News JAMES BOND: No Time to Die (2021)

[Janine The Barefoot]

As a 007 fan, I'm bound to say that the fact that it's a James Bond novel is reason enough. However, I'm sure that's just me.

I think I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue! I just realized that I've read every Agatha Christie book ever written and seen virtually every adaptation of Poirot that's been brought to either screen and if I'm honest, none of them have really been completely true to the page. Although I suppose most would agree that Suchet gave us "the man" who was closest to what she really wrote.

But in the final analysis, Poirot will live on in my mind forever because the sad truth is "the man" is on the page. He is there for each of us to discern in our own way because of the way we interpret what is on the page.

So, for me, one cannot argue Bond the way one cannot argue Poirot. The real man is on the page and regardless of what we hope for or even what we may believe.... it's the page on which the truth will always remain. So it may have taken me months AM and I may even have gotten it completely wrong as far as your beliefs are concerned. But I've finally connected to why it's so important for you and why you'll continue fighting for it, for as long as you have breath.... Because if I'm really, truly honest with myself, then I have to confess that in the end, Branaugh will fail too. It's OK.... I'm still going to go. But it will be his Poirot. Not Aggie's, not mine and not the Poirot of countless others who have spent over 30-40 years with him building an indelible relationship that cannot be forged by any other person. I think, I think I finally got it and finally it made sense in my head and in my heart. In the same way that you are fighting for The Bond that is on your page. What you want for him and how important it is that the "truth" of the book gets honored.

We may not either of us end up "getting" our ultimate hero... but I do, genuinely, hope that we understand each other's POV a bit better.

Poirot would never approve the DBs but good food, good company and a good meal, you bet!

 

[Janine The Barefoot]

The actor says he would play 007 as a “very English” spy but “with a twinkle” in his eye.

Been there, done that! His name was Moore... Roger Moore..... and yeechhhhhhh. Can we not go back there again?!

To add anything else would just be cruel to the little wood elf!
And no OB. No Bunnies for you!

 

[ant-mac]

I think I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue! I just realized that I've read every Agatha Christie book ever written and seen virtually every adaptation of Poirot that's been brought to either screen and if I'm honest, none of them have really been completely true to the page. Although I suppose most would agree that Suchet gave us "the man" who was closest to what she really wrote.

But in the final analysis, Poirot will live on in my mind forever because the sad truth is "the man" is on the page. He is there for each of us to discern in our own way because of the way we interpret what is on the page.

So, for me, one cannot argue Bond the way one cannot argue Poirot. The real man is on the page and regardless of what we hope for or even what we may believe.... it's the page on which the truth will always remain. So it may have taken me months AM and I may even have gotten it completely wrong as far as your beliefs are concerned. But I've finally connected to why it's so important for you and why you'll continue fighting for it, for as long as you have breath.... Because if I'm really, truly honest with myself, then I have to confess that in the end, Branaugh will fail too. It's OK.... I'm still going to go. But it will be his Poirot. Not Aggie's, not mine and not the Poirot of countless others who have spent over 30-40 years with him building an indelible relationship that cannot be forged by any other person. I think, I think I finally got it and finally it made sense in my head and in my heart. In the same way that you are fighting for The Bond that is on your page. What you want for him and how important it is that the "truth" of the book gets honored.

We may not either of us end up "getting" our ultimate hero... but I do, genuinely, hope that we understand each other's POV a bit better.

Poirot would never approve the DBs but good food, good company and a good meal, you bet!

I think you're pretty much on the money.

As you might be aware, I am currently re-reading the JAMES BOND novel by Ian Fleming. I share with him his every victory, his every defeat, his every thought. His triumphs and his tragedies. It's a very personal journey. Very soon, he will ask a young woman to marry him and she will accept. Unfortunately, she will be murdered on their wedding day and that will utterly destroy Bond. He will eventually recover, but he'll never be quite the same again. Yes, he might only be a fictional character, but the reason that a fictional book is worth reading, or a fictional film or TV series is worth watching is because we are interested in the stories and care about the characters.

When I re-watch or re-read a work of fiction, I'm not just killing time - I'm spending it with old friends. And some of them are almost as real as anyone I've ever met in reality - and many of them are preferable company. After all, would you rather spend a day with President Trump, or with President Bartlet from THE WEST WING?

My late Aunt was a massive Agatha Christie fan for 50 or 60 years - or more - and for her David Suchet was unequalled in his role as Hercule Poirot. It's just a shame that she did not live to see him complete his task. I must admit that when I think of the diminutive detective, or read one of his stories, it is hard for me to think of anyone else in the role. However, that is just the opinion of two people. If you were to consult two other people you might well get a very different opinion. In the same way I judge every other actor who has ever played Sherlock Holmes against Jeremy Brett - simply because he is the definitive model.

