63 replies to this topic

[JohnnyWalker]

I'd like to show the people making assumptions Dwayne Johnsons schedule. compared to that Craigs is like a holiday.

[Dustin]

In two minds about this news. Firstly, it of course doesn't need to mean Craig quit, a season of 20 episodes is easily produced in the already established gap of two or three years. I think if the Mail had something substantial about Craig quitting they would have used in in their report. Instead all we've got at the moment is a TV role and a lot of speculation.

That said...

What the TV series does mean almost for certain is that there likely will not be a fast BOND 25 production with Craig as many hoped for.

Also...

A TV series nowadays is nearly always a production with an open door for more of it. Characters and storylines are shaped from the go to have potential for a longer run, heavily depending on success of course.

So unless Craig's character is killed off by the end of season one in Game of Thrones fashion I'm afraid there may actually be something smouldering here. Especially since it seems reasonable to expect the announcement of a new distribution deal sometime soon.

[Guy Haines]

Instead, let a new actor rejuvenate the role.  Bring in a whole new team (including M, Q and Moneypenny) and start a new arc (laid out before filming these films).

 
I've seen this suggestion put forth numerous times before (on these forums and others), and I have to question the need for a complete overhaul of the MI6 team. 
 
Do you really want to get rid of Fiennes, Harris, and Whishaw all at once? Just two films after being reintroduced? Especially after both Fiennes and Harris were "revealed" as their respective characters at the end of Skyfall, leaving them with just SPECTRE in their traditional roles? 
 
Why would the end of the Craig era mean a complete turnover of the MI6 regulars?
 
Is it because we are so continuity heavy these days that recasting one role (Bond) necessitates recasting all of them?
 
Is it because many fans want another reboot?
 
Is it because some people cannot fathom a "new arc" with the same team?
 
Is it because of some deep-seated disappointment with SPECTRE?
 
Is it because of a fear that with such "name" actors (particularly Fiennes), the only way forward would be to continue with such large supporting roles (a la Dench), whereas most fans would prefer to return to the days of Lee and Maxwell when the MI6 staff was not so integral to the plot? (I agree with this last desire, although it is worth pointing out that M and Moneypenny globe trotted around with Moore quite a bit). 
 
Is it something else?
 
I do not mean to come across as belligerent, I am genuinely curious as to why so many fans seem to want a fresh start with the MI6 team, especially as they have only just begun their tenures (as opposed to, say, Lee, Maxwell, and particularly Llewelyn, each of whom had inhabited their respective roles for years).
 
I was watching SPECTRE with my wife last night, and she observed that Whishaw's Q was her favorite character of the whole series. When I tried to explain to her that Llewelyn was the true legend behind the character, she remained adamant. While I may have been mortified at the time (particularly as she had seen Llewelyn in the role at least eight times), it did get me thinking: all three of the newcomers have really made the roles their own, bringing a fresh perspective to characters who had (let's be honest here) become somewhat stale over the decades.
 
I can see why fans may not have taken so well to Caroline Bliss or John Cleese, but with the new team (particularly Whishaw), EON have really struck gold. Not to mention that EON sort of went out of their way to reintroduce these characters (particularly M and Moneypenny) in epic fashion in Skyfall. 
 
So I ask you, SAF (and anyone else who feels like chiming in), why do you want a new MI6 team once Craig leaves the role? Why not continue the traditional method of trying to maintain stability and familiarity when the need for a new Bond arises? (as was the case with Lee, Maxwell, and Llewelyn, who were the mainstays of the Connery, Lazenby, and Moore eras)

There's no need to bring in a whole new teamto play the Whitehall/MI6 staff. No one suggested firing Bernard Lee, Desmond Llewellyn and Lois Maxwell when Lazenby replaced Connery, when Connery came back or when he was replaced by Moore. Added to this we had Dame Judi Dench as M not only with two different Bond actors but one in, effectively, a brand new series of Bond films.

Personally I don't want Craig to leave yet, but if he does after SPECTRE it could solve one problem - what to do if the sequel can't follow the current film because neither Craig, nor Christoph Waltz nor Lea Seydoux are available. Since Bond would be re-cast, perhaps Blofeld and possibly Madeleine could be also. True, that undermines my arguement for keeping Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris and Rory Kinnear in their roles,, but if we have to accept a new actor as Bond, and we've done it before, what's the problem with a new actor as Blofeld? Or possibly someone else as Madeleine? Sometimes when it comes to casting in these movies, you just have to suspend disbelief and enjoy the movie! ;-)

[Surrie]

 

 

Instead, let a new actor rejuvenate the role.  Bring in a whole new team (including M, Q and Moneypenny) and start a new arc (laid out before filming these films).

