34 replies to this topic

[Righty007]

(1) How do you feel about Leiter's promotion?

(2) Do you think this will limit the character's involvement to plots only featuring South American locales or do you think the writers will give him a new position within the CIA if needed in future Bond films?

[danielcraigisjamesbond007]

(1) How do you feel about Leiter's promotion?

I don't mind his promotion. I thought that it was good, seeing as he was the only "good" man in the CIA.

(2) Do you think this will limit the character's involvement to plots only featuring South American locales or do you think the writers will give him a new position within the CIA if needed in future Bond films?

Not too sure how to answer this one. First of all, I don't understand WHY Felix was even IN South America. But I don't think that he'll just be limited to South America.

[Mr. Blofeld]

(1) How do you feel about Leiter's promotion?

Good; he (the character) deserved it after having to play second-fiddle to that moron Beam the whole film.

(2) Do you think this will limit the character's involvement to plots only featuring South American locales or do you think the writers will give him a new position within the CIA if needed in future Bond films?

Well, it could just be that Leiter gets sent around the world from time to time...

I don't understand WHY Felix was even IN South America.

He was the second in command to Gregg Beam; also, like Bond, he was considered the best card player in the CIA, which is why he was sent to Montenegro in Casino Royale. After the first movie, presumably, he went back to South America and got sucked back into his boss's machinations all over again.

[danielcraigisjamesbond007]

He was the second in command to Gregg Beam; also, like Bond, he was considered the best card player in the CIA, which is why he was sent to Montenegro in Casino Royale. After the first movie, presumably, he went back to South America and got sucked back into his boss's machinations all over again.

Oh, okay. That makes sense. Thanks!

[Righty007]

I don't understand WHY Felix was even IN South America.

He was the second in command to Gregg Beam; also, like Bond, he was considered the best card player in the CIA, which is why he was sent to Montenegro in Casino Royale. After the first movie, presumably, he went back to South America and got sucked back into his boss's machinations all over again.

Leiter and Beam were in South America because the Central Intelligence Agency thought they could secure newly found Bolivian oil for the United States if they turned a blind eye to the coup d'état being facilitated by Dominic Greene.

Since there was no oil, the CIA was duped especially Gregg Beam because Felix knew Dominic Greene was a sleazy villain.

[Forward Look]

Sounds like politics to me, and more than likely that is what screenwriter and SAG union member Paul Haggis had in mind. Since he finalized the QOS script just before the strike began, I sometimes wonder if anything more could be added onto it.

[dogmanstar]

I'm betting the series won't make mention of Felix as section chief of South America again.

[Righty007]

I'm betting the series won't make mention of Felix as section chief of South America again.

You're probably right, however, Eon has strived for better continuity with the Daniel Craig films.

[Forward Look]

He will be moved around very quickly.

[MattofSteel]

If he was transferred to South America that easily before QoS, he can be transfered out of it just as easily afterward.

[dinovelvet]

He was the second in command to Gregg Beam; also, like Bond, he was considered the best card player in the CIA, which is why he was sent to Montenegro in Casino Royale. After the first movie, presumably, he went back to South America and got sucked back into his boss's machinations all over again.

Oh, okay. That makes sense. Thanks!

Well we don't know anything about what Felix was doing prior to CR. His position in Bolivia as Beam's lackey could be a demotion of sorts after he failed to get Le Chiffre for the CIA (M comments on the Americans not being happy about it at the beginning of QOS). Felix is clearly not having a good time hanging out with Beam!

[pgram]

(1) How do you feel about Leiter's promotion?

(2) Do you think this will limit the character's involvement to plots only featuring South American locales or do you think the writers will give him a new position within the CIA if needed in future Bond films?

(1) To be honest, in the beginning I found this question rather nonsense: how do I feel about Leiter being promoted? Very happy for him, I wish him best of luck, I wish him to find a nice girl to marry and to have a nice honeymoooooooon....

