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What "motif" would you like to see in Bond 25?

MilovyMilovy
edited May 2017 in No Time To Die Posts: 676
The older Bond films are often remembered for featuring some kind of motif. Goldfinger is the one with all the gold in it. Thunderball is the one set underwater. YOLT is the Japan one. OHMSS is the skiing one. MR is the space one. More recently, GE features a lot of Cold War imagery and references, and CR has a lot of poker references.

So what motif would you like to see in the next Bond film? One I've seen suggested is a Bond film that heavily features car racing. I would enjoy that, particularly if the film adapts Fleming's "Murder on Wheels."

Motif ideas (updated)
- Bond at Formula One / Grand Prix
- Industrial / high-tech
- Bond in the wilderness, vs. the elements
- Bond in the African jungle, safari
- Bond going undercover among gangsters / mafia
- Bond vs. satanist cult
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Comments

  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 24,183
    I think we have another film series satiating our car racing cravings right now. ;-)

    Personally I'd love to see Bond walk around in more of an industrial environment--lots of concrete buildings, cold but imposing, with a lot of high-tech stuff and expensive offices inside. A bit like some of the environments of Nightfire. Bond 25 could then be the Bond film with the industrial theme.

    Also, I'd like a Bond film with a lot of heavy rainfall or even thunderstorms, something we rarely see in the Bonds at all. I find the 'fierceness' of the elements to add drama, tension, ambience and even a sense of spatial restriction to a film scene. One can be 'trapped' inside a building when the weather outside is relentless. If a dam or something breaks, the lower levels of a building can be flooded, which creates an unusual setting for tense scenes, with atypical threats.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Perhaps all the villains could have Downs syndrome?
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 24,183
    @Thunderfinger, impossble. All actors with Downs syndrome are running the White House now.

    Wait, I'm being unfair to people with Downs syndrome.
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    edited May 2017 Posts: 13,803
    Well, politics is out.

    Major snow theme. Arctic climes, action at both poles. Snow machine chases, snow machine aerobatics, snow machine battles. Snow shoes from Q Branch play an important part. Tanner kidnapped, but has to save himself because MI6 is pretty busy. Bond in a 1981 Saab Turbo squaring off against three giant snow plows literally stolen from the pages of Icebreaker. Along with the ice-torture-by-Nazi. Straightforward ski chase (meaning with guns and missing poles, skis). Survival in extreme elements. Baskin Robbins product placement. Or shaved ice. A diamond caper. Nordic princess Bond Girl. (Robert Matthew Van Winkle lookalike) Dolph Lundgren plays henchman White Cube as a callback to the 80s. Penguins are a must. Plus Puffins. Snow buntings, Snowfinches, Alpine choughs welcome. Villain keeps a pet polar bear in the Antarctic. "Ice" (or "Die", or both) in the title. Craig's third-to-last Bond film, released 2018. Greg Wilson does a cameo, signaling a passing of the torch. In the final moments OO7, getting the girl, takes a call of congratulations from the American President capped with a final one-liner drolly recognizing Bond interruptus. Gunbarrel both opens AND closes the film. James Bond will Return in (Title Identified, release year--+1 year forward, so 2019--given).
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    I think it's time for a South East Asian themed Bond film. The only time they really went there was OP.
  • MilovyMilovy
    edited May 2017 Posts: 676
    DarthDimi wrote: »
    I think we have another film series satiating our car racing cravings right now. ;-)
    I suppose so, but I would like to see Bond in the world of Formula One or Grand Prix rather than street racing (or submarine racing, or whatever is happening in the latest Fast and Furious). Cars have forever been an interest of 007's; it's time that interest was spotlighted in one of the films.
    DarthDimi wrote: »
    Personally I'd love to see Bond walk around in more of an industrial environment--lots of concrete buildings, cold but imposing, with a lot of high-tech stuff and expensive offices inside. A bit like some of the environments of Nightfire. Bond 25 could then be the Bond film with the industrial theme.
    I'm picturing the Shanghai section of SF stretched to feature length. Is that what you have in mind? I recall some of the office and industrial stuff in Nightfire, that could be an interesting visual theme. Perhaps Bond could be given an assignment to go undercover in a particular industry.
    DarthDimi wrote: »
    Also, I'd like a Bond film with a lot of heavy rainfall or even thunderstorms, something we rarely see in the Bonds at all. I find the 'fierceness' of the elements to add drama, tension, ambience and even a sense of spatial restriction to a film scene.
    Bond against the elements: perfect. This would be a fresh place to take the character. Perhaps a film set in Australia or New Zealand? The much discussed "garden of death" idea would be a natural fit here, as would the swamp shoot out from Fleming's TMWTGG.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    Milovy wrote: »
    DarthDimi wrote: »
    Personally I'd love to see Bond walk around in more of an industrial environment--lots of concrete buildings, cold but imposing, with a lot of high-tech stuff and expensive offices inside. A bit like some of the environments of Nightfire. Bond 25 could then be the Bond film with the industrial theme.
    I'm picturing the Shanghai section of SF stretched to feature length. Is that what you have in mind? I recall some of the office and industrial stuff in Nightfire, that could be an interesting visual theme. Perhaps Bond could be given an assignment to go undercover in a particular industry.
    I think TND perhaps got the closest to the modern tech style.
  • MilovyMilovy
    Posts: 676
    If TND is remembered for anything (not sure that it is), I would guess it is the "media" theme. But I've never noticed the general public refer to it like that.

