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Who should/could be a Bond actor?

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  • 007HallY007HallY
    edited January 2023 Posts: 4,167
    Of the remaining material I do think FAVTAK is the best to use as the basis of a future Bond film. Similar to how they adapted Fleming’s TLD short story to the film.

    That said I don’t think we’ll be seeing a faithful adaptation of the remaining Fleming novels anytime soon. Rather they’ll use the remaining ideas within those novels as a way of crafting original stories (ie. look at how TMWTGG and YOLT inspired elements of SF - Bond returning after going missing, Silva’s bisexuality, the ‘William Tell’ scene, Bond’s background etc.) The other thing to keep in mind is that some of the ideas in the novels would have to be very heavily adapted if they wanted to do them ‘faithfully’. MR, great as it is, for example would have problems. I mean, it’s fairly obvious from a modern viewer/reader’s perspective that Drax is the villain, so there would be no need to even keep up the pretence/‘mystery’ as the book does. The Moonraker technology would have to be changed to something else, same for the inclusion of Nazi’s etc. The whole ‘villain cheating at cards’ thing has been done to death in Bond films too. Still, there are interesting elements in there which could be adapted.
  • Risico007Risico007
    Posts: 9,848
    I always felt the short story from a view to a kill mixed with the one line from the hildebrand rarity (bond investigating the Seychelles islands for security reasons) could make for a good plot for bond 26 again you would need a reason for the big bad to be killing off workers building the British military base …. But find your reason and there you go.


    Another point I will also make in the bond title thread is let’s say ATJ is cast.. giving him a Fleming title and my honest to god favorite one out of the gate (the hildebrand rarity) might really help me like him more … of course that and a rock theme might really get me to be excited for him … in mich the same way Casino Royale (the title) and You know my name helped me like Craig before I saw the film (don’t get me wrong the film was phenomenal and he was great in it) but yeah
  • Bentley007Bentley007 Manitoba, Canada
    Posts: 575
    I think using FAVTAK as the start to a plot woulf be amazing. I would also be interested in an adaptation of the final act from TMWTGG. Bond is at his best on Trains and it also make for intetesting set pieces. They could set this up in any country too. I would do it in the Jalisco region of Mexico and incoperate the cartel/ El Chapo type character.
  • LudovicoLudovico
    Posts: 15,125
    jetsetwilly wrote: »
    LucknFate wrote: »
    I guess if we MAY be in the scripting stage right now, what's left from Fleming that hasn't yet been "interpreted"? .
    Not just interpreted, but also fully adaptive.

    There's still quite a lot actually, but its been re-tread and repeated on here endlessly. But for those who don't know your Fleming very well, here goes -

    Moonraker, Diamonds are Forever, The Spy Who Loved Me, You Only Live Twice, The Man with the Golden Gun, and short stories From a View to a Kill, and Quantum of Solace.

    Most of these novels are pretty much intact as never been adapted. There has been `loose' attempts (stress the word loose) with MR, DAF and TMWTGG, but if they were fully adapted in a modern setting now, you wouldn't recognise the storyline or scenes from any previous attempts.

    YOLT had a couple of scenes in a very loose adaptation in NTTD, but again it was a blink-and-you-miss-it moment.

    TSWLM has never been touched (a legal issue with Fleming at the time, which could be overcome now with the right lawyers from Amazon). The most you could hope to take from this novel is Viv Michel, Horror and Sluggsy as characters, and the scenes from the second half of the book in the motel, which are pretty good.

    FAVTAK has some decent scenes as a short story, but QoS there isn't that much you could take from, other than character names and references.

    I wrote a blog which covered this for ideas on the next film - http://broadcastingtechnologyindustry.blogspot.com/2021/





    I will read your blog post as soon as I can. I think a lot has been plundered from Moonraker: in AVTAK, GE, DAD, SF, and that's at the top of my head. Elements of FAVTAK were transposed in SF, particularly the PTS. Otherwise yes, there's a lot of Fleming that hasn't been used.
  • DenbighDenbigh UK
    edited January 2023 Posts: 5,970
    I have to admit I would be concerned with gangsters. While it's incredibly Fleming, I always get concerned that it'll shift the tone too much and the film will end up having an identity crisis like a little film which unfortunately sits at the bottom of my James Bond ranking, Diamonds Are Forever. I'm not saying it's not possible but I would certainly take pause until I was proven wrong. Maybe they can name Bond 26 Risico because gangsters is such a risk in my eyes :D

    And just out of interest @jetsetwilly, is your pitch set in the 50s/60s?
  • LudovicoLudovico
    edited January 2023 Posts: 15,125
    Denbigh wrote: »
    I have to admit I would be concerned with gangsters. While it's incredibly Fleming, I always get concerned that it'll shift the tone too much and the film will end up having an identity crisis like a little film which unfortunately sits at the bottom of my James Bond ranking, Diamonds Are Forever. I'm not saying it's not possible but I would certainly take pause until I was proven wrong. Maybe they can name Bond 26 Risico because gangsters is such a risk in my eyes :D

    And just out of interest @jetsetwilly, is your pitch set in the 50s/60s?

