19 replies to this topic

[Harmsway]

CASINO ROYALE had the benefit of introducing a lot of "new blood" to the Bond team, and I think it was largely because of their new energy that CASINO ROYALE suceeded. I'm talking specifically about:


Paul Haggis - Screenwriter
Haggis is one of the biggest influences for change in CASINO ROYALE. Is anybody else worried that he won't return on BOND 22? Purvis & Wade desperately need somebody else to clean up their messes (and it would probably be better if they weren't present at all). If he doesn't stay, they need get some other writer of high caliber to keep making Bond films with a level of integrity.


Stuart Baird - Editor
Traditionally, every Bond film has had a different editor. But the editing of CASINO ROYALE was stellar, and that's one of the few times that's been true in recent years.


Alexander Witt - Second Unit Director
Traditionally, the position of second-unit director has been given to Vic Armstrong. We received a new back-up director in Witt. His work was fantastic - it had an energy and vitality that Armstrong's work doesn't. I hope that Armstrong doesn't return. He had a decent run, but his work was getting stale, and the new energy Witt brings to the table should continue on.


Gary Powell - Stunt Coordinator
Again, the position of stunt coordinator has traditionally gone to Vic Armstrong. Gary Powell took over for CASINO ROYALE, and I think the action scenes were much better off because of it. Did anyone else feel that Armstrong's action scenes were starting to feel, well, same-y? I did. CASINO ROYALE's action was intense and fresh and conributed a lot to CASINO ROYALE's success by giving it a new sense of pulse and choreography.


I think these guys are all pretty much must-haves for BOND 22. Does anyone else agree?

[whitesox]

I completely agree.
But I would add Martin Campbell.

[K1Bond007]

Powell is hardly new blood. Just a new position. I can see him returning. His family has been pretty rooted in the Bond franchise. I think his brother doubled for Tim and his father doubled for Sean.

Haggis should probably return, but most likely won't. He's not the first person I would think of to bring in on a Bond film, but he excels at "relationships" which is what Casino Royale really needed. Whatever the case may be, I hope EON hires a third person to polish the script - someone who can actually do a good job. I'm not going to complain about P&W, but they really shouldn't be left to themselves. Tom Stoppard wouldn't be a bad choice here, but my problem with him is that he's also writing The Bourne Ultimatum and I think we can do without the comparison.

[JimmyBond]

Wasnt Stoppard rumored to be writing the script a while back? Seems familiar.

[K1Bond007]

Wasnt Stoppard rumored to be writing the script a while back? Seems familiar.

Yeah, that's why I mentioned him.

[Undercova Brotha]

I can't see Haggis coming back unless there was some hefty chunk of cash put on the table. A shame, considering his touch-ups really added to Royale.

But if not Haggis to polish, then who else would there be to consider?

[Vauxhall]

Oh I assumed this thread was about the "new blood" in the gunbarrel!

Well I'd like to see that return, and definitely would like to see Haggis, Baird, Witt, etc. for BOND 22 - I think that a nice continuity would be maintained in the production. CASINO ROYALE has made the movies serious again, and not potentially damaging to the Hollywood careers of these men I think; hopefully they would jump at the chance to come back. Fingers crossed.

[00Twelve]

Certainly, I'd like to see this stellar team return. Especially Baird, Powell, and Haggis. If Haggis does not return, someone with a comparable reputation for good writing has to be brought on board. Please EON, do not throw Craig to the two wolves that are P&W.

[Tarl_Cabot]

Stuart Baird was a huge hire. He edited Superman 1 and he directed one of the best action movies of the 90s, imo, Executive Decision. I hope he comes back...I'd even support him to be promoted to director if neccessary.

[K1Bond007]

I'd even support him to be promoted to director if neccessary.

Not after Nemesis.

[JimmyBond]

I'd even support him to be promoted to director if neccessary.

Not after Nemesis.

That's my first thought to K1Bond. But after the initial shock of imagining Baird directing anything else after he ruined Trek...well, one has to look at other factors. Many things destroyed Nemesis, Rick Berman the producer had proven that he didnt care for Trek at that point, he was just putting out anything that would make money. John Logan wrote a dull unoriginal script...and yes, Stuart Baird was only directing the film because Paramount owed him a favor for fixing a few of their films. He had no love for Trek, and he wasnt afraid to admit that.