    I want another Bond film where the visual/plot motif is indelible. Where you can say "it's the one with _________" and people will know exactly which film you're talking about.

    Casino Royale really gets this right, IMO. I mean, the casino motif is built right into the title.
  • BondAficionadoBondAficionado Former IMDBer
    Posts: 1,889
    The last two films have been centered around urbanised Britain mainly and I think we've seen a little too much of London imho. All we need there is the M briefing at the start and that's all.

    So as a stark contrast, I really want to see Bond in a jungle again. I could imagine him going to the Amazon rainforest, to Rwanda/Tanzania or perhaps somewhere in southern Asia.

    Something I think the producers will certainly do is take Bond back to China and make it a main location, akin to Austria/Morocco in SP. Being set in China, the film will practically sell itself. The BO there will be one of their top priorities - perhaps even more so than the US in 5 years time. Maybe we'll even get another Asian actress as the main Bond girl too? I'd be game for that, since we've been suffocated with French girls for the past decade.*

    *Which is rather ironic for me to say because they're also my favourites from most eras (with a shout out to the Italians of course).
  • suavejmfsuavejmf Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England
    Posts: 5,131
    DarthDimi wrote: »
    @Thunderfinger, impossble. All actors with Downs syndrome are running the White House now.

    Wait, I'm being unfair to people with Downs syndrome.

    I totally understand that he is controversial. But one thing Trump isn't is thick.
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 24,183
    Milovy wrote: »
    DarthDimi wrote: »
    I think we have another film series satiating our car racing cravings right now. ;-)
    I suppose so, but I would like to see Bond in the world of Formula One or Grand Prix rather than street racing (or submarine racing, or whatever is happening in the latest Fast and Furious). Cars have forever been an interest of 007's; it's time that interest was spotlighted in one of the films.
    DarthDimi wrote: »
    Personally I'd love to see Bond walk around in more of an industrial environment--lots of concrete buildings, cold but imposing, with a lot of high-tech stuff and expensive offices inside. A bit like some of the environments of Nightfire. Bond 25 could then be the Bond film with the industrial theme.
    I'm picturing the Shanghai section of SF stretched to feature length. Is that what you have in mind? I recall some of the office and industrial stuff in Nightfire, that could be an interesting visual theme. Perhaps Bond could be given an assignment to go undercover in a particular industry.
    DarthDimi wrote: »
    Also, I'd like a Bond film with a lot of heavy rainfall or even thunderstorms, something we rarely see in the Bonds at all. I find the 'fierceness' of the elements to add drama, tension, ambience and even a sense of spatial restriction to a film scene.
    Bond against the elements: perfect. This would be a fresh place to take the character. Perhaps a film set in Australia or New Zealand? The much discussed "garden of death" idea would be a natural fit here, as would the swamp shoot out from Fleming's TMWTGG.

    @Milovy, I think a Formula One or Grand Prix theme could work. I had hoped that's where the UNCLE film would have gone but they never came around to that except during the climax... a little bit.

    Indeed, I'm talking about something like Shanghai but stretched to cover at least a very large act of the film.

    I love water, wind, snow, ... as a natural 'wall' around the setting of the film, a wall which will be breached when the fit hits the shan.
    Milovy wrote: »
    Casino Royale really gets this right, IMO. I mean, the casino motif is built right into the title.

