18 replies to this topic

[bebopfoot]

I was thinking about this, and I realized that ever since TLD, the Bond producers have had a key reason not to revamp everything and destroy the continuity-Desmond Llewelyn. Because he was alive and was so great as Q, they new he was crucial-no need to youthify him as he wasn't ever an attractive female. When GE revamped everything, they still kept him, and thus maintained that this was the same Bond who fought Dr. No in 1962. Finally though, Desmond is gone, and that constraint is gone. None of the other regulars have the loyalty and following he did, thus no one feels obligated to anything, and you have all this talk of re-starting, of having young James Bond, and of making it edgy. Besides this, let me just say my two cents. Back when TSWLM was being scripted, a lot of edgy directors wanted to take Bond into new R-rated territory, and Cubby wouldn't do it. This is a franchise that sells a lot of games and a lot of tickets to kids-don't count on Tarantino getting anywhere near this thing.

[SeaNNy-T.]

but tarantino will not make it violent he would keep Brosnan and make a great movie based on Casino Royale

[bebopfoot]

Nevertheless, he's not British and he's too famous and stylistic-all death knells for a director as a choice in the past. I think Martin Campbell will be back-he made one of my favorite movies of all time GoldenEye, and I think a lot of people agree with me, including maybe Mikey and Babs. Anyway, people should respond to what I said about Desmond in this post not this, sorry I went of on that tangent in the first place.

[SeaNNy-T.]

goldeneye and goldfinger are my top two

[Triton]

I believe that if Eon Productions felt it was necessary to entirely revamp the series and destroy the continuity as you describe it, I don't think they would have hesitated in retiring Desmond Llewelyn from the Major Boothroyd role. As an FYI, Peter Burton was the first Major Boothroyd in Dr. No, Desmond Llewelyn first appeared in From Russia with Love in 1963. Even though Desmond insists that he was always Q and never called Majory Boothroyd, Anya Amasova (Barbara Bach) says "Hello Major Boothroyd" when Q delivers the Lotus Esprit ("Wet Nellie") in The Spy Who Loved Me.

As for the R rated James Bond, I understand that Cubby Broccoli once said that a James Bond film was "sadism for the family". The James Bond films were meant to appeal to all age groups. I don't think that Michael G. Wilson or Barbara Broccoli will let Quentin Tarrantino write or direct a James Bond film. He would make a film that was un-Eon like.

[Max Zorin]

He would make a film that was un-Eon like.

Which is exactly why we need him.

[bebopfoot]

Yeah, now I'lll try not to take offense, but I consider myself a Bond scholar and I know all about Peter Burton, and I firmly believe Q is Boothroyd despite what anyone says. I know it seems silly to think like that, that he was the only thing holding it together, but how cool was it to see him when he was older? Very cool I think. That continuity link was one of the best things always in the later films. Even if it wasn't the only reason, I think it was actually influential. Meanwhile, yes that is exactly what I said and meant about the Tarantino thing. And if Cubby said that, I know Connery said it too in an interview for Goldfinger on the DVD. And yes, maybe you say that's what they need now, but think a minute. Every other movie series that has tried to be a franchise has tried to be different and unique with sequels. This leads to some people really loving or hating them. When the next installment comes out, if it tries to be different than that last one it is often met with hard and cold audiences. The reason Bond has lasted so long is because it is a studio produced machine, and by offering the same thing most of the time audiences get mind-numbed and think-"Hey, that was pretty good I guess"-because it was pretty much as they remembered it from last time or when they were a kid. I daresay that if a Tarantino Bond is good and a big hit, that will in fact sound the death knell for the franchise, because they will have raised it to a new level they won't be able to match again.

[Triton]

Sorry, it wasn't my intention to offend you.

I also think that it was cool that Eon didn't recast another actor in the Q role when the players in the James Bond ensemble changed over time. I think that Michael G. Wilson said in one of the DVD documentaries that everyone loves Desmond and I think that this was the reason why Q was not recast. I see your point that Desmond's presense in films of each of the five Bond actors does give the series a sense of continuity. Even though he is missing in Live and Let Die, although he is mentioned in dialogue. Although the rest of the ensemble might be different, with perhaps a different actor playing 007, Desmond's presence re-assures us that it's still a James Bond film.

I also often wonder if the producers would have bothered to recast the M role if Bernard Lee hadn't died or we would have been introduced to a female M in GoldenEye.

[DLibrasnow]

When GE revamped everything, they still kept him, and thus maintained that this was the same Bond who fought Dr. No in 1962.

Except Desmond was not in Dr. No

[SnakeEyes]

Details details...

[DLibrasnow]

Your point is well taken though!

[The_Mole]

Remember...

'Never let them see you bleed'...

'Always have an escape plan'...

You are right in a way.

Now the continuity is gone, all we can do is remember the great old days of Q.

Desmond Llewelyn - You will be missed.

[DLibrasnow]

I agree that it is sad the continuity is gone...I thought he was sorely missed in Die Another Day

[SnakeEyes]

Well, 'q' managed to forget to drive without his seatbelt on, so I wouldn't pay too much attention to his 'wisdom'

[Qwerty]

I think Cleese has done a fine job continuing the role, considering the expectations he is forced to be compared to, I'm waiting to see what else he does in the next few Bond films, to see exactly how I think, but for now, he's doing fine continuing the role.

[DLibrasnow]

Is Cleese signed for the next one?

[Qwerty]

I do not know, but I see nothing to hint that he wouldn't be, if he (and most likely) isn't yet.

[SnakeEyes]

The problem with Cleese is that he is too much like Desmond. He needs to shape the role into his own, like the Bonds and Ms and Moneypennys who have all had to 'fill shoes'.

Trying to replace someone (Lazenby in OHMSS springs to mind) usually ends in tears later.

[Righty007]

John Cleese WILL be Q in Bond 21. His contract has not expired yet.