496 replies to this topic

[TortillaFactory]

...well.

Good for him.

[Eddie]

Hi all, I thought today would be a good time to register or make that
"re"-register. I joined here a few years ago and submitted an mp3 called
"Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (MI6 Mix)", and found some other cool fan tracks here.

I read the news here most days but sadly don't post on many forums as I'm a veteran and moderator on another site (a JAWS fan site), and have my own site to look after.
Jaws Movie Archives.com

I just thought today would be a good time to sign in and say hello.

I've been checking out all the TV reports of today's events, I have to admit I know little very about Craig and he certainly wasn't on my shortlist of hopefuls but I'll certainly reserve judgement and look forward to CR next year.
I may get slammed by some for this but I really enjoyed Goldeneye and Campbell's pre-credit introduction of Bond in the shadows I found pretty cool. I think Martin will produce something quite special for everyone next year, It appears the emphasis on "a new Bond" is firmly in place, it may not please everyone but I'll give it a whirl.

Well hopefully I'll get time to post regularly as CR progresses, (I followed DAD's progress here) and maybe get to know people here, I'm no Bond expert, I just love the 007 movies, and hope to finally get LTK uncut next year so I can throw away this grainy Dutch VHS at long last.

Peace
Ed from Liverpool
(The UK's biggest JAWS fan)

[Frostyak]

While I am not as excited about Craig being cast as I would be if it were say Owen, or Pierce returning, there are a few things I have to remind myself.

We have seen one little picture. The producers have seen screen tests. Hundreds of them. Some actors may make a number of bad movies but have that shining star of a role that everyone remembers them for. Maybe this is Craig's. Maybe he is just that good on film in this role. I have not seen enough of his movies to judge his acting. Even if I had seen them all, I would not use them as a basis for his ability in Casino Royale. Until I see a preview, clips, or the movie itself, I will hold off. After all, Michael Keaton was Batman.

- Chris

[spynovelfan]

http://i18.photobuck...09009/dc007.jpg

Ooh, you can see his watch in this one.

I know why people are worried about Craig, but even if you really really think he's not right for the role, surely this picture restores at least some hope in your heart? I can't really see how a Bond fan can't at least feel a little excited at seeing this photo. For me, it just shows how good Craig is. He looks a total mess. One look in a photo and he's Bond.

Just look at the photo again and then imagine, I mean really take the time to picture in your mind's eye, what his screen-test might have been like. Then imagine a full-length film in that vein.

Not even a bit excited at the prospect?

[Judo chop]

I am confident that, whatever else we may have to "worry" about in relation to Craig as the new Bond, we can rest assured that his performance as 007 will be superb. And thank goodness for that, because name me a candidate other than Owen you could say that about.

I know what you mean. But, there are legions of "great actors" out there, who routinely give "superb" performances. The trick with Bond casting, is you have to convince the audience that you're not only a B-a-a-d Dude, but you're also the coolest, stylish, most sexually attractive man in the frame. With a wit to boot. All that is part of the perfomance. And it considerably skews the criteria for "superbness".

Hence the significant polarity in the reception to Craig right now. They're some major shoes to fill. It's a tougher fit, IMO, than it's often portrayed to be.

I think Craig can pull it off. But he's got a hill to climb.

Exactly Bon-san. The perfect Bond is the complete package. A character so terrificly entertaining that it would spawn 40 years of classic cinema (more or less) not to mention fan websites dedicated to him. It can't be easy and it shouldn't. I'm a firm believer in the old mantra: "every girl wants him and every guy wants to be him". IMO, it hasn't been done effectively since SC, and I think it all stems from on-screen confidence. It has to literally ooze from the actor to make the viewer believe that this man is completely in charge of any situation, whether it be beating LeChifre or luring a woman into the sack. If we can believe Craig has this, we have good reason to celebrate.

Can we?

Dang I hope so.

[Loomis]

Just look at the photo again and then imagine, I mean really take the time to picture in your mind's eye, what his screen-test might have been like. Then imagine a full-length film in that vein.

Months back, the rumour mill had it that the Bond people were looking for another Connery-type actor. There's been a lot of speculation over many months that Eon was determined to make another FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE.

Call me a hopelessly optimistic fool, but, looking at that photo, I wonder: wow, could it actually be true?

