76 replies to this topic

[Skudor]

The 1960s setting is an obstacle? That didn't stop them from making Casino Royale or any other Bond film made after 1969.

I choose to read that comments as code for "the book stunk so badly we don't even want to consider having to fork out for the rights, especially when no one else can actually film the blasted thing".

Is it really so, by the way? Doesn't the James Bond character belong to IFP, and if they decided to sell the rights of DMC to another production company, couldn't they film their own version, à la NSNA? I'm really curious. In this case, talking about BBC mini series, I'd really dig a period adult Bond one!

The film rights to James Bond belong to Danjaq - the exception used to be Thunderball and Casino Royale, which carried the right to use the character with them. My understanding is that DMC couldn't be made into a Bond film because of that.

[spynovelfan]

I think another company could legally make Devil May Care into a film, just as long as they removed all the Fleming elements, like James Bond, M, Moneypenny, Leiter, Mathis and references to Goldfinger, Scaramanaga and so on.

It could make an interesting short.

[Mr. Blofeld]

I wonder now if IFP will get the message that employing a condescending freeloader like Faulks only goes so far.

Someone ought to sig this...

[Mister E]

Yeah maybe; Ian Fleming can't exactly hold the high ground: Live and Let Die anyone?

Bit of a rubbish title that one, when you think about it.

Dunno. At least in Fleming's book, Bond says he lives by the principle to "live and let die".

Don't notice him being very "devil may care" in Faulks book, though.

Doped, yes. Light-hearted, living on the edge. Care free? Er, no.

Excatly. Live and Let Live means to forgive someone for something that they did and Live and Let Die is the opposite. Bond was out for vengance after Felix Leiter was nearly killed by Mr.Big's henchmen. Faulks just seemed to pick Devil May Care because it sounds good.

Edited by Mister E, 20 August 2008 - 05:59 PM.

[HildebrandRarity]

EON's comments have all been very complimentary of DEVIL MAY CARE. Perhaps out of politeness...

They're always polite.

My question, not having read Devil May Care yet, is the book any good?

[zencat]

My question, not having read Devil May Care yet, is the book any good?

Here's a 14 page answer.

[Gri007]

Eon Productions Pass On 'Devil May Care' Film Rights

Bond producers cite '60s setting as a key obstacle

Surley this was obviouse when they first annouced the centenary novel

[HildebrandRarity]

My question, not having read Devil May Care yet, is the book any good?

Here's a 14 page answer.

I have not read the 14 pages but clicked on the poll result and the net result is that the book is a 2.4 stars out of 5...meaning it's less than average...and that's in the heat of hype.

What will they think once time has passed?

And if it's no better than average with James Bond fans then why would anyone want to fund the movie if "James Bond" isn't in it?

[marktmurphy]

As with those above, I'd prefer to see a Young Bond series. Would the 30's setting of those be confusing when running alongside a present day Bond or could you just ignore that? I'm not certain.

I think it would work if they did Young Bond on TV. My vision for a YB series would be a very faithful high quality BBC mini series. One book each season for five seasons. It'd be awesome, and I think it would easily exist beside the contemp film Bond without a problem. For many kids, "Young Bond" is a stand alone character anyway. (And for "kids" like me, because Young Bond is so rooted in Fleming, it actually feels more like James Bond to me than Craig's Bond.)

That would be lovely, but I don't think that the BBC could adapt the novels very easily because they'd be so damned expensive to make: foreign location shooting with period sets, locations, cars etc. that have to be blown up? Floods through Mexican towns, mountaintop lairs, cruise liners crashing into docks etc. Even with help from overseas channels it might be a tall order.
I think the Phillip Pullman Sally Lockheart adaptations the BBC are doing at holidays though the year are as close as you could hope- Victorian adventures- but they can't do boats exploding, hurricanes and so on even with the decent budget I'm sure they have.
I suppose you could get Higson to rewrite the stories for the screen or even come up with new Young Bond tales- I'd love to see a 30's adventure series in the Saturday night slot the BBC are running Doctor Who, Robin Hood and Merlin in, and YB would be perfect. I don't know how the rights work out for that, though.

Otherwise I think for anything approaching faithful adaptations you'll need a proper feature film, or perhaps a Tintin-style animation.

My question, not having read Devil May Care yet, is the book any good?

Here's a 14 page answer.

I have not read the 14 pages but clicked on the poll result and the net result is that the book is a 2.4 stars out of 5...meaning it's less than average...and that's in the heat of hype.

You can never really trust those poll things on web forums- you'll always get the more extreme element voting on them. I found generally that reading through the concensus seemed to be that it's a decent enough Bond book- there's certainly nothing wrong with it. There's nothing outstanding about it either, but if you want to read a new Bond novel it's perfectly entertaining.

[[dark]]

I suppose you could get Higson to rewrite the stories for the screen or even come up with new Young Bond tales- I'd love to see a 30's adventure series in the Saturday night slot the BBC are running Doctor Who, Robin Hood and Merlin in, and YB would be perfect. I don't know how the rights work out for that, though.

