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For Jeffrey Wright only: Felix Leiter


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#1 Thevan7F

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Posted 19 January 2013 - 08:38 AM

Well in the early Bond movies. We seen a lot of different actor play 007 CIA ally & Friend Felix Leiter From Dr.No original portrayed by Hawaii 5-O Jack Lord. Sean Connery era & only in Roger Moore era David Hedison who Roger Moore's friend who later came again Timothy Dalton Lience to Kill where he was tortured & Like Bond in OHMSS he was Husband & Widower in that movie. Although From Brosnan era he was never mentioned or appeared again but was replaced by few Characters. Now Jeffrey Wrights has revive the Character & reprised his role twice in Daniel Craig 2 first Bond movies. He appeared in The Invasion with Daniel Craig & Nicole Kidman. Although I don't why he didn't appear in the latest Skyfall . But if Felix Leiter is to be in Bond 24 or 25 it must be Jeffrey Wright from now on. I just don't want to see different actors all the time. Remember Blofield was replaced few times. Now it only 1 Felix Leiter only. But just for this moment Jeffrey Wright Like I said before.



#2 Guy Haines

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Posted 19 January 2013 - 11:01 AM

I agree. In the pre reboot movies, until LTK, Felix Leiter was treated by the film makers as a character there just to hold Bond's coat while 007 duels with the bad guy. (Dr No was an exception, I think - Jack Lord seemed as sardonic as Felix as Connery was as Bond.)

 

It was a nice idea to bring back David Hedison for LTK - I liked his Leiter in LALD - but the age difference between him and Timothy Dalton was obvious. I think a younger American actor, maybe someone very well known, would have made more sense in terms of casting.

 

Jeffrey Wright wasn't on screen that much in CR/QoS, but he's made Leiter interesting. There's a bit of an edge between him and Daniel Craig's Bond, even though they are allies. For continuity's sake, and to see how Wright would be in an expanded role for Felix, I think he should return in 24 or 25.



#3 Walecs

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Posted 19 January 2013 - 12:37 PM

I don't get why the used to change Felix's actor in every single movie. It's a terrible idea, it's confusing and bad-looking. They should keep Wright at least until Craig ends.



#4 Guy Haines

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Posted 19 January 2013 - 12:52 PM

I don't get why the used to change Felix's actor in every single movie. It's a terrible idea, it's confusing and bad-looking. They should keep Wright at least until Craig ends.

My understanding, and I might be wrong, is that the film makers had Jack Lord in mind for further Bond films as Leiter, but he wanted too much money. I suppose they just didn't consider Leiter that important a character. Some cinema goers kicked up when Lazenby replaced Connery - I can't remember anyone complaining when Cec Linder replaced Lord, Rik Van Nutter replaced Linder, Norman Burton replaced Nutter etc.



#5 Professor Pi

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Posted 19 January 2013 - 04:26 PM

I was hoping to see Jeffrey Wright as Felix in Skyfall.  It seemed like the filmmakers were setting that up too, "We still have one or two friends in the CIA."  But then in Shanghai Bond gets his tip on Patrice's flight from a cellphone.  Would have been perfect to meet Leiter in the bar instead with some dialogue and a drink.   



#6 S K Y F A L L

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Posted 19 January 2013 - 06:46 PM

I was hoping to see Jeffrey Wright as Felix in Skyfall.  It seemed like the filmmakers were setting that up too, "We still have one or two friends in the CIA."  But then in Shanghai Bond gets his tip on Patrice's flight from a cellphone.  Would have been perfect to meet Leiter in the bar instead with some dialogue and a drink.   

 

That would have turned a plan scene into something interesting, but it might have felt shoe horned in and there is already so many characters in the film. We don't want to get our Felix fill already when they still hope to do 2 more films with Craig. I have to admit I felt Moneypenny was just tossed in at the last moment simply so they could use that dumb shaving joke and what kind of message are they sending the children? That women don't belong in the flied, pfft.