    True. CR had the balls to give the ADHD crowd the finger and stay in one location and exploit its full potential. One of the reasons I was disappointed with QOS the first time I saw the film is the unpleasant sense of rocketeering through all the locations, giving us barely time enough to breathe in the geography.
    BondAficionado wrote: »
    All we need there is the M briefing at the start and that's all.

    @BondAficionado, yes, I completely agree! Let's leave 'M' out of the action for a change.
  • QuantumOrganizationQuantumOrganization We have people everywhere
    Posts: 1,187
    Would like a Bond film focused on the stock world. Insider trading, financial terrorism the whole shebang.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited May 2017 Posts: 23,883
    QuantumOrganization wrote: »
    Would like a Bond film focused on the stock world. Insider trading, financial terrorism the whole shebang.
    I'm open to that. It's difficult to make nefarious paper shuffling interesting however, even though it almost brought down the world 9 years ago. There will have to be another hook in addition to this. Whenever I think of this world, Michael Douglas still comes to mind. Nobody has done it better (in Wall Street and later in A Perfect Murder). Richard Gere is another one (Arbitrage). They both do slick, smart and slightly unethical very well.
  • QuantumOrganizationQuantumOrganization We have people everywhere
    Posts: 1,187
    bondjames wrote: »
    QuantumOrganization wrote: »
    Would like a Bond film focused on the stock world. Insider trading, financial terrorism the whole shebang.
    I'm open to that. It's difficult to make nefarious paper shuffling interesting however, even though it almost brought down the world 9 years ago. There will have to be another hook in addition to this. Whenever I think of this world, Michael Douglas still comes to mind. Nobody has done it better (in Wall Street and later in A Perfect Murder). Richard Gere is another one (Arbitrage). They both do slick, smart and slightly unethical very well.
    Similar to what Le Chiffre was trying to achieve with the airline.

  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    QuantumOrganization wrote: »
    bondjames wrote: »
    QuantumOrganization wrote: »
    Would like a Bond film focused on the stock world. Insider trading, financial terrorism the whole shebang.
    I'm open to that. It's difficult to make nefarious paper shuffling interesting however, even though it almost brought down the world 9 years ago. There will have to be another hook in addition to this. Whenever I think of this world, Michael Douglas still comes to mind. Nobody has done it better (in Wall Street and later in A Perfect Murder). Richard Gere is another one (Arbitrage). They both do slick, smart and slightly unethical very well.
    Similar to what Le Chiffre was trying to achieve with the airline.
    Right, that can work. Mads was excellent as that type of slick 'numbers' villain too. Very smooth.
  • Some_Kind_Of_HeroSome_Kind_Of_Hero
    Posts: 6,844
    bondjames wrote: »
    It's difficult to make nefarious paper shuffling interesting...

    After nefarious water hoarding, nefarious youtubing, and nefarious CCTV, nefarious paper shuffling doesn't sound too shabby.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    Some_Kind_Of_Hero wrote: »
    bondjames wrote: »
    It's difficult to make nefarious paper shuffling interesting...

    After nefarious water hoarding, nefarious youtubing, and nefarious CCTV, nefarious paper shuffling doesn't sound too shabby.
    Touché. Fair point.
  • QuantumOrganizationQuantumOrganization We have people everywhere
    Posts: 1,187
    Some_Kind_Of_Hero wrote: »
    bondjames wrote: »
    It's difficult to make nefarious paper shuffling interesting...

    After nefarious water hoarding, nefarious youtubing, and nefarious CCTV, nefarious paper shuffling doesn't sound too shabby.
    Bravo!
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,281
    Some_Kind_Of_Hero wrote: »
    bondjames wrote: »
    It's difficult to make nefarious paper shuffling interesting...

    After nefarious water hoarding, nefarious youtubing, and nefarious CCTV, nefarious paper shuffling doesn't sound too shabby.

    Yes, a back to Flemingian basics approach would be great to see.
  • MilovyMilovy
    Posts: 676
    @Some_Kind_Of_Hero @Dragonpol So what would a "Flemingian" motif be then? Any ideas?

    One idea I've thought of before: having Bond infiltrate the underworld of crime. Fleming had Bond among gangsters in DAF, GF, TMWTGG. I would love to see Craig's Bond going undercover, blending in with criminals, getting in too deep. Perhaps Tom Hardy could be the villain.
  • thedovethedove hiding in the Greek underworld
    Posts: 5,431
    How about a non personal Bond story. Bond doesn't know the villain, or the girl, or the henchman, or anyone else associated with the mission. M doesn't know the villain or the girl, henchman or anyone else associated with the mission. Lets have a "intelligence" Bond movie where lo and behold Bond does his job without having a personal attachment.

