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Daniel Craig and his future with the 'James Bond' series

posted 8 years ago by jmcd2007 (424)
39 replies | jump to latest

Reports are surfacing today that Craig might be back on board with the Bond series after Babs Broccoli backed one of his Broadway shows (it was called "Othello"). He was apparently pleased with the results and gave compliments to critics that took him as a "serious actor" with this Broadway show.

Although I don't mind Craig as Bond, it is a little surprising to me that Babs wants to move forward with Craig again (there have been rumors for years that she is attracted to him) being that "Spectre" (as terrible as it was) seemed to sum up the Craig era pretty decently (at least in the beginning credits).

With that being said, if Daniel Craig were to move forward with a "fifth and final film" otherwise known as "Bond 25" then he would be the longest serving Bond actor since Sir Roger Moore. Moreover, Tom Hiddleston was once considered for the role, but apparently is now out of the running due to the fact that Babs Broccoli "doesn't like him."

Thoughts?

[–] arvin g borkar (2854) 8 years ago

I always hear James Bond and put either Pierce Brosnan's face or Roger Moore's face to it. They need to have that head shape or else it is NOT James Bond.

[–] jmcd2007 (424) 8 years ago

Agreed! I liked both of them as well. Craig isn't bad, but lacks the suave and sophisticated style that Bond has been known for a long time now.

[–] arvin g borkar (2854) 8 years ago

When I first saw him, I was like "Who does this turtle head think he is?"

It's all about the head shape.

[–] jmcd2007 (424) 8 years ago

LOL! Some people thought that he was too masculine for the role too. Of course, his dark blonde hair was controversial too, considering the fact that Bond always had black hair. Let's not also forget that awkward Speedo swimsuit scene of his in "Casino Royale" as well!

[–] db20db (17743) 8 years ago

Yes. I read the Bond novels when I was younger. According to what I remember of Ian Fleming's physical description of Bond, he had ruggedly handsome, chiseled features, black hair, steely cold blue eyes;ironically similar to Timothy Dalton, one of the least popular actors to portray him.

[–] jmcd2007 (424) 8 years ago

Dalton wasn't bad, in my opinion, but he wasn't great either....although my least favorite Bond will always be George Lazenby. The fact that they hired him to play Bond all because he was in some chocolate commercial was ridiculous. I was also happy to see Connery come back for one last official Bond film (1971's "Diamonds are Forever") even though he only famously "did it for the money."

[–] brux (14840) 8 years ago

Never Say Never Again?

[–] db20db (17743) 8 years ago

Wasn't that title a deliberate play on Connery's claim that he would never do another Bond film ?

[–] brux (14840) 8 years ago

I think so ... I remember being in college when that came out ... oh so long ago now I barely remember it, but I remembered the girl I went to see it with.

[–] db20db (17743) 8 years ago

Yes , I seem to remember that from a documentary I saw about the franchise awhile back titled Everything Or Nothing. Pretty interesting btw .

[–] jmcd2007 (424) 8 years ago

Funny enough, there was a video game released for the Playstation 2 in 2004 titled "James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing." It had a large and well known cast too, including Pierce Brosnan (James Bond), Mya (Agent Mya Starling), Dame Judi Dench (M), John Cleese (Q), Richard Kiel (returning as "Jaws") Heidi Klum (Dr. Katya Nadanova), Willem Dafoe (Nikolai Diavolo, the primary antagonist who viewed Max Zorin from "A View to a Kill" as his mentor) and Shannon Elizabeth (Serena St. Germaine).

In fact, I thought that the plot itself was actually good enough to become a movie...as it could have served as a better send off for Brosnan over "Die Another Day" which wasn't a bad film, I suppose...but not great either.

[–] db20db (17743) 8 years ago

I recommend that documentary, btw. It could almost be considered a must for any Bond fan, which you appear to be.

[–] jmcd2007 (424) 8 years ago

I may have watched that documentary myself, but I'll have another look at it just to be sure. Thanks for the recommendation!

[–] db20db (17743) 8 years ago

I didn't care for Lazenby either and brux is correct. Never Say Never Again was actually his last one, 12 years after Diamonds.

[–] jmcd2007 (424) 8 years ago

Fun fact: "Never Say Never Again" not only was a nod to Connery's past comments, but it was also an "unofficial" Bond film as well due to the fact that Warner Brothers produced it over EON Productions. The film itself also directly competed with Roger Moore's Bond film "Octopussy" as well. In the end, however, I did hear a while back that "Octopussy" actually outperformed "Never Say Never Again" likely due to the fact that "Octopussy" was an official part of the franchise. Even so, I suppose that "Never Say Never Again" wasn't too bad either.

[–] brux (14840) 8 years ago

I thought the Dalton Bond movie was the first one that was watchable, but I really don't care much for Bond. I don't really understand what people find interesting in the James Bond stuff. It might as well be a comic book.

[–] actionkamen (23176) 8 years ago

I'm tired of mediocre Bond movies starring Daniel Craig. Casino Royale was best, and it goes downhill from that.

While it's obviously not his fault, I do hope of another reboot of this franchise. And that means not casting Daniel Craig.

If the next Bond is still a sequel to the terribly boring Spectre, I'll pass. Maybe I'll still watch it if it appears on tv many years later.

[–] brux (14840) 8 years ago

What does the James Bond character have to say about the world today? What could a story be about except him chasing some larger and larger super criminal. Now ... if they had him chasing and getting an egotistical megalomaniacal orange super-criminal guy who managed to cheat his way in the the American president's office ... that could be interesting. ;-)

[–] earl237 (1106) 8 years ago

Best post of the week, brilliant.

