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Should we get a new M / Q / Moneypenny for BOND 26 and beyond ?

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  • VenutiusVenutius Yorkshire
    Posts: 3,256
    Although it could be a strange dynamic, because Jason Isaacs is way more of a badass than most of the actors who've been suggested as potential Bonds.
  • LudovicoLudovico
    edited March 16 Posts: 15,468
    Venutius wrote: »
    Although it could be a strange dynamic, because Jason Isaacs is way more of a badass than most of the actors who've been suggested as potential Bonds.

    I don't think it would be a bad thing. A man in his position as M could be far more ruthless than his operatives.

    Plus, Jason Isaacs played a proto M character I'm Operation Mincemeat.
  • echoecho 007 in New York
    Posts: 6,605
    Benny wrote: »
    Having seen him in White Lotus, should Amazon require a new M if Ralph Fiennes steps down.
    Then Jason Issacs would ./ could be a great fit for M
    Miles Messervy of a new character.

    Yes, Isaacs is having a moment, isn't he? I think he'd be great as M, with a younger Bond. He certainly can do irascible.
  • LudovicoLudovico
    Posts: 15,468
    My money is still on Fiennes, at least if Amazon wants to keep a veneer of continuity with the old team. I wouldn't be surprised if Whishaw would be back as Q, since he's now a pretty famous actor in his own right and outside the Bond franchise.
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    Posts: 14,243
    Both can easily have a tenure alongside the next Bond actor.

  • sandbagger1sandbagger1 Sussex
    Posts: 1,009
    Would they want to come back for Amazon, though?
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    Posts: 14,243
    Will Bond remain a British-based film production, as with Saltzman and Broccoli and after?

    That's part of Amazon as well. They purchased Bray Film Studios, have similar resources.

  • DaltonforyouDaltonforyou The Daltonator
    Posts: 736
    Like bringing back Judi Dench as M but a different one, I wouldn't mind seeing Ralph return in a similar manner.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,890
    Daltonforyou wrote: »
    Like bringing back Judi Dench as M but a different one, I wouldn't mind seeing Ralph return in a similar manner.

    Yes, possibly as Sir Miles.
    sandbagger1 wrote: »
    Would they want to come back for Amazon, though?

    Money talks.

  • QuipBranchQuipBranch USA
    Posts: 11
    Yes. Let’s cast new everything and make it a preboot.
  • LudovicoLudovico
    Posts: 15,468
    sandbagger1 wrote: »
    Would they want to come back for Amazon, though?

    If Amazon is ready to pull out their wallet, I don't see why not. Doesn't mean the film will be good though.
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    edited March 24 Posts: 12,508
    I think there will be a new M, new Q, and new Moneypenny. I would like another female M. And I really don't want Moneypenny to be a secretary or clerk.
  • Reflsin2bourbonsReflsin2bourbons
    Posts: 363
    4EverBonded wrote: »
    I think there will be a new M, new Q, and new Moneypenny. I would like another female M. And I really don't want Moneypenny to be a secretary or clerk.

    Why not? Isn't that kind of the role of the character?

    I know that some modernised stories (the 00 series) change Moneypenny's designation from secretary to something else but I never really got why its important. While yes it was probably a stereotype of a female secretary, I think secretarial work is quite important and it doesn't have to be modernised for the sake of it.
  • LudovicoLudovico
    Posts: 15,468
    Let's not forget that in many organisations, the secretary might be the most important job: she's the one keeping everything together.
  • echoecho 007 in New York
    Posts: 6,605
    I'd like Moneypenny to be more like M's assistant in CR.
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,508
    Reflsin2bourbons wrote: »
    4EverBonded wrote: »
    I think there will be a new M, new Q, and new Moneypenny. I would like another female M. And I really don't want Moneypenny to be a secretary or clerk.

    Why not? Isn't that kind of the role of the character?

    I know that some modernised stories (the 00 series) change Moneypenny's designation from secretary to something else but I never really got why its important. While yes it was probably a stereotype of a female secretary, I think secretarial work is quite important and it doesn't have to be modernised for the sake of it.

    Yes, for me it is an antiquated role. She can at least be more of an assistant in some way, and I wouldn't mind her in the field.
  • DaltonforyouDaltonforyou The Daltonator
    Posts: 736
    Moneypenny is already an assistant. She's a secretary. You mean to tell me secretaries no longer exist?
  • sandbagger1sandbagger1 Sussex
    Posts: 1,009
    I’ve just watched The Outfit on BBC iPlayer and feel Mark Rylance would be fantastic as ‘M’.
  • FrankXavierFrankXavier
    edited March 25 Posts: 684
    They can modernize Moneypenny to be a "data analyst" or something rather than just an assistant.