 
I've seen this suggestion put forth numerous times before (on these forums and others), and I have to question the need for a complete overhaul of the MI6 team. 
 
Do you really want to get rid of Fiennes, Harris, and Whishaw all at once? Just two films after being reintroduced? Especially after both Fiennes and Harris were "revealed" as their respective characters at the end of Skyfall, leaving them with just SPECTRE in their traditional roles? 
 
Why would the end of the Craig era mean a complete turnover of the MI6 regulars?
 
Is it because we are so continuity heavy these days that recasting one role (Bond) necessitates recasting all of them?
 
Is it because many fans want another reboot?
 
Is it because some people cannot fathom a "new arc" with the same team?
 
Is it because of some deep-seated disappointment with SPECTRE?
 
Is it because of a fear that with such "name" actors (particularly Fiennes), the only way forward would be to continue with such large supporting roles (a la Dench), whereas most fans would prefer to return to the days of Lee and Maxwell when the MI6 staff was not so integral to the plot? (I agree with this last desire, although it is worth pointing out that M and Moneypenny globe trotted around with Moore quite a bit). 
 
Is it something else?
 
I do not mean to come across as belligerent, I am genuinely curious as to why so many fans seem to want a fresh start with the MI6 team, especially as they have only just begun their tenures (as opposed to, say, Lee, Maxwell, and particularly Llewelyn, each of whom had inhabited their respective roles for years).
 
I was watching SPECTRE with my wife last night, and she observed that Whishaw's Q was her favorite character of the whole series. When I tried to explain to her that Llewelyn was the true legend behind the character, she remained adamant. While I may have been mortified at the time (particularly as she had seen Llewelyn in the role at least eight times), it did get me thinking: all three of the newcomers have really made the roles their own, bringing a fresh perspective to characters who had (let's be honest here) become somewhat stale over the decades.
 
I can see why fans may not have taken so well to Caroline Bliss or John Cleese, but with the new team (particularly Whishaw), EON have really struck gold. Not to mention that EON sort of went out of their way to reintroduce these characters (particularly M and Moneypenny) in epic fashion in Skyfall. 
 
So I ask you, SAF (and anyone else who feels like chiming in), why do you want a new MI6 team once Craig leaves the role? Why not continue the traditional method of trying to maintain stability and familiarity when the need for a new Bond arises? (as was the case with Lee, Maxwell, and Llewelyn, who were the mainstays of the Connery, Lazenby, and Moore eras)

There's no need to bring in a whole new teamto play the Whitehall/MI6 staff. No one suggested firing Bernard Lee, Desmond Llewellyn and Lois Maxwell when Lazenby replaced Connery, when Connery came back or when he was replaced by Moore. Added to this we had Dame Judi Dench as M not only with two different Bond actors but one in, effectively, a brand new series of Bond films.

Personally I don't want Craig to leave yet, but if he does after SPECTRE it could solve one problem - what to do if the sequel can't follow the current film because neither Craig, nor Christoph Waltz nor Lea Seydoux are available. Since Bond would be re-cast, perhaps Blofeld and possibly Madeleine could be also. True, that undermines my arguement for keeping Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris and Rory Kinnear in their roles,, but if we have to accept a new actor as Bond, and we've done it before, what's the problem with a new actor as Blofeld? Or possibly someone else as Madeleine? Sometimes when it comes to casting in these movies, you just have to suspend disbelief and enjoy the movie! ;-)

 

 

I really don't see the need to replace the MI6 team at all at this point. 

[SecretAgentFan]

My opinion is this: the whole Craig era was tied together in SPECTRE.

 

This appears to me having an effect that is different from previous eras where the same team dealt with different incarnations of 007.  One might argue that during the Connery era they did attempt to establish a certain chronology - but it was extremely thin (mentioning Dr. No in FRWL, having Blofeld appear in three films - and then in OHMSS and again in DAF, both breaking up chronology, however, with switching between two actors for Bond).

