Scotland, and Edinburgh-born Connery, with his trademark Scottish accent, made the role his own. Not only did Sir Sean star in the best Bond movies - including Dr No, From Russia With Love and Goldfinger - he also got the best-looking Bond babes.

Who could forget Ursula Andress, as Honey Ryder, walking from the sea in THAT bikini?

Connery didn't need modern special effects and massive budgets to create the spy every man wanted to be and every woman wanted to be with. His Bond was so cool that he even pulled off the role of the ageing spy after a 12-year break in 1983 in Never Say Never Again.

Now the rumours are that Brosnan wants to drink his last martini after the next Bond movie. Those lining up to succeed him include New Zealander Russell Crowe, Yanks Will Smith and Leonardo DiCaprio, English stars including EastEnder Martin Kemp, and even a woman - Catherine Zeta Jones.

But we at the Daily Record says: "Enough!"

IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER SCOTTISH BOND.

Sure, we've had Robbie Coltrane and Robert Carlyle as home-grown baddies, but it is once again time for a Scot to take the leading role. Here are our 007 Scottish candidates to play Bond...

GERARD BUTLER

Before Bond:

HE gave up studying for a law degree in Glasgow to go to acting school - and since then Gerard has landed quite a few plum roles. He starred as Billy Connolly's brother in Mrs Brown and took the lead role in this year's Dracula 2001. He's also no stranger to 007. He had a small part in the 1997 Bond flick, Tomorrow Never Dies.

Action credentials

As well as playing Dracula, Gerry - who is a strapping 6ft 2ins - has played Attila The Hun for a TV movie. You can't get much harder.

Secret weapon:

Six years ago, he saved a teenager from drowning by pulling him out of the River Tay. He doesn't drink alcohol, so he wouldn't like martini, but would have his milk, shaken (not stirred).

Bond girl potential:

Although in real life Gerard is single, in his job he has been able to snog fellow Scot Simone Lahbib, left, as well as Rachel Weisz, Andie MacDowell and Charlotte Rampling.

Bond chances:

The hot favourite. Has already been in talks with Bond producer Barbara Broccoli. 007

RONALD VILLIERS

Before Bond:

ER, not much. Was the back end of a cow in a 1995 production of Jack And The Beanstalk. And in 1992 he starred in the Maryhill Social Club's Mother Goose in the role of giving out sweets to the audience.

Action credentials

Once broke his collar bone while acting in his school's nativity play.

Secret weapon:

He gave Bobby Carlyle acting advice for Comic Relief - and thought the Full Monty star was called Bobby, from Carlisle. He's not really very bright.

Bond girl potential:

Insisting on always wearing a trilby and trenchcoat, he might look a bit peculiar in love scenes. No recorded girlfriends to speak of, although maybe his wee pal from the corner shop could stand in.

Bond chances:

Only Bond film he's likely to make is Dr. No Chance or The Pie Who Loved Me. Not exactly a hot favourite. 001

EWAN MCGREGOR

Before Bond:

Crieff-born Ewan, 30, is hardly short of leading roles - he's been Obi Wan Kenobi in Star Wars Phantom Menace, Renton in Trainspotting and Christian in Moulin Rouge.

Action credentials

As well as slaughtering Darth Maul, in real life Ewan spent a week in the jungle for a BBC documentary and wants to swim under ice next year for another TV programme.

Secret weapon:

Ewan is currently recording with Bjork's producer Marius de Vries, so he could save moviemakers some money and record his own Bond theme.

Bond girl potential:

Ewan is happily married to French wife Eve, who has just given birth to their second child, but has still smooched Anna Friel, pictured, Cameron Diaz, Kelly Macdonald and Nicole Kidman on screen.

Bond chances:

Might be too busy with the Star Wars sequel. 005

DOUGRAY SCOTT

Before Bond:

THE Hibs-daft 34 year old, of Glenrothes, battled with Tom Cruise in the Mission Impossible sequel, M:I-2, for which he missed a role in X-Men. He has also starred in Enigma, Twin Town and Ever After.

Action credentials

He drove a motorbike through a wall of fire for M:I-2. One stunt left him with an injured shoulder and two cracked ribs. Oh, and he's beaten up Tom Cruise. He also used to get into regular scrapes for Sunday league football.

Secret weapon:

He used to sell fridges and freezers so he's good at keeping cool and he has followed Hibs, so he's not afraid of danger.

Bond girl potential:

Married, but was linked to co-star Kate Winslet. Won Thandie Newton, left, from Tom Cruise in M:I-2.

Bond chances:

Turned it down, but may change his mind. The Bond producer is a big fan. 006

IAIN GLEN

Before Bond:

EDINBURGH-BORN actor Iain, 40, has looked after monkeys in Gorillas in the Mist, fought Lara Croft in Tomb Raider, and played an explorer in Mountains Of The Moon. He was last seen playing the tough-guy dad against Billy Connolly's angel in Gabriel And Me.

Action credentials

He kicked butt in Tomb Raider as Lara Croft's sworn enemy, Manfred Powell.

Secret weapon:

Iain loved sword fighting and used to practise fencing at drama school with fellow movie star Ralph Fiennes. So cutting the Bond baddies down to size wouldn't be a problem.

Bond girl potential:

In real life, he's happily married to House Of Cards actress Susannah Harker. But off screen, in the play The Blue Room, he has cartwheeled naked with Nicole Kidman, pictured.

Bond chances:

Might be a bit old for the part unless Nicole puts in a good word. 004

ALLY MCCOIST

Before Bond:

FORMER Rangers star Ally was the team's highest ever scorer and used to play in front of 48,000 fans every week (until he signed for Kilmarnock, of course). He's just made his movie debut in A Shot At Glory as Jackie McQuillan, a Scottish footballer.

Action credentials

He's played against Airdrie often enough not to worry about the rough stuff and Celtic fans might argue the diving stunts wouldn't be too difficult for him to recreate after some of the penalties he's secured in Old Firm games of days gone by.

Secret weapon:

Ally has admitted to worrying about going bald, so he could be the second Bond to wear a wig after Sean Connery.

Bond girl potential:

You might need to ask Mrs. McCoist, left, about that one...

Bond chances:

Not many captains on Question Of Sport have been considered for the role. 002

ANGUS MacFADYEN

Before Bond:

AS a boy, the Edinburgh-born actor trained as a clown in the circus before starting his acting career in films including The Rat Pack with Ray Liotta, Cradle Will Rock with Tim Robbins and Sandra Bullock's new flick, Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood.

Action credentials

Angus, 38, is already very experienced in being rough and ready, from being Second Lt. Alex Pereira in TV's Soldier Soldier to Robert the Bruce in Braveheart. So in theory he should be able to handle anything Oddjob or Jaws could possibly throw at him.

Secret weapon:

He's fluent in English and French - handy for those top secret espionage deals beloved of Bond, James Bond.

Bond girl potential:

He was engaged to Catherine Zeta- Jones, left, for two years. Need we say more?

Bond chances:

As a child, Angus travelled around with his family a lot and may have lost too much of his Scottish accent. 003

Copyright 2001 Scottish Daily Record & Sunday Mail Ltd.