But then, I thought, no, it was worth asking (and answering). In my basic principles review of QoS after I saw it for the first two times, I mentioned that it was a film a lot more political than all its predecessors, and that it was too much of a Jack Ryan film rather than an escapist fun Bond adventure, where the official UK and US governments are in the wrong. Beam's removal from his position and Leiter's promotion are supposed to fix exactly this: shift the responsibility from the CIA itself as an organisation and blame it all on this one operative, Beam. Something like blaming Orlov and not USSR in OP. Which is good, i think, even if i don't find it effective enough, because one could always assume that Beam lost his job because his plan failed, not because his plan was doing business with villains.

[Professor Dent]

Leiter's promotion makes sense after the events in Quantum of Solace. As far as his future involvement, it would depend on the timeline. If the next movie is set far enough after Quantum of Solace, he could have served his time in South America & moved onto his next assignment much like Mathis did. If the timeline between the movies is shorter, they could always say something like Leiter's special skills are needed someplace else & move him there even if it is a temporary reassignment. A final possibility is that he gets the next promotion & this one lets him get sent wherever he is needed much like Bond is by MI6.

[Matt_13]

I just want Wright's Leiter back, he has been one of my favorite aspects of the recent films and one I think he should be kept until DC's departure, even if his roles dwindle.

[Frimmel]

(1) How do you feel about Leiter's promotion?

I feel it gives them more options for the character next film than just leaving it as the last we see him being in the bar.

(2) Do you think this will limit the character's involvement to plots only featuring South American locales or do you think the writers will give him a new position within the CIA if needed in future Bond films?

See above. But some sort of fudging will have to happen as I'd think 'section chief' is a desk job. But that of course could just be handled with Bond running into him in the field, Bond asking why he's in the field and Leiter making what adds up to a 'desk job didn't take' comment.

They have more options to use Leiter while needing less exposition to explain whatever they decide to do. If they want to make use of him as section chief they don't have to explain much and if they want to put him in the field they don't have to explain much.

I just want Wright's Leiter back, he has been one of my favorite aspects of the recent films and one I think he should be kept until DC's departure, even if his roles dwindle.

I'm also of this bent as well. Frankly I'd go to a movie just because Wright was in it.

Edited by Frimmel, 20 April 2009 - 12:29 PM.

[Mister Asterix]

(1) How do you feel about Leiter's promotion?

(2) Do you think this will limit the character's involvement to plots only featuring South American locales or do you think the writers will give him a new position within the CIA if needed in future Bond films?

The promotion bugged me at first because it seemed to tie Felix to South America, but then remember in the books Felix was originally tied to France but still managed to show up in Jamaica in the second book. So, no worries.

[Righty007]

(1) How do you feel about Leiter's promotion?

(2) Do you think this will limit the character's involvement to plots only featuring South American locales or do you think the writers will give him a new position within the CIA if needed in future Bond films?

The promotion bugged me at first because it seemed to tie Felix to South America, but then remember in the books Felix was originally tied to France but still managed to show up in Jamaica in the second book. So, no worries.

Good point.

[H.M.S Ark Royal]

(1) How do you feel about Leiter's promotion?

(2) Do you think this will limit the character's involvement to plots only featuring South American locales or do you think the writers will give him a new position within the CIA if needed in future Bond films?

About his promotion, well... in "LTK" Leiter was the chief of the DEA so it's not important. Even if I like this character, I don't want to see him frequently.
In QoS his appearence wasn't written properly...

[Righty007]

(1) How do you feel about Leiter's promotion?

(2) Do you think this will limit the character's involvement to plots only featuring South American locales or do you think the writers will give him a new position within the CIA if needed in future Bond films?

About his promotion, well... in "LTK" Leiter was the chief of the DEA so it's not important. Even if I like this character, I don't want to see him frequently.
In QoS his appearence wasn't written properly...

Felix Leiter was the chief of the Drug Enforcement Administration in Licence to Kill? Are you serious?

Leiter only said "my friends at the DEA" so it's unclear if he was working for the DEA or as a CIA agent liaising with the DEA. I think The James Bond Encyclopedia says Leiter was working for the DEA during Licence to Kill but he certainly wasn't the chief of the agency!

