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#1 marktmurphy

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Posted 04 April 2007 - 09:13 AM

I can't seem to find a thread on this, which is surprising, bearing in mind Jim's comment on the dossier about rumours of Fry writing the cenentary bond novel:

[quote name='Jim']

#2 Santa

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Posted 04 April 2007 - 09:32 AM

I'm not sure about this one either. He can write, certainly, but I'm worried it would turn out to be too Stephen Fry to be Bond, in the same way I don't think I'd like Michael Mann to do a Bond film.

#3 Loomis

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Posted 04 April 2007 - 11:31 AM

Still, it shows that IFP are thinking very cannily about promotion and so-forth: it's hard to deny that Higson has been a success on that front where any other thriller writer simply wouldn't get invited on Jonathan Ross or whatever, and Stephen Fry would do even more business there. It'd certainly get them noticed.


Indeed, although it would in some ways be a pity if IFP's new author profile dictated that a Bond writer be an established all-round actor, comedian and celebrity in addition to an author (arguably, even just literary fame as a criterion would be bad enough, shutting the door on a Lazenbyesque unknown who'd written a brilliant novel). "No, I'm afraid William Boyd doesn't quite have that Jonathan Ross appeal." "Ah, but can Jeffrey Deaver sing and dance?" That sort of thing.

Still, I'm sure Fry could pull it off (fnarr).

#4 Zorin Industries

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Posted 04 April 2007 - 12:00 PM

[quote name='marktmurphy' post='722641' date='4 April 2007 - 10:13']I can't seem to find a thread on this, which is surprising, bearing in mind Jim's comment on the dossier about rumours of Fry writing the cenentary bond novel:

[quote name='Jim']

#5 dee-bee-five

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Posted 04 April 2007 - 12:41 PM

[quote name='marktmurphy' post='722641' date='4 April 2007 - 10:13']I can't seem to find a thread on this, which is surprising, bearing in mind Jim's comment on the dossier about rumours of Fry writing the cenentary bond novel:

[quote name='Jim']

#6 marktmurphy

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Posted 04 April 2007 - 12:50 PM

Whether this rumour has any validity or not, the fact that the author (be it Fry or otherwise) is NOT a Bond Fan is no bad thing. Being a fan of something often leaves folk unable to see the proverbial wood for the trees. If you need examples of this look at threads on these boards such as "squint your eyes and imagine GOLDENEYE with Timothy Dalton and not Pierce Brosnan" (!). Fans often know how they want their subjects to develop based on the past and not a franchise's future.

If you need any further evidence, remember that Paul Haggis is probably not a Bond fan (!).


I know what you're saying (heaven knows all the displays of lack of imagination on these boards at CR have proven your point- "No Q?!! I shan't see it!"), and I don't think it would definitely be a bad thing if he wasn't, but it hasn't harmed Higson's stuff. I've just started Blood Fever, and I'm really surprised at how Bond-y it feels already.

And also, if he couldn't make space to write an episode of Doctor Who (something he does wear his love of on his sleeve: lots of mentions in his autobiography), I'm a bit sceptical that he'd find space to write an entire novel based on a character he hasn't shown love for. This one-off novel is a bit more special though, I suppose.

Intriguing. I read an interview with Stephen Fry some time back when it said he was busily working his way through the Ian Fleming novels. It didn't give a reason why and I assumed it was because he might be up for a part in Casino Royale. I must admit, I thought nothing more about it until now.


Ooh- that's interesting. Was that after the announcement of the 2008 novel, do you know?

#7 David Schofield

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Posted 04 April 2007 - 01:04 PM

[quote name='Zorin Industries' date='4 April 2007 - 13:00'
Whether this rumour has any validity or not, the fact that the author (be it Fry or otherwise) is NOT a Bond Fan is no bad thing. Being a fan of something often leaves folk unable to see the proverbial wood for the trees. If you need examples of this look at threads on these boards such as "squint your eyes and imagine GOLDENEYE with Timothy Dalton and not Pierce Brosnan" (!). Fans often know how they want their subjects to develop based on the past and not a franchise's future.

