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(Everything, Everywhere, All at Once starring infinite Michelle Yeohs. Pfp is short for profile pic. It's what we call avatars now.)
I think if UK audiences are broadly accepting of Bond's death then a race change would be fine, but I hadn't considered other markets. It's sad that it'd come down to financials but that's why they call it show business I guess 😩
Yeah when you hear Craig describe the intense experience of working on a modern Bond film in that doco they did, it’s hard not to imagine that film experience is something they’d be quite keen on their lead having.
That's it mate, it's a big part of the process. I have no doubt both Sope and Suter would make great Bond's, but I'd be surprised of their casting any time soon just on the lack of experience.
Maybe this delay will help both climb the ladder
Generally I’d agree, but I think he’s by far the strongest actor of colour in the running, being very Craig-like in presence and physicality, and that’s probably something Eon really wants: an actor choice that both says ‘hey, we’re mixing things up and taking chances’, but is also Daniel Craig 2.0. I think that may well trump his lack of big screen experience in this instance. The fact he looks at least five years older than his actual age is also very Daniel Craig, and probably a big point in his favour.
Nicholas Hoult, Sam Claflin, and Robert Pattinson all have that blockbuster film experience that Sope Dirisu lacks, but each have their own drawbacks: Hoult (who I really like) tends to look younger than his years, Claflin might end up being too old by the time they get around to casting, and Pattinson is tied to Batman.
Aaron Taylor Johnson does seem well-positioned after Bullet Train, until then I considered him unlikely because he seemed to be drifting away from lead roles to supporting parts, but he does have extensive big-screen experience, and he will be leading that Kraven movie (which I have no faith in)and that Fall Guy thing.
Are there other likely candidates with comparable blockbuster experience? I’m getting old and forget people easily these days.
Yeah, I'm not ruling Dirisu out, per se- like you I think he's a really strong candidate and he is getting noticed in bigger things. As you say, he's kind of Craig 2.0 in terms of feel and toughness but obviously different enough (just aesthetically) to not feel like they're trying to just do Craig again. I was reading the new Higson book over the weekend, and found it quite hard not to picture Craig in it- he really does just nail Bond. Another of his type wouldn't upset me at all.
Again, like you, I have no massive interest in Johnson; but I can see how he would be a relatively safe pair of hands as he does have extensive experience and fits the Bond mould. I just don't think he's a very strong lead actor- I wouldn't be excited by him. Better than a bland choice like Cavill, but still not very exciting. Pattinson would be genuinely exciting in that I don't know where he'd take it, but yeah- not going to happen. Dirisu feels more like Bond to me too.
It will either by Taylor Johnson, who is slowly becoming the obvious choice (a safe bet to steer the franchise through new waters with Amazon now involved too, not upset or disturb the applecart too much, etc.), or a complete unknown that none of us have even mentioned, but will be most likely in the physical mould of Brosnan/Dalton (tall, white, dark hair, blue eyes).
There won't be as much controversy this time round as there was even with Craig's casting back in 2005.
Source: https://insidethemagic.net/2023/05/oh-fk-off-with-that-woke-007-author-slams-no-time-to-daniel-craig-james-bond-dr1/
Well, I only watched NTTD once and probably will never watch again, so returning to more standalone films who don't feel like slow, depressing drama movies certainly wouldn't be the worst idea in my opinion.
It is possible, IMO, to make a quality, serious, exotic, escapist, plot driven, no excuses, Bond film.
They just have to find out how. I believe in them. Oftentimes they have steered the boat in the right direction, albeit after hitting the iceberg over and over again.
His comments are a bit odd in a way though, because what he criticises the movies for is pretty much exactly what he did with Young Bond in his books; and his 007 is just as introspective as Fleming's was.
Introspection doesn't really show up on a cinema screen of course, so if you're adapting Bond from the books then you have to bring that in in some other manner.
I enjoy both styles of Bond: I think there's room for both. NTTD was just missing that 007 flavour which Craig's other films had for my money though.
I do believe introspection and seriousness can be achieved without cheap melodrama.
The way to Equilibrium is Quality, IMO.
I agree that is was a little much to except general audiences to have to follow a somewhat serialised story over essentially 15 years. Although my Dad enjoyed NTTD having not watched Spectre so YMMV. But this is one area I disagree with Higson, I think NTTD was purposefully trying to do something different while also paying homage to the series' history, I think it struck that balance well. But that was the final chapter in Craig run. For Bond 26 I think I also do want a fairly uncomplicated action romp.