All we can do is hope that when they transfer our heroes from the page to the screen they get something right...

 

[Janine The Barefoot]

Very soon, he will ask a young woman to marry him and she will accept. Unfortunately, she will be murdered on their wedding day and that will utterly destroy Bond.

On His Majesty's Secret Service! The one Bond I thought was unequalled in it's presentation. I loved George Lazenby, completely understood why he only wanted to do the one film and genuinely believe that Dianna Rigg (and her character) was the only woman who was good enough for the man. I cried at the end and my heart broke for him in a way that no other Bond has ever touched me. It was a beautiful film. Everything about it was perfect to my mind and I've never read the books. I think it may finally be time....

Farewell Mrs. Bond. We loved you well but ohhhh... not nearly long enough.

 

[ant-mac]

I differ from you in my opinions of the Bonds... For me, I picture Timothy Dalton - or a very close version of him - when I read the novels.

However, Bond's father was Scottish and his mother was Swiss, so Sean Connery might be a closer match, although apparently, he looks like Hoagy Carmichael.

Black hair, blue grey eyes, six feet tall, a scar down his cheek, a ruthless mouth and a rather long nose...

I just wish they'd do a one hundred per cent accurate TV series based upon the books. After all, it would not be any more challenging than FOYLE'S WAR or HORNBLOWER. If they pre-planned the series properly, they could film all the sequences from all the stories set in the USA, or France, or Jamaica or so forth in one visit. It would take some meticulous planning, but it could be done. And imagine how much money could be saved.

And these books were written in the 1950s and 1960s. They were much plainer stories and much more down to Earth than the film versions. Bond killed no one in his first novel and there were a few other stories where he didn't kill anyone either. And he doesn't always get the girl either. However, what are the chances of a death free 007 story in a modern film?

Oh well...

 

[Janine The Barefoot]

And these books were written in the 1950s and 1960s. They were much plainer stories and much more down to Earth than the film versions. Bond killed no one in his first novel and there were a few other stories where he didn't kill anyone either. And he doesn't always get the girl either. However, what are the chances of a death free 007 story in a modern film?

I like this idea. A lot in fact. but I want to give it some time to churn in my brain because all I have to communicate with are words and sometimes I'm not as good with them as I should be and this is a topic that deserves thought and consideration.....

Give me a couple of hours and I'll get back to you. The physical description has intrigued me and he already sounds much more complex than anything they've put on-screen. You've put me in a "casting dilemma" before I've started reading..... I'm pretty sure that's "Timey Wimey" in entirely the wrong direction!

 

[Janine The Barefoot]

For me, I picture Timothy Dalton - or a very close version of him

First question: Does he have to be "pretty"? I've always thought that the really good spies were guys who could "blend-in". Not the "gorgeous, women falling into your arms, wash-board abs, magnetic kind of guy who couldn't hide behind a bush if he wanted to"

Next question: Does he have to be a certain age? I know he must have started young because Fleming was writing largely on experiences taken from his own past working for MI-6 or whatever organization it was back then.... So I know he has to be young enough to have time to grow into his role but does that mean he was in his 20's? I'd like to see someone old enough to have had enough of a life to be able to make intelligent decisions but young enough to have a career ahead of him.

Also: You said dark, with a scar running down the side of his face and that he wasn't a "womanizer". So I'm getting a picture of a completely different man than the one we've seen on screen. I also don't see him as a "guy with a twinkle" like Roger Moore's portrayal which I thought was an utter joke made of a guy who is serious and tends to internalize rather than making light of everything.

For some reason, I see a young Robson Green. I know he's not tall enough but he's got the intellect and the gravitas.... I just wish he were younger because the age alone probably rules him out.....

So.... still thinking here.

 

[ant-mac]

First question: Does he have to be "pretty"? I've always thought that the really good spies were guys who could "blend-in". Not the "gorgeous, women falling into your arms, wash-board abs, magnetic kind of guy who couldn't hide behind a bush if he wanted to"

In the novels, he is described as being handsome in a ruthless way. So I'm pretty sure that he's not "pretty".

He is tall and thinly build. Fleming basically had Hoagy Carmichael in mind when he was describing Bond's looks.

Next question: Does he have to be a certain age? I know he must have started young because Fleming was writing largely on experiences taken from his own past working for MI-6 or whatever organization it was back then.... So I know he has to be young enough to have time to grow into his role but does that mean he was in his 20's? I'd like to see someone old enough to have had enough of a life to be able to make intelligent decisions but young enough to have a career ahead of him.