Otherwise I think for anything approaching faithful adaptations you'll need a proper feature film, or perhaps a Tintin-style animation.

You know, I hadn't ever thought of adapting the Young Bond novels in animation. I almost think I'd prefer that to live-action. Something stylised, like The Clone Wars but in the style of Kev Walker's illustrations. Just stay out of James Bond Jr. territory.

Not only would this further distance the Young Bond films from Eon's series but animation should overcome the inherent naffness of the child Bond concept (which Higson so brilliantly did in his writing).

I like this idea - a lot.

[marktmurphy]

Well I suppose you might even be able to go a little more gruesome if you did it in animation- you may be able to get away with some of the more disturbing stuff.
But I would prefer it in live action, to be honest. I just love a period adventure.

[jaguar007]

What I could imagine for Young Bond adventures would be a TV movie for each book, perhaps BBC/HBO co production.

[Zorin Industries]

EON's comments have all been very complimentary of DEVIL MAY CARE. Perhaps out of politeness, or perhaps they really dug it.

Either way, they don't need it to make movies. EON can come up with a story like that no problem. And it's not like the book has that interesting ideas... I daresay EON would get more mileage out of adapting one of the Benson novels.

Eon are not going to make any of the spin-off novels. They are exactly that - spin-offs.

And - this is purely personal speculation - Faulks' book was a tad tired (planes being threatened over Iraq anyone...?!).. which is sort of why I think Eon haven't picked up the options to any of the non Fleming novels (including YOUNG BOND).

[sharpshooter]

I've said to have Young Bond done animation style from the start. It makes sense to me. I'd much prefer to do that than the rather bland DMC.

[DamnCoffee]

Yes, I know you have. these guys just seem to have realised the brilliance of such a notion. it would be pretty cool and it makes sense.

[HildebrandRarity]

My question, not having read Devil May Care yet, is the book any good?

Here's a 14 page answer.

I have not read the 14 pages but clicked on the poll result and the net result is that the book is a 2.4 stars out of 5...meaning it's less than average...and that's in the heat of hype.

You can never really trust those poll things on web forums- you'll always get the more extreme element voting on them. I found generally that reading through the concensus seemed to be that it's a decent enough Bond book- there's certainly nothing wrong with it. There's nothing outstanding about it either, but if you want to read a new Bond novel it's perfectly entertaining.

Understood. The last continuation novel I bought upon release was The Man With The Red Tattoo (having really enjoyed High Time To Kill and then Doubleshot and then Never Dream Of Dying (but each time less so)) but couldn't finish it. It's now been, what, six years? And it's unfinished.

I suppose you can chalk me up as a Fleming Snob...I keep going back to Fleming for some silly reason...at least when it comes to Book Bond.

[[dark]]

I've said to have Young Bond done animation style from the start. It makes sense to me. I'd much prefer to do that than the rather bland DMC.

Don't know how I missed that - credit where it's due, sharpshooter!

Maybe the idea only clicked with me after seeing The Clone Wars. The CGI was mostly average (though I understand it was on a TV budget, so it was decent), but the concept of stylised CGI based on flesh characters is really appealing - and would beautifully fit the Young Bond universe.

The huge set pieces, period setting and (frankly) naff concept could all be overcome through the wondrous world of CGI!

...seriously!

[Mister E]

I've said to have Young Bond done animation style from the start. It makes sense to me. I'd much prefer to do that than the rather bland DMC.

I think that's a bad idea unless you are going to do something really creative with the animation. And certaintly not in CGI.

Edited by Mister E, 21 August 2008 - 03:22 PM.

[zencat]

Quote from Faulks in The Independant:

"I would have thought that if you could move Casino Royale from the 1950s you could move Devil May Care from the Sixties. But Eon know what they are doing," said Faulks.

How much you wanna bet the Caspian Sea Monster pops up in some future James Bond film?

[Simon]

...giving rise to the possibly more appropriate and retort free response to have said, "we don't film continuation novels."

zen - The Independent, not Telegraph.

[zencat]

Whoops. Thanks. I changed it.

[sharpshooter]

I think that's a bad idea unless you are going to do something really creative with the animation. And certaintly not in CGI.

I don't think so. You could have it looking exactly like Kev Walker's illustrations, and the heat would be taken off the lead actor in the title role. And as [dark] says, the period setting and set pieces would be pulled off nicely.

And yes, the Caspian Sea Monster would be an excellent addition to a future film. One of the few decent things to come out of that novel.

[Mister E]

I think that's a bad idea unless you are going to do something really creative with the animation. And certaintly not in CGI.

I don't think so. You could have it looking exactly like Kev Walker's illustrations, and the heat would be taken off the lead actor in the title role. And as [dark] says, the period setting and set pieces would be pulled off nicely.

And yes, the Caspian Sea Monster would be an excellent addition to a future film. One of the few decent things to come out of that novel.

CGI is not a very good medium for animation. I am not saying it shouldn't like the illustration but the animation has be creative. Animation is more then just a tool.

