40 replies to this topic

[Marquis]

Considering the decision to cast Craig has been met with some disdain, i think it's essential that they get his very first scene absolutely spot-on. Be it in the trailer or the actual film, it's Eons opportunity to say "you see, we knew what we were doing all along, now stop bitching, sit back and enjoy the ride". So how do you think they'll 'sell' Craig from the off? I suspect there'll be no surfing, bungee jumping, or 'flying' after planes..my guess is they'll give him an incredibly cool Bondian moment that will hark back to the Connery days. At least that's what i'm hoping for. Something subtle, classy and distinctly Bond. What about you guys - how would you like to see Daniel Craig's James Bond 007 introduced to the world?

[Double-0 Six]

I'd like to see Bond introduced in a similar style to the pre-credits sequence for Goldfinger ... give Bond a first appearance that seems calm and casual to begin with and then moves into a short action sequence. Emphasis on short, I'd like the pre-titles to be no more than 5 minutes, give or take.

Alternatively, it could be some kind of flashback to Bond's MI6 training that lead to him being selected for Double-0 status (if the film really depicts his first ever mission).

Just so long as Bond doesn't pull up in his invisible car and go and play cards in a VR simulation before hopping into bed with Moneypenny, I'll be happy.

[Roebuck]

Bond aiming at a window in the Rockefeller Centre through the sight of a snipers rifle.
The Centre is a great location to build into a pre-titles and Bond hasn't been to New York since LALD.

[Flavius]

I can suggest an opening scene with my eyes closed...

(here we go for my very first post at CBN....).

As suggested, shooting from the Rockefeller Centre in New York will do fine. As per the book, have another agent as the support, shooting out the window so that Bond can make the kill. The target can be an embassy cypher clerk, also as per the book. A clerk from a 'modern' enemy like North Korea, Syria or Iran can do.... or they could just leave us guessing about where the cypher clerk is from (this is probably easier in today's PC era).

Here's the ingenious bit though.... keep the faces of both agents in shadow until quite late in the piece, so we don't know who is who, and there is still some doubt about 'who' Bond is (even though we in the audience know who the actor is going to be all along). The opening scene of Lazenby in O.H.M.S.S. is a good guide in this respect.

For added clever points, when the 'other' agent is revealed, give us a couple of very, very subtle hints that the other guy sniping is none other than 006, Alec Trevallyn. This is supposed to be a prequel after all. Something that only a real Bond anorak (like most of us in here) will see and understand. For instance, a ring on his trigger finger with an Imperial Russian symbol. Or a neatly knotted tie with some type of cossack symbol on it. Don't hit us over the head with the suggestion that the assistance is coming from 006, but give us a hint that leaves dedicated fans thinking 'hey... wait a minute... is that....?'

[Leon]

Bond aiming at a window in the Rockefeller Centre through the sight of a snipers rifle.
The Centre is a great location to build into a pre-titles and Bond hasn't been to New York since LALD.

Yea and it will be great for campbells big "NO SMOKING!!" thing

I agree with more classy and calm opening for Craig, they tailor scripts to suit the actor and I feel Craig would be best introduces as Connery was. Maybe not gambling as there's plenty of that in the film already...you never know it could be worked in. Then again I don't want to see a blatant copy of anything previous.

I really can't think of anything myself...it's one of the things I am most looking foreward to. The action in the PTS is most likely however. They need action in the film and it's one of the best times for it, however starting off slow and moody and classy is much favourable.

[trumanlodge89]

I can suggest an opening scene with my eyes closed... 

(here we go for my very first post at CBN....).

As suggested, shooting from the Rockefeller Centre in New York will do fine. As per the book, have another agent as the support, shooting out the window so that Bond can make the kill. The target can be an embassy cypher clerk, also as per the book. A clerk from a 'modern' enemy like North Korea, Syria or Iran can do.... or they could just leave us guessing about where the cypher clerk is from (this is probably easier in today's PC era).

Here's the ingenious bit though.... keep the faces of both agents in shadow until quite late in the piece, so we don't know who is who, and there is still some doubt about 'who' Bond is (even though we in the audience know who the actor is going to be all along). The opening scene of Lazenby in O.H.M.S.S. is a good guide in this respect.