However, Bond is a different story I imagine, he'd be working off a (we hope) great script, with producers who care about their product, and a star who can (and has in the past) risen above the material given to him. I think it's unfair to write Baird off based on "Star Trek: Nemesis" when it's clear he isnt the only one to blame for that film.

[DamnCoffee]

Alexander Witt - Second Unit Director
Traditionally, the position of second-unit director has been given to Vic Armstrong. We received a new back-up director in Witt. His work was fantastic - it had an energy and vitality that Armstrong's work doesn't. I hope that Armstrong doesn't return. He had a decent run, but his work was getting stale, and the new energy Witt brings to the table should continue on.

Witt did a great job on Royale, but one of my friends says he totally ed up Resident Evil: Apocalypse and i happen to agree with him

[Harmsway]

Alexander Witt - Second Unit Director
Traditionally, the position of second-unit director has been given to Vic Armstrong. We received a new back-up director in Witt. His work was fantastic - it had an energy and vitality that Armstrong's work doesn't. I hope that Armstrong doesn't return. He had a decent run, but his work was getting stale, and the new energy Witt brings to the table should continue on.

Witt did a great job on Royale, but one of my friends says he totally ed up Resident Evil: Apocalypse and i happen to agree with him

Well, it's not like it was good material to start with.

[K1Bond007]

I'd even support him to be promoted to director if neccessary.

Not after Nemesis.

That's my first thought to K1Bond. But after the initial shock of imagining Baird directing anything else after he ruined Trek...well, one has to look at other factors. Many things destroyed Nemesis, Rick Berman the producer had proven that he didnt care for Trek at that point, he was just putting out anything that would make money. John Logan wrote a dull unoriginal script...and yes, Stuart Baird was only directing the film because Paramount owed him a favor for fixing a few of their films. He had no love for Trek, and he wasnt afraid to admit that.

However, Bond is a different story I imagine, he'd be working off a (we hope) great script, with producers who care about their product, and a star who can (and has in the past) risen above the material given to him. I think it's unfair to write Baird off based on "Star Trek: Nemesis" when it's clear he isnt the only one to blame for that film.

Yeah, but it was still a bad movie. There are tons of factors I blame before Baird, but I'd still be wary of hiring him as a director.

[EyesOnly]

Blame whoever you want for Nemesis, it was still better than Insurrection!

[Judo chop]

I think I'm just echoing previous comments, but a hearty AGREE to the return of Haggis. I don't think he will return, and probably because he won't be asked by EON. (Why, I don't know. I just don't see it happening.)
More to the point, it's not so much the return of Haggis that I hope for, but just someone to serve as damage control to the P&W machine.

[Qwerty]

I would love to see Haggis return for Bond 22. The first scene between Bond and Vesper is one the highlights of the entire series in my opinion.

I was also pleased with the work Stuart Baird did as the editor. But, as already said, the same person never seems to stick around for more than one film lately.

[Blabbermouth]

Did anyone else notice that the Lamont family's next generation Simon Lamont was creditted as supervising art director on CR - nice job, looking at the film.

Haggis I'm affraid will not return, unless Babs and MGV somehow made him sign-on for more than CR. Just as long as P&W is not giving sole creative freedom - if so we're doomed.

Campbell would be great too, IMO it would ensure that the work done on Cr is continued, if not, I would like to give Michael Apted a second chance. TWINE is ok, and his work on ROME is great.

If however seems to me that Babs is stepping into character and the success of CR should ensure that they now have the blueprint for what the critics and fans want - a gritty, hard and somewhat realistic thriller, with a good story/script.

[bonds_walther]

I would love to see Haggis return for Bond 22. The first scene between Bond and Vesper is one the highlights of the entire series in my opinion.

I was also pleased with the work Stuart Baird did as the editor. But, as already said, the same person never seems to stick around for more than one film lately.

It is a good scene - apart from the cringe-worthy Omega plug.

[tdalton]

I'd like to see all of them return for Bond 22. I think that Haggis is the one that EON really has to pursue right now, though, since the major complaint about the last few films has usually been the subpar scripts. With that in mind, I think that securing Haggis' participation in Bond 22 should be the first thing on EON's agenda right after convincing Martin Campbell to return to the director's chair.