I watched Polite Society a few days ago, which I highly recommend. It's Bondian only in the sense that it's also an action movie (with a rich villain who has an insane scheme) but it gives the protagonists an arc and you feel for there journeys but it's also so vibrant and fun. I want to leave Bond 26 with a smile on my face.
Family soap operas have been a trademark of EON’s since TWINE. Poorly written is a matter of opinion, technically. I’m still hoping for new writers honestly. No Purvis and Wade, and no Oscar bait writer(s) who are aren’t action writers. It’s time for EON to make some changes on their end.
Yo Momma!
I don't see the issue with P&W myself; I think they've come up with some good stuff over the years and clearly know their Fleming. Maybe there are other writers with really strong new ideas out there, I don't know.
This was last year mind you, but a source, who didn't name names, said that "they were waiting to see if they could lead a project".
Unless they've change course, which is entirely possible, a lot has change since then, it seems like they are looking for an actor who they know can lead a project, not one who checks all the other boxes but hasn't lead a project.
I don't hate them, but I do feel that a film or two off for them might be the best way to go for the near future. I'm happy that they have been on the series, believe it or not. Their writing trademarks have been getting stale. Even Richard Maibaum took breaks. At least P & W didn't openly criticize other problems, that arguably came from his scripts. But at this point, the writing in Bond the film series drastically needs new writing.
Interesting; I could certainly believe that. A new Bond is an awfully big investment.
Well they did try and take one off but got called back when the script wasn’t working out. They’re clearly a solid pair of pair of hands(!), and I think they came up with good ideas. I think the slight issue is I look at things like the books (which I enjoy), and for me the films are still the ones coming up with stronger more original ideas.
Certainly there is no shortage of great black actors. Michael B. Jordon comes to mind. But Bond is British, Jordon isn't. Bond as written isn't black. If that no longer matters, does it make a difference if Bond is no longer a Brit? If Bond no longer conforms to how the character was conceived, then Peter Dinklage would make a great Bond. What objections could there be to that casting? Does Bond really need to be over six feet tall?
I am ready for a black super spy. There is plenty of room in the Bond universe to create a spin off series with a black actor in the lead. Plenty of Double O numbers are available, or a Felix Leiter series. I don't want the future of Bond to be embroiled in a casting controversy that will prove divisive no matter how well Bond is played.
The films could come out on a rotating basis, thereby reducing the heartburn over how much time elapses between Bond films.
Introduce the new spy in Bond 26 and then send him on his way with a series of his own.
Send him to the CIA if two dashing spies are too much for MI6.
Yes: if he’s really good. That’s reason enough.
Well the last guy wasn’t.
But it’s a silly comparison. No one’s talking about making Bond something he wasn’t: a British, youngish, sexy, handsome, alpha male, athletic superspy.
If he has the best attributes, and can take the pressure of being the new 007, and will be a solid representative, then I don’t give a damn about someone’s skin color.
Peter Dinklage is a fantastic actor, yet possesses no attributes of the James Bond character.
Sope Dirisu checks off what cinematic Bond should be (and far more than any candidates mentioned thus far, IMO), who happens to be an actor of color.
But Ms. Broccoli said it better than I could ever articulate:
"He should be British, so British can be any [ethnicity or race]," she said. "I think one of the successes of Bond is that it isn't afraid to change with the times. Sometimes it got a little stuck in the time, but the books were written in the '50s, the films started in the '60s. I mean, the world has changed dramatically since then. We've just had to constantly reinvent him, and we've had the opportunity with each new actor to recalibrate the series."
Still not sure what this show could bring to the table, though, there are already countless spy shows.
Yep, totally agreed: very well put Peter.
Yeah I’m with you: any plot starring Felix or 008 or someone that you could just put Bond in, you may as well just use Bond. He’s the interesting one.
The only spin-off idea I like is one about Scaramanga, because then you can have a Bond replacement who’s quite compelling, but can do different stories because he’s on the other side of things.
But as I always say, it depends on what direction they want to go with the next Bond. I can imagine them going with someone different to really stand out after Craig. So while he's a great candidate, I don't think Dirisu getting the role is a sure thing.
Don't Halle Berry it! 😂