In CASINO ROYALE - set in around 1951 or 1952 - Bond is in his mid to late thirties - 37. He has being working for Military Intelligence since approximately 1940.

Also: You said dark, with a scar running down the side of his face and that he wasn't a "womanizer". So I'm getting a picture of a completely different man than the one we've seen on screen. I also don't see him as a "guy with a twinkle" like Roger Moore's portrayal which I thought was an utter joke made of a guy who is serious and tends to internalize rather than making light of everything.

I wouldn't say that he isn't a womanizer, but he's certainly no worse than an average man - whatever the hell that means.

He once fell in love and planned to ask a woman to marry him - but she committed suicide.

The woman he eventually married was murdered in a drive-by shooting on their wedding day.

Another woman he was interested in was already engaged to another man.

He was in another relationship with a woman who eventually left him for another man.

He has his fair share of successes, but they never become permanent relationships.

He has also had intimate relationships at home in London, but usually with married women to prevent any complications...

He's not perfect, but he's not as bad as the films would have you believe.

By the way, I absolutely adore Roger Moore in THE SAINT and THE PERSUADERS, but he was never James Bond. THE PERSUADERS was my favourite TV series as a child, before DOCTOR WHO...

For some reason, I see a young Robson Green. I know he's not tall enough but he's got the intellect and the gravitas.... I just wish he were younger because the age alone probably rules him out.....

Robson Green was brilliant in WIRE IN THE BLOOD. I have the entire TV series on DVD. However, I don't see him as James Bond.

I'd like to see a relative unknown take up the role. Bond is part Scot and part Swiss - so that should inspire some interesting casting...

 

[Janine The Barefoot]

Robson Green was brilliant in WIRE IN THE BLOOD.

I loved it too and am jealous that you have the whole series! But, you've given me a lot of help with casting and I think I have a framework for a TV show version that would honor the novels in a way that you would approve of. But that would also sell like great guns! If we could get the right network and a fair working budget, (not too mention director, cinematography, scripts, casting and music) I think I could give you something that, in theory, could run for years.......

I need a little more time for "Bond" (and any more info you want to provide would be helpful), but I'll have this pretty much handled within the next couple days. Please remember I can only cast Bond at this point because I still have to start working on the novels. I won't case on rough outlines.... well, in this case I'll try to cast Bond but not anyone else. Mostly it's the framework that will allow it to work on TV that matters the most.

4 hours 45 minutes.....

 

[Doctor Omega]

007 Producers Consider Bond Universe Expansion?





Back in 2002 around the release of Pierce Brosnan’s final outing as 007 in “Die Another Day,” there was talk of a potential Bond film series spin-off following Halle Berry’s Jinx character.

The film opened and, though financially doing well, was so soundly trashed that the talk quickly died. Bond was then rebooted with “Casino Royale” and things went from there.

Now, fifteen years on and with the success of the ‘cinematic universe’ model in modern cinema, could the franchise be trying something similar again?

The Tracking Board’s Jeff Sneider this week reports that he’s heard that producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli are considering the option: “I’ve heard the Broccolis have caught Universe Fever and would love to explore other corners of the Bond franchise…simultaneously.”

In terms of possibilities there’s plenty – from following the handful of other 00 agents to exploring established characters like Felix Leiter. Even so, its a speculative rumor at best.

The franchise has more important things on its mind right now, such as determining whether to get star Daniel Craig back for one last outing or to recast and undergo the usual ‘refresh’ that comes with a changing of the Bond guard.

 

[Gavin]

“I’ve heard the Broccolis have caught Universe Fever and would love to explore other corners of the Bond franchise…simultaneously.”

Just one word. "No!"

 

[Doctor Omega]

Jaws 1, 2, 3

Jaws: The Revenge

 

[Doctor Omega]

Her Majesty: The Movie

 

[ant-mac]

007 Producers Consider Bond Universe Expansion?


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Back in 2002 around the release of Pierce Brosnan’s final outing as 007 in “Die Another Day,” there was talk of a potential Bond film series spin-off following Halle Berry’s Jinx character.

The film opened and, though financially doing well, was so soundly trashed that the talk quickly died. Bond was then rebooted with “Casino Royale” and things went from there.

Now, fifteen years on and with the success of the ‘cinematic universe’ model in modern cinema, could the franchise be trying something similar again?

The Tracking Board’s Jeff Sneider this week reports that he’s heard that producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli are considering the option: “I’ve heard the Broccolis have caught Universe Fever and would love to explore other corners of the Bond franchise…simultaneously.”

In terms of possibilities there’s plenty – from following the handful of other 00 agents to exploring established characters like Felix Leiter. Even so, its a speculative rumor at best.