If you need any further evidence, remember that Paul Haggis is probably not a Bond fan (!).
[/quote]

Personally, I would suspect that Daniel Craig wasn't really a Bond fan, despite all his - unconvincing, IMO - comments to the press. I very much suspect that Daniel Craig of the Primrose Hill mob, lovee and independent-movie actor, had a low, or at least minimal, opinion of James Bond/Moore/Brosnan and Ian Fleming.

And Craig didn't turn out too badly.

And, of course, as you point out, an independent, non-fan mind might be ideal. After all, it should also be considered that most "fan fiction" - that is stuff written by people who claim to "know" their Bond inside and out - is pretty dire. And I include much of Raymond Benson in that lot.

#8 Skudor

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Posted 04 April 2007 - 01:11 PM

Stephen Fry, eh. Not sure what I'd think of that. I'm pretty sure I read Making History at some point, don't remember being particularly impressed.

Not sure I'd buy this centeniary novel anyway, so shouldn't really give a damn.

#9 zencat

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Posted 04 April 2007 - 03:42 PM

Thanks for starting the thread, MarkT. This little rumor from Jim jumped out at me as well. In fact, I made this a story on my website. I think Fry might be an excellent choice.

Intriguing. I read an interview with Stephen Fry some time back when it said he was busily working his way through the Ian Fleming novels. It didn't give a reason why and I assumed it was because he might be up for a part in Casino Royale. I must admit, I thought nothing more about it until now.


Ooooo....it gets even more interesting. Nice tidbit. Thanks dee-bee-five. (I'm going to add this to my story.)

#10 K1Bond007

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Posted 04 April 2007 - 05:40 PM

Never would have guessed. I'll reserve judgement though.

#11 dee-bee-five

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Posted 04 April 2007 - 07:25 PM

Thanks for starting the thread, MarkT. This little rumor from Jim jumped out at me as well. In fact, I made this a story on my website. I think Fry might be an excellent choice.

Intriguing. I read an interview with Stephen Fry some time back when it said he was busily working his way through the Ian Fleming novels. It didn't give a reason why and I assumed it was because he might be up for a part in Casino Royale. I must admit, I thought nothing more about it until now.


Ooooo....it gets even more interesting. Nice tidbit. Thanks dee-bee-five. (I'm going to add this to my story.)


I wish I could remember more; I can't even remember when it was. It was one of those throwaway lines in an interview that you read, think is interesting and then forget about.

#12 Qwerty

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Posted 04 April 2007 - 07:46 PM

Intriguing. I read an interview with Stephen Fry some time back when it said he was busily working his way through the Ian Fleming novels. It didn't give a reason why and I assumed it was because he might be up for a part in Casino Royale. I must admit, I thought nothing more about it until now.


Interesting, dee-bee-five. Makes sense now if he is indeed being considered.

#13 dee-bee-five

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Posted 04 April 2007 - 07:51 PM

Intriguing. I read an interview with Stephen Fry some time back when it said he was busily working his way through the Ian Fleming novels. It didn't give a reason why and I assumed it was because he might be up for a part in Casino Royale. I must admit, I thought nothing more about it until now.


Interesting, dee-bee-five. Makes sense now if he is indeed being considered.



Before we all start getting carried away, I must stress it was one line in the interview; he could, of course, have been reading them for anything - even just for his own pleasure!

#14 marktmurphy

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Posted 04 April 2007 - 07:56 PM

I suppose it is worth pointing out that Fry's books 'The Liar' and to an extent, 'The Star's Tennis Balls' have espionage-y content: 'The Liar' especially so.

And of course he and his colleague Hugh had a few recurring sketches in their shows on the theme of spies: Tony and Control were very upbeat and cheerful desk workers in the British secret service (watch a sketch here), whereas I also remember a nice series of sketches where Hugh's OTT reluctant spy was lured back into the fold by Stephen's over-serious spymaster. Both very funny, and show that he's not averse to the spy world..

