33 replies to this topic

[Humphrey Bogart]

I mean it would be interesting. A younger, more refreshing M would make it look very Blairite or even Cameronian. Imagine Bond taking orders from a person 2 or 3 years younger than him, with a personality mirroring Gene Hunt, or even in a softer way, David Cameron. If there ever was a younger M, i'd like to see Philip Glenister playing the role. I saw Phil in "State of Play", and he was quite spot on as a modern-day DCI, and more serious about the job than Gene Hunt. That's just how i'd imagine M would be. Or if there was a younger female M, why not Kelly MacDonald? She's sexy, and a romantic chemistry between Craig and her would be awesome.

[Germanlady]

I like that idea - if they can make it work like that.
On the other hand, the scenes with Judi dench were some of the best in the film IMO.

So, I wouldn`t mind keeping her as long as she is able to do it.

[autquisest]

I don

[Santa]

I mean it would be interesting. A younger, more refreshing M would make it look very Blairite or even Cameronian. Imagine Bond taking orders from a person 2 or 3 years younger than him, with a personality mirroring Gene Hunt, or even in a softer way, David Cameron. If there ever was a younger M, i'd like to see Philip Glenister playing the role. I saw Phil in "State of Play", and he was quite spot on as a modern-day DCI, and more serious about the job than Gene Hunt. That's just how i'd imagine M would be. Or if there was a younger female M, why not Kelly MacDonald? She's sexy, and a romantic chemistry between Craig and her would be awesome.

I think this may be one of the worst ideas for Bond I have ever heard. Sorry.

[Sbott]

I mean it would be interesting. A younger, more refreshing M would make it look very Blairite or even Cameronian. Imagine Bond taking orders from a person 2 or 3 years younger than him, with a personality mirroring Gene Hunt, or even in a softer way, David Cameron. If there ever was a younger M, i'd like to see Philip Glenister playing the role. I saw Phil in "State of Play", and he was quite spot on as a modern-day DCI, and more serious about the job than Gene Hunt. That's just how i'd imagine M would be. Or if there was a younger female M, why not Kelly MacDonald? She's sexy, and a romantic chemistry between Craig and her would be awesome.

I'm not convinced this would work at all. M is the head of the British Secret Intelligence Service it is almost inconceivable that one would rise to that position quickly even in a Blairite government. For example Dame Elizabeth Lydia Manningham-Buller Director General of MI5 from 2002-2007 was 54 when she took over.

[tdalton]

I mean it would be interesting. A younger, more refreshing M would make it look very Blairite or even Cameronian. Imagine Bond taking orders from a person 2 or 3 years younger than him, with a personality mirroring Gene Hunt, or even in a softer way, David Cameron. If there ever was a younger M, i'd like to see Philip Glenister playing the role. I saw Phil in "State of Play", and he was quite spot on as a modern-day DCI, and more serious about the job than Gene Hunt. That's just how i'd imagine M would be. Or if there was a younger female M, why not Kelly MacDonald? She's sexy, and a romantic chemistry between Craig and her would be awesome.

I'm not convinced this would work at all. M is the head of the British Secret Intelligence Service it is almost inconceivable that one would rise to that position quickly even in a Blairite government. For example Dame Elizabeth Lydia Manningham-Buller Director General of MI5 from 2002-2007 was 54 when she took over.

Completely agreed. Also, I'm not sure that having an 'M' that is younger than Bond would work with the themes that were developed in Casino Royale. In CR, M is the perfect counterbalance for Bond's arrogance, and having an 'M' that is younger than Bond would cause Bond's arrogance to become somewhat hollow because there wouldn't be that wise person who has far more experience than Bond to counter his arrogance and put him in his place. 'M' should be someone who has seen his/her fair share of agents come and go in MI6, and therefore understands the "big picture" and has the knowledge and experience to use the "blunt instruments" at his/her disposal to collect the necessary intelligence and then act on that intelligence. I just don't see how that character could come across in someone who is younger than Bond himself.

[LadySylvia]

I'm quite happy with Dame Judi right now. She and Craig seem to click in a way that she never did with Brosnan. When it comes to a point when she looks as if she can barely stand, then I would consider hiring someone else to portray M.

[Mr_Wint]

I'm quite happy with Dame Judi right now. She and Craig seem to click in a way that she never did with Brosnan. When it comes to a point when she looks as if she can barely stand, then I would consider hiring someone else to portray M.

I don't think her chemistry is better with Craig, compared to Brosnan. I cant see any difference at all.

I'm looking forward to the day when Dench is replaced with an older, male, M.

[Harmsway]

I'm quite happy with Dame Judi right now. She and Craig seem to click in a way that she never did with Brosnan. When it comes to a point when she looks as if she can barely stand, then I would consider hiring someone else to portray M.