[[dark]]

Broccoli And Faulks Talk 'Devil' Film Rights Snub

"It really wouldn't fit as one of the films that Eon has been making recently."

I think that's a bad idea unless you are going to do something really creative with the animation. And certaintly not in CGI.

I don't think so. You could have it looking exactly like Kev Walker's illustrations, and the heat would be taken off the lead actor in the title role. And as [dark] says, the period setting and set pieces would be pulled off nicely.

And yes, the Caspian Sea Monster would be an excellent addition to a future film. One of the few decent things to come out of that novel.

CGI is not a very good medium for animation. I am not saying it shouldn't like the illustration but the animation has be creative. Animation is more then just a tool.

CGI can be an excellent medium for animation. You only need to look at Pixar for evidence of that. I don't expect that level of quality to be brought to a CGI Young Bond adaptation (lovely as that would be), but it's proof that stunning, visceral and emotional work is capable within that medium.

[MarkA]

This does not surprise me in the slightest. And I will pretty much bet you won't see Young Bond either. EON have always rigidly guarded the franchise and tried their hardest not to invite anyone in. Apart from the fact I do feel it was a pretty mediocre book, it still illustrates the fact that no one and I mean no one can control cinematic Bond apart from them. I find it a real shame because unfortunately I think above all it stifles creativity. I have said for years I would really love to see a Bond TV series along the lines of the Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes series, that remains faithful to the plots and period of the books. And in this age of CGI I think it would be much easier to do. So I think you have a fat chance of seeing Young Bond. Can you imagine how the period setting of the books would really muck up the EON series? I must admit the statement saying the 60’s setting prevented them from doing it made me laugh. Come on EON do you really think us fans are that stupid to believe that lame excuse. Come on admit you had no intention of making it from the start.

[HildebrandRarity]

...I do feel it was a pretty mediocre book...

Come on EON...admit you had no intention of making it...

Would you invest in adapting "a pretty mediocre book"?

Unlike some (insert A Winehouse ) Eon do tend to exhibit a degree of grace and politeness. Nothing wrong with being polite, is there?

[spynovelfan]

How does it stifle creativity? The script for Casino Royale was a lot more creative, exciting and coherent than Devil May Care. They are hiring scriptwriters who can make great Bond films - just because Faulks wrote a book with Bond in it doesn't mean they should use it.

[MarkA]

You both have misread the thrust of my argument. Even if DMC was the most creative exciting and brilliantly written Bond novel since Fleming, EON would never entertain adapting it. They just would not want to muddy the waters of their exclusive franchise with Fleming. As I said they rigidly guard those rights. And in some respects considering what happened with Thunderball/NSNA one can understand why. But I still think for me (and I realise this is a personnel opinion) this will stifle the chance of good stuff like Young Bond ever in the near future making it to the screens.

[K1Bond007]

As with those above, I'd prefer to see a Young Bond series. Would the 30's setting of those be confusing when running alongside a present day Bond or could you just ignore that? I'm not certain.

I think it would work if they did Young Bond on TV. My vision for a YB series would be a very faithful high quality BBC mini series. One book each season for five seasons. It'd be awesome, and I think it would easily exist beside the contemp film Bond without a problem. For many kids, "Young Bond" is a stand alone character anyway. (And for "kids" like me, because Young Bond is so rooted in Fleming, it actually feels more like James Bond to me than Craig's Bond.)

That would be lovely, but I don't think that the BBC could adapt the novels very easily because they'd be so damned expensive to make: foreign location shooting with period sets, locations, cars etc. that have to be blown up? Floods through Mexican towns, mountaintop lairs, cruise liners crashing into docks etc. Even with help from overseas channels it might be a tall order.

I don't know if budget would be much of a concern these days. They can tinker with that stuff to drive the price down and there are plenty of bigger special-effects TV shows. Rome might be good for comparison. Period piece with plenty of action and authentic-looking set pieces. (Helluva show too)

I can see this working. I think the biggest concern with this is that it's Young Bond. Nothing is wrong with Young Bond, but if you get the wrong people involved... if you're not serious about the material, this could turn out to be a complete disaster. How many Bond ripoffs have we seen with the secret agent being young? How many of those are a complete joke? That's my concern. This isn't James Bond Jr. or Agent Cody Banks, but I'm afraid any movie or TV show of Young Bond may turn into exactly that and that's just a crying shame. It's the first thing any writer beyond Charlie (and maybe zencat ) would try to do.

[Mister E]

CGI can be an excellent medium for animation. You only need to look at Pixar for evidence of that. I don't expect that level of quality to be brought to a CGI Young Bond adaptation (lovely as that would be), but it's proof that stunning, visceral and emotional work is capable within that medium.

Pixar is doing the best they can with a medium that is clunky and at best can only do puppetry. That isn't a good thing and WALL-E was the recent sad evidence. CGI needs decades of improvement, twenty years easily. Over sixty years later and old Bob Clampett cartoons still have better acting then anything else today.

Edited by Mister E, 21 August 2008 - 05:55 PM.