319 replies to this topic

[CasinoKiller]

I love Judi Dench's portrayal of M in the Brosnan and Craig films, but at some point, she will leave. I think I read somewhere that Bond 23 might be her last film. In that case, do you think EON should introduce a new male M? Hell, they should probably just recast the Admiral Miles Messervy character from the novels/old films?

I was just asking because it would be interesting to see Craig's Bond adapting to a firmer more authoratarian M, albeit one who demonstrates complete confidence in his professional abilities.

Of course, I don't mind if they just recast Dench's character either, but somehow I don't think anyone can easily replicate Dench's panache so soon after her departure from the series...reinventing an old character on the other hand MIGHT just work!

Any ideas?

[marktmurphy]

I think they'll have to just simply in order to provide a contrast: any similar woman would just be compared negatively to Judi.

[SecretAgentFan]

I think the casting of Dench was a wonderful idea.

But I also think they should change things up and re-cast the role. A male "M" would be most welcome.

[Judo chop]

I can't imagine any intelligently founded "no" response to this question.

[Safari Suit]

Is either response really founded in intelligence?

[Syndicate]

A male M would nice, when Judi Dench leaves the role. But no James Fox or Edward Fox type M. More in the way or just as good as Bernard Lee and Robert Brown when they did the role of M.

[Tarl_Cabot]

Yes...But first Bond should give her a good rogering as a good bye gesture.

[Conlazmoodalbrocra]

Yes...But first Bond should give her a good rogering as a good bye gesture.

If there was an emoticon for vomiting I'd use it now!

[Mr_Wint]

Yes.

I am actually looking forward to it since I have disliked Dench's 'M' from day 1.

[pgram]

Yes...But first Bond should give her a good rogering as a good bye gesture.

If there was an emoticon for vomiting I'd use it now!

[Righty007]

I'm tired of Dench because her lines in Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace were the same. Not her fault but I'm ready for some fresh blood in the role, preferably a man.

[Eric Stromberg]

Dench's M is at her best when either busting Bond's balls or making comments/insights into his character, as she was allowed to do on a couple of occasions in CR.

If a change is made in the near future I say a man is in order for the role of M. I don't have any particular actors in mind, but I'd like to see just a bit of humor in the character, even though it's a big, serious job. Someone with the demeanor of a John Steed, capable of being an authoritarian and mentor to Bond and can also lighten the mood with a good joke once in a while.

[Tybre]

Yes, most certainly return a man to the role. I still very much would like to see either Jim Piddock (although admittedly solely because thanks to MGS3 I hear his voice whenever I read M in the books) or Jeremy Irons, unlikely as the two are, particularly the latter. I severely doubt they'd have gotten Dench if they came asking round the time of Casino Royale instead of GoldenEye.

[Eric Stromberg]

Jeremy Irons...brilliant idea!

[mcsearg]

This same issue came up before CS. Although I have always liked Dench's M, I would like to see Anthony Hopkins in the role...

[Stuart]

Yes I would very much like to see a male M.

No humor, please.

[Athena007]

I wanted Dench out and a new male M from the beginning of Daniel Craig's run as Bond. Sigh... alas. If only Eon would grow the balls to replace her.

[Tybre]

And I've just remembered another suggestion I made over in the Judi Dench thread, one I still very much stand behind, odd though it may seem: Sylvester McCoy

I wanted Dench out and a new male M from the beginning of Daniel Craig's run as Bond. Sigh... alas. If only Eon would grow the balls to replace her.

The advantage is they don't have to think with them all the time.

[Aris007]

I want a male M! I love Dench, but we need a new fellow for the part! I read somewhere about Hopkins and I'm saying "Yes" all the way! I also like James Caan! A very good actor!

[Dell Deaton]

Short answer: Yes.

Longer answer: The time to have made this change would have been with Casino Royale, three years ago. Much as folks claim that film such a return to the original Ian Fleming approach and true to the novel, each time I watch the movie, I see it less so. At its core, the relationship between M and 007.

Mr. Fleming's Bond loved M, followed him without question (including when asked to undertake an assignment free-lance). The rogue agent was okay in the On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and still credible, freshly done in Licence to Kill. But lately it seems the whole concept of the double-door and light above it has been lost, ie, the day-to-day function of M as head of a premier section.