Agreed. Though the point where she's looking too old probably isn't that far off. It would be interesting to see the introduction of a new M as a plot point in one of the yet-to-be-made Craig outings.

[Sbott]

When it comes to a point when she looks as if she can barely stand, then I would consider hiring someone else to portray M.

I agree and this time is not too far off, although standing or not Dame Judi would probably still pull off the role.

This bring the discussion back to the original idea of who would make a good M.

Any ideas?

[Harmsway]

This bring the discussion back to the original idea of who would make a good M.

Any ideas?

Bernard Hill, who played Theoden in LORD OF THE RINGS. He'd be fantastic.

[Santa]

I'm looking forward to the day when Dench is replaced with an older, male, M.

Older than Dame Judi?! That's unrealistic, surely?

[red_grant]

i guess it would be nice to have somebody like timothy dalton play M, he is 60ish which means he it the right age. Also he has been like bond when he was younger hence can mentor him better. Also helps that Dalton is still a million times better looking than Daniel Craig

Just Kidding !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sbott]

What about Bill Nighy.
He would be the right age, and was excellent in The constant gardner as Sir Bernard Pellegrin and in State of Play, plus many others.

Although the idea of Timothy Dalton playing the role does sound intruiging, just a shame he's played Bond which would rule him out I would think.

[00Twelve]

This bring the discussion back to the original idea of who would make a good M.

Any ideas?

Bernard Hill, who played Theoden in LORD OF THE RINGS. He'd be fantastic.

Ditto.

[Mister Asterix]

[mra]We

[HawkEye007]

I think that M needs to always be older than Bond, whether its Dame Judi in the role or a male, which I hope comes to pass. I've always thought that there has been kind of parent/child thing going on between all of M's and all of the Bonds. Bond gets scolded for his performance or attitude, but you can still care M care about his well being. I would like to a male actor take over as M because I have always they have has some kind of father/son relationship. So because of that, I believe M should always be older than Bond.

[Blabbermouth]

Ciaran Hinds - has the looks, voice, age(born 1953) and demenour of Fleming's M.

[DamnCoffee]

No, i've always seen M as a mother/father figure to Bond, and i think to get rid of that formula, which has made the relationship between the two characters what it is today, could be really stupid.

[Mr_Wint]

I'm looking forward to the day when Dench is replaced with an older, male, M.

Older than Dame Judi?! That's unrealistic, surely?

What I meant: Older than Bond.

[OmarB]

As pointed out, there's a certain parental relationship between James and M that's been so developed over the course of the books. They have times when it's all business when M refers to him as 007 and then there are the times when they are genuinly talking as men and it's James instead. As much of a bother and a loose cannon James is, M still cares deeply for him and wants to keep him by his side even after the 00 division was deactivated.

Oh, and besides, a you know a young man could never reach those hights in the secret service, government or as extablished and respected worldwide with his own network of contacts that far excedes that of a young agent. I see a lot of parallells with M and George Smiley from LeCarre's books.

[mrsbonds_ppk]

Let's stay true to Fleming in this aspect...he can be a bit younger but he has to be older than Bond at least by 10 years.

[The Richmond Spy]

Younger M? I'm not too fond of Edward Fox's M in NSNA, so I'd have to oppose this idea based on that. Of course, if its done properly then it could definitely work...just no M younger than Bond.

[LadySylvia]

[quote name='Mister Asterix' post='753692' date='9 July 2007 - 06:16'][mra]We

[dinovelvet]

We’ve already had an M younger than Bond. Edward Fox is seven years the junior of Sean Connery. I thought Fox’s M was quite successful for what they were trying to do.

Yeah, I could easily see Craig and Fox clicking.

I'm not sure Mr. Fox would be up for it...
http://www.contactmu..... bond_1025095

[Byron]

Not sure about a younger M. I mean Bond with his years of experience would surely be the one doing the intimidating.

A stern patrician figure is needed.

I have said it before and will say it again CHARLES DANCE would kick as M.

[RazorBlade]

No to a younger M.

[dodge]

Might as well. Got rid of Peter Lamont. So...why not Lindsay Lohan?

[Agent 76]

a younger M makes no sense. At least, not to me.


When I think of a female M, I just can't think of anyone else besides Dame Helen Mirren! she's almost perfect for the job.

[tdalton]

a younger M makes no sense. At least, not to me.


When I think of a female M, I just can't think of anyone else besides Dame Helen Mirren! she's almost perfect for the job.

Agreed. If, when Judi Dench steps down from the role, the producers decide that they want to replace her with another actress, then I think that Helen Mirren would be a fantastic choice.