    I'm not too keen on gangsters either. But what about the Russian mob? They're so close to political power, they can be used believably in a spy thriller.
  • DenbighDenbigh UK
    edited January 2023 Posts: 5,970
    Ludovico wrote: »
    Denbigh wrote: »
    I have to admit I would be concerned with gangsters. While it's incredibly Fleming, I always get concerned that it'll shift the tone too much and the film will end up having an identity crisis like a little film which unfortunately sits at the bottom of my James Bond ranking, Diamonds Are Forever. I'm not saying it's not possible but I would certainly take pause until I was proven wrong. Maybe they can name Bond 26 Risico because gangsters is such a risk in my eyes :D

    And just out of interest @jetsetwilly, is your pitch set in the 50s/60s?
    I'm not too keen on gangsters either. But what about the Russian mob? They're so close to political power, they can be used believably in a spy thriller.
    It's a tricky one, I wouldn't advise EON against using Russia somewhat geopolitically but I'm not sure if they should directly be involved with a whole group of Russian villains etc. Feels a bit almost too pointed and considering how tense things still are, might not be worth it.

    We don't want another last minute rewrite in case something happens. Looking at you No Time to Die.
  • LudovicoLudovico
    edited January 2023 Posts: 15,125
    Denbigh wrote: »
    Ludovico wrote: »
    Denbigh wrote: »
    I have to admit I would be concerned with gangsters. While it's incredibly Fleming, I always get concerned that it'll shift the tone too much and the film will end up having an identity crisis like a little film which unfortunately sits at the bottom of my James Bond ranking, Diamonds Are Forever. I'm not saying it's not possible but I would certainly take pause until I was proven wrong. Maybe they can name Bond 26 Risico because gangsters is such a risk in my eyes :D

    And just out of interest @jetsetwilly, is your pitch set in the 50s/60s?
    I'm not too keen on gangsters either. But what about the Russian mob? They're so close to political power, they can be used believably in a spy thriller.
    It's a tricky one, I wouldn't advise EON against using Russia somewhat geopolitically but I'm not sure if they should directly be involved with a whole group of Russian villains etc. Feels a bit almost too pointed and considering how tense things still are, might not be worth it.

    We don't want another last minute rewrite in case something happens. Looking at you No Time to Die.

    You're probably right. There goes my hope to see a revamped SMERSH and General Grubozaboychikov.
  • ScreentestScreentest
    edited January 2023 Posts: 21
    https://www.etonline.com/media/videos/pierce-brosnan-reacts-to-rege-jean-page-james-bond-rumors-exclusive-171266
    Brosnan is asked about Rege-Jean Page as 007. His response: "Good luck! Good luck!"

    Good luck getting the role, or good luck WITH the role? (I know it's a stretch :)) )
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 24,186
    I think they should stop asking former Bonds about new potential ones. They're usually done with the role. Completely done.
  • 007HallY007HallY
    Posts: 4,167
    Denbigh wrote: »
    I have to admit I would be concerned with gangsters. While it's incredibly Fleming, I always get concerned that it'll shift the tone too much and the film will end up having an identity crisis like a little film which unfortunately sits at the bottom of my James Bond ranking, Diamonds Are Forever. I'm not saying it's not possible but I would certainly take pause until I was proven wrong. Maybe they can name Bond 26 Risico because gangsters is such a risk in my eyes :D

    Yeah, I don’t think gangsters as the main villains would work. One of the problems with DAF is that the Spang Brothers are pretty dull villains and arguably some of the worst Fleming wrote. Bond villains tend to be better when they’re megalomaniacs, not bog standard thugs. I’m sure Bond infiltrating a crime syndicate could be a way in to something bigger/more interesting, but it doesn’t seem like a main plot to me.