#7 seawolfnyy

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Posted 19 January 2013 - 08:10 PM

I was hoping to see Jeffrey Wright as Felix in Skyfall.  It seemed like the filmmakers were setting that up too, "We still have one or two friends in the CIA."  But then in Shanghai Bond gets his tip on Patrice's flight from a cellphone.  Would have been perfect to meet Leiter in the bar instead with some dialogue and a drink.   

I think I remember hearing something about Felix having a small part in earlier drafts of Skyfall. However, it would have felt too crowded by including him.



#8 tdalton

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Posted 19 January 2013 - 10:25 PM

and what kind of message are they sending the children? That women don't belong in the flied, pfft.

 

 

I don't think that's at all what they were doing with the Moneypenny character.  EON has already had several characters that demonstrate the exact opposite qualities of Eve and being effective in the field (Amasova, Melina Havelock, Pam Bouvier, Wai Lin, Jinx, and Camille to name a few), so I don't think that, after a wave of several of the last few films featuring strong female leads that are meant to be seen as equals to Bond that they would do an about face and make a political statement to the opposite effect. 

 

I think that the Moneypenny being a field agent thing was thrown in there as a (albeit very flimsy) way of giving Bond and Moneypenny a shared history so that they're flirtatious banter that will follow in future installments will have a foundation on which to build.



#9 S K Y F A L L

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Posted 20 January 2013 - 03:41 AM

Your right. I'm just ranting about it cause as much as I want to like the new Moneypenny, it just doesn't fit with me some reason.



#10 graric

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Posted 20 January 2013 - 08:37 AM

 

I was hoping to see Jeffrey Wright as Felix in Skyfall.  It seemed like the filmmakers were setting that up too, "We still have one or two friends in the CIA."  But then in Shanghai Bond gets his tip on Patrice's flight from a cellphone.  Would have been perfect to meet Leiter in the bar instead with some dialogue and a drink.   

 

That would have turned a plan scene into something interesting, but it might have felt shoe horned in and there is already so many characters in the film. We don't want to get our Felix fill already when they still hope to do 2 more films with Craig. I have to admit I felt Moneypenny was just tossed in at the last moment simply so they could use that dumb shaving joke and what kind of message are they sending the children? That women don't belong in the flied, pfft.

 


Judging by Mendes in this interview they did seem to seriously consider trying to fit Felix into the film, but decided against it as there were enough characters as it is. It also does give some hope that we will see more of Felix before Daniel Craig leaves (and hopefully he will have a fairly prominent supporting role, rather than sitting around and not doing much like QoS)
http://collider.com/...terview/209508/



#11 Iceskater101

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Posted 21 January 2013 - 09:07 PM

Yeah I have a feeling Felix Leiter will be in the next Craig film.



#12 Trevelyan 006

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Posted 22 January 2013 - 04:27 AM

 

 

I was hoping to see Jeffrey Wright as Felix in Skyfall.  It seemed like the filmmakers were setting that up too, "We still have one or two friends in the CIA."  But then in Shanghai Bond gets his tip on Patrice's flight from a cellphone.  Would have been perfect to meet Leiter in the bar instead with some dialogue and a drink.   

 

That would have turned a plan scene into something interesting, but it might have felt shoe horned in and there is already so many characters in the film. We don't want to get our Felix fill already when they still hope to do 2 more films with Craig. I have to admit I felt Moneypenny was just tossed in at the last moment simply so they could use that dumb shaving joke and what kind of message are they sending the children? That women don't belong in the flied, pfft.

 


Judging by Mendes in this interview they did seem to seriously consider trying to fit Felix into the film, but decided against it as there were enough characters as it is. It also does give some hope that we will see more of Felix before Daniel Craig leaves (and hopefully he will have a fairly prominent supporting role, rather than sitting around and not doing much like QoS)
http://collider.com/...terview/209508/

 

 

DEFINITELY think there will be at least a bit more Felix before Craig leaves. As stated, I'd prefer a more predominant role as well, more akin to his role in Casino Royale rather than Quantum of Solace. Perhaps, them having to work hand-in-hand, on location, much like the PTS of License to Kill?


