https://variety.com/2015/film/news/james-bond-lost-007-films-alfred-hitchcock-halle-berry-1201624228/
The concept of a female-driven spin-off series originated in 1997 with the Bond thriller “Tomorrow Never Dies.” Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh, whose charisma and fighting skills made her a superstar on the Hong Kong action film circuit, starred as Wai Lin, a master spy in China’s elite Secret Service. The character proved so popular that MGM briefly considered developing a solo film around her. When that didn’t pan out, producers decided to bring her back for the 2002 Bond film “Die Another Day.” Unfortunately, scheduling conflicts prevented Yeoh’s return.
Word of a spin-off series involving Halle Berry’s character Jinx from “Die Another Day” began circulating while the film was still in theaters. Rumors hinted at a planned winter release in 2004.
“Bond screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade were hired to write the script and, though it was never officially announced, Stephen Frears was on board to direct,” said Chris Wright. “But in late October of the following year, MGM pulled the plug.”
Reasons for its cancellation remain unclear.
When news first broke, a spokesperson for Eon producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson claimed that “creative differences” were involved. But Variety reported that MGM’s decision to nix the film took the Eon team by surprise. In any event, no apparent effort was made to set the project up at another studio.
Perhaps Jinx simply wasn’t dynamic enough to build a new franchise around? The character, a skilled NSA operative with a mean left hook, remains more memorable for her stylish orange bikini and Ursula Andress-like entrance than for her originality or depth.
“Not a lot is known about the script itself,” said Tom Sears. “But Purvis and Wade have suggested that their idea was to involve Jinx in a story that would’ve been a lot less excessive than ‘Die Another Day.’”
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Sandman27 (3043)
5 years ago
Can there be a female equivalent of James Bond? I don't think it works.
So what female spy movies have there been? The most recent I think was Atomic Blonde. It had Charlize Theron an A-list star too. How did that do? I think okay at the box office. Enough to make it into a franchise? I don't think so.
Would I have watched a Michele Yeoh spin off? No. A Hallie Berry spin off? No. A Pussy Galore spin off? Maybe.
Still, if they want to push their agenda to the moviegoers who don't care about it at all, they'll get what they should expect. The box office take of Joker should tell movie studios something about what the audience wants to see.
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LordBAElish (2015)
5 years ago
I don't know what would be worse: a Lynch 007 spinoff or having Bond play second fiddle to her in a James Bond movie (No Time to Die).
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Sandman27 (3043)
5 years ago
A 007 film that James Bond is not a star would be spitting on the franchise itself and dishonoring Ian Fleming. That would be unacceptable.
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LordBAElish (2015)
5 years ago
Babs Broccoli and Michael Wilson have already done alot in the franchise to spit in the face of Albert Broccoli and dishonor Ian Fleming.
I have a feeling at best Bond is going to split time with Lynch. At worst he will be her side kick. Its gonna be a disaster.
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Sandman27 (3043)
5 years ago
Thanks for the info. This movie is a pass.
Which Bond films are your favorites?
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LordBAElish (2015)
5 years ago
I'm a big Connery & Moore guy. From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, The Spy Who Loved Me, For Your Eyes Only. Goldeneye was the first Bond movie I saw in theaters, and after the long hiatus between movies, will always be one I enjoy.
In all honesty I like them all up in until the Craig era. Some I don't watch much - Bronsan's later Bonds, Craig's movies with the exception of Casino Royale, but each Bond and each movie, no matter the quality, bring something to the table worth discussing.
Although its getting tough to watch Daniel Craig anymore haha.
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Sandman27 (3043)
5 years ago
I'm pretty much in the same boat with your choices. Let's look at something else. Judi Dench as M. Did anybody have a problem with her being M? Not to my recollection. I liked her introduction in Goldeneye and the dismissive attitude 007 gives her, but in the end they're both on the same side.
As M, she works and there are no issues whatsoever. I don't like how they expanded her in World is Not Enough or Skyfall, but Judi Dench had the gravitas to play M and she was believable.
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LordBAElish (2015)
5 years ago
She wasn't my favorite M, but I had no problems with Dench.
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Sandman27 (3043)
5 years ago
The only other memorable M was the one from Moonraker I think when he said, "Oh and 007, try not to muck it up again."
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LordBAElish (2015)
5 years ago
Bernard Lee was the original M, Dr. No - Moonraker. He was my favorite. He died before filming his scenes in From Your Eyes Only so out of respect the producers left M out of the movie, the only Bond movie without M. The line you "oh and 007, try not to much it up again" is said by Tanner in For Your Eyes Only. Bond reports to Tanner and the Minister of Defense in this movie. Robert Brown takes over as M in Octopussy - License to Kill.
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mav100000 (350)
5 years ago
I THINK that was in For Your Eyes Only, and pretty sure M was "on leave" and that was someone else. Pretty sure Bernard Lee did not appear in that film. I know Lee didn't speak that line, and I know he was in Moonraker, so I think it was in Eyes Only.
Edit: aaand after posting, I see that I was beaten to the punch and didn't even do as good of a job explaining it as my predecessor!
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MovieChatUser497 (18943)
5 years ago
No, the guy who gave Bond his assignment was NOT M, that was Tanner, M's chief of Staff. For Your Eyes Only is the only Bond film that M doesn't appear in.
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