Quantum of Solace - Behind the Scenes
Casino Royale continues...
Quantum of Solace picks up just 20 minutes after Casino Royale ends, and is the first true sequel of any Bond film.
The title comes from an original Ian Flemming short story, though it's not the plot of the movie itself. It's more a reference to the emotional turmoil 007 is going through after the death of Eva in Casino Royale, and how he comes to a "level of comfort" or closure in his grief.
But don't be kidded into thinking Bond has gone soft! Producer Michael G Wilson says there's twice as much action that the last Bond, and 007 is out for revenge.
Producer Barbara Broccoli says its more than just a revenge movie though, and "deals with the inner turmoil Bond is facing."
Under 007's skin
Daniel Craig oozes passion when he talks about his role as Bond.
"He had is heartbroken in the last movie, and that is certainly a spur for him in this one... revenge is in his heart... but its not a revenge movie."
He genuinely likes Bond. "In the last movie, the character became complicated; had problems, dealt with them... and that applies to this... but we've thrown in a few other things just to confuse the issue."
He isn't satisfied with Bond standing still either. "For me to do it... it had to be something that was different from before... I want these movies to stand up alone."
Bond traits
How long will Daniel keep playing Bond? "As long as its working, we'll do it."
The humour will be similar to the Casino, with some visual gags, some stunt gags, and Bond's usual wit.
Daniel has been looking forward to reprising his role as 007. "We've got Marc Forster on board, and I've really wanted to work with him... for him this is a big challenge... and for me it's only the second time around, so I am still green."
"This is a really good place to be. This is $200m movies and its James Bond. All the fear that I had before, it's still there."
Pre-production
Daniel started work on the film as early as August 2007.
He attended the Palio race in Sienna, where he was able to make his own home movie of the spectacle!
Craig started preparing for the role while he was making his last movie, Defiance, but started his physical training in earnest in November 2007.
He spent two months learning weapons skills and aerial stunts, as well as consulting on the script, where he is very influential and creative according to producer Broccoli.
The return of M
Judi Dench is really excited to be back on Bond, especially as M is the complete opposite of the role she played in her last job, Cranford.
She kicks some
![[censored]](https://debrief.commanderbond.net/topic/44977-aol-goes-behind-the-scenes-on-quantum-of-solace/style_emoticons/default/censored.gif)
in the new film, and "you see more of my house!" she told us, adding that her relationship with 007 is "pretty prickly".M has far more to do in QoS, and Bond's secret? Judi thinks,"It appeals to an incredible cross-section of people. The appeal for my grandson's friends is fantastic, and probably their fathers too!"
And what of her sixth Bond film? "Everyone one of them has been very different, very different indeed. I get more to do in this one, but am just as frightened as before. I get to use more gadgets and walk around MI6."
Winning smile
Fresh out of college, she had to endure two auditions and a screen test.
Gemma finally found out she had got the part in the middle of the ocean!
She was in scuba diving gear filming a scene for a new film, 3 and Out with Mackenzie Crook.
Her dream came true as she was floating in a crystal clear ocean, with blue skies around her. Mackenzie had a tear in his eye, and told Gemma she deserved "a big moment in her life".
Insider tips
Gemma got some tips from Casino Royale Bond Girl Caterina Murino.
Even though Gemma wasn't meant to tell anyone, she confided in Caterina at the Premiere of St.Trinians, which they both starred in.
Caterina said, "Oh my God! Do you have to kiss Daniel Craig?" When Gemma said yes, Caterina tolder her to be careful with her post, as she got hate mail after her on screen love affair with 007!" She also told Gemma she would have "so much fun, be treated incredibly well, and have a great experience."
Her on screen snog has already taken place, and she described it as "being incredible". She felt like a "giggly girl that day, because he is such a man! It was good!"
Introducing Camille
Ukrainian-born actress Olga Kurylenko plays Camille, who like Bond is out for revenge. What that revenge is, is hard to say as both Olga and the producers were very tight lipped on the subject.
She was also cagey in revealing if there are any romantic scenes between her and Daniel. Do they kiss? "We might, and we might not," she smiled.
What Olga did reveal was that Camille is a "very strong and fiesty woman. Independent".
"In the beginning she comes as an opponent... then during the story they are going to have to collaborate. We'll see if she's a villain or not."