    Anyway, getting back on topic I agree about it being pointless asking former Bond actors about future casting.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    edited January 2023 Posts: 16,425
    And yet also, all Bond villains are 'gangsters'- they're all just criminals, essentially. Maybe only Dr Kananga qualifies as being slightly more political but even he is only after the cash; so I'm not really sure what asking for more criminals as baddies means. How is, say, Sanchez not a gangster? Funnily enough the only ones operating from an ideological perspective are the more silly ones like Stromberg or Drax, and we haven't had one of those in a long long time.
    Unless we're talking comedy mafia types, in which case no thanks.
  • 007HallY007HallY
    Posts: 4,167
    mtm wrote: »
    And yet also, all Bond villains are 'gangsters'- they're all just criminals, essentially. Maybe only Dr Kananga qualifies as being slightly more political but even he is only after the cash; so I'm not really sure what asking for more criminals as baddies means. How is, say, Sanchez not a gangster? Funnily enough the only ones operating from an ideological perspective are the more silly ones like Stromberg or Drax, and we haven't had one of those in a long long time.
    Unless we're talking comedy mafia types, in which case no thanks.

    I get what you mean. I suppose I was comparing it a bit too much to the DAF novel where the villains (and arguably the story itself) are rather weak compared to others in the series and are part of a mob/‘gang’ in the traditional, more realistic sense. And to be fair Sanchez is a gangster but is a pretty strong Bond villain with that nasty, megalomaniac edge to him. Not to mention the story itself is very personal to Bond so the stakes are high anyway.

    Still, I do think the best Bond villains have an otherworldly quality to them with goals that make them distinctive. I wouldn’t want to see the Spang Brothers adapted as the main villains of Bond 26, and ideally there’d be more to it than Bond just infiltrating a crime gang.
  • BennyBenny Shaken not stirredAdministrator, Moderator
    Posts: 15,138
    Bizarrely enough we seem to be drifting away from the thread subject.
    Must be a slow news day. I don't recall ever having to ask for this thread to get back on track.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    edited January 2023 Posts: 16,425
    I'm not ignoring you Benny, but I just wanted to quickly say before we move on:
    007HallY wrote: »
    mtm wrote: »
    And yet also, all Bond villains are 'gangsters'- they're all just criminals, essentially. Maybe only Dr Kananga qualifies as being slightly more political but even he is only after the cash; so I'm not really sure what asking for more criminals as baddies means. How is, say, Sanchez not a gangster? Funnily enough the only ones operating from an ideological perspective are the more silly ones like Stromberg or Drax, and we haven't had one of those in a long long time.
    Unless we're talking comedy mafia types, in which case no thanks.

    I get what you mean. I suppose I was comparing it a bit too much to the DAF novel where the villains (and arguably the story itself) are rather weak compared to others in the series and are part of a mob/‘gang’ in the traditional, more realistic sense.

    I wasn't disagreeing with your points 007HallY; I was more agreeing with the notion of wanting gangsters doesn't really make sense to me. But I also see what you mean about more trad gangster types. I don't want you to think I was trying to point out some sort of error on your part, that wasn't my intention.
  • 007HallY007HallY
    Posts: 4,167
    mtm wrote: »
    I'm not ignoring you Benny, but I just wanted to quickly say before we move on:
    007HallY wrote: »
    mtm wrote: »
    And yet also, all Bond villains are 'gangsters'- they're all just criminals, essentially. Maybe only Dr Kananga qualifies as being slightly more political but even he is only after the cash; so I'm not really sure what asking for more criminals as baddies means. How is, say, Sanchez not a gangster? Funnily enough the only ones operating from an ideological perspective are the more silly ones like Stromberg or Drax, and we haven't had one of those in a long long time.
    Unless we're talking comedy mafia types, in which case no thanks.

    I get what you mean. I suppose I was comparing it a bit too much to the DAF novel where the villains (and arguably the story itself) are rather weak compared to others in the series and are part of a mob/‘gang’ in the traditional, more realistic sense.

    I wasn't disagreeing with your points 007HallY; I was more agreeing with the notion of wanting gangsters doesn't really make sense to me. But I also see what you mean about more trad gangster types. I don't want you to think I was trying to point out some sort of error on your part, that wasn't my intention.

    Oh no worries, I just found what you wrote interesting. I didn’t think you were outright disagreeing but just adding to it.

    Anyway, must get back on topic, haha. It really is a slow news day.
  • jetsetwillyjetsetwilly
    edited January 2023 Posts: 3,327
    Denbigh wrote: »
    I have to admit I would be concerned with gangsters. While it's incredibly Fleming, I always get concerned that it'll shift the tone too much and the film will end up having an identity crisis like a little film which unfortunately sits at the bottom of my James Bond ranking, Diamonds Are Forever. I'm not saying it's not possible but I would certainly take pause until I was proven wrong. Maybe they can name Bond 26 Risico because gangsters is such a risk in my eyes :D

    And just out of interest @jetsetwilly, is your pitch set in the 50s/60s?