    I liked her involvement in GE for example where she delivers intel to Bond about Xenia. As long as its not a detriment to the pacing like that Moneypenny phone call in Spectre.

    Also I think Olivia Colman would be a great M. Actually, Colman as M and Josh as Bond would be quite funny, lol.
  • QBranchQBranch Always have an escape plan. Mine is watching James Bond films.
    Posts: 14,934
    Besides assisting M, Moneypenny could certainly be a computer whiz and Q's backup when something needs to be analyzed or deciphered.
  • Reflsin2bourbonsReflsin2bourbons
    Posts: 363
    Moneypenny in the field isn't Moneypenny. She becomes some other character. In Skyfall it works as an origin story but it's difficult to keep her in every film. Same way we know other 00s exist but we don't get them every adventure (and never the same 00 in each adventure). It's either Moneypenny appears in every film as part of the MI6 HQ staff or less often with some field post.

    The role of a secretary isn't antiquated; but the title brings too much "bad" history. In the past it's meant things from the boss's mistress to a ditz with a typewriter to people with high levels of control over an organisation.

    Being M's secretary means she sees everything M sees, but first, compiles it and distributes it. Probably sends out all sorts of Top-Secret Memos as well. If instead of secretary she was M's "Chief Intelligence Liaison Officer" or MI6 "Head of Operative Administration," I don't think there would be too much of a problem
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    edited March 26 Posts: 4,890
    Since David Heyman is producing, there is a good chance now that Ralph Fiennes stays on as M. And he should, the writing and bickering with Bond got old too fast. I agree @FrankXavier Olivia Coleman would be a great alternate choice. I'd like Emily Blunt, personally.
  • BennyBenny Shaken not stirredAdministrator, Moderator
    Posts: 15,352
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    Since David Heyman is producing, there is a good chance now that Ralph Fiennes stays on as M. And he should, the writing and bickering with Bond got old too fast. I agree @FrankXavier Olivia Coleman would be a great alternate choice. I'd like Emily Blunt, personally.

    Could it also see a return of Ben ‘Paddington’ Whishaw as Heyman is producing?
  • LudovicoLudovico
    Posts: 15,468
    Reflsin2bourbons wrote: »
    Moneypenny in the field isn't Moneypenny. She becomes some other character. In Skyfall it works as an origin story but it's difficult to keep her in every film. Same way we know other 00s exist but we don't get them every adventure (and never the same 00 in each adventure). It's either Moneypenny appears in every film as part of the MI6 HQ staff or less often with some field post.

    The role of a secretary isn't antiquated; but the title brings too much "bad" history. In the past it's meant things from the boss's mistress to a ditz with a typewriter to people with high levels of control over an organisation.

    Being M's secretary means she sees everything M sees, but first, compiles it and distributes it. Probably sends out all sorts of Top-Secret Memos as well. If instead of secretary she was M's "Chief Intelligence Liaison Officer" or MI6 "Head of Operative Administration," I don't think there would be too much of a problem
    I wonder why people complain about Moneypenny being a secretary. As far as secretaries go, she's working for SIS, assigned for its very head, she's knowledgeable, resourceful, like you said she's aware of top secret memos... it's not exactly a menial, dead end job. AND you must have the trust of a high ranking member of the British government.
  • FrankXavierFrankXavier
    Posts: 684
    I think the problem is when you have an actress like Naomie Harris it does feel like a waste when she's "just" sitting behind a desk outside of M's office. It makes sense why they've tried to incorporate her into the field along with Q and Tanner, but it also threatens to turn Bond into a "team" movie a la MI or Avengers. It does sound like a bit of damned if you do damned if you don't.
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    Posts: 14,243
    Casino Royale:
    'What do you think, Penny?' The Chief of Staff turned to M's private secretary who shared the room with him.

    Miss Moneypenny would have been desirable but for eyes which were cool and direct and quizzical.

    Moonraker.
    Miss Moneypenny, M.'s private secretary, looked up from her typewriter and smiled at him. They liked each other and she knew that Bond admired her looks.
    'Miss Loelia Ponsonby, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Defence.'