[doublenoughtspy]

Loomis,

Your point is valid about his performance on screen being more important than his performance at a press conference - however, Craig has many obstacles to overcome with the public accepting him as Bond - and the fact that his first remarks after being announced were swearing about how scary a boat ride was, that does not inspire confidence.

Lazenby was apparently ultra cocky at his press conference - telling the press that he wasn't surprised he got the role - he would have been surprised if he HADN'T gotten it.

Craig in contrast did not answer "yes" to the question about nailing the screen test, nor did he answer the question about what qualities he would bring to the Bond role.

While I agree a lot of the questions from the British Press were somewhat negative - there were some softballs in there that he should have hit out of the park and he did not.

Dalton's press conference in Vienna did have similar negative questions about his personal life, and he turned it around and said "One of the qualities, that I might share with a secret agent who works for the British Government would be their desire to keep their private life and their thoughts about it private."

It shows that he was trying to parallel himself with Bond, which is not something Craig was even attempting at the conference.

[MrMoneypenny]

I am so excited about this news. Daniel Craig is perfect with a capital P. I rented Layer Cake last night because a friend of mine had told me that after watching that movie, you know why Craig was considered for Bond. And he's right. Funny fact is that there are two scenes in the movie that are set at the Stoke Park Club, the golf club used in Goldfinger and Tomorrow Never Dies. Another thing, I just read on the VRT Nieuws website (Belgian TV) that both Miss Moneypenny and Q (or R) will not be in Casino Royale. Did I totally miss this earlier?

[JameswpBond]

The only way is up for James Bond.

[Loomis]

Loomis,

Your point is valid about his performance on screen being more important than his performance at a press conference - however, Craig has many obstacles to overcome with the public accepting him as Bond - and the fact that his first remarks after being announced were swearing about how scary a boat ride was, that does not inspire confidence.

Lazenby was apparently ultra cocky at his press conference - telling the press that he wasn't surprised he got the role - he would have been surprised if he HADN'T gotten it.

Craig in contrast did not answer "yes" to the question about nailing the screen test, nor did he answer the question about what qualities he would bring to the Bond role.

While I agree a lot of the questions from the British Press were somewhat negative - there were some softballs in there that he should have hit out of the park and he did not.

Dalton's press conference in Vienna did have similar negative questions about his personal life, and he turned it around and said "One of the qualities, that I might share with a secret agent who works for the British Government would be their desire to keep their private life and their thoughts about it private."

It shows that he was trying to parallel himself with Bond, which is not something Craig was even attempting at the conference.

I see where you're coming from, DNS. Your concern is that Craig may not be enough of a larger-than-life "offscreen Bond" to be a truly popular and - for want of a better word, and this expression sounds pretentious, I know - iconic Bond.

Perhaps Craig sees himself as an actor who for the moment is contracted to play Bond in some upcoming films. Just another role, and no more important than the many others he intends to play in the future (for, make no mistake, this guy is determined to have a varied and challenging acting career outside Bond).

You've seen ROCKY, I take it? Remember that line Apollo's trainer says in panic about Rocky? "He doesn't know it's a damn show, he thinks it's a damn fight! Now finish this bum and let's go home!" Maybe Craig sees Bond as just another acting gig that's more or less just about acting, and not as a show that will make huge demands of his life, and thus approaches it in a working actor kind of way, rather than with a salesman's guile; in that case perhaps he doesn't know quite what he's let himself in for (although I doubt it; the man's hardly stupid, and must surely know something about the history of the franchise and about the experiences of the previous Bond actors).

I dunno. I still think he's a terrific choice and am very, very pleased indeed that he was chosen.

Thing is, he's already established as Daniel Craig. It'll be tough for the public to get used to thinking of him primarily as "James Bond" for that reason alone.

[spynovelfan]

I'm a firm believer in the old mantra:  "every girl wants him and every guy wants to be him".  IMO, it hasn't been done effectively since SC, and I think it all stems from on-screen confidence.  It has to literally ooze from the actor to make the viewer believe that this man is completely in charge of any situation, whether it be beating LeChifre or luring a woman into the sack.  If we can believe Craig has this, we have good reason to celebrate. 

Can we?

Dang I hope so.