#15 zencat

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Posted 04 April 2007 - 08:08 PM

Intriguing. I read an interview with Stephen Fry some time back when it said he was busily working his way through the Ian Fleming novels. It didn't give a reason why and I assumed it was because he might be up for a part in Casino Royale. I must admit, I thought nothing more about it until now.


Interesting, dee-bee-five. Makes sense now if he is indeed being considered.



Before we all start getting carried away, I must stress it was one line in the interview; he could, of course, have been reading them for anything - even just for his own pleasure!

Why do I think this is going to become like the search for Bond #6? Hey, Clive Owen didn't say he wasn't in the running....so he must be Bond #6! LOL.

#16 marktmurphy

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Posted 04 April 2007 - 08:17 PM

Heh; yeah! But meanwhile, why not enjoy Stephen and Hugh's [censored]:


House's accent still a bit embryonic, there! :cooltongue:


EDIT: You can't say [censored]? For heaven's sake! Just imagine a donkey. Or a behind. Or click the link! :angry:

#17 marktmurphy

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Posted 04 April 2007 - 08:33 PM

Oh here we go: The Department:



:cooltongue:

#18 spynovelfan

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Posted 04 April 2007 - 10:36 PM

Stephen Fry is a big Bond fan, who likes quoting lines from the films back and forth with his friends - but I rather presumed Jim was joking.

Hugh Laurie has appeared in SPOOKS and written a well-received spy thriller.

#19 K1Bond007

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Posted 05 April 2007 - 01:27 AM

Stephen Fry is a big Bond fan, who likes quoting lines from the films back and forth with his friends - but I rather presumed Jim was joking.

Hugh Laurie has appeared in SPOOKS and written a well-received spy thriller.


When I first heard Fry mentioned here, I actually thought Laurie was the more qualified one of the two to write it. Still I'll try and keep an open mind if it's either of them even though both seem a little far-fetched, but I guess the same could probably have been said of Charlie Higson.

Fry given his "background" would be a little... ironical... for Bond I would think. That might not even be the right word. Definitely would make the news based on that alone though.

I think Zencat is right though. While not as huge as Bond #6, I think as we approach the release we'll hear a few more of these.

#20 Bondian

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Posted 05 April 2007 - 01:38 AM

I say that CBn should be commissioned to do this novel. We have more collaborative, intelligent and innovative minds than just one writer. Not only that, it's CBn's 007th year. :cooltongue:

Just keep those cheques coming in. :angry:

Seriously. Fry is extremely witty and intelligent. I'm sure he'd do the book justice. But we do NOT need a Bond fan or a non fan in order to write this book. We need a writer or establishment to make the damn thing worthwhile.

Seeing as Higgy's done wonders, why haven't they approached him?.

#21 K1Bond007

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Posted 05 April 2007 - 03:24 AM

Seeing as Higgy's done wonders, why haven't they approached him?.


Probably because he has his own series to worry about for now. I kind of expect him to continue with Bond after YB5 in some form. Maybe Bond's military years, maybe adult Bond, maybe pick up where whomever leaves off with this Centenary novel. I don't know. Higson's a good writer though. I'd love to see an adult Bond from him.

I bet whoever got this gig comes to this forum on a daily or weekly basis just to read threads like this so he or possibly she can laugh their [censored] off and brighten their day. Preemptive "happy to help" to whomever it is. :cooltongue:

#22 Qwerty

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Posted 05 April 2007 - 03:41 AM

Intriguing. I read an interview with Stephen Fry some time back when it said he was busily working his way through the Ian Fleming novels. It didn't give a reason why and I assumed it was because he might be up for a part in Casino Royale. I must admit, I thought nothing more about it until now.


Interesting, dee-bee-five. Makes sense now if he is indeed being considered.



Before we all start getting carried away, I must stress it was one line in the interview; he could, of course, have been reading them for anything - even just for his own pleasure!


