319 replies to this topic

[Thunderfinger]

Why didnt they just call Dench F?
M is for male!

[Captain Tightpants]

M is for male!

No, it's not. In the novels, it is implied that "M" is for "Miles". Or "Messervy".

[Jim]

M is for male!

No, it's not. In the novels, it is implied that "M" is for "Miles". Or "Messervy".

One suspects the observation was not to be taken literally.

[byline]

Just saw "Page Eight" on PBS's "Masterpiece" series last night, and Bill Nighy was quite impressive. I think he'd make a great M.

[TCK]

Brendan Gleeson would be a great M too, don't you think ?

[DamnCoffee]

The top of my list is Alan Rickman. He NEEDS to be in a Bond movie. Gary Oldman would be pretty damn good, too.

[Guy Haines]

There have been several very fine choices already as to a possible replacement for Judi Dench if Bond 23 does prove to be her swan song. It could make for a very dramatic storyline if handled correctly and the arrival of her replacement provides some interesting possibilities.

One of my top choices for the role would be Don Warrington and anyone who is familiar with his work will know he has a superb voice that oozes authority and class.

He isn't an obvious choice compared to other actors with higher profiles (Anthony Hopkins, Peter Firth) but he is well respected and I could imagine some great exchanges between him and Bond.

I agree. He's played authority roles for decades - right from the 1970s comedy "Rising Damp", when he oozed class as Rigsby's "royal" lodger. I can see him as "M".

[Secret Treaties]

Ian McShane would make for a very strong and interesting M for Bond...

I would have never thought of him. It's a great idea.

[DR76]

Don't you feel that Dench is overly dominating as M though?

Oh the horrors! A female character is overly dominating in a Bond film, despite the fact that she is Bond's boss.

Frankly, I would rather see another actress portray M. But I keep forgetting . . . the idea of a woman being the authority figure of a man is supposed to be a no-no in this sexist society.

[Captain Tightpants]

I'd like to see Anthony Stewart Head in the role:



This is always how I imagined M in the novels.

[Trevelyan 006]

When An Appopriate Time Comes, Yes. For Sure, Just Because If There Was Another Female Cast In The Place Of Dame Judi, It Just Wouldn't Be The Same (New Being UnCompairable To DJD Of Course ). I'd Have No Objections To A Male M Once Again !

[CasinoKiller]

Well, I've been gone from this thread a long LONG time and it seems the discussion has progressed QUIET a bit over the years.

The situation has of course changed CONSIDERABLY from the time I first started this thread. Last year saw the release of 'Carte Blanche' a book which feature a rebooted 21st century incarnation of M. I quiet liked Deaver's re-interpretation of Miles Messervy and actually hope, if we see a male M, it will borrow some inspiration from this version.

Deaver's M is a consummate professional spymaster who completely trusts Bond on both a personal and professional level...he is also more than aware of the political infighting and skulduggery and surrounds him, but knows how to maneuver that treacherous minefield pretty well.

The political aspects of M's job is something which modern adaptations of James Bond, be it in books or films, HAVE to deal with. In Fleming's day, Britain, like the rest of the Western World, was gripped by the Cold War paranoia to some extent and as such the autonomy and independent functioning of the Secret Service was considered of national importance (even pride)...so M could always count on the support of the higher-ups in any eventuality. (Hell, I seem to recall, in OHMSS, he consults the Minister of Defence, who agrees with his and Bond's plans of carrying out an officially unsanctioned and illegal hit on Blofeld's base in Piz Gloria...)

But the situation has changed considerably today. A lot of ethical concerns have been raised regarding the activities of secret services, rightly or wrongly...and the Bond books/films need to reflect this reality. Part of Deaver's novel was about this slippery slope 'special agents' like Bond tread on daily...they have 'carte blanche' to complete their missions as they see fit, but there are legal and ethical implications to their actions which they are compelled to consider. M should be the chessmaster who knows how to navigate this minefield of politics, ethics and international law...a man or woman who has to deploy agents to 'save the world' but also ensure the British government doesn't get any 'bad press' in the process!

[SecretAgentFan]

I'd like to see Anthony Stewart Head in the role:



This is always how I imagined M in the novels.

Very interesting idea. He could pull it off and NOT intrude too much.

A male M, by the way, would be most welcome... and original, too - since we had this mother-son-dynamic for a very long time now.

The top of my list is Alan Rickman. He NEEDS to be in a Bond movie. Gary Oldman would be pretty damn good, too.

Both would certainly be great - but of a too high profile, IMO. They would definitely feature into the plot like Dench did/does... and that´s not necessary at all.

[Captain Tightpants]

Very interesting idea. He could pull it off and NOT intrude too much.

I just fear that Head may see the role as being too similar to Rupert Giles.