    On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
    'Well, I think it's all a pack of nonsense,' said M testily. (Not many years before, M had been awarded the KCMG for his services, and Miss Moneypenny, his desirable secretary, had revealed in a moment of candour to Bond that M had not replied to a single one of the notes and letters of congratulation.


    The films, secretary mentions.
    • Strangways' secretary.
    • Principal Secretary of Government House, Jamaica.
    • (Golf) Club Secretary.
    • Major Derval's social secretary.
    • The Home Secretary, to the Prime Minister.
    • Personal secretary to the Count.
    • Secretary-General.
    • Home Secretary.

    I don't think Moneypenny is ever referred to as "secretary" in the films.

    In the US she'd be an Administrative Assistant (administrative filing, bookkeeping, communications), or Executive Assistant (strategic partner for administrative and operational responsibilities).

  • echoecho 007 in New York
    Posts: 6,605
    CR was written at a time when the only career options for women were secretaries, teachers, nurses.

    That feels quite dated in 2025.
  • DaltonforyouDaltonforyou The Daltonator
    edited March 27 Posts: 736
    FrankXavier wrote: »
    I think the problem is when you have an actress like Naomie Harris it does feel like a waste when she's "just" sitting behind a desk outside of M's office. It makes sense why they've tried to incorporate her into the field along with Q and Tanner, but it also threatens to turn Bond into a "team" movie a la MI or Avengers. It does sound like a bit of damned if you do damned if you don't.

    Lois Maxwell wasn't a great actress? You don't need a big part or an action scene to be effective.
    RichardTheBruce wrote: »
    Casino Royale:
    'What do you think, Penny?' The Chief of Staff turned to M's private secretary who shared the room with him.

    Miss Moneypenny would have been desirable but for eyes which were cool and direct and quizzical.

    Moonraker.
    Miss Moneypenny, M.'s private secretary, looked up from her typewriter and smiled at him. They liked each other and she knew that Bond admired her looks.
    'Miss Loelia Ponsonby, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Defence.'

    On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
    'Well, I think it's all a pack of nonsense,' said M testily. (Not many years before, M had been awarded the KCMG for his services, and Miss Moneypenny, his desirable secretary, had revealed in a moment of candour to Bond that M had not replied to a single one of the notes and letters of congratulation.


    The films, secretary mentions.
    • Strangways' secretary.
    • Principal Secretary of Government House, Jamaica.
    • (Golf) Club Secretary.
    • Major Derval's social secretary.
    • The Home Secretary, to the Prime Minister.
    • Personal secretary to the Count.
    • Secretary-General.
    • Home Secretary.

    I don't think Moneypenny is ever referred to as "secretary" in the films.

    In the US she'd be an Administrative Assistant (administrative filing, bookkeeping, communications), or Executive Assistant (strategic partner for administrative and operational responsibilities).

    Enough with the semantics. We all know what she is. She's M's Secretary. Q isn't going to be known as a "technology expert" either.
    Ludovico wrote: »
    Reflsin2bourbons wrote: »
    Moneypenny in the field isn't Moneypenny. She becomes some other character. In Skyfall it works as an origin story but it's difficult to keep her in every film. Same way we know other 00s exist but we don't get them every adventure (and never the same 00 in each adventure). It's either Moneypenny appears in every film as part of the MI6 HQ staff or less often with some field post.

    The role of a secretary isn't antiquated; but the title brings too much "bad" history. In the past it's meant things from the boss's mistress to a ditz with a typewriter to people with high levels of control over an organisation.

    Being M's secretary means she sees everything M sees, but first, compiles it and distributes it. Probably sends out all sorts of Top-Secret Memos as well. If instead of secretary she was M's "Chief Intelligence Liaison Officer" or MI6 "Head of Operative Administration," I don't think there would be too much of a problem
    I wonder why people complain about Moneypenny being a secretary. As far as secretaries go, she's working for SIS, assigned for its very head, she's knowledgeable, resourceful, like you said she's aware of top secret memos... it's not exactly a menial, dead end job. AND you must have the trust of a high ranking member of the British government.

    Exactly, propaganda people buy hook,line and sinker without thinking through. Theres nothing wrong with being a secretary, an nurse, a homemaker or full-time mother. All of those demand a lot of hard work and blood, sweat and tears. It's terrible to suggest otherwise.
  • DaltonforyouDaltonforyou The Daltonator
    edited March 27 Posts: 736
    . please delete
  • DaltonforyouDaltonforyou The Daltonator
    edited March 27 Posts: 736
    . please delete
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