For added clever points, when the 'other' agent is revealed, give us a couple of very, very subtle hints that the other guy sniping is none other than 006, Alec Trevallyn. This is supposed to be a prequel after all. Something that only a real Bond anorak (like most of us in here) will see and understand. For instance, a ring on his trigger finger with an Imperial Russian symbol. Or a neatly knotted tie with some type of cossack symbol on it. Don't hit us over the head with the suggestion that the assistance is coming from 006, but give us a hint that leaves dedicated fans thinking 'hey... wait a minute... is that....?' 

that would be cool... but i dont know if it would work. they would REALLY have to sell me on oo6.

[Leon]

It's not a period piece...the cold war is over.

[Roebuck]

It's not a period piece...the cold war is over.

Sure, but I think there's a precedent for what Flavius is suggesting in the GoldenEye pre-title, which is effectively a flashback to events years earlier.

[Leon]

Hmm, I don't like it. It's too cheesy

[bogard]

The best way to introduce a new Bond is by having him light a cigarette. It worked wonders for Connery and Lazenby. But, since Campbell thinks cigarettes are evil you can forget that one. It are sad days for Bond fans.

[Leon]

So true, that's the only thing I totally dissagree with Campbell on.

[Carver]

Flavius-welcome to CBn my friend. That was a pretty good first post, I like your idea. I know not everyone would agree, but it would be a nice touch to leave us guessing who his assistant was. I also think that they should leave Craig's revelation for a while, they've done it with every new Bond apart fro Moore really, and I think it adds a nice touch to the films and a new era for each new Bond.
I don't really have any ideas for the opening sequence, but I'd like to see Bond smoking. Not that I smoke myself, but Campbell has to realise that smoking is a huge part of who Bond is. Heck, in the first chapter of Casino Royale it says "he lit his seventieth cigarette of the day". For part of the opening sequence, I think something that shows us what sort of Bond Craig will play would be good i.e. like him knocking someone out from behind, and the camera panning upwards to see Craig lighting a cigarette over his target's body. I dunno, just something a bit dark but cleverly done would do it for me.

[Tiin007]

I think whatever he does, it should start like Dr. No and OHMSS, in which we don't see Bond's face for at least a little bit. Then, the first instant in which we can clearly see his full face, he should say, "Bond, James Bond."

[AnGer 007]

I agree that Sean Connery's introduction (lighting a cigarette in the casino table) is classic and part of movie history. But since Campbell is so anti-smoking and there are many casino scenes later in the movie it's not likely that we will see a repetition.
I also like Timothy Dalton's introduction in The Living Daylights. Three "00" agents jump with parachutes out of an airplane. Any one of them could be the new James Bond. Is it the first one? No. Maybe the second one? Nope. Then the third agent turns his face into the camera. It's Timothy Dalton! I hope we see something similar with Daniel Craig.

[triviachamp]

I also like Timothy Dalton's introduction in The Living Daylights. Three "00" agents jump with parachutes out of an airplane. Any one of them could be the new James Bond. Is it the first one? No. Maybe the second one? Nope. Then the third agent turns his face into the camera. It's Timothy Dalton! I hope we see something similar with Daniel Craig.

Judging by what was posted about the PTS in another thread you may be getting your wish!

[WC]

How about Craig's very first scene is in the torture chair with the carpet beater? We see Bond being beaten that way, and his torturer asks him whether his life feels worthless or something like that. Then Bond thinks about that for a moment, and the title credits come up.

After the title sequence, it cuts back to 72 hours (or however many days/ weeks) earlier when the mission started.

So we see Bond as we know him right from the start, but then we see the events leading up to how he now finds himself in this predicament. The rest of the movie shows him in a pre-Bond state, earning his 00 status and embarking on the mission and meeting Vesper, until we eventually reach this point again. Then the movie continues as normal as we see Bond get out of the chair.

This way, right at the start we'd have a hook that catches the audience and puts Bond in a cliffhanger-like, almost impossible predicament. Everyone will want to know how he gets out, and how he got here in the first place, and will make the audience want to watch.

Edited by Welshcat, 23 October 2005 - 03:05 AM.

