25 replies to this topic

[Spurrier]

If they are going back to Bond'd roots, then a male "M" is the only credible option. Maybe in current times, you would see a female "M" or a female Secretary Of State but, not at the start of Bond's career. I have nothing against Dench. She's a fine actress. But while I personally welcome Daniel Craig, he is a controversial selection. Bringing back Dench will only highlight the differences between Daniel and Pierce, and serve to further agitate and alienate the Brosnan loyalists among fans and, most importantly, movie critics.

It seems to me that EON should go to all lengths to facillitate a smooth transition to a new Bond. Bring in a new "M", someone who is well-known, respected and POPULAR. The SMART thing for EON to do is bring in someone who already has a following and can generate excitement among the movie public. Bring in:

Michael Caine

[Napoleon Solo]

I'm guessing they figure with all the uncertainty surrounding a new Bond, they'll hold onto Judi Dench, who seems pretty popular in the role.

[WC]

I agree. Judi Dench should either be brought back as Vesper Lynd or Sylvia Dench!

[killkenny kid]

I love Dame Judi. But, I think everyone from the Brosnan era should be replaced. Dame Judi as M, will be a distraction. A reminder of something that is gone.

[deth]

I don't know... because presumably the next film will have a Q scene... so... they won't get rid of Cleese right? (or rather, they shouldn't, considering how well he plays the part)

[B5Erik]

I agree that they need a new M. Keeping Judi Dench at this point would be a distraction, and a reminder to those that were Brosnan supporters that he was basically fired from the role when most fans still wanted him.

Which would in turn make it even harder for Daniel Craig to win over movie audiences as James Bond.

I'd go for an lesser known actor around 60 years old - get someone as close to the Bernard Lee type as possible. There are a lot of British actors out there that would be great in the role if they take the time to look.

I'd actually suggest Roy Marsden from The Sandbaggers. He's old enough now - just give him a toupee and sign him up. He'd be perfect! OR they could go with Ray Lonnen, again from The Sandbaggers - He might actually be more of the Bernard Lee type than Marsden. Either way, it would be GREAT casting - and it would not be the reminder of Pierce Brosnan that Judi Dench would be.

[PrinceKamalKhan]

Also, if Casino Royale is Bond Begins, it can't be Dame Judi Dench since Brosnan's Bond remarks in GoldenEye that she had a predecessor(whom, of course, we all know is Admiral Sir Miles Messervy). Michael Caine(Sean Connery's best friend in real life) would be good. Anthony Hopkins would work as well.

[Athena007]

Judy Dench coming back as 'M' makes no sense at all. If this is indeed Bond's first mission there needs to be a guy in charge there. And not just because of gender, even if Brosnan's 'M' was a man, I would say Craig's 'M' needs to be a different man.

[V007]

Athena darling, She did say she's under contract. Ask her later when your a Bond girl in the future....

[DaveBond21]

I agree.

How can it be the beginning of Bonds'career, but set in the present day, and featuring Dench as M? It makes the scene between her and Brosnan in GE complete nonsense.

It is as if they are concentrating on this movie so much, that they haven't thought what the plan will be for the second and third of Craig's films.

[Eye Of The Tiger]

No Brosnan? Then no Dench!

If Pierce Brosnan is done as James Bond, then Judi Dench must go as well! It makes zero sense to bring back Judi Dench as M if Casino Royale is to truly be a back to the basics Bond film!

[Felix_Leiter]

Well the obvious explanation is

A.) If it truly is a 'Bond Begins'-type scenario set in present day, she won't end up in the film.

or

B.) It is not really a 'Bond Begins"-type scenario but simply a continuation.

I doubt that they weren't aware of this issue when writing the script.

Edited by Felix_Leiter, 17 October 2005 - 03:25 AM.

[JimmyBond]

I'm doubting the whole "Bond Begins" premise actually existing in the finished film anyways. It might have been under serious discussion, but in the end I think it will be just another Bond film, albiet a Bond film with a much better storyline and less silly action sequences.

[Double-Oh Agent]

If Casino Royale is a continuation film than there is no problem having Judi Dench back as M or John Cleese as Q. However, if it is a Bond Begins-type prequel then there is no way you can have Dench or Cleese back because of he aforementioned reasons in the earlier posts.

There is one other aspect of Casino Royale that no one has really mentioned which would have a significant impact on the film and that is Bond's American friend. While I greatly enjoy Felix Leiter, if the producers decide to really make Casino Royale Bond's first mission then they can't have him in the film either because cinematically Bond first met Leiter in Dr. No. Quite the conundrum and another great reason why Casino Royale should be a continuation movie.

[Skudor]

Dump Dench. She's a great actress who brought a touch of class when needed, but now it's time to rewind a bit. I think Craig's Bond needs another Bernard Lee and a stuffy old office.

[Qwerty]

http://debrief.comma...topic=26193&hl=

[Ace Roberts]

IMHO - this is no different than having the same actor (Desmond Llewelyn) play Q through 5 different Bonds and 3 different M's. Nobody demanded his head during those transitions - so why are you doing so with Lady Dench? I think it's a great tip of the hat and paying homage to her to say "Hey you know what - it's JUST a film and not real life - so let's keep her as M to show it's still a Bond film and move on." That's my 2 cents.

[Turn]

I think it's a great tip of the hat and paying homage to her to say "Hey you know what - it's JUST a film and not real life - so let's keep her as M to show it's still a Bond film and move on." That's my 2 cents.

I thought by having a character named James Bond in a film called Casino Royale was enough to show "it's still a Bond film".

Dench hasn't done enough to merit a homage. She played a role in four films, so what? Because she's an Oscar winner? Bernard Lee will always have a lock on the role IMO.

[Tarl_Cabot]

Bernard Hill is M!

there is no substitute...besides, Michael Caine is too well known.I met him last year though, very pleasant chap.

[JimmyBond]

I don't mind having her back. Would give the series a bit of familiarity really, seeing as how pretty much everything about the film will be changed up.

[B5Erik]

If it is supposed to be early in Bond's career - when he first got his "00's," then Dench shouldn't be in it. That really does make that scene in Goldeneye a bunch of nonsense - and that scene is too good to ruin its continuity like that.

So if it is truly a 'reset,' then give the role to someone else. I'd still prefer Ray Lonnen or Roy Marsden (do yourself a favor and buy the box sets of The Sandbaggers - the best TV Spy series EVER). Those guys are brilliant actors and would really bring the series full circle to it's 60's roots as either one of them would really bring something akin to what Bernard Lee brought to the role.

[Alex Zamudio]

I agree and I've been shouting this for ages WHY DENCH??? IF THIS IS A SORT OF FIRST MISSION???!! It doesn't make sense; I don't understand their reasoning on this...

Out of respect for the classics before, they should reconsider and hire a new M...

[Andrew]

I'm hoping that this first mission buisness is all hype. I'd like to see how Craig and Dench interact with each other.

[SeanValen00V]

The only reason I can think of is, Craig is a tester, he won't really be Bond, and Brosnan's gonna come back, there just testing the waters to see the public reaction to Craig.

I hope so.

LOL

[tdalton]

I would like to see a new M in Casino Royale. Judi Dench was quite good as M the last decade or so, but with a new Bond, I think that it's time for a new M.

[SecretAgentFan]

Although I still would like to point to the "M" who sent Connery, Lazenby and Moore on their missions, I do think that Dench could easily be replaced by someone else. On the other hand, Campbell