 

EON could rely on the Mi6-team again, as they did before.  But wouldn´t it feel weird, with Craig-Bond being more attached to them then any other Bond before being narratively entangled with M, Q and Moneypenny?

 

Of course, they could slightly change the characters, as they did with Dench´s M who was different from Brosnan-Bond´s superior.

 

But still - for me it would kind of cheapen the Craig era.  I´d rather have them exist by itself.  

 

Having said that, the Craig era, of course, cannot be a separate unity since it used Dench as M.  So maybe, going forward with Fiennes, Harris and Whishaw could work out fine.  They seem to be crowd pleasers - and to find three new actors for those roles would be an additional hazard.

 

So, I guess BOND 25 will offer a new Bond but the comfortable factor of a familiar team behind him.

[Mr. Arlington Beech]

I can handle a long hiatus between Bond movies, but I what I really hate it’s not knowing whether this (Craig) era already ended or not.

[S K Y F A L L]

I wonder if they even know themselves.

[casinoroyale75]

@ secret agent fan, it was on the Bond MI6 front page. The title is undecided.

[thecasinoroyale]

If Craig leaves and the established Whitehall team goes, then to me the series is on shaky ground and showing lack of confidence in anything other than Craig.

 

The current MI6 team is solid and can survive without Craig. Hell, it worked for Lee, Maxwell and Llewellyn didn't it? Why try and make each new Bond actor appear to be in a "new" timeline with new staff and faces - this is, as we remember, one man over many years adapting with the times so keep the Whitehall team as long as possible to maintain stability and a familiarity that is needed.

[Surrie]

If Craig leaves and the established Whitehall team goes, then to me the series is on shaky ground and showing lack of confidence in anything other than Craig.

 

The current MI6 team is solid and can survive without Craig. Hell, it worked for Lee, Maxwell and Llewellyn didn't it? Why try and make each new Bond actor appear to be in a "new" timeline with new staff and faces - this is, as we remember, one man over many years adapting with the times so keep the Whitehall team as long as possible to maintain stability and a familiarity that is needed.

 

I agree - if we lose Craig for Bond 25 and beyond we will need some continuity moving forward. Plus, all that was invested into building these characters again and revealing the 'true identity' of Eve and Mallory at the end of Skyfall would have gone to waste for the sake of just 2 films. Doesn't make sense to me.

[mattjoes]

I think keeping the current Whitehall brigade around wouldn't feel weird at all. In fact, I think it would be detrimental to recast, because apart from the fact they'd have to find suitable replacements, there'd be little sense of the familiar going into the new Bond film. I've always appreciated that, beyond the formula, every film feels connected to the previous ones thanks to the presence of those recurring actors. It reinforces the fact that this is a series of films with an ongoing continuity, and I'm sure it'll help to accept a new Bond actor in the role. It's like wearing a pair of comfy slippers... the experience of watching a new Bond film should be like meeting an old friend.

Spectre has a definite tinge of finality to it. I found its last two scenes rather poignant and wouldn't mind seeing Craig leave on that note. The film, while not great, is still very good and would also make for a good farewell. That said, there is one aspect of the movie which merits further exploration with Craig on board: Blofeld. I'd love to see Craig's Bond battle Waltz's Blofeld in another film, one in which Blofeld could get the chance to become a more serious threat and a more cunning villain, because, quite frankly, in Spectre he was caught rather easily. Another film would also allow for Craig to leave the role of Bond with 007 back in the service, paving the way for the next actor.

In any case, if Craig comes back, I hope they take the time to write a great script that treads new ground, to justify continuing from Spectre.

[Surrie]

I think keeping the current Whitehall brigade around wouldn't feel weird at all. In fact, I think it would be detrimental to recast, because apart from the fact they'd have to find suitable replacements, there'd be little sense of the familiar going into the new Bond film. I've always appreciated that, beyond the formula, every film feels connected to the previous ones thanks to the presence of those recurring actors. It reinforces the fact that this is a series of films with an ongoing continuity, and I'm sure it'll help to accept a new Bond actor in the role. It's like wearing a pair of comfy slippers... the experience of watching a new Bond film should be like meeting an old friend.

Spectre has a definite tinge of finality to it. I found its last two scenes rather poignant and wouldn't mind seeing Craig leave on that note. The film, while not great, is still very good and would also make for a good farewell. That said, there is one aspect of the movie which merits further exploration with Craig on board: Blofeld. I'd love to see Craig's Bond battle Waltz's Blofeld in another film, one in which Blofeld could get the chance to become a more serious threat and a more cunning villain, because, quite frankly, in Spectre he was caught rather easily. Another film would also allow for Craig to leave the role of Bond with 007 back in the service, paving the way for the next actor.

