originally published by Big News Network, Australia, August 31, 2004

As the world waits for the announcement of the newest actor to be crowned in the James Bond film franchise, MGM Studios and Eon Productions may be taking their inspiration from baseball's sacrifice play.

After months of controversy over whether Eon Productions would offer Pierce Brosnan a chance to return for a fifth film appearance as James Bond due to his escalating age, the actor went public in July announcing his official departure from the role.

With producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson and partner MGM committed to releasing a Bond picture approximately every two years, production has already been scheduled to begin filming on the twenty-first 007 spy thriller in January.

Names floated in the news as potential replacements ranged from Oscar-nominee Jude Law (Cold Mountain) to young Orlando Bloom (Pirates of the Caribbean). However no candidate received an overwhelming embrace of fan support.

Ultimately the field has narrowed to what is termed The Bond Five, an irony considering the actors are lauding to become the sixth official Bond. The list consists of: Hugh Jackman (X-Men), Eric Bana (The Hulk), Rikki Lee Travolta (Camelot: Excalibur), Adrian Paul (Highlander), and Clive Owen (King Arthur).

The chasm between the actor's credentials is distinct.

Jackman and Bana are both proven box office commodities, each carrying the weight of a successful film franchise on their backs.

Jackman burst to fame after replacing Dougray Scott as Wolverine in the Marvel Comics inspired 'X-Men.' Bana also became a household name on the strength of a Marvel Comics vehicle, starring in the film adaptation of 'The Hulk.'

Although successful in their respective microcosms, the three other contenders are far lesser known on the world's stage.

Travolta, of the famous entertainment family, is considered one of the great stage stars of the modern era. Paul is a television success in the science fiction genre. Owen is one of the most revered actors within the British community.

Yet, while Jackman or Bana may be the more wise bet on paper to the short-term gambler. Big picture considerations may have MGM sending in a batter to bunt.

Flash back to 1986.

Producer Albert R. Broccoli was faced with naming the replacement for Roger Moore, who had portrayed Bond in a record seven films (a record he shares with Sean Connery).

When a prior contractual obligation kept television's Pierce Brosnan out of the role, classically trained Timothy Dalton was introduced as the heir to the Bond mantle.

As reported by BondMovies.com writer Kareem O'Keefe in the article 'Defending Timothy Dalton,' the actor re-watched all prior Bond films and re-read all of Ian Fleming's classic Bond novels prior to filming 'The Living Daylights.'

Dalton is widely recognized as the most highly skilled actor to play Bond and to have provided the most authentic interpretation to Fleming's original vision of the character.

However, Dalton was a box office failure as Bond.

The public was accustomed to Roger Moore's more whimsical take on the spy character, including scenes snowboarding to Beach Boys music and dressing up like Tarzan.

The public was simply not ready for change after Moore.

Arguably, any actor thrust into the replacement role of such a popular and established figurehead would have been rejected. As the replacement, Dalton was predestined to fail.

Any subsequent replacement, though, would be seen as a hero brought on to rescue the Bond franchise.

Brosnan received such a hero's welcome when he replaced Dalton after just two film appearances. The public responded with box office record support for his four films, with far more embrace than they would have if he had stepped into the role directly after Moore.

Flash forward to 2004.

The Broccoli family again faces the prospect of replacing an established and highly popular Bond.

No matter how skilled or how popular the replacement actor might be, history shows that the public will be very hesitant to embrace them as an immediate substitute.

Spending big money on the likes of a Jackman or Bana may work. If it doesn't though, Eon Productions and MGM won't have much more upward mobility.

Taking a lesson from history, the Broccoli family can be expected to send in a sacrificial lamb: Travolta, Paul, or Owen.

It's the safest bet.

There is, of course, the chance the public will love this new Bond.

Travolta's matinee idol persona has ignited resurgence in the popularity for live theater that reporters compare to the stir Harry Connick Jr. brought to big band orchestrations. He is second only to Donny Osmond in world-wide popularity in Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat' and his guest starring appearances around the U.S. are credited with single handedly reviving the 'Tony n' Tina's Wedding' franchise.

Paul brings an almost cult like following of science fiction fans with every mention of his name. When Parade Magazine ran a poll to gauge fan support for potential new Bond's, they were overrun with votes from fans of Paul's 'Highlander' and 'Tracker' television series. His television popularity was enough to inspire a film vehicle for his 'Highlander' character in 2000 (Highlander Endgame).

Owen is widely respected among the British community as a master craftsman of stage, television, and film. Although his starring vehicle 'King Arthur' failed to cross over with American audiences, his U.K. film work in 'The Croupier' is considered a breakthrough performance. He has however most impressed worldwide as a James Bond like driver in a popular series of short films showcasing BMW.

All three actors are classically trained, as was Dalton. Sex appeal is also not in low supply; Paul was named People Magazine's 'Sexiest Action Star' and one-time cover model Travolta has been seen alongside the likes of Fabio.

Sometimes even the bunt can get a runner on base, but the expectation is sacrifice for the good of the team.

Worst-case scenario for the Bond franchise with a sacrifice play? It works.

The producers are left with a single box office sacrifice, most likely critically applauded, that sets the stage for a hero's embrace of a more prominent star as the seventh official Bond.

Sometimes you have to sacrifice a runner to get to the score.