[–] brux (14840) 8 years ago

Thanks ... I'd pay to see that movie. ;-)

[–] actionkamen (23176) 8 years ago

Why everything has to be about your President. James Bond movies are watched by International audience. People from other countries doesn't care about Donald Trump.

[–] brux (14840) 8 years ago

That is not what people I know from other countries are saying. They are concerned, and when asked what country are most people in the world the most afraid of, the USA tops the list.

[–] actionkamen (23176) 8 years ago

Yes, we are all concerned in the real world. But in the context of a James Bond movie, I don't think meddling with US politics (with Donald Trump as the supervilain in it) is the best plot for cashing on the Box Office. I believe such film will bomb (no pun intended).

[–] brux (14840) 8 years ago

Relevence is just what the James Bond series needs ... it is just pointless nonsense without any kind of metaphor or message. I just do not like nonsense. Besides, in case you couldn't tell my comment was kidding, but the more I think about the better it would be ... a James Bond Orange Comedy

[–] actionkamen (23176) 8 years ago

To think about it. I changed my stance... A diabolical over the top Donald Trump as a villain may work in a less serious style of Bond movie. Think Brosnan-style Bond. Essentially an action comedy with lots of gadgetry actions.

Bond's car should be a Tesla. With autonomous drive. And smoke guns, cable cutting device come out of the logo, ejection seat, etc.

Tone down the violence, turn up the nude scenes of Bond girls. But keep it classy, unlike the ones in Kingsman.

[–] brux (14840) 8 years ago

Oh, you're right, but they ought to do that in a Kingsman sequel, that was much funnier, but Bond could do it too.

[–] MovieManCin2 (26342) 8 years ago

I really don't care. Sean Connery is James Bond, and after he left I lost interest.

😎

[–] earl237 (1106) 8 years ago

Craig had a great run, Casino Royale and Skyfall were classics and Quantum and Spectre were good too, they get more flak than they deserve. He should bow out gracefully and let someone else take over.

[–] jmcd2007 (424) 8 years ago

I have to agree with you. Even though I didn't honestly care for Quantum and Spectre too much, I thought that Casino Royale was really well done....Skyfall was good too.

The fact that Spectre also paid tribute to the Craig era in the beginning credits got me thinking that perhaps the Bond producers (and Craig) were both ready to move on. Only time will tell, at this point, if that is true or not.

[–] db20db (17743) 8 years ago

I'm not sure if I've ever seen Bond as crazy in love before as he appeared to be with Vesper Lynde in Casino Royale. And yet it didn't take him long to do a complete about face at the end with M :

" The job is done..............and the bitch is dead. "

[–] jmcd2007 (424) 8 years ago

Fair point. But I think the reason why he said that was because she betrayed his trust by trying to embezzle his money to some henchmen. Despite her betrayal, however, it still seems that Bond cared for her considering the fact that he pulled her out of the water and attempted CPR.

[–] db20db (17743) 8 years ago

Yes, Bond was very emotionally conflicted here.

Also, M pointed out to him that Vesper had made a deal to spare his life. And then there was the earlier scene where she had also saved his life with the defibrillator. He owed her at least twice.

[–] jmcd2007 (424) 8 years ago

Indeed. It's just too bad that "Quantum..." wasn't as good, in my opinion. "Skyfall" was decent, but "Spectre" was too long and bland and basically made the whole "Quantum organization" irrelevant when they started going on about the "Spectre octopus" rings. The whole concept of "Quantum" being just a branch of "Spectre" seemed poorly explained when they were originally trying to pass off the "Quantum organization" as some large evil empire.

[–] db20db (17743) 8 years ago

The point for me is, Bond has been saved by one of his girls more than once. One other time was in From Russia With Love when Tatiana Romanova saved him from Rosa Klebb's poisonous shoe blade. And then there was Domino in 'Thunderball ' who tipped him off to the assassin, giving him the edge. If I were to dig further, maybe I could find more.

[–] jmcd2007 (424) 8 years ago

I see your point. If it weren't for these women, then Bond would probably be long gone by now! The poisonous shoe moment is also right up there with the laser table in Goldfinger, in my opinion!

[–] keybored (2668) 8 years ago

Skyfall had the biggest and most stupid plothole ever! Don't go to hide in a single house surrounded by trees where any hidden sniper could take you out.

[–] Sentient Meat (1509) 8 years ago

I don't care that much if they replace Bond, but Daniel Craig's Bond films have the feeling that I like best from the franchise. Sean Connery was the best Bond but that style is dated and I never cared that much for Roger Moore or Pierce's versions although Pierce was a good Bond.

Keep the production design the same and maybe try another relative unknown like Craig... but unless they find a good one, I'd assume just stick with him until they find someone better.

[–] actionkamen (23176) 8 years ago

I think Henry Cavill was a fine choice if they want to make Brosnan-style Bond movies. I personally am tired of too gritty actions of Craig era Bond. It's too Bourne-y. And Bourne movies are dead too.

Bad news is that Cavill already a spy in the ill-fated movie The Man from UNCLE. Sigh.

[–] db20db (17743) 8 years ago

Jason Bourne, which I watched recently, was both annoying ( shaky cam film style) and often tedious to follow.

There was an over the top car chase scene however which impressed me in the sense of how it was choreographed.