In any case, if Craig comes back, I hope they take the time to write a great script that treads new ground, to justify continuing from Spectre.

 

One of the ways in which I feel they could do this for Waltz and Craig would be using the embarrassment of being caught easily push Blofeld forward to seek revenge on Bond... rather than Bond seeking revenge for his own losses. Perhaps Irma Bunt could come back into the franchise as No.2 and help free Blofeld and plot to destroy Bond. Only this would require a lot of time, planning and a very skilled writing team to make this work and have it act as Craig's final installment. 

[RMc2]

 

I think keeping the current Whitehall brigade around wouldn't feel weird at all. In fact, I think it would be detrimental to recast, because apart from the fact they'd have to find suitable replacements, there'd be little sense of the familiar going into the new Bond film. I've always appreciated that, beyond the formula, every film feels connected to the previous ones thanks to the presence of those recurring actors. It reinforces the fact that this is a series of films with an ongoing continuity, and I'm sure it'll help to accept a new Bond actor in the role. It's like wearing a pair of comfy slippers... the experience of watching a new Bond film should be like meeting an old friend.

Spectre has a definite tinge of finality to it. I found its last two scenes rather poignant and wouldn't mind seeing Craig leave on that note. The film, while not great, is still very good and would also make for a good farewell. That said, there is one aspect of the movie which merits further exploration with Craig on board: Blofeld. I'd love to see Craig's Bond battle Waltz's Blofeld in another film, one in which Blofeld could get the chance to become a more serious threat and a more cunning villain, because, quite frankly, in Spectre he was caught rather easily. Another film would also allow for Craig to leave the role of Bond with 007 back in the service, paving the way for the next actor.

In any case, if Craig comes back, I hope they take the time to write a great script that treads new ground, to justify continuing from Spectre.

 

One of the ways in which I feel they could do this for Waltz and Craig would be using the embarrassment of being caught easily push Blofeld forward to seek revenge on Bond... rather than Bond seeking revenge for his own losses. Perhaps Irma Bunt could come back into the franchise as No.2 and help free Blofeld and plot to destroy Bond. Only this would require a lot of time, planning and a very skilled writing team to make this work and have it act as Craig's final installment. 

 

 

Yeah, a Bond-on-the-run (with MI6 support, naturally) story could be great! It would be a nice inversion of the formula - essentially two acts of FRWL's final act, until Bond turns the tables.

[Surrie]

 

 

I think keeping the current Whitehall brigade around wouldn't feel weird at all. In fact, I think it would be detrimental to recast, because apart from the fact they'd have to find suitable replacements, there'd be little sense of the familiar going into the new Bond film. I've always appreciated that, beyond the formula, every film feels connected to the previous ones thanks to the presence of those recurring actors. It reinforces the fact that this is a series of films with an ongoing continuity, and I'm sure it'll help to accept a new Bond actor in the role. It's like wearing a pair of comfy slippers... the experience of watching a new Bond film should be like meeting an old friend.

Spectre has a definite tinge of finality to it. I found its last two scenes rather poignant and wouldn't mind seeing Craig leave on that note. The film, while not great, is still very good and would also make for a good farewell. That said, there is one aspect of the movie which merits further exploration with Craig on board: Blofeld. I'd love to see Craig's Bond battle Waltz's Blofeld in another film, one in which Blofeld could get the chance to become a more serious threat and a more cunning villain, because, quite frankly, in Spectre he was caught rather easily. Another film would also allow for Craig to leave the role of Bond with 007 back in the service, paving the way for the next actor.

In any case, if Craig comes back, I hope they take the time to write a great script that treads new ground, to justify continuing from Spectre.

 

One of the ways in which I feel they could do this for Waltz and Craig would be using the embarrassment of being caught easily push Blofeld forward to seek revenge on Bond... rather than Bond seeking revenge for his own losses. Perhaps Irma Bunt could come back into the franchise as No.2 and help free Blofeld and plot to destroy Bond. Only this would require a lot of time, planning and a very skilled writing team to make this work and have it act as Craig's final installment. 

