319 replies to this topic

[Frankie]

If Dench leaves the franchise, it will create a major lady vacuum. I think this will influence the plots of ensuing films. Without a strong female presence on the home front, we'll probably see more female villains, and Moneypenny (or a Moneypenny analogue) might return to prominence.

If I'm EON, the very first Bond flick without Dench will feature a Goldfinger type villain WHO IS A WOMAN! Someone like Kathy Bates.

Michael Gambon...



Irreverent at will.
Short tempered by turns.
Aristocratic, but with a sense of the everyman about him.
Does straight talking, blunt, to the point, ruthlessness very well indeed.

All this while inexplicably remaining highly likeable and inspiring of a plausible loyalty in the essential humility that belies all the former characteristics in all of his performances.

Too old.

How old, then, should M be?
Craig is early forties...
Fleming wrote M as a surrogate father-figure (cruel-to-be-kind).

IMO Gambon fits it like a glove. If you wish a departure from Fleming, then fair enough, but i think Fleming has still to be fully emulated onscreen. Gambon is Fleming's M. The old sea0dog who's seen too much death, but still knows how to send an agent to his doom for the greater good nevertheless...

M should be still in the work force. Gambon is 72 and looks even older. He might have been M 10 years ago, but now he looks like he's drawing retirement checks from her Majesty.

[SecretAgentFan]

I do like the idea of Fiennes as a future M. He is still young enough, has an edge and could have been a 00-agent before.

[double o ego]

I'd like Geoffrey Rush as M.

[Goodnight]

Sir Anthony Hopkins? He'd be fierce!

[Odd Jobbies]

Sir Anthony Hopkins? He'd be fierce!

Yes, he would. Great suggestion.

[Pussfeller]

Still, I'd prefer someone who can remain in the role for a long time, rather than a brief, Hargreaves-style tenure. Fiennes is just old enough to be a plausible M, and he could remain in the role for ages.

[sharpshooter]

I would like a return to a more business relationship between Bond and the next M, which I do think will end up being Fiennes. If Bond agrees with Mallory that Dench M misjudged situations in Skyfall - past or present, that's where they can have their common ground and level of personal respect. But nonetheless get on with the job.

[Odd Jobbies]

Fiennes... Hmmm....

You see, this in a way is a moot point, since his character's fate is already written in the script: Either he's already the new M, or as i suspect, he's perhaps Skyfall's central antagonist - Bardem's puppet-master. It seems to me that Skyfall's premiss may involve trouble on the inside of MI6, thus an an insider with malevolent ambitions. This explains Fiennes attraction to the an otherwise small (if reoccurring) role. If so he cannot be the next M.

Put it this way - i don't see Fiennes at this stage in his career wanting a comfortable reoccurring role playing second fiddle to Craig. However i do see him relishing a decent villain role, directed by Mendes.

[SecretAgentFan]

Sir Anthony Hopkins? He'd be fierce!

Yes, he would. Great suggestion.

He already was Ethan Hunt´s boss in M:I 2 - so... burned!

[Odd Jobbies]

Sir Anthony Hopkins? He'd be fierce!

Yes, he would. Great suggestion.

He already was Ethan Hunt´s boss in M:I 2 - so... burned!

I think an actor of Hopkins calibre would leave M:I 2 far behind as he made M his own... fireproof

If not for M:I 2 over-running the shoot schedule he'd have been the big bad of TND, then his shot at M really would be burned.

[Frankie]

Sir Anthony Hopkins? He'd be fierce!

Yes, he would. Great suggestion.

He already was Ethan Hunt´s boss in M:I 2 - so... burned!

I was the most enthusiastic Hopkins as M advocate until that movie. He would have been the perfect M but he ruined it by playing essentially that role in MI.

[Odd Jobbies]

Sir Anthony Hopkins? He'd be fierce!

Yes, he would. Great suggestion.

He already was Ethan Hunt´s boss in M:I 2 - so... burned!

I was the most enthusiastic Hopkins as M advocate until that movie. He would have been the perfect M but he ruined it by playing essentially that role in MI.

Guess i'm outvoted... Democracy sucks !

[Odd Jobbies]

Ok, how about Charles Dance....






Certainly not too 'over-the-hill' to be Bond's superior (as the questionable consensus was on Michael Gambon, who remains my first choice)
Charles Dance is at the top of his game right now in Game Of Thrones - authoritative, a little scary, yet likeable for his believably insightful, highly intelligent straight talking delivery of the lines)....






...As a side note, he even strikes me as having a little of the Ian Fleming about him, not least in the bust....





I can see Dance issuing kill-orders - with a ghost of his subordinates creator about him to boot...

[elizabeth]

Sir Anthony Hopkins? He'd be fierce!

Love this idea. Also, hey guys, I'm back.