[Harmsway]

Well, according to the report from the French James Bond club, the movie will open in a pre-credits sequence where Bond is still in the Navy. Apparently some kind of sky jump is being planned. Bond is then drafted as a commander and given his 00-number for the special assignment against LeChiffre.

While that's fine and dandy, I'd prefer to see the pre-title sequence be Bond getting his 00 through an assassination, with the suitable Bondian class.

[Harmsway]

I think whatever he does, it should start like Dr. No and OHMSS, in which we don't see Bond's face for at least a little bit. Then, the first instant in which we can clearly see his full face, he should say, "Bond, James Bond."

Don't forget it was done in TLD as well. I like that idea, and I think it should be done. But him saying "Bond, James Bond" might be a little much.

If they do go with the Bond-still-in-the-navy pre-title, perhaps he could wear a helmet as part of the jump and ensuing exercise. Afterwards, he could be approached by another man (from MI6, naturally) and he removes the helmet, exposing his face for the first time. He'd then be addressed as "Commander Bond".

[Agent 76]

I think whatever he does, it should start like Dr. No and OHMSS, in which we don't see Bond's face for at least a little bit. Then, the first instant in which we can clearly see his full face, he should say, "Bond, James Bond."

Don't forget it was done in TLD as well. I like that idea, and I think it should be done. But him saying "Bond, James Bond" might be a little much.

If they do go with the Bond-still-in-the-navy pre-title, perhaps he could wear a helmet as part of the jump and ensuing exercise. Afterwards, he could be approached by another man (from MI6, naturally) and he removes the helmet, exposing his face for the first time. He'd then be addressed as "Commander Bond".

I like your idea.

[Flavius]

I like the 'navy intro' idea. One thing I've always wanted to see in the films/books is more on Bond's navy career. I've only read one of the Gardener books- Win, Lose or Die- but one of the strong points in that story was the notion of Bond putting on a uniform again.

Perhaps a good scene would be to have Bond leading a bunch of Royal Marines. That would kind of fit with Flemings wartime role and would be a nice touch. Plus it could be filmed so that we don't know, at first, which one of the team is Bond.

Whatever they do, please, please not a scene that suggests Bond is inexperienced and 'learning'. We want him to be cool and proficient from the start.

Another angle would be to suggest Bond's demise. That worked very well in FRWL and Thunderball (Thunderball's tease being the sighting of a coffin with the initials 'JB') and in YOLT. But that might work better in a second Craig film rather than the first.

[smartz]

I have to say that I always kind fo liked the start of TLD, its a shame they used this idea back then as it would be great to see him along with other 00's being put through his paces.

I think we need some sort of admiral figure for the piece mind someone who for this film can take on the M figure. It would be good to see Bonds parents die in the climbing incident, it could be done so we think it is bond at the begining- cut to a naval vessel and him being told that he must return home and sort out their estate. It could be very dramatic as well as setting the stage and tone of the film, we wouldn't want it too be all gushing like the new Batman film but very harsh and hard.

[gabbo]

getting his testicles been with a carpet brush would be cool.

[ComplimentsOfSharky]

I have to say that I always kind fo liked the start of TLD, its a shame they used this idea back then as it would be great to see him along with other 00's being put through his paces.

I think we need some sort of admiral figure for the piece mind someone who for this film can take on the M figure. It would be good to see Bonds parents die in the climbing incident, it could be done so we think it is bond at the begining- cut to a naval vessel and him being told that he must return home and sort out their estate. It could be very dramatic as well as setting the stage and tone of the film, we wouldn't want it too be all gushing like the new Batman film but very harsh and hard.

The problem I see with including the parents is it ends up almost exactly like Batman.

Anyways, for Bond, I almost think that would be too much characterization.

[Harmsway]

I have to say that I always kind fo liked the start of TLD, its a shame they used this idea back then as it would be great to see him along with other 00's being put through his paces.

I think we need some sort of admiral figure for the piece mind someone who for this film can take on the M figure. It would be good to see Bonds parents die in the climbing incident, it could be done so we think it is bond at the begining- cut to a naval vessel and him being told that he must return home and sort out their estate. It could be very dramatic as well as setting the stage and tone of the film, we wouldn't want it too be all gushing like the new Batman film but very harsh and hard.