 

 

Yeah, a Bond-on-the-run (with MI6 support, naturally) story could be great! It would be a nice inversion of the formula - essentially two acts of FRWL's final act, until Bond turns the tables.

 

 

I'm championing this idea as I think it would be different to what Craig's Bond has been given previously. If they want Craig back, then I'm not sure what alternative direction they could go in...

[Professor Pi]

Ironic how after four films Brosnan wanted a fifth, but EON didn't.  Now EON wants Craig, but he's "undecided."  Perhaps this Purity gig will recharge his Bond batteries, after having done something different.

 

Craig has yet to star in a hit outside of Bond.  If he does one more, he'll surpass Brosnan's film number and tie Moore's tenure in years.  If SPECTRE is his swansong, it will be like those of Connery, Moore, and Brosnan--all ending on rather weak entries (DAF, AVTAK, DAD.) 

 

Either way, I'm for keeping the MI6 team. 

[Surrie]

I think it must be hard for an actor to star in a hit during his time as Bond. He was cast in 'Girl with the Dragon Tattoo', a film which from my knowledge was quite well received, as was his performance. But, he is firmly stuck in people's minds that he is James Bond, and I don't think audiences can get past that so easily especially if he is still in the role. Maybe when he does finish with Bond we will see him stand alone as alternative characters - but all the time he tries to establish himself as something other than Bond when HE IS Bond will not work. In my opinion, once you sign that contract you are signing a chunk of your career away - whether that's for better or for worse is not for me to decide.

 

Once you are Bond, you will always struggle to be remembered as anything else above that role.   

[RMc2]

I think it must be hard for an actor to star in a hit during his time as Bond. He was cast in 'Girl with the Dragon Tattoo', a film which from my knowledge was quite well received, as was his performance. But, he is firmly stuck in people's minds that he is James Bond, and I don't think audiences can get past that so easily especially if he is still in the role. Maybe when he does finish with Bond we will see him stand alone as alternative characters - but all the time he tries to establish himself as something other than Bond when HE IS Bond will not work. In my opinion, once you sign that contract you are signing a chunk of your career away - whether that's for better or for worse is not for me to decide.

 

Once you are Bond, you will always struggle to be remembered as anything else above that role.   

 

As I recall, these were pretty much exactly the reasons Craig was reluctant to sign on for CR in the first place!

[Surrie]

 

I think it must be hard for an actor to star in a hit during his time as Bond. He was cast in 'Girl with the Dragon Tattoo', a film which from my knowledge was quite well received, as was his performance. But, he is firmly stuck in people's minds that he is James Bond, and I don't think audiences can get past that so easily especially if he is still in the role. Maybe when he does finish with Bond we will see him stand alone as alternative characters - but all the time he tries to establish himself as something other than Bond when HE IS Bond will not work. In my opinion, once you sign that contract you are signing a chunk of your career away - whether that's for better or for worse is not for me to decide.

 

Once you are Bond, you will always struggle to be remembered as anything else above that role.   

 

As I recall, these were pretty much exactly the reasons Craig was reluctant to sign on for CR in the first place!

 

 

I rest my case then, ha!

[hoagy]

As for bringing in Irma Bunt - she need not be an unattractive character.  In fact, she could be quite attractive, and attract Bond, seduce him and then...surprise !

[Surrie]

As for bringing in Irma Bunt - she need not be an unattractive character.  In fact, she could be quite attractive, and attract Bond, seduce him and then...surprise !

 

She could be every man's worst nightmare!!

[JohnnyWalker]

As for bringing in Irma Bunt - she need not be an unattractive character.  In fact, she could be quite attractive, and attract Bond, seduce him and then...surprise !

They might as well create a whole new character then. Which always seems like a better idea to me.

[Odd Jobbies]

As for bringing in Irma Bunt - she need not be an unattractive character.  In fact, she could be quite attractive, and attract Bond, seduce him and then...surprise !

Xenia Onatopp

[mattjoes]

One of the ways in which I feel they could do this for Waltz and Craig would be using the embarrassment of being caught easily push Blofeld forward to seek revenge on Bond... rather than Bond seeking revenge for his own losses.

Indeed. In fact, that shot with Blofeld on the bridge looking at Bond reunite with Madeleine sets that up, to some extent. He's also shown in a bit of a pathetic light in that scene, dragging himself across the street...