I think we will. I think he's that good an actor. But we'll see.

On another point, I'm not a believer in that old mantra. I think it's more of a chant, and one we don't really think about. It sounds cool, just as 'Dalton embodied Fleming's character' and 'OHMSS was a flop' - but like those two, it's not really true when you examine it. It may have been true for the Connery films, but I think it's fairly obvious that for a long time the main audience for Bond films has been boys, aged between about 11 and 99. This could go either way for Craig, I think. Some men really seem to be hung up on his looks in a way that some women aren't - we men tend to want him to be perfect, square-chinned, symmetrical cheek bones, not looking like a corpse, that kind of thing. Because otherwise, hey, it may as well be us up there. What's to emulate or admire? There's no way I could convince myself I was ever as good-looking as any of the other actors who've played Bond. Craig? Well, I think I'm probably better-looking. So it could be a problem. Some women I've spoken to seem to really like Craig's looks, or rather his intensity and presence. Some think he looks like a dead tramp. So again, could go either way there.

But my feeling is that more women will go to see CR than went to see DAD, because Craig also brings other stuff with him. I know they *always* say they're going back to Fleming, going to go gritty, Dalton was the embodiment of Fleming's Bond and OHMSS was a flop, but I think they will at least be significantly closer this time. I can't see Daniel Craig delivering cheesy one-liners. If this is a tougher film with fewer explosions and special effects - ie if it's less boyish - a lot of women who usually think 'Yawn! Another Bond film' might not this time around. The Bourne films managed this. Intelligent thrillers, suspense, emotion, minimal silliness. They can do that and not slavishly follow Bourne - the character of Bond is different enough. But, in fact, the character of Bond is low-key. It's lighting the cigarette and being laconic - not leaping in front of an explosion. That's not Bond, but every action film there's been since 1978. So Bond has already slavishly followed the Die Hards. Time to be Bond again. If it looks a little like Bourne, well that's because Bourne looks a lot like FRWL. So damn what?

The main problem is how many men *won't* see it. Or, more realistically, who won't see Craig in Bond 22. Because it will be something of a hard sell. Have they learned from the mistakes of Dalton? Can they add the wit that is needed? Can they walk the fine line between grit and crowd-pleasing? There are millions of guys around the world who are casual Bond fans. I've had so many pub conversations where people get Bond wrong. And usually even casual Bond fans spout all this crap about Dalton being close to Fleming (have they read Fleming? Don't be daft) and so on. There's a lot of hindsight in this, though. Most people disliked Dalton at the time. It's a bit like asking people who voted Liberal Democrat after an election - if everyone was telling the truth, they'd have won by a landslide! Fanboys have been asking for a gritty Casino Royale with a rougher more Connery-style actor for years. The second we get one, though, it's Ah, well, no, that's not right. You can't have it both ways! Well, we could, had Owen got the part. He didn't, though, and we've got Owen cubed. If CR looks like Owen's BMW ads with a slightly shorter significantly blonder and well, yeah, uglier but still damn cool version of Owen in the Aston, well, I think it will rock. But I think men the world over will think it rocked in about 2017. After Dancy's rescued the franchise, they'll all be going on about how Daniel Craig was the closest to Fleming.

I'll be disagreeing with them by then.

[JameswpBond]

When I watch James Bond films I don't want to look like James Bond I want to have his lifestyle .

[daman3755]

I think what I'm more surprised about is how Sony is being very laisse-faire (pardon the spelling error) with the movie and letting EON handle the new flick their own way. Hell, I'm happy about it. Remember kiddies, last time Sony tried to make a rival franchise on their own advisement they went to Rob Cohen and got XXX. Look what happened with that. And besides, Daniel Craig's name will be huge this Christmas thanks to his role in the new Steven Spielberg movie "Munich." Spielberg's flicks get a ton of press over here, and I'm sure Craig will outshadow Eric Bana at every conference thanks to today. I can't say that I'm excited just yet...I've yet to see "Layer Cake" so that's what I'll be doing over the weekend. I'm more excited that the production team has top quality on it (Baird, Haggis, Campbell, Lamont) and so far, I'm happy there. I'll make more judgements when the cast is announced. Craig has the look and seemingly the intensity too (honestly I haven't seen that kind of cold stare since the very early film's) - my only setback are the eyebrows and hair. Can't get past a blue eyed, golden haired Bond. I'm sure that'll change; would EON really let it slide that light of a color?