• Would the Bond of today hesitate to undermine his boss' requirement that he change preferred firearms?
• Can anyone imagine the Bond of today saddled to desk duty as punishment he'd respect from this M?

PS: In several of the Pierce Brosnan outings, I thought the current M made very much sense - as boss in a relationship with a James Bond matured in his Double O status.

[sharpshooter]

I wanted Dench out and a new male M from the beginning of Daniel Craig's run as Bond.

Indeed. I think the reboot called for a completely clean slate.

[CasinoKiller]

Personally I'd love to see a male M closer to Ian Flemings version of the character. For as great as Bernard Lee's portrayal was, despite the fact that he visually embodied the M from the books, he wasn't QUITE Flemings M entirely. Flemings M was a calm usually good-natured mild-mannered man who treated Bond almost like a son...he did not 'command' Bond as much as 'request' him to carry out a task and he was a far more understanding man than the M from the films. And yet he was a symbol of authority whom Bond deeply respected and would not dare disobey. The M from the films was a curt stern man who had a high proffesional respect for Bond but did come across as treating him quite rudely at times as though he were an insignificant office peon. Of course, back in the 60's, M treating Bond in this dismissive manner was quite humourous and would have given a nice contrast to the way everyone else seemed to regard Bond with awe, but given that the 21st century is the era of sophisticated cinema, and the Bond films seem to be following suit, it would be nice to see a renditioning of the literary Bond-M relationship. I think Bernard Lee's portrayal of M in TSWLM could serve as a nice template...

[danslittlefinger]

I think they'll have to just simply in order to provide a contrast: any similar woman would just be compared negatively to Judi.

Totally agree.

A male M would nice, when Judi Dench leaves the role. But no James Fox or Edward Fox type M. More in the way or just as good as Bernard Lee and Robert Brown when they did the role of M.

Yes, if they can find such an actor.
I would love this bloke from Spooks (MI-5)

Actor: Peter Firth
but already in a spy series, that's the problem. Unless they could "promote" the character of Harry. Interesting crossover there from series to film. Might be a novel idea.

Yes...But first Bond should give her a good rogering as a good bye gesture.

All for Queen and Country of course.

[Mr_Wint]

but given that the 21st century is the era of sophisticated cinema

I guess we should wait and see, if the remaining 91 years can back that up.

[DaveBond21]

If they replace Dench with a man, then I think they would pick someone like Peter Firth, as mentioned above. An actor who can play the role well, agree to do three movies or more, and not be a big Hollywood star.

[Athena007]

I wanted Dench out and a new male M from the beginning of Daniel Craig's run as Bond.

Indeed. I think the reboot called for a completely clean slate.

Yeah, totally clean slate. Alas. I mean keeping Dench as M only helps "prove" the whole theory that "James Bond" is a code name... not a single man. On Bond dies or they have to boot him out for whatever reason and a new man takes his name and number.

[double o ego]

I see what you mean but it doesn't prove anything. The whole James Bond is a code name is wanton speculation. Sure CR ed up their reboot or what ever you want to call it but then again, one can argue that part of EON's charm is that, they've always had a rather loose regard for continuity. In spite of such regard EON have also gone out of their way to prove that each new actor to take on the role is one and the same.

[DAN LIGHTER]

Well I dont mind it after Craig has moved on....but not until.

[Athena007]

Well I dont mind it after Craig has moved on....but not until.

Don't you feel that Dench is overly dominating as M though? If anything they really need to cut back her yip-yappy-chit-chat. Daniel Craig gets lost in her scenes and he's 00effin7. I don't like her dynamic mantic with him.

[DAN LIGHTER]

Well I dont mind it after Craig has moved on....but not until.

Don't you feel that Dench is overly dominating as M though? If anything they really need to cut back her yip-yappy-chit-chat. Daniel Craig gets lost in her scenes and he's 00effin7. I don't like her dynamic mantic with him.

Alright, cut back on the jiba jaba with Dench. I do think she was to vocal in QOS. Actually we see a lot more of her M than any of the other M's in the previous films dont we? I just like continuity though. I am at the age where I am not very good with change. When I get in I like to know that my slippers are always by the fireplace where I left them.