Oh, quite. Point taken.

But speculation and Bond go hand in hand lately. :cooltongue:

#23 Bondian

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Posted 05 April 2007 - 04:44 AM

Seeing as Higgy's done wonders, why haven't they approached him?.


Probably because he has his own series to worry about for now. I kind of expect him to continue with Bond after YB5 in some form. Maybe Bond's military years, maybe adult Bond, maybe pick up where whomever leaves off with this Centenary novel. I don't know. Higson's a good writer though. I'd love to see an adult Bond from him.

I bet whoever got this gig comes to this forum on a daily or weekly basis just to read threads like this so he or possibly she can laugh their [censored] off and brighten their day. Preemptive "happy to help" to whomever it is. :cooltongue:

He-he. Yeah. Maybe they would come here to brush up as well. Oh, and maybe purchase a CBn t-shirt. :angry:

#24 Jackanaples

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Posted 05 April 2007 - 07:42 AM

WOW. Stephen Fry writing a Bond novel? That sounds like it would be nothing short of amazing. Now I'm going to be so depresed when it turns out not to be him.

#25 marktmurphy

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Posted 05 April 2007 - 08:44 AM

When I first heard Fry mentioned here, I actually thought Laurie was the more qualified one of the two to write it.


Yes, I re-read The Gun Seller recently and it really is a good, fun spy novel. And it was Laurie's name that made me pick it up the first time, so if IFP were to approach Fry I don't think it'd be a bad idea at all.
As for being more qualified, well Fry has written more books, so I'd say that'd make him more qualified than Laurie, really. It might get more sales in the US if it were from Hugh, though.

Fry did write some Holmes short stories which are worth a look: he's not averse to writing with established characters. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. Just depends if Fry has the time to do it, really.

#26 vMc69

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Posted 05 April 2007 - 09:24 AM

[quote name='marktmurphy' post='722641' date='4 April 2007 - 10:13']I can't seem to find a thread on this, which is surprising, bearing in mind Jim's comment on the dossier about rumours of Fry writing the cenentary bond novel:

[quote name='Jim']

#27 Loomis

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Posted 05 April 2007 - 09:47 AM

Anyone know which month the 2008 novel is likely to be published in? Also, how long before the release of SILVERFIN was Higson announced as IFP's new writer?

#28 zencat

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Posted 05 April 2007 - 04:41 PM

Anyone know which month the 2008 novel is likely to be published in? Also, how long before the release of SILVERFIN was Higson announced as IFP's new writer?

I believe it's going to be April or May. At least that's when the Centenary events are going to happen, so it seems logical the book will be released then.

Funny you should ask about the Higson announcement, because it was exactly 3 years ago today, April 5, 2004. SilverFin was released in March 2005.

#29 Loomis

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Posted 05 April 2007 - 05:43 PM

In that case, I guess Fry should be announced any time now. :cooltongue:

Not sure how I'd feel if he were chosen. A bit populist. A bit "stunt casting". A bit exactly-the-kind-of-author-to-create-a-lot-of-interest-and-appear-on-Jonathan-Ross-and-sell-a-lot-of-copies-while-also-making-critics-say-the-book-is-"surprisingly-good". A bit Higson for grown-ups.

Having just written all that, I find it hard to believe IFP could possibly have chosen anyone else. :angry:

Could be worse. Could be better. Oh, well. The new "business savvy" IFP doesn't appear to be aiming its product at hardcore Fleming geeks anyway. *Sigh*

#30 spynovelfan

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Posted 05 April 2007 - 06:13 PM

No idea if it's true, but I repeat: Stephen Fry is a massive massive Bond fan. He's also an acclaimed novelist and rather clever, so I think if he were 'cast', we would have a chance of him reading Fleming's books closely and coming up with something along roughly similar lines.

Following this train of thought, I wonder if Mark Gatiss might not be in the running? I haven't read either of his Lucifer Box novels, but by all accounts he seems to have done them rather well.