    Ok rant over, return to other motifs!
  • MilovyMilovy
    Posts: 676
    @thedove Now that sounds like a novelty!
  • Some_Kind_Of_HeroSome_Kind_Of_Hero
    Posts: 6,844
    Milovy wrote: »
    @Some_Kind_Of_Hero @Dragonpol So what would a "Flemingian" motif be then? Any ideas?

    One idea I've thought of before: having Bond infiltrate the underworld of crime. Fleming had Bond among gangsters in DAF, GF, TMWTGG. I would love to see Craig's Bond going undercover, blending in with criminals, getting in too deep. Perhaps Tom Hardy could be the villain.

    A nice Flemingian approach might see an explosive, race-against-the-clock finale with a bruised and bloodied Bond rescuing the dame, saving an entire city from fiery destruction even as destruction rains down all around him, and sticking it to the villain in the grandest way possible, a la the conclusion of Moonraker (novel) or Tomorrow Never Dies.
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 24,183
    @Some_Kind_Of_Hero
    That would be great. I mean, The Avengers are doing that: I'd love to see Bond do a Fleming number on that.
  • Some_Kind_Of_HeroSome_Kind_Of_Hero
    Posts: 6,844
    Very true! Part of me is actually surprised that with the success Marvel has seen over the last decade we haven't seen Bond attempt the tone of a Marvel film. Maybe that's what's next though.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,281
    Perhaps the next Bond film will have motifs to marvel at? Here's hoping!
  • suavejmfsuavejmf Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England
    Posts: 5,131
    Some_Kind_Of_Hero wrote: »
    Very true! Part of me is actually surprised that with the success Marvel has seen over the last decade we haven't seen Bond attempt the tone of a Marvel film. Maybe that's what's next though.

    Oh please no! I dont think I've seen a Marvel film that wasn't designed for 12 year old boys!
  • MilovyMilovy
    edited May 2017 Posts: 676
    Perhaps EON hasn't attempted the tone of a Marvel movie, but I thought Spectre was pretty obviously influenced by Marvel, with its assumption that audiences are invested in continuity between films (a "Bond cinematic universe" if you will) and the perceived need to give all the side characters (the "Bond team" if you will) something to do.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited May 2017 Posts: 23,883
    Milovy wrote: »
    Perhaps EON hasn't attempted the tone of a Marvel movie, but I thought Spectre was pretty obviously influenced by Marvel, with its assumption that audiences are invested in continuity between films (a "Bond cinematic universe" if you will) and the perceived need to give all the side characters (the "Bond team" if you will) something to do.
    I agree. It's almost an ensemble finale these days. Very Winter Soldier.
  • Some_Kind_Of_HeroSome_Kind_Of_Hero
    Posts: 6,844
    Milovy wrote: »
    Perhaps EON hasn't attempted the tone of a Marvel movie, but I thought Spectre was pretty obviously influenced by Marvel, with its assumption that audiences are invested in continuity between films (a "Bond cinematic universe" if you will) and the perceived need to give all the side characters (the "Bond team" if you will) something to do.

    You're right, the continuity and "team" aspects have crossed over into Bond. You would think of all characters, Bond would be sacred in his lone wolf approach. Even Batman, historically, has been a "team" guy with the Bat Family and the Justice League. Bond on the other hand has just had Felix, the odd cab driver or boatman, and whichever dame he's entangled with this time.
    suavejmf wrote: »
    Some_Kind_Of_Hero wrote: »
    Very true! Part of me is actually surprised that with the success Marvel has seen over the last decade we haven't seen Bond attempt the tone of a Marvel film. Maybe that's what's next though.

    Oh please no! I dont think I've seen a Marvel film that wasn't designed for 12 year old boys!

    I'm not the biggest fan of the Marvel films either. They're okay—digestible, at times quite heartwarming, at times quite funny, at times quite "action-spectacular"—but rarely do I see one that feels like it really pulls ahead of the pack.

    For tone, I simply mean a lighter, more colorful, more spectacular action-adventure. That's basically what Marvel does (sci-fi, fantasy, and "team" stuff aside).
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