    I'd set it in modern day, like how CR was done. The writers managed to take the bulk of a an early 1950's story into a modern setting, so it can be done.

    And when I say gangsters, I don't mean 1950's stereotypes in hats spitting out words like `limeys!' I mean gangsters in the mould of Scaramanga, Mr Big, Kristatos, Sanchez, etc.
  • jetsetwillyjetsetwilly
    edited January 2023 Posts: 3,327
    Ludovico wrote: »
    jetsetwilly wrote: »
    LucknFate wrote: »
    I guess if we MAY be in the scripting stage right now, what's left from Fleming that hasn't yet been "interpreted"? .
    Not just interpreted, but also fully adaptive.

    There's still quite a lot actually, but its been re-tread and repeated on here endlessly. But for those who don't know your Fleming very well, here goes -

    Moonraker, Diamonds are Forever, The Spy Who Loved Me, You Only Live Twice, The Man with the Golden Gun, and short stories From a View to a Kill, and Quantum of Solace.

    Most of these novels are pretty much intact as never been adapted. There has been `loose' attempts (stress the word loose) with MR, DAF and TMWTGG, but if they were fully adapted in a modern setting now, you wouldn't recognise the storyline or scenes from any previous attempts.

    YOLT had a couple of scenes in a very loose adaptation in NTTD, but again it was a blink-and-you-miss-it moment.

    TSWLM has never been touched (a legal issue with Fleming at the time, which could be overcome now with the right lawyers from Amazon). The most you could hope to take from this novel is Viv Michel, Horror and Sluggsy as characters, and the scenes from the second half of the book in the motel, which are pretty good.

    FAVTAK has some decent scenes as a short story, but QoS there isn't that much you could take from, other than character names and references.

    I wrote a blog which covered this for ideas on the next film - http://broadcastingtechnologyindustry.blogspot.com/2021/





    I will read your blog post as soon as I can. I think a lot has been plundered from Moonraker: in AVTAK, GE, DAD, SF, and that's at the top of my head. Elements of FAVTAK were transposed in SF, particularly the PTS. Otherwise yes, there's a lot of Fleming that hasn't been used.

    All Bond films have bits that are recycled, but if MR was properly adapted, I seriously doubt anyone would immediately think of AVTAK, GE, DAD or SF when watching it.

    Anyway, back on topic.
  • LudovicoLudovico
    Posts: 15,125
    DarthDimi wrote: »
    I think they should stop asking former Bonds about new potential ones. They're usually done with the role. Completely done.

    And what else can they say but "good luck", or "he'll be great", or some commonplace?
  • DewiWynBondDewiWynBond
    Posts: 948
    In showbusiness,"good luck" is considered a jinx
  • LudovicoLudovico
    Posts: 15,125
    DewiWynBond wrote: »
    In showbusiness,"good luck" is considered a jinx

    True. In French that's why they wish them "merde".
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 24,186
    "Break a leg", then. ;-)

    - Pierce! Pierce, what can you tell the new James Bond?
    - Break a leg. Break two. *shrugs*
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 16,425
    Well Craig managed that, so that's something.
  • DewiWynBondDewiWynBond
    Posts: 948
  • Jordo007Jordo007 Merseyside
    Posts: 2,641
    No idea if this is anything to read into, but the James Bond 007 Facebook page has changed they're logo to a 007 logo and captioned it Bond. James Bond

    Admittedly it's not a lot to go on, but it could be an indication that we're into the next era of Bond.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 16,425
    I guess they just had to move on from the 60th logo..?
  • Jordo007Jordo007 Merseyside
    edited January 2023 Posts: 2,641
    That's true, embarrassingly I forgot all about that.

    I'm surprised James Norton hasn't been linked to the role more this year, with Happy Valley being back on the BBC. Although I'm glad if I'm honest, I think he's wooden and a bit too posh

    I wonder if the rumours of other people getting cast have cooled because of the ATJ rumours?
  • 007InAction007InAction Australia
    edited January 2023 Posts: 2,533
    And here's Norton now in the battle to be bond.

    Next James Bond odds slashed for Happy Valley's James Norton to crush Henry Cavill hopes
    https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/1722560/Next-James-Bond-odds-James-Norton-Happy-Valley-Henry-Cavill-Tom-Hardy-bookie-bet
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 8,217
    Norton could not be more bland.
  • LudovicoLudovico
    Posts: 15,125
    I find Norton utterly bland as well.
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