[Bucky]

Do we want Felix back for the next film? Like Camille, if it fits I will welcome it but I don't want it to feel like they are forcing him into the film.

[Righty007]

Do we want Felix back for the next film? Like Camille, if it fits I will welcome it but I don't want it to feel like they are forcing him into the film.

I my opinion, Eon Productions should always use the Felix Leiter Rule™:

Section 26, Paragraph 5: If the plot of the film involves U.S. interests or U.S. territory, Felix Leiter should be featured in the script unless it is necessary for the CIA agent to be the female lead, in which case the inclusion of Felix Leiter may not be necessary and/or feasible.

[Manticore]

(1) How do you feel about Leiter's promotion?

(2) Do you think this will limit the character's involvement to plots only featuring South American locales or do you think the writers will give him a new position within the CIA if needed in future Bond films?

About his promotion, well... in "LTK" Leiter was the chief of the DEA so it's not important. Even if I like this character, I don't want to see him frequently.
In QoS his appearence wasn't written properly...

Felix Leiter was the chief of the Drug Enforcement Administration in Licence to Kill? Are you serious?

Leiter only said "my friends at the DEA" so it's unclear if he was working for the DEA or as a CIA agent liaising with the DEA. I think The James Bond Encyclopedia says Leiter was working for the DEA during Licence to Kill but he certainly wasn't the chief of the agency!

Don't be so arrogant ! The fact Leiter working with the DEA and the way it's introduced in this film can be confusing. And it's not the subject of this tread...

Edited by Manticore, 20 April 2009 - 05:29 PM.

[Righty007]

(1) How do you feel about Leiter's promotion?

(2) Do you think this will limit the character's involvement to plots only featuring South American locales or do you think the writers will give him a new position within the CIA if needed in future Bond films?

About his promotion, well... in "LTK" Leiter was the chief of the DEA so it's not important. Even if I like this character, I don't want to see him frequently.
In QoS his appearence wasn't written properly...

Felix Leiter was the chief of the Drug Enforcement Administration in Licence to Kill? Are you serious?

Leiter only said "my friends at the DEA" so it's unclear if he was working for the DEA or as a CIA agent liaising with the DEA. I think The James Bond Encyclopedia says Leiter was working for the DEA during Licence to Kill but he certainly wasn't the chief of the agency!

Don't be so arrogant ! The fact Leiter working with the DEA and the way it introduces in this film can be confusing. And it's not the subject of this tread...

You're right, it is confusing but that doesn't mean people should just spout off blatantly unverified information as fact. No offense to H.M.S Ark Royal but what he said is simply untrue.

[Manticore]

Untrue not so sure...Find this :

Felix Leiter is a fictional character created by Ian Fleming in the James Bond series of novels and films. In both, Leiter works for the CIA, and assists Bond in his various adventures. In further novels Leiter joins Pinkerton Detective Agency and in the film Licence to Kill he transfers to the DEA.

And here :

http://www.jamesbond...x Leiter?t=anon

Edited by Manticore, 20 April 2009 - 07:12 PM.

[Righty007]

Untrue not so sure...Find this :

Felix Leiter is a fictional character created by Ian Fleming in the James Bond series of novels and films. In both, Leiter works for the CIA, and assists Bond in his various adventures. In further novels Leiter joins Pinkerton Detective Agency and in the film Licence to Kill he transfers to the DEA.

And here :

http://www.jamesbond...x Leiter?t=anon

It's funny that the guy who called me arrogant before is now citing JamesBondWiki.com, a low quality fansite and Wikipedia rip-off, as a legitimate resource for James Bond information.

It's unclear whether or not Leiter works for the DEA in Licence to Kill. All we have to go from is the quote, "my friends at the DEA." Had he used the word "colleagues" then you may be right.

Please trust me on this one. I own and operate FelixLeiter.com.