 

Yeah, a Bond-on-the-run (with MI6 support, naturally) story could be great! It would be a nice inversion of the formula - essentially two acts of FRWL's final act, until Bond turns the tables.

Or without MI6 support. Now it's most likely not the right time, considering the way the Craig entries have gone (as well as rival franchises like Bourne and Mission: Impossible), but eventually I'd like to see a film with Bond getting framed for the murder of a high-ranking member of the British government, and pursued by both his people and the real villains.

 

I read an intriguing idea on the MI6 forums... having Madeleine get pregnant. We don't need to see Bond Jr. in the next film at all (never, in fact), but giving Bond a son on the way would up the stakes, and would be a natural continuation of the events in Spectre. It would fit into the Craig era and would make for something new that could be enticing for Craig. Of course there would shades of You Only Live Twice, the novel. Perhaps there would be a risk of getting too far away from what a Bond film should be (whatever that is), but the Craig era has been so different from what's come before that it'd probably be alright for this one film.

 

I think it's fairly clear the next film will have a more serious tone than Spectre... I just hope they retain some of the confidence and sarcastic humor Bond had in that film, in contrast to his quieter, moodier, more reflective work in Skyfall.

[DaveBond21]

I think that if Craig was quitting Bond he would have already done so, before this announcement.

[Surrie]

 

One of the ways in which I feel they could do this for Waltz and Craig would be using the embarrassment of being caught easily push Blofeld forward to seek revenge on Bond... rather than Bond seeking revenge for his own losses.

Indeed. In fact, that shot with Blofeld on the bridge looking at Bond reunite with Madeleine sets that up, to some extent. He's also shown in a bit of a pathetic light in that scene, dragging himself across the street...

 

Yeah, a Bond-on-the-run (with MI6 support, naturally) story could be great! It would be a nice inversion of the formula - essentially two acts of FRWL's final act, until Bond turns the tables.

Or without MI6 support. Now it's most likely not the right time, considering the way the Craig entries have gone (as well as rival franchises like Bourne and Mission: Impossible), but eventually I'd like to see a film with Bond getting framed for the murder of a high-ranking member of the British government, and pursued by both his people and the real villains.

 

I read an intriguing idea on the MI6 forums... having Madeleine get pregnant. We don't need to see Bond Jr. in the next film at all (never, in fact), but giving Bond a son on the way would up the stakes, and would be a natural continuation of the events in Spectre. It would fit into the Craig era and would make for something new that could be enticing for Craig. Of course there would shades of You Only Live Twice, the novel. Perhaps there would be a risk of getting too far away from what a Bond film should be (whatever that is), but the Craig era has been so different from what's come before that it'd probably be alright for this one film.

 

I think it's fairly clear the next film will have a more serious tone than Spectre... I just hope they retain some of the confidence and sarcastic humor Bond had in that film, in contrast to his quieter, moodier, more reflective work in Skyfall.

 

 

I do like this idea. Plus, everyone has opinions on what a 'Bond film' should be like so EON will never please everyone. If they want to be experimental with the traditional formula (which IMO they already have) then Craig is the guy to do this with. What better way to move Craig's Bonds story forward, and differently to what has been done in the past, than with a gentle nod to a previous film (YOLT)...??

[SecretAgentFan]

I´m sounding like a broken record, I know - but another film in which Craig is going alone or on the run... didn´t we have that already too often in his era?

 

I would love BOND 25 - if it stars Craig or someone else - to be a straight forward mission, supported by his superiors, with no personal agenda.  Just doing his job.

 

Of course, with Blofeld now being personally entangled with Bond, a continuation of the fight against Spectre would always be an emotional one, too.  But even that could be dialed out by Bond.  He obviously did not seem too much bothered by Franz and his backstory.  Franz definitely is fueled by that - and the fact that Bond is not could make Franz especially angry.

[Guy Haines]

I´m sounding like a broken record, I know - but another film in which Craig is going alone or on the run... didn´t we have that already too often in his era?
 
I would love BOND 25 - if it stars Craig or someone else - to be a straight forward mission, supported by his superiors, with no personal agenda.  Just doing his job.
 
Of course, with Blofeld now being personally entangled with Bond, a continuation of the fight against Spectre would always be an emotional one, too.  But even that could be dialed out by Bond.  He obviously did not seem too much bothered by Franz and his backstory.  Franz definitely is fueled by that - and the fact that Bond is not could make Franz especially angry.