Bond Girls
The two new Bond girls are both overwhelmed by their new roles.
Gemma was still pinching herself at landing the role of Agent Fields. "The size of it is insane! To be working with Judi Dench, Daniel Craig... I feel so inexperienced and young and green... but it's a real priviledge to be involved with it. It changes your life, and you've only just started."
Olga is also overwhelmed at being part of Bond 22. "Suddenly your whole life changes."
She too is smitten by Daniel's charm, and acting talent. "He's a great actor... very professional." Unfortunatley all the actors have been too busy to socıalıse off the set, working 10 or 12 hour days.
Double delight
Gemma's Agent Fields is probably the youngest Bond Girl yet. The actress celebrates her 22nd birthday on 1st February 2008, and laughed, MI6 agents are "getting younger and younger."
Her character works at the British Consulate in Bolivia and isn't "killing people everyday - only once a month, ha ha!"
As for Camille... although Olga hadn't done any filming when we spoke, she had been busy training for the stunts.
This has included weapons training and body flight for her aerial scenes, which sounded like she will be involved in some very exciting action scenes.
Greene is the colour of evil
French actor Mathieu Amalric brings a realism to the QoS Bond baddie, though when you meet him in the flesh, it is hard to see, as he is so charming in real life.
"It's maybe what is horrible with today, you know. You can't really guess who are the villians. The villians are invisible."
It looks like days of the fantasy bad guys for Bond are over. Since Casino Royale, Bond's enemies are more real.
Mathieu is developing Greene's character as they film. "What's great with Forster... we're still looking for who is this villain while we shoot... we didn't say he will be like that - let's do a villian face!"
Political influence
Mathieu Amalric confessed to modelling Greene on "the smile of Tony Blair, and the crazy eyes of Nicholas Sarkozy!"
His character won't have "a metal jaw". "I am completely nude - I just have my face," he said.
"I tried everything. Maybe I could shave my hair. Maybe I could have white hair, maybe a scar... but Michael Forster just loves actors and he saw something in me... a moment in great anger... that had to with being the devil."
Mathieu halted production on his own movie to play Greene, as "it's impossible to tell to your kids... I could have been in a James Bond film but I refused!"
In the Director's chair
Marc Forster is the man in charge of Quantum of Solace, and he brings a realism to the picture as never before - which was one of the reasons the producers were keen to get him on board.
Although he has not made an action film before he is backed by an incredible crew, including Dan Bradley of Bourne Ultimatum fame.
Marc is trying to make the film "entertaining, full of action, have a certain depth.. and the film should be fun", and is shooting QoS in film not digital, as he prefers its look.
Producer Michael Wilson believes Marc has brough "a large amount of humanity to the characters", a trait he learnt making films like Monsters Ball.
On location
One of the key scenes is set at the Madonna dell'Assunta Palio in the historical city of Sienna, Italy.
The interior scenes of Sienna are filmed on the re-built soundstage at Pinewood Studios, which accidentally burnt down after Casino Royale finished shooting.
The sets include the city's art gallery, an underground cistern and tunnels.
It's not surprising the scenes look so realistic on film, as seeing them in real life you would never imagine the huge wooden girders, flag and cobble stones are made out of plastercasts!
Location, location
The Bond crew will visit the floating stage on Lake Constance in Bregenz, Austria to shoot scenes where Puccini's opera "Tosca" will be performed as a backdrop.
Before then, they will head to Panama, Peru, Northern Chile and Italy.
In between location shooting, the production designers will dismantle and rebuild sets on five soundstages at Pinewood Studios.
These include the Grand Hotel in Bolivia and a new, ultra-modern MI6, complete with touch-screen technology.
The Producers
Barbara is so keen not only to see Daniel play Bond in many more films, but is also desperate to get him to don the famous swimming trunks, that caused such a stir in Casino Royale. "I wish," she laughed.
Barbara was also desperate and honoured to work with Marc Forster, who she describes as a "great storyteller". "He is making an extraordinary film."
Of the controversial title for the film, Barbara told us, "It's original Fleming, and let's face it, he's the reason we're all here."
While Moneypenny and Q won't feature in QoS, they will be back in the future, though Michael confirmed that SPECTRE is definitely in the past.
http://entertainment...128080409990002
Pretty Interesting read