Oh and finally - should I be scared we've yet to hear of any appearence by Felix Leiter??

[DanMan]

You've seen ROCKY, I take it? Remember that line Apollo's trainer says in panic about Rocky? "He doesn't know it's a damn show, he thinks it's a damn fight! Now finish this bum and let's go home!" Maybe Craig sees Bond as just another acting gig that's more or less just about acting, and not as a show that will make huge demands of his life, and thus approaches it in a working actor kind of way, rather than with a salesman's guile; in that case perhaps he doesn't know quite what he's let himself in for (although I doubt it; the man's hardly stupid, and must surely know something about the history of the franchise and about the experiences of the previous Bond actors).

Well put, Loomis.

[Seannery]

[quote name='spynovelfan' date='14 October 2005 - 20:57'][quote name='Judo chop' date='14 October 2005 - 19:38']I'm a firm believer in the old mantra:

[Judo chop]

[quote name='spynovelfan' date='14 October 2005 - 14:57'][quote name='Judo chop' date='14 October 2005 - 19:38']I'm a firm believer in the old mantra:

[Stax]

You fools! You all bought into Sony's carefully crafted ruse. They will be announcing Brosnan's return on Monday! Broz is back!!!

[The Dove]

Very funny Stax!! NOT!!! Honestly, I'm really starting to get sick of all the nay-sayers about Craig They haven't even begun filming and aready people are dismissing Daniel Craig (who wasn't my particular favorite for the role, but I do think he'll be great!)..

[The_Mole]

I have very faith in Craig's portrayal.

All I have to say is...

-----------------------------------------

BOND.

< MY NAME IS NOT CALLED JOHN!!!

JAMES BOND.

[pgram]

Eddie, how do you feel the new Bond is a scouser?

[dinovelvet]

Mr Wilson also revealed work had already started on the 22nd James Bond film, which would be Craig's second as 007.

As I suspected, they seem to be planning on getting Craig's second Bond flick in cinemas as soon as possible after CASINO ROYALE, to firmly establish him as Bond in the public mind as quickly as possible. And perhaps there will be story links between CR and BOND 22.

Yeah I'm surprised this tidbit of information hasn't gotten more attention. They're starting the script already for the next Bond movie, before one frame of Casino Royale has even been shot, looks like 007 in 2007 may happen after all!

[dinovelvet]

You fools! You all bought into Sony's carefully crafted ruse. They will be announcing Brosnan's return on Monday! Broz is back!!!

No, no, that's all a smokescreen. Goran Visnjic was spotted at an airport somewhere, catching a flight to somewhere else, this means he's Bond!!!!!

[Skudor]

http://i18.photobuck...09009/dc007.jpg

Ooh, you can see his watch in this one.

I know why people are worried about Craig, but even if you really really think he's not right for the role, surely this picture restores at least some hope in your heart? I can't really see how a Bond fan can't at least feel a little excited at seeing this photo. For me, it just shows how good Craig is. He looks a total mess. One look in a photo and he's Bond.

Just look at the photo again and then imagine, I mean really take the time to picture in your mind's eye, what his screen-test might have been like. Then imagine a full-length film in that vein.

Not even a bit excited at the prospect?

Not a bit. Just extremely.

[sidspappy]

Ooh, you can see his watch in this one.

Hey all,

Haven't posted in ages, but with the Daniel Craig announcement, I'm back!

Skudor, I was obsessing over the watch thing, too. The silencer pic is blurry, but from what I can determine, it is probably the same watch Craig is wearing during the press conference. After examining the images, it looks like he's wearing an Omega Speedmaster with leather strap. Of course, I could be wrong, and if anyone has documented proof of what he's going to be wearing for Bond 21, I'd be interested in it.

Funny, though. The Speedmaster is marketed as the "Astronaut's Watch," whereas the Seamaster has traditionally been associated with Bond. The Speedmaster isn't even really water-resistant!

Anyway, Craig wasn't on my shortlist either, but I'm enough of a Bond whore that I'll pretty much take anyone they throw at me!

