http://www.startribune.com/464/story/934286.html

C.J.: Son's shot at stardom? Parents will never say 'never' again

"Bond. Jackson Bond," as this 10-year-old Twin Citian sometimes introduces himself, apparently has it.

By C.J., Star Tribune

"Bond. Jackson Bond," as this 10-year-old Twin Citian sometimes introduces himself, apparently has it.

Parents Jodi and Scott Bond, Ramsey County and Hennepin County probation officers, respectively, have been in denial since Jackson was 3, the first time a talent judge said their little hockey player/dancer had the "it" factor.

But they can deny it no more. Despite heartily preparing him for rejection, at Jackson's fourth audition he landed the role of Nicole Kidman's son in "The Invasion," which also stars the new James Bond, Daniel Craig.

For a long time people have been telling Jackson's parents to Get him into TV!

But Jodi said they responded like Minnesotans with, " 'That's really sweet. Oh, thank you,' and you just kind of move on," she said. "When he was asked to be in a local Lions Club play and he was just going to do this Keystone Cop dance bit, once he started showing up at rehearsals they let him be the cop at the beginning of the show saying, 'Please turn off your cell phones.' And then he was the cop at the end saying 'OK, it's done. Get out of here!'

"They gave him a little Oscar award at the dinner and he said, 'Mom, I smile from my tummy when I do this. Can you figure out how to let me do it more?' "

A Children's Theatre camp followed, as did a visit with a talent agency. All the while, Mom and Dad have been playing down the potential for real success.

"I'm starting to believe maybe there is this 'it' factor that he has because this has all just happened within a year. He got the role to be in the movie last September [2005]. He got [one shot on CBS'] 'CSI-Miami' and shortly after [a regular gig on ABC's] 'In Case of Emergency,' " Jodi said.

"I always had a little actor in the house," she said. "Just nobody else knew it. He's always been an extrovert, outgoing and pretty comical. People have always told us when you watch him dance he just lights up, and he's singing and dancing and clapping and trying to get the audience going, and my husband and I are like, 'Who is this little boy?' "

He's a little boy who had a special on-set relationship with Kidman, who plays a psychiatrist.

"He did not really know who she was, because she hadn't been in any child-friendly movies, but [he] had seen her picture and certainly knew that she was this movie star," said Jodi. "She was just phenomenal with him. It was quite cute. They had their own little song, and they would sing 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' at the top of their lungs in her limo. She was real cute with him."

Jodi never thought Jackson looked like Kidman until she donned a blond wig for the movie: "He was in a big spread in the New York Times that said Nicole and her look-alike son, and they really did. It was kind of funny because here Scott and I have dark hair."

The movie, a loosely related remake of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," was not scary for Jackson. "I always thought that when I watched movies and they had kids in there," Jodi said. "But he is the little boy who holds the key to the city and he is immune, so he's one step ahead of the trouble all the time."

Wednesday is expected to be an exciting night around the Bond household.

Jackson's sister Ciara, 7, is scheduled to have a scene in which she speaks a line on "In Case of Emergency."

Jackson and Ciara also have a very supportive older sister, Lexi, 12.

"I grew up in a house with lots of sibling rivalry, so I was a little worried about that," Jodi said. "I tell you, she could not be more tickled and supportive, and I think she's his biggest fan. Tears of joy in her eyes when she found out he got the television show. I went to conferences at school, and they said she is so proud and excited. And even when her little sister got a part, I didn't see anything on her face. She's an extraordinary little girl."

The folks on "In Case of Emergency" have promised to write a small part for Lexi if the show gets picked up for another season.

Thanks .

They had their own little song, and they would sing 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' at the top of their lungs in her limo. She was real cute with him."

that's so cute! thanks for the article!

janjan: Thank you for that sweet article. How neat that he & Nicole had their own little song. What a lucky little boy he is!

Thanks, janjan. How cute is that ... singing their own little song at the top of their lungs.

Thanks janjan

Aww soo cute! I can picture Nic and him screaming in the limo =D

everytime that song plays, you cant help but sing along to it.... its contagious! and its so cute how nicole would so that!

that is one of those songs you have to sing along to at the top of your lungs!

That's seriously cute! Thanks janjan!

Lucky kid! that's totally adorable...thanks!

Thanks for the article.
ciao

thnx for the heads-up, i am sure we will get to read a lot more about him as the release date approaches

Lucky boy. Thanks for the cute article.

Thanks, janjan

Thanks for the article Janjan!

Thanks for the article!!! Cute!!!

Thanx 4 da article JanJan Awwww dat's sounds so sweet, Nic and Jackson singin' dere own lil song I can't wait 2 see da film

~Viviana~

Cute and cool!


thanks janjan for such a cooooooooool article!

thanks for the article...........