24 replies to this topic

[JimmyBond]

Not since Sean Bean in GoldenEye did we really get a sense that Bond has met his match as far as fighting was concerned, but even then the fight came up short (mostly because Trevalyan had weak charicterization and almost zero screentime to be shown as a physical threat). Since then we had decent fights in the Brosnan era, but nothing where we went: "! I'm not sure if Bond can beat this guy."

To cut to the point, I think Bond should go up against an opponent who, while being very cunning should also be physically opposing. Don't just tell us this guy is strong, show it to us by having him beat up people all throughout the film, than when Bond goes up against him we'll actually be terrified that this guy might take Bond down a peg or two...in fact, have him take Bond down a peg or two, that way when Bond goes up against the villian in the climax, there will be a lot more at stake for Bond, personally.

[EyesOnly]

I would love a physically opposing villain for Craig's Bond. I would also like a noticably older looking villain for Craig's Bond as well. Perhaps we could have one movie with both? or perhaps two with one or the other. Since Casino Royale, I often have thoughts of having Craig's Bond kill the older Villain in cold blood or have a fight showing Craig's phsycial dominance over the older villains insanity. I love the idea, 'Brain Vs. Brawn'

[bond_girl_double07]

I really loved that Le Chiffre was never going to beat Craig's Bond physically, but very nearly beat him anyway just because he was that smart.. I dunno, I generally kind of dislike big physical brawls between Bond and the baddie (much more interesting to see the cat and mouse game that ultimately fails).

The exception would be a Red Grant-style fight.. Craig is obviously a powerful man, if we could get an end fight utterly devoid of jokes and kitsch, I think it would be remarkable!

[sharpshooter]

Totally agree with the comment of having a physically strong villain to threaten the might of the Craig Bond. Gustav Graves was meant to be a young villain for Bond, but he was hardly imposing, Alec was like Bond looking into himself.

That said, I would like the intense close brawls in the vein of stairwell fight and bathroom to continue in the next few movies. Maybe this time Bond can have a little quip at the end of the dark encounter, to show he has become acustomed to his line of work more so after CR.

[Santa]

I love the idea, 'Brain Vs. Brawn'

Is that not a little facile? It's been seen many times before and, frankly, I'd be happier if Bond were the brains than the brawn. It's perfectly obvious that Daniel Craig's Bond can look after himself in a fight but I'd like to know there's a bit more to him than muscle.

[sharpshooter]

In CR we see his quick thinking brain. Notably how he manages to keep up to Mollaka - loosening the pipes to make it to the top crane, using the lift mechanism, and shooting the embassy sky high after what looked like defeat.

His use of the electricity cable to give that goon a shock, how Gettler copped an eyeful and his discipline not to get vengence on his attackers - but to aim at the inflatable supports.

Yes, Craig can look after himself and is built for the job. I think he can think through a situation quite well also.

[bond_girl_double07]

I love the idea, 'Brain Vs. Brawn'

Is that not a little facile? It's been seen many times before and, frankly, I'd be happier if Bond were the brains than the brawn. It's perfectly obvious that Daniel Craig's Bond can look after himself in a fight but I'd like to know there's a bit more to him than muscle.

Agreed.. I think we're all looking for a battle of equals at this point.

[FullMetalJacket]

I love the idea, 'Brain Vs. Brawn'

Is that not a little facile? It's been seen many times before and, frankly, I'd be happier if Bond were the brains than the brawn. It's perfectly obvious that Daniel Craig's Bond can look after himself in a fight but I'd like to know there's a bit more to him than muscle.

In fact, Bond usually wins his fights more through intelligence, cunning and guile than brute strength or fighting prowess. His victories over Red Grant, Oddjob, Scaramanga and Whitaker were all necessitated by him outsmarting them because he couldn't defeat them just going at it pound for pound. (Bond probably only won the brawl with Grant because Grant was still stunned by the gas; Bond was totally trounced in his brawl with Oddjob, and had to instead outsmart him and electrocute him; Bond was probably not nearly as talented a marksman as Scaramanga; and as much of a moron as Whitaker was, Bond's tiny handgun was no match for Whitaker's body armor and .223 Colt Commando with an 80 round Beta C-MAG ammo drum.)

Edited by FullMetalJacket, 17 January 2007 - 01:36 AM.

[Rebel Agent]

I think another "bizarro-bond" (006) type villain might be a good idea. I don't know if they explain it in the books. But since Bond's parents died in a climbing accident. Maybe do a "batman" and have a villain a person involved in his parents demise I'd love to see the film's opening titles begin with Bond's parents demise (with Craig playing Bond sr.) In a sort of re-do version of the climbing scene from "For your eyes only".

[DavidSomerset]

Why not have the baddie as a midget or more PC - Vertically challenged individual? After all that worked fine for Peter Jackson's movies. Maybe they can bring Nick Nack Jr.

[dinovelvet]

I think another "bizarro-bond" (006) type villain might be a good idea. I don't know if they explain it in the books. But since Bond's parents died in a climbing accident. Maybe do a "batman" and have a villain a person involved in his parents demise I'd love to see the film's opening titles begin with Bond's parents demise (with Craig playing Bond sr.) In a sort of re-do version of the climbing scene from "For your eyes only".

Uh...no thanks. Leave that kind of thing well alone. Casino Royale is about as far back into Bond's early days as I want to see.

[DavidSomerset]

Uh...no thanks. Leave that kind of thing well alone. Casino Royale is about as far back into Bond's early days as I want to see.

