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Comments
I like that suggestion, I think that would work nicely.
Absolutely, he has a wonderful voice and a commanding presence to play M
I would be over the moon to have her cast, but at the same time, it might feel too familiar to Dench and I don't think Mallory has been enough of a palette cleanser. But again, I wouldn't be mad....
I really like the Colin Salmon idea!
Perhaps we'll see a version of Sir Miles Messervy in the next film, although he won't be the current M but a former one if that makes sense. I dunno, maybe the film begins with a retired Sir Miles being murdered and the current M enlists Bond to investigate. Maybe the plot is in some way tied to something Sir Miles did during his tenure as M and the current M meets with him to try and attain information... can be anything really.
It's a bit of an off-the-wall idea, but I'd argue it's in-keeping with the sort of thing the current Bond films are trying to explore (I mean, is it anymore weird than Bond and Blofeld knowing each other as children?)
So you'd have an older, more established British actor to play a traditional Sir Miles M (I dunno, maybe someone like Kenneth Cranham?) alongside a younger actor playing the new M who is distinct from them (maybe someone like Chiewtel Ejiofor?)
I agree. But if they do go with recasting, the only two characters that I can think of are Daisy Ridley as Moneypenny and introducing Felicity Jones as May. They aren’t blockbuster names, but they could serve EON’s tendency with not to big names.
And too American. And too Lucius Fox.
Well, if we're going from Fleming's basic layout, then 'Q' isn't a character at all but his counterpart would be a rather dry armourer a bit older than Bond, and M is an old man who would be past retirement age in the real world.
I'm actually all for not having a Q next time round. Wishaw's a hard act to follow, and it'd be a good twist on the formula to introduce Bond's gadgets in a different way. I also kinda like how in the Fleming novels there's this idea of secrecy around Q-Branch, as if it's this unseen department within MI6 that's often referenced and provides Bond with equipment (presumably it's not headed by a single Quartermaster but is instead helmed by a relatively large group of MI6 workers who come up with ways to solve problems agents have in the field/create gadgets mandated by others). So yeah, I don't mind no Q next time. If anything there's more interesting story potential in characters like Tanner, M and possibly a Loelia Ponsonby adaptation.
I still think May should be introduced as a recurring character. If EON INSISTS that Bond be personal, let’s start at his normal home life away from the office.
The problem with May is twofold I think. Firstly she doesn't really serve much of a story function, unless it's specifically written in... wasn't there a Gardner novel where she was kidnapped? Anyway, short of something like that, which sounds awful, she wouldn't have much impact on the plot, so is the sort of character ripe for being cut either during the writing stage or in the editing room. Secondly, it's unlikely that Bond would have a housekeeper in this day and age.
On the other hand, including May might work. They could always adapt it so that she's Bond's landlord or something, much like Sherlock did with Mrs. Hudson. She could serve the story in a more indirect way too. Maybe she could say something to Bond that indirectly leads/inspires him to investigate something, or perhaps has a conversation with him that conveys something about Bond to the audience.
I say at this point, if EON wants to try something different, having May in a film or two probably wouldn’t hurt.
I think she'd be adapted/serve the functions I outlined, but yeah, she could be included.
After the Craig era I suspect the writers will have a better handle on these sorts of side characters and how to integrate them into the plot.
I think we’ll get a more lighthearted Bond next time. More akin to Brosnan than Moore.
That is one of the few continuation novels that EON should adapt: Nobody Lives Forever (1986). They should do it with a Bond a few movies in, with May and Moneypenny being recurring characters at this point. Honestly, she could have worked in Skyfall, in Kincade’s role.
That seems to be the Gardner novel in which May is kidnapped. I hope we don't have anything like that personally, and I'd never want to replace the great Albert Finney in SF, but I'm sold on May in some form for the next film.
I am very surprised they didn't reuse his character instead of introducing Mallory in Skyfall. He seems like he would be the most similar to Bernard Lee. Def top choice if Bond isn't black, much more office desky than Elba.
If not, Gary Oldman
Though a role like M, may be too small a role for him. And one I’ve mentioned before, who I feel would make a perfect M, is Jared Harris
Could easily see him as Sir Miles. Full Naval uniform. Amazing actor.
Q: Jimmy Carr
Moneypenny: Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Bill Tanner: Kingsley Ben-Adir
May: Annette Crosbie
I wouldn’t want to replace Albert Finney in SF either. I’m just saying that the character could have possibly worked in his place. I’d actually like to see Kincade in future Bond origin stories if I’m honest!
Great choices for M. Both could also be great villains, particularly Oldman.
I was also thinking PWB as Moneypenny, or even May. For Tanner, Q or even Leiter, I’d say go for unknown actors.