The problem I see with including the parents is it ends up almost exactly like Batman.

Anyways, for Bond, I almost think that would be too much characterization.

Agreed.

[Hansen]

I have to say that I always kind fo liked the start of TLD, its a shame they used this idea back then as it would be great to see him along with other 00's being put through his paces.

I think we need some sort of admiral figure for the piece mind someone who for this film can take on the M figure. It would be good to see Bonds parents die in the climbing incident, it could be done so we think it is bond at the begining- cut to a naval vessel and him being told that he must return home and sort out their estate. It could be very dramatic as well as setting the stage and tone of the film, we wouldn't want it too be all gushing like the new Batman film but very harsh and hard.

The problem I see with including the parents is it ends up almost exactly like Batman.

Anyways, for Bond, I almost think that would be too much characterization.

Agreed.

Totally agreed
I Hope that they won't forget that "00" means To have killed and to be allowed to. Introducing Bond killing in cold blood would be great and not PC as Bond should but do they have the balls for that (they should think with that sometimes )

[luciusgore]

Well presumably the teaser is already written and ready to go. Makes me wonder if this script will ever leak out ...

[ComplimentsOfSharky]

Totally agreed
I Hope that they won't forget that "00" means To have killed and to be allowed to. Introducing Bond killing in cold blood would be great and not PC as Bond should but do they have the balls for that (they should think with that sometimes )

Quite so, I'm all for a pts where Bond blows away the Japanese cipher clerk and has to escape.


And yes I would love a delicatessen in stainless steel, thank you.

[Stratus]

They need to start a sequence that gives a sense of underestimation and sudden explosiveness - whereon Bond is actually "playing with them afterall". This theme of underestimation would parallel DC's underdog like casting and allow more people to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Anyone remember Bourne Supremacy? Remember how Jason Bourne purposely turns himself in at the airport, and the people at the CIA thought he made his first mistake? Nicky (Julia Stiles) says "they don't make mistakes". If the filmmakers can execute the same feel, it will be a classic moment.

Edited by Stratus, 24 October 2005 - 05:42 PM.

[Gabriel]

I'd open at a hotel in a far off foreign country. A desperate-looking man in his room is packing a suitcase, clearly on the run from a terrifying opponent. All the horel's power dies. Suddenly the man becomes aware that there's another man inthe room, wearing dark clothes, face covered by a balaclava, holding a gun on him.

The desperate man falls backwards, not understanding how the dark-clothed man entered the room without him hearing. "Please, no!" says the desperate man. The man in black pumps 10 silenced bullets into the desperate man's head. The man in black turns around and leaves. He walks through the door of the hotel room opposite his victim's room and closes the door. The lights come back on as he pulls off the balaclava. The face of Daniel Craig's Bond is revealed.

A poshly-spoken Englishman is sat across from Bond, smoking a cigarette. He congratulates Bond and says that he's passed the final test. Bond must report to a company called Universal Exports on Monday morning. Bond asks who the man he killed was. The smoking man sas "That's classified!" and stands up to leave. On his way out he turns and says, "When you report to reception, you will refer to yourself as 007. Oh, that's assuming you survive the security detail that will arrive at this room in precisely 45 seconds . . ."

The man leaves. Bond pulls out a gun and gets ready to fight. A bunch of thuggish, heavily-armed security goons bursts into the room. Cue opening titles.


---------

Hope people don't think the above is too awful. I just remember reading something about Ian Fleming having to kill a man in a hotel room and deciding he couldn't do it, but writing it into Bond's backstory that Bond killed the man.

[K1Bond007]

It's not a period piece...the cold war is over.

Sure, but I think there's a precedent for what Flavius is suggesting in the GoldenEye pre-title, which is effectively a flashback to events years earlier.

Yeah.. well GoldenEye was released in 1995, 4 years or so after the Cold War was over. Casino Royale = 2006. That's 15 years and one hell of a flashback. Sure Craig can possibly pull off a convincing 30 year old (or lower 30s), but 22? Ha..

It's best not to even go there.