[Dustin]

Sir Anthony Hopkins? He'd be fierce!

Love this idea. Also, hey guys, I'm back.

Nice to have you back, madam...

[Vauxhall]

I think the next M will inevitably be male, as choosing another woman will lead to unfavourable and uncharitable comparisons with Judi Dench's portrayal. Age-wise, I'd imagine EON will seek to cast someone who can recur for at least 15-20 years (assuming the franchise is still going strong!) which means we probably need an actor aged roughly 45-50. We don't know what Ralph Fiennes' fate will be following SKYFALL but he, or Colin Firth, are top of my personal list at present. I think the role demands a world-renowned British actor.

[Odd Jobbies]

...we probably need an actor aged roughly 45-50...

When Bond 24 comes out late in 2014 Craig will be 46....

I think there needs to be a far greater age gap for the chemistry, as laid out so well by Fleming, to work. Therefore i'd say at least 10 - 15 years difference: Around 60 would be my guess.

This age requirement aside, Firth would've made a marvellous M. Maybe for Craig's eventual successor.

How about Gary Oldman:



Sure, he'd be a great villain, but also a great M (think George Smiley, only slightly less enigmatic)

[Frankie]

Ok, how about Charles Dance....

Excellent idea. BTW, Didn't Dance play Ian Fleming in a movie?

[Vauxhall]

Ok, how about Charles Dance....

Excellent idea. BTW, Didn't Dance play Ian Fleming in a movie?

He did indeed, and played a henchman in FOR YOUR EYES ONLY.

[Odd Jobbies]

Ok, how about Charles Dance....

Excellent idea. BTW, Didn't Dance play Ian Fleming in a movie?

Here you go...



The poster is pretty bad, but don't hold it against him.

He did indeed, and played a henchman in FOR YOUR EYES ONLY.

He drives a mean beach-buggy...

[elizabeth]

Sir Anthony Hopkins? He'd be fierce!

Love this idea. Also, hey guys, I'm back.

Nice to have you back, madam...

Good to be back, Dustin.

[SecretAgentFan]

I´d love Dance or Oldman to be "M". Both are great choices.

[Pussfeller]

Dance is an excellent choice. He's the right age.

[DR76]

I know where this is going. Once they recast "M" with a male performer, most Bond fans will balk at the idea of another female being cast in the role in the future. As far as many Bond fans are concerned, Judi Dench should remain as the only female "M" in the franchise's history.

I know sexism when I read it. So for me, they can take the idea of a new male "M" and shove it.

[Frankie]

I know where this is going. Once they recast "M" with a male performer, most Bond fans will balk at the idea of another female being cast in the role in the future. As far as many Bond fans are concerned, Judi Dench should remain as the only female "M" in the franchise's history.

I know sexism when I read it. So for me, they can take the idea of a new male "M" and shove it.

I do not think there is ANY sexism in any of the posts so far. Don't be paranoid.

[Frankie]

I´d love Dance or Oldman to be "M". Both are great choices.

So is the one I offered. Anthony Head.
Especially if they switch to a younger Bond actor.

[Killmaster]

I picture Anthony Heald more as a Bond villain; he was so incredibly evil in a Doctor Who episode several years ago. I like the idea of Charles Dance as M, but I think that Bernard Hill ["Lord of the Rings"] would really do an excellent job as well.

[Odd Jobbies]

I picture Anthony Heald more as a Bond villain; he was so incredibly evil in a Doctor Who episode several years ago. I like the idea of Charles Dance as M, but I think that Bernard Hill ["Lord of the Rings"] would really do an excellent job as well.

Yes, i too suggested Bernard Hill a few years back on this site. I think he fits Fleming's description of the steely-blueeyed sea-dog better than anyone.

And if anyone doubts his ability to be as tough and then some as Craig, then check him out as Yosser Hughes in the 1982 BBC drama Boys From The Blackstuff....

http://youtu.be/p2inSqo3Q3c

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083689/

[Frankie]

I picture Anthony Heald more as a Bond villain; he was so incredibly evil in a Doctor Who episode several years ago. I like the idea of Charles Dance as M, but I think that Bernard Hill ["Lord of the Rings"] would really do an excellent job as well.

Bernard Hill,....Bernard Lee,... I see what you are doing.

Yes, i too suggested Bernard Hill a few years back on this site. I think he fits Fleming's description of the steely-blueeyed sea-dog better than anyone.

Not a bad choice. Although he is 68. Very close to retirement. Bernard Lee, the perfect 'M' was in his early 50s in Dr. No. If Bond is supposed to be 35-40 forever then his boss should be 50-62ish, IMO.

[Messervy]

Bernard Hill,....Bernard Lee,... I see what you are doing.

As long as it's not Benny Hill...