[Major Tallon]

Untrue not so sure...Find this :

Felix Leiter is a fictional character created by Ian Fleming in the James Bond series of novels and films. In both, Leiter works for the CIA, and assists Bond in his various adventures. In further novels Leiter joins Pinkerton Detective Agency and in the film Licence to Kill he transfers to the DEA.

And here :

http://www.jamesbond...x Leiter?t=anon

It's funny that the guy who called me arrogant before is now citing JamesBondWiki.com, a low quality fansite and Wikipedia rip-off, as a legitimate resource for James Bond information.

It's unclear whether or not Leiter works for the DEA in Licence to Kill. All we have to go from is the quote, "my friends at the DEA." Had he used the word "colleagues" then you may be right.

Please trust me on this one. I own and operate FelixLeiter.com.

Righty --

I trust you implicitly! But it's "my partners at the DEA."

[Tybre]

Untrue not so sure...Find this :

Felix Leiter is a fictional character created by Ian Fleming in the James Bond series of novels and films. In both, Leiter works for the CIA, and assists Bond in his various adventures. In further novels Leiter joins Pinkerton Detective Agency and in the film Licence to Kill he transfers to the DEA.

And here :

http://www.jamesbond...x Leiter?t=anon

It's funny that the guy who called me arrogant before is now citing JamesBondWiki.com, a low quality fansite and Wikipedia rip-off, as a legitimate resource for James Bond information.

It's unclear whether or not Leiter works for the DEA in Licence to Kill. All we have to go from is the quote, "my friends at the DEA." Had he used the word "colleagues" then you may be right.

Please trust me on this one. I own and operate FelixLeiter.com.

Righty --

I trust you implicitly! But it's "my partners at the DEA."

Still doesn't mean he is actually working for the DEA. Law enforcement agencies collaborate quite a bit. FBI and DEA are forever working together. CIA actually works with the FBI or certain branches of military, which can be branches of law enforcement of certain situations. I'm banking he's still CIA, he's just been assigned to work with the DEA to bring down Sanchez.

[MkB]

Well, I'm no Leiter expert at all, but if I may chime in: this old thread may be of interest here:
http://debrief.comma...showtopic=18055

Apparently, John Gardner considered Leiter was DEA in his novelization, yet it's only a novelization.

[Righty007]

Untrue not so sure...Find this :

Felix Leiter is a fictional character created by Ian Fleming in the James Bond series of novels and films. In both, Leiter works for the CIA, and assists Bond in his various adventures. In further novels Leiter joins Pinkerton Detective Agency and in the film Licence to Kill he transfers to the DEA.

And here :

http://www.jamesbond...x Leiter?t=anon

It's funny that the guy who called me arrogant before is now citing JamesBondWiki.com, a low quality fansite and Wikipedia rip-off, as a legitimate resource for James Bond information.

It's unclear whether or not Leiter works for the DEA in Licence to Kill. All we have to go from is the quote, "my friends at the DEA." Had he used the word "colleagues" then you may be right.

Please trust me on this one. I own and operate FelixLeiter.com.

Righty --

I trust you implicitly! But it's "my partners at the DEA."

You're right, my fault. However, "partners" is still ambiguous.

Well, I'm no Leiter expert at all, but if I may chime in: this old thread may be of interest here:
http://debrief.comma...showtopic=18055

Apparently, John Gardner considered Leiter was DEA in his novelization, yet it's only a novelization.

I've never read the novelization but I consider those cannon so I guess I'll consider looking into it.

I wrote in that thread a few times back in 2004. Didn't remember it though.

The film itself still does not have any conclusive proof to whether he works for the CIA or DEA.

[dinovelvet]

The film itself still does not have any conclusive proof to whether he works for the CIA or DEA.

I sort of assumed that Leiter moved to South Florida to be closer to "the drug scene". The CIA does investigate drug running, does it not, so it would make sense that the CIA and DEA would collaborate on a case.

Then again other things in the movie don't make too much sense, like why is Leiter driving across the seven mile bridge at the beginning to go to the church in Key West, when he actually lives in Key West?

(Bachelor party in Miami the night before maybe?)