[Eddie]

Eddie, how do you feel the new Bond is a scouser?

Disapointed that they didn't ask me instead

I hear Craig spent some time in Fairfield in Liverpool, this is minutes from where I live, I tell ya it could have been me, ah well.

Small world Mr Bond


Ed

[BlackFelix]

Well I must, there's no denying he looked damned good in the tuxedo pic! I'm still crossing my arms but that photo was a good indication. Pierce will still be my generations Bond.

[Stax]

No Bond can replace the one before them. They're all good in their own ways. It's just a new chapter, that's all.

But more importantly, just what the heck is Michael Wilson staring at in this pic?!

Attached Files

•  craig_broccoli_wilson.jpg   54.38KB   262 downloads

[Dmitri Mishkin]

A few thoughts and reactions from today:

- the speedboat entrance was a good PR idea, but it reminded me of Pierce, and somewhat saddened me.

- Craig looked fairly good in the pictures, and Bondian in some (especially wearing sunglasses and *appearing* to be calm during the boatride). However, the lifejacket was not needed. MGW and Campbell both looked significantly older, although Babs isn't bad.

- I agree with doublenoughtspy; the comment about having been scared by the boatride was not what I wanted to hear from the man to play James Bond. He did appear nervous. However, it's only fair to acknowledge that it was the man's first day, and that it was no small announcement, being named as the next actor in the Bond legacy.

- Interesting comment about Sony's wise marketing strategy, Stax. It was GREAT (and surprising given MGM's pathetic track record) to see the Casino Royale website up and running immediately. But, I would have still liked to watch the conference live on the official site, and an opportunity WAS missed.

- Sad to hear that Bros was not mentioned nor thanked by the producers at the press conference. It would have been a classy gesture, and I'm disappointed that BB and MGW didn't make the effort to at least thank him for his contributions to the franchise. Even if Pierce has criticized and attacked them openly,it remains the classier thing to do.

- Yes, I liked Pierce overall, and it feels somewhat like letting go of an old friend, in spite of all the things you may not have liked about them - or in this case, his portrayal of Bond.

- I would like to know if David Arnold composed the short, bass piano piece to the Flash intro on the new website. It sounded appropriately spooky and menacing for what CR will be about.

- I am re-reading the novel today for a second time. I am picturing Daniel Craig as Bond, and it works. Also, love that line, "Women are for recreation."

- This is truly a new era for the franchise. It's great to hear that CR will be "edgier" (although cliche), but that it "won't lose its sense of humour" (Campbell). It had better not! I'm looking forward to the next incarnation of Bond.

[kneelbeforezod]

Some pretty poor questions from those journalists. The question about Sienna Miller and Kate Moss was really below-the-belt and graceless, especially as the very first question. Seems meanspirited. Craig's first appearance as Bond---- not saying they should all have been sucking up to him, but no need to try and kick him in the teeth and rock his confidence at the very first opportunity. And what was all that stuff about going to public school? Did Connery go to public school? Did any of them, in fact? Does it matter? Honestly, the bloody British tabloids. *Shakes head in exasperation*

Is that really a big surprise that they asked him about Miller and Moss. They're journalists for heavens sake! Digging for 'dirt' is par for the course.
I am just curious if anyone asked him (or the producers) about the overwhelming
un-favourable reaction from the public. And why take such a (financial) gamble
when the last four films were such a financial success.

"overwhelming unfavourable reaction from the public"? oh really? Most people didnt even have the chance to react until today, so im not sure where you're getting that from. Show someone an unflattering picture of Craig as Ted Hughes or something, and they wont see him as Bond. Show them Layer Cake, or better still show them the official picture, and you'll get a much more positive reaction.

And the reason they are taking a financial gamble is deep down they know that Die Another Day is garbage... they want to make a film that is truer to Bond's roots but that is still a finanacial success. Lets make one thing clear... moving away from the ridiculous action of Brosnan Bonds does not mean they are making License To Kill. A serious, adult, well written, action packed thriller will make money. They need to make a "thriller" rather than an "action film".

you only have to read these pages to see that, once people see Craig in character in that photo, the reaction is generally favourable.

[Bon-san]

But more importantly, just what the heck is Michael Wilson staring at in this pic?!

Craig playing pocket billiards while hugging Babs.