[SecretAgentFan]

He obviously would have to play it differently. More acerbic, more authoritative.

[Miles Miservy]

Jeremy Irons...brilliant idea!

I always thought he'd be great as a villain (think Die Hard w/Vengeance)

[Captain Tightpants]

He obviously would have to play it differently. More acerbic, more authoritative.

Of course. And I think he can do that easily - there was one episode early in the sixth season where he tore strips off Willow Rosenberg for being a "rank, arrogant amateur" after she revived Buffy. And then later in the sixth season when Willow became Dark Willow and he was the one sent to stop her. But my concern is that Head would see the role of M as being a little too similar to Giles; the older authoritative figure.

[Guy Haines]

I noticed this on yahoo today, and, of course, we should take anything internet based with an entire salt cellar full of salt. But, if true, it looks like everyone here wanting a male M to return might - only might - get their wish, and it may explain one bit of Skyfall casting.

Personally, I'll wait for the movie, or at least the next official press release. ;-)

http://www.starpulse...t_new_james_bon

[Captain Tightpants]

I noticed this on yahoo today, and, of course, we should take anything internet based with an entire salt cellar full of salt.

It appeared on these forums first.

[CasinoKiller]

I noticed this on yahoo today, and, of course, we should take anything internet based with an entire salt cellar full of salt. But, if true, it looks like everyone here wanting a male M to return might - only might - get their wish, and it may explain one bit of Skyfall casting.

Personally, I'll wait for the movie, or at least the next official press release. ;-)

http://www.starpulse...t_new_james_bon

SPOILERS

Well, the notion that Judi Dench's M might need to quit owing to the events of this movie WAS something we have been speculating about for a while...

[Guy Haines]

I noticed this on yahoo today, and, of course, we should take anything internet based with an entire salt cellar full of salt. But, if true, it looks like everyone here wanting a male M to return might - only might - get their wish, and it may explain one bit of Skyfall casting.

Personally, I'll wait for the movie, or at least the next official press release. ;-)

http://www.starpulse...t_new_james_bon

SPOILERS

Well, the notion that Judi Dench's M might need to quit owing to the events of this movie WAS something we have been speculating about for a while...

Indeed. I'd wondered about it, and suggested M's replacement might turn out to be a "wrong 'un" working for Quantum. Not a popular suggestion at the time, although in the real world at least one former British Intelligence chief was rumoured to have been working for the opposition while in his post. No Quantum in this new movie, but the idea of "M" as one of the bad guys - well, I think it could be a future plot idea. Whether it should, of course......

[killkenny kid]

Well if it is time for Dame Judi to move on, and Ralph Fiennes isn't the new M. I woud like to throw Stephen Tompkinson's hat into th ring.

[Guy Haines]

Well if it is time for Dame Judi to move on, and Ralph Fiennes isn't the new M. I woud like to throw Stephen Tompkinson's hat into th ring.

If the rumour mill generates something true for once, and Fiennes is the new M, I wonder if he will be a permanent replacement? By which I mean will he back for 24, 25, 26 and so on? Can't help thinking he might not be - then again, who could have predicted that Dame Judi would do seven Bond films?

[DamnCoffee]

You know if Dame Judi doesn't meet her maker in this one, and she just retires from MI6. I don't really think we'll see the last of her. With an actress as good as Judi, even though she might very well step down as M, I wouldn't be surprised if she comes back for Bond 24, just as a minor character. Just an ally Bond can turn to and trust and get some advice from. Maybe a Mathis/Felix type character.

[univex]

You know if Dame Judi doesn't meet her maker in this one, and she just retires from MI6. I don't really think we'll see the last of her. With an actress as good as Judi, even though she might very well step down as M, I wouldn't be surprised if she comes back for Bond 24, just as a minor character. Just an ally Bond can turn to and trust and get some advice from. Maybe a Mathis/Felix type character.

That would actually be interesting. Bond could break into her flat again and ask for advice.

[bill007]

Well, the spoiler thread is getting pretty active on this particular topic. And, an internet search will bring up confirmations on the subject at hand.

[S K Y F A L L]

I don't mean to sound rude but I was thinking the title of this thread could be interpreted as some what politically incorrect.

[The Shark]

I don't mean to sound rude but I was thinking the title of this thread could be interpreted as some what politically incorrect.

All the more reason to keep it then.

[larrythefatcat]

I don't mean to sound rude but I was thinking the title of this thread could be interpreted as some what politically incorrect.

All the more reason to keep it then.

AMEN!!!

[talos7]

I don't mean to sound rude but I was thinking the title of this thread could be interpreted as some what politically incorrect.

All the more reason to keep it then.

AMEN!!!

I second that!!!

With that said; I don't think it really matters if M is male or Female. I want a strong actor ( is the term actor sexist?) who brings something to the role and the series.