The franchise has more important things on its mind right now, such as determining whether to get star Daniel Craig back for one last outing or to recast and undergo the usual ‘refresh’ that comes with a changing of the Bond guard.

FFS!

 

[Doctor Omega]

I, Q

 

[Gavin]

Bond's Angels?

 

[Doctor Omega]

Nolan Talks Bond As Craig Makes A Decision





The James Bond franchise remains in uncertain waters for now with no director set, neither Daniel Craig or a new actor locked in at this point, and even its distribution home of Sony Pictures no longer involved.

Where the franchise will go next is unclear. One director fanboys have long dreamed about taking a shot at it is “The Dark Knight” and “Inception” helmer Christopher Nolan, who is a big fan of the series and has previously expressed interest.

Out doing press for “Dunkirk” this weekend, Nolan spoke with Playboy about the possibility and revealed there’s only one way he could see himself doing it:

“A Bond movie, definitely. I’ve spoken to the producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson over the years. I deeply love the character, and I’m always excited to see what they do with it. Maybe one day that would work out. You’d have to be needed, if you know what I mean. It has to need reinvention; it has to need you. And they’re getting along very well.”

That pretty much cements Nolan as not doing one if Craig ends up returning for one more round. The quote comes as The Mirror reported this weekend that Craig has finally come around and made the decision to return, and that producers want to get Adele back to sing the theme song. Their source says:

“Craig and Adele together are the winning team, the ultimate choice, the money spinners. It’s taken time but Daniel has come round and the strong con–sensus in the Bond offices is that Mr Craig is 007 again. As for Adele, she’s more of an unknown quantity but loved being part of Bond, so the signs are positive.”

That report however is speculative with no confirmation at this point.

 

[Doctor Omega]

• Daniel Craig and Adele are reportedly reuniting for Bond 25

• 
  
• Hollywood couple goals

Love him or hate him, it’s undeniable that Daniel Craig has become the heart and soul of the modern James Bond franchise – and he’s reportedly been confirmed for another one. Despite vehemently insisting he wasn’t going to return to the spy thriller, a source close to the project has said he’s changed his mind and Adele’s also been tipped to lend her smoky tones to the next film again.

The source revealed to the Mirror, ‘Craig and Adele together are the winning team, the ultimate choice, the money-spinners. It’s taken time but Daniel has come round and the strong consensus in the Bond offices is that Mr Craig is 007 again. As for Adele, she’s more of an unknown quantity but loved being part of Bond, so the signs are positive.’


It’s a massive 180 for Daniel Craig, who once famously said in a Time Out interview that he would ‘rather break this glass and slit my wrists’ before returning to the role. While the news has been yet to be announced on his IMDB page, if he has been secured as Bond then it will mark the fifth time he has played the world-famous spy.


It’s no surprise that the Bond team want to reunite Adele and Daniel Craig for the 25th film in the franchise’s history, as they made movie magic in 2012 with Sam Mendes’ Skyfall. The film was the most profitable Bond of all time raking in a worldwide gross of £861, 000, 000 as of April 2013, with Adele winning a Grammy and Oscar for the titular song.

However, Adele’s velvety voice could be in jeopardy as the singer cancelled two of her London gigs and revealed to her fans in a devastating Instagram post that she has damaged her vocal chords. A source told The Sun that, ‘The fear is that she won’t be able to sing again’, which could mean trouble for a future Bond theme.


Tom Hiddleston and Poldark’s Aidan Turner were rumoured to be in talks for the role of James Bond, while a 2014 email leak revealed that Idris Elba was a favourite with the powers that be over at Sony. If the news is confirmed to be true, they’ll have to wait for a little while longer for their stab at the British icon.

 

[Gavin]

Craig and Adele together are the winning team

Yes, absolutely. It was the combination of Daniel Craig and the theme song that made Skyfall so successful. Nothing to do with the story or direction or anything else.

 

[Doctor Omega]

Nolan Likes Idea Of Tom Hardy As Bond




“Dunkirk” and “Inception” director Christopher Nolan recently indicated that if he were to direct an entry in the James Bond franchise, it would likely be when a new actor takes on the role as opposed to a returning Daniel Craig.

Now, speaking with Happy Sad Confused podcast (via The Wrap), Nolan says he already knows someone perfectly suited for the part – Tom Hardy: “He’d be amazing. He really would.”

Nolan has met with franchise producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson over the years and says: “I’d love to work with them at some point … [but] I’d have to be needed. I think they’ve got a really good thing going.”

Nolan also says he has a concept for Bond that hasn’t been done yet, but would not share details.