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A sensible, measured post, sir. I think you're right - the series is approaching staleness, if not already there. Devoted fans like us might not feel it quite the same [since we will go and watch a new Bond film pretty much no matter what] but I hearing the same complaints reoccuring when it comes to the current films, and I think it'll take recasting to truly see them off. Most average movie-goers were satisfied with SPECTRE, but there doesn't appear to be much hunger to see what could happen next, were there a story to tell. While the film wasn't poorly received, there has been a feeling since its release that the series has hit another creative bumper, and needs pushing in a new direction - like that article shows.
Personally, I think that if 2018 becomes clear Daniel will most likely come back, but if late 2019 is the earliest they can make the next Bond, they will probably recast and move on.
Well that's the thing, isn't it? They tried going back to appease fans, instead of continuing the trend of change, and we've returned to post DAD stale-ty.
The series needs young blood and absurd ideas as to where to take Bond.
It's a tricky thing to balance. You want to appease your fans, yet you want to be original. Force Awakens vs Phantom Menace. I think the latter works when there's a generation long break in-between films, but the latter works better on a consistent basis.
April 2017
->A rumour surfaces that Purvis and Wade are scouting Cyprus as a possible location for Bond 25, although it's unclear if this is an April Fool's hoax
-Jeffrey Wright, who played Felix Leiter in both Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, sparks rumours that he may return to the franchise after posting a still of his character on Instagram
->Negotiations have yet to be reached between the WGA and AMPTP, with a strike authorization vote to commence between the 19 and 24 of April. The Guild plans to go on strike on May 2 if a deal is not yet reached
->The New York Times reports that five studios (Sony, Warner Bros, 20th Century Fox, Universal, and Annapurna) are competing for the distribution rights of a one-picture deal, and are putting on pitches in front of Broccoli & Wilson as well as MGM executives
->Fanclub Archivo 007 says they have reason to believe that Craig will more than likely return for B25 based on contractual information (possibly Craig's stunt double singing on) let slip by a source at Pinewood Studios
->96% of the Writer's Guild's 12,000 members vote for a strike authorization, and will likely use this as leverage when returning to the bargaining table later this month
->Dave Bautista tells Metro that he is more than willing to return as Hinx, harkening back to Richard Kiel's double feature as Jaws. "We’re waiting for the news to see if Daniel will sign up for Bond 25, because then there’s a chance that Hinx will come back."
Having said that, both these films (GE & TFA) are perfectly executed formula. They tug in all the right places. Some of it is obvious perhaps, but they get the big stuff right. They are essentially good pastiche, full of vibrant lively characters and passion. You can tell that they were made with dedication and care.
When there isn't that big gap between films, then perhaps formula could get predictable as you note. I think in these instances it can still be incorporated, but it must be done sparsely, and must flow organically from the narrative. There's nothing to stop Bond getting his girl, killing the bad guy (who inevitably makes the same old mistake of not killing Bond when he has the chance), performing death defying stunts and saving the world in any film. The stories just have to make sense and have consequence both to the viewers and the characters in the film. The mood must be right and any throwbacks to the past must be kept to a minimum, or if revisited, must be incorporated deftly so as not to draw immediate attention to the fact. It's ok to realize after a couple of viewings that one is essentially watching a retread (after one has accepted the characters and absorbed the film as its own entity), but it shouldn't be obvious right away. Similar to any good twist, the viewer can't see it too early.
With formula, it's not so much what you do as much as it is how you do it.
I don't think P&W are capable of doing formula without it being terribly obvious. That's where my concern arises.
I don't want Hinx back, though I liked him okay.
Dan shall return as Bond.
I want either David Arnold back or a new composer.
@Creasy47, I definitely think yet another sign of Craig's return is the P&W involvement. If you were doing a Craig Bond film, picking the two that've been there every step of the way and know the story to conclude it seems logical to me. I don't see them being picked to script a new Bond, as I get the feeling that post-Craig they are out completely, as was the original plan after SF.
I definitely want fresh blood with the new Bond, though, on principle. It's just hard with this series, as some departments don't fluctuate by habit. Look at how long Barry, Adam, Maibaum, Lamont and all the other familiars stayed on. Like a true family, the Bond producers don't like seeing many go. So this attachment characteristic isn't a fresh phenomenon that started with P&W, but more a trait of the entire franchise history, for better (the above) or worse.
http://deadline.com/2017/04/amptp-offers-to-boost-wga-health-plan-payments-1202080000/
@jake24, that article was posted last night, if you care at all to add it to the April 2017 rundown.
Though, given the size of the all star cast, he may not do a lot of press for it.
"Kings" on the other hand has Bond written all over the press tour.
Hopefully, we will have some news by then, and not have to put up with a standard stock answer to every Bond question.
Midnight tonight? That's just hours from now! And suddenly things become interesting! :D
Hmm. . . not that I expect every commentator to get into the weeds on distribution deals and writers' strikes, but that makes several people now (Harris, Bautista, this article, etc) who seem have indicated that the sticking point is still Craig making his mind up.
Yeah, crazy right?
indiewire.com/2017/05/james-bond-25-directors-eon-indie-paul-mcguigan-1201810462/
Word is, the producers are so pleased with”Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool,” directed by Scotsman Paul McGuigan (“Sherlock,” “Lucky Number Slevin,” “Victor Frankenstein”), that he too is under consideration. Annette Bening stars as actress Gloria Grahame, who falls in love with a young actor (Jamie Bell).
http://www.indiewire.com/2017/05/james-bond-25-directors-eon-indie-paul-mcguigan-1201810462/
Indiewire have a lot of credibility - eg; they recently broke the news that Martin Scorcese was taking his next film to Netflix.
This is really the kind of dull and reliable pair of hands that the producers would have hiredin the Brosnan days. The choice seems a little tepid, espeically since we were previously getting ourselves excited with suggestions of Steven Soderbergh and Nicholas Winding Refn.
McGuigan is uninspiring and flat. But I think he's got the job.
UPDATE: Done some digging online and McGuigan had this say about almost geyying the CR directing gig:
So, too, he aims one day to stamp his mark on the James Bond franchise, having come close to directing Daniel Craig in his debut as 007. “I was down to the last two for Casino Royale,” he says. “Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson [the producers] had asked if I would be interested, and I’ve always been a major fan of Bond. But I think because they were bringing in a new Bond, they didn’t want another unknown factor in me. I still haven’t given up on that dream. I’ve given up on the dream of scoring the winning goal for Celtic in the European Cup final, but Bond is one thing I want to try and achieve.”
http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/culture/film/interview-paul-mcguigan-film-and-tv-director-1-2331295
Lucky Number Slevin was good.
Caught it once, had a solid twist but was otherwise forgettable.
On the other hand, I DID say I'd force myself to be happy with whoever was hired as long as it isn't Mendes.
Hehe, gotta keep them promises. ;)
As for the writer's strike? It has been playing on Sky News today what will be hit first....etc. I am not holding ou much hope for a resolution before the deadline?
How am I the only one excited that the wheels on Bond 25 are finally moving?
They're rumors, and the article is brand new. I'm sure @bondjames will get around to it when he can, not sure why the title alteration is significant when the news is still being discussed.
And I know this will never happen, but if Craig is out and they have to start a search for a new actor, a dream for me would be a one off Tarantino/Brosnan Bond to fill the gap (basically just give free reign to him while they settle on a new actor and direction for the series).