Edited by Trevelyan 006, 22 January 2013 - 04:27 AM.


#13 delfloria

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Posted 22 January 2013 - 07:56 AM

Looking forward to the return of Wright's Felix before Craig leaves.



#14 Thevan7F

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Posted 28 March 2014 - 09:24 AM

In Bond 24 there no show of Jefrey Wright returning if not in Bond 25 then. It should him no recast.



#15 AgenttiNollaNollaSeitsemän

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Posted 28 March 2014 - 03:46 PM

Yeah I have a feeling Felix Leiter will be in the next Craig film.

I hope your gut feeling is right - and I hope that they'll give Felix something to do and a proper character scene - envision Wright giving the Martini lecture from Thunderball novel to amused Craig in some bar...



#16 glidrose

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Posted 28 March 2014 - 08:12 PM

 

I don't get why the used to change Felix's actor in every single movie. It's a terrible idea, it's confusing and bad-looking. They should keep Wright at least until Craig ends.

My understanding, and I might be wrong, is that the film makers had Jack Lord in mind for further Bond films as Leiter, but he wanted too much money. I suppose they just didn't consider Leiter that important a character. Some cinema goers kicked up when Lazenby replaced Connery - I can't remember anyone complaining when Cec Linder replaced Lord, Rik Van Nutter replaced Linder, Norman Burton replaced Nutter etc.

 

 

www.rikvannutterisnotfelixleiter.com

 

Only Norman Burton is Leiter. All the true fans know that!



#17 ChickenStu

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Posted 30 March 2014 - 10:05 AM

Yeah, I'd like to see Jeffrey Wright back as Leiter. I think he did a good job in the films he was in and I'd like to see that relationship explored a bit more. 



#18 dtuba

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Posted 03 April 2014 - 01:57 PM

Y'know, John Terry wasn't that terrible in TLD. At least he sounded like he might be from Texas!

 

I think Rik van Nutter was probably the worst Leiter.


Edited by dtuba, 03 April 2014 - 01:57 PM.


#19 007jamesbond

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Posted 05 April 2014 - 11:31 PM

I think he will be back for Bond 24! I expect Mendes and the producer will bring him back since he was absent in Skyfall...



#20 glidrose

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Posted 07 April 2014 - 11:48 PM

Y'know, John Terry wasn't that terrible in TLD. At least he sounded like he might be from Texas!

 

I think Rik van Nutter was probably the worst Leiter.

 

Don't know about worst, but he was one of my least favorite. Glad to see somebody else doesn't like him because he is popular.



#21 Turn

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Posted 08 April 2014 - 12:58 PM

I really don't get all the John Terry venom. The guy was in, what, two scenes? No, he won't win any awards, but I buy into his Leiter more so than Uncle Felix Cec Linder and Norman Burton who were in far more of their films and much more distracting. GF is a classic, no doubt, but actors like Linder and the gangsters always drag it down a few notches for me.

 

I've always liked van Nutter probably because he seems like he could be in on the action more so than the above two and he's been the closest to resembling Fleming's conception, not that I put a ton of stock into that.

 

There are actually publicity shots where he looks pretty convincing, I think one in the TB Philadelphia card set and another in Look or Saturday Evening Post issue highlighting the making of TB.



#22 S K Y F A L L

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Posted 08 April 2014 - 09:49 PM

As long as Craig is Bond Jeffrey Wright well be Felix Leiter and I hope he'll do at least one more in the Craig Era if they do decide to re-cast him after Craig is done with the role....



#23 dtuba

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Posted 13 April 2014 - 06:28 AM

Rik Van Nutter looked like the Fleming version of Leiter, but his acting (and dialogue) was horrible - it seemed like he was there mainly to remind Bond what time it was and how much fuel was left in the helicopter's gas tank. That and to get punched in the stomach for saying " Hello, Double -Oh - OOF!!"