I agree with this. The "personal" angle from Bond's standpoint has been done to death. And he wasn't that blown away by the revelation that Ernst Stavro Blofeld used to be Franz Oberhauser. (When he returns to London to meet M then name Oberhauser isn't even mentioned.)

Let Blofeld run a "personal" angle if he wishes, but the next storyline should send Bond on a "routine" assignment - as DAF started as once Blofeld was apparently dead - which turns out to be anything but routine.

One problem - if SPECTRE is the adversary again how do we make this routine assignment include Blofeld? Unless....SPECTRE is being run by Irma Bunt, its plan this time is to demand a ransom and the price to be paid by the civilised world to prevent SPECTRE carrying out its threat - whatever it is - is the immediate release and full pardon of Ernst Stavro Blofeld.

[RMc2]

 

I´m sounding like a broken record, I know - but another film in which Craig is going alone or on the run... didn´t we have that already too often in his era?
 
I would love BOND 25 - if it stars Craig or someone else - to be a straight forward mission, supported by his superiors, with no personal agenda.  Just doing his job.
 
Of course, with Blofeld now being personally entangled with Bond, a continuation of the fight against Spectre would always be an emotional one, too.  But even that could be dialed out by Bond.  He obviously did not seem too much bothered by Franz and his backstory.  Franz definitely is fueled by that - and the fact that Bond is not could make Franz especially angry.

I agree with this. The "personal" angle from Bond's standpoint has been done to death. And he wasn't that blown away by the revelation that Ernst Stavro Blofeld used to be Franz Oberhauser. (When he returns to London to meet M then name Oberhauser isn't even mentioned.)

Let Blofeld run a "personal" angle if he wishes, but the next storyline should send Bond on a "routine" assignment - as DAF started as once Blofeld was apparently dead - which turns out to be anything but routine.

One problem - if SPECTRE is the adversary again how do we make this routine assignment include Blofeld? Unless....SPECTRE is being run by Irma Bunt, its plan this time is to demand a ransom and the price to be paid by the civilised world to prevent SPECTRE carrying out its threat - whatever it is - is the immediate release and full pardon of Ernst Stavro Blofeld.

 

 

That's good. And like in FRWL, Bunt could specifically demand that Bond is the man to hand over Blofeld. That could be enough to bring Craig's Bond back into the fray (replete with "It's a trap." "Obviously.").

 

In the meantime, Bond's escorting of Blofeld would leave Madeleine undefended...

[Surrie]

 

 

I´m sounding like a broken record, I know - but another film in which Craig is going alone or on the run... didn´t we have that already too often in his era?
 
I would love BOND 25 - if it stars Craig or someone else - to be a straight forward mission, supported by his superiors, with no personal agenda.  Just doing his job.
 
Of course, with Blofeld now being personally entangled with Bond, a continuation of the fight against Spectre would always be an emotional one, too.  But even that could be dialed out by Bond.  He obviously did not seem too much bothered by Franz and his backstory.  Franz definitely is fueled by that - and the fact that Bond is not could make Franz especially angry.

I agree with this. The "personal" angle from Bond's standpoint has been done to death. And he wasn't that blown away by the revelation that Ernst Stavro Blofeld used to be Franz Oberhauser. (When he returns to London to meet M then name Oberhauser isn't even mentioned.)

Let Blofeld run a "personal" angle if he wishes, but the next storyline should send Bond on a "routine" assignment - as DAF started as once Blofeld was apparently dead - which turns out to be anything but routine.

One problem - if SPECTRE is the adversary again how do we make this routine assignment include Blofeld? Unless....SPECTRE is being run by Irma Bunt, its plan this time is to demand a ransom and the price to be paid by the civilised world to prevent SPECTRE carrying out its threat - whatever it is - is the immediate release and full pardon of Ernst Stavro Blofeld.

 

 

That's good. And like in FRWL, Bunt could specifically demand that Bond is the man to hand over Blofeld. That could be enough to bring Craig's Bond back into the fray (replete with "It's a trap." "Obviously.").

 

In the meantime, Bond's escorting of Blofeld would leave Madeleine undefended...

 

 

Very interesting - would be a welcome theme for me!

[Harmsway]

I think that if Craig was quitting Bond he would have already done so, before this announcement.

Maybe.

Or maybe he's waiting to see what happens when development starts.