Wouldnt you like to see in B&W, how James was "manufactured"? And Anthony Hopkins as his father saying something like this to baby James "You will travel far, my little Jimbo. But we will never leave you

[Rebel Agent]

Lol. Still maybe not for now. But I'd like to see this. It has been mentioned twice I think. But it depends on how it's done. I'd do it in a way that you almost think that 007 is being killed in the opening sequence (like from Russia with Love and You Only Live Twice) Maybe not in Black & White. No rather in a glorious 60's like technicolor!

[Scottlee]

Fair call, Jimmy. I actually think some Asian kung-fu experts might be good physical threats for Craig, the type that momentarily kicked Dalton's in LTK. The final fight in Lethal Weapon 4 is another good example. Watching a martial arts expert go up against a competent street brawler is always interesting to watch. I'm not so sure the early Bond22 developments indicate an Asian flavour though.

If not the above, you would really have to hire someone who looks like a brick house to appear menacing over someone like Craig. Perhaps a Vin Diseal (sp) type?

[dodge]

I'm with those who don't want to lose the quick-thinking Bond of CR. But I'm also hungry for a Bond-worthy, bone-crushing baddie. Despite some terrific fight scenes through the years, the franchise has lacked frighteningly memorable villains (or henchmen) since Robert Shaw's Red Grant. We don't need a kung fu killer in every film. But it's high time to return to greatness here too. Even an exhausted franchise like Lethal Weapon benefited greatly from the presence of Jet Li. And we were made to wonder: Can Mel possibly survive this fight?

David Carradine, anyone? The old dude is still kicking!

Or, a repeat recommendation: Peter Stormare, the doomed mob boss on Prison Break, could scare the livin' bejesus out of every one of us.

Whatever, do heed the theme of this thread: let the villain be not only ruthless and quirky--let him make Craig's Bond sweat bullets.

[FullMetalJacket]

Or, a repeat recommendation: Peter Stormare, the doomed mob boss on Prison Break, could scare the livin' bejesus out of every one of us.

He was also decidedly creepy in Constantine, where he played Satan.

[Mister Asterix]

[mra]Leave the brawling with Bond for the henches, make my villains ugly, weak, old farts with giant IQs and even bigger egos. Trevelyan was a decent villain but I thought General Ourumov would have been better suited as the main bad guy. Think about it, who

[dodge]

Or, a repeat recommendation: Peter Stormare, the doomed mob boss on Prison Break, could scare the livin' bejesus out of every one of us.

He was also decidedly creepy in Constantine, where he played Satan.

Missed that one. Will check it out. My fave is still his horrifying p

[Publius]

[quote name='Rebel Agent' post='688581' date='17 January 2007 - 02:10']I think another "bizarro-bond" (006) type villain might be a good idea. I don't know if they explain it in the books. But since Bond's parents died in a climbing accident. Maybe do a "batman" and have a villain a person involved in his parents demise I'd love to see the film's opening titles begin with Bond's parents demise (with Craig playing Bond sr.) In a sort of re-do version of the climbing scene from "For your eyes only".[/quote]
I forget where I read it, but in one of the CR reviews, the reviewer applauds the producers for humanizing Bond (by showing him physically and emotionally vulnerable) without demystifying him (by delving into his past and why he became a double-oh). I thought that was a great point, and one with which I wholeheartedly agree.

[quote name='Mister Asterix' post='688995' date='17 January 2007 - 17:06'][mra]Leave the brawling with Bond for the henches, make my villains ugly, weak, old farts with giant IQs and even bigger egos. Trevelyan was a decent villain but I thought General Ourumov would have been better suited as the main bad guy. Think about it, who

[jaws_dentist]

roy 'pretty boy' shaw should be a henchman .... oddjob-esque in character and execution.

my money is on pretty boy in that encounter !

operative : 007 james bond

status : terminated .

[Blabbermouth]

I'm still very much for a faithful adaption of Live and Let Die for Bond 22.

Mr. Big of the novel is both an intellectually and physically opposing opponent. The way he just calmly orders Tee-Hee to break Bond little finger is great.

Most of Mr. Big

[dinovelvet]

[quote name='dodge' post='689001' date='17 January 2007 - 14:16'][quote name='FullMetalJacket' post='688993' date='17 January 2007 - 22:04'][quote name='dodge' post='688984' date='17 January 2007 - 16:47']Or, a repeat recommendation: Peter Stormare, the doomed mob boss on Prison Break, could scare the livin' bejesus out of every one of us.[/quote]

He was also decidedly creepy in Constantine, where he played Satan.
[/quote]

Missed that one. Will check it out. My fave is still his horrifying p

[capungo]

Yeah, I've been thinking about who'd make a good Red Grant style physical match for Bond. People I talk to always scoff at this suggestion, but I strongly feel that Jason Statham, if done right, could be a very interesting adversary for Craig. If Statham's a bit too thuggish for your tastes, how about Vincent Cassel?

[Simon]

Have to say, intellectual, all the way.

Start from that premise and throw in a fight. Going for physically imposing from the outset sort relives one of the need to see where it could go.

By all means, let the intellectual leader control his heavy minions, but the 'one step ahead' premise has to come from intellect.

[Blisster Shoots]

[quote name='Mister Asterix' post='688995' date='17 January 2007 - 17:06'][mra]Leave the brawling with Bond for the henches, make my villains ugly, weak, old farts with giant IQs and even bigger egos. Trevelyan was a decent villain but I thought General Ourumov would have been better suited as the main bad guy. Think about it, who