2121 replies to this topic

[Jackanaples]

Deaver has a reputation for sheer cleverness in plotting that vastly exceeds the synopsis you've come up with a few spare moments, Loomis. Rest assured, the Fleming estate would expect more from their advance than what you're suggesting as well.

[David Schofield]

Deaver has a reputation for sheer cleverness in plotting that vastly exceeds the synopsis you've come up with a few spare moments, Loomis. Rest assured, the Fleming estate would expect more from their advance than what you're suggesting as well.

I think we all hope you're right.

But you do have far greater faith in IFP than I considering some of the swill they've signed off on in the recent past.

[Dustin]

Deaver has a reputation for sheer cleverness in plotting that vastly exceeds the synopsis you've come up with a few spare moments, Loomis. Rest assured, the Fleming estate would expect more from their advance than what you're suggesting as well.

I have to admit, a "mere" 24 plot might be a disappointment for me at the moment (it would depend on the execution though, as in any work). But then again, if we look at the Flemings most of them have been quite straightforward, and the twist at the end often was a device to end the series, rather than an attempt at intricate plotting.

That said, Deaver is of course a mystery writer and as such I would expect some more detailed and complicated plot than just "Julius Gorner is the villain. Go and find a reason why, Bond."

[Jackanaples]

Deaver has a reputation for sheer cleverness in plotting that vastly exceeds the synopsis you've come up with a few spare moments, Loomis. Rest assured, the Fleming estate would expect more from their advance than what you're suggesting as well.

I think we all hope you're right.

But you do have far greater faith in IFP than I considering some of the swill they've signed off on in the recent past.

Heh. I see your point.

Well, I'm greatly encouraged by IFP going to Jeffery Deaver -an internationally bestselling and award winning writer of thrillers in his own right- for CARTE BLANCHE. I see it as perhaps the same direction EON has taken with the Bond movies since the reboot: James Bond is a worldwide brand that should mean nothing less than top tier entertainment. To ensure that outcome, we're going to go to the best creative people where we might have been afraid to approach them in the past.

Edited by Jackanaples, 17 April 2011 - 06:19 PM.

[zencat]

Deaver has a reputation for sheer cleverness in plotting that vastly exceeds the synopsis you've come up with a few spare moments, Loomis. Rest assured, the Fleming estate would expect more from their advance than what you're suggesting as well.

I think we all hope you're right.

But you do have far greater faith in IFP than I considering some of the swill they've signed off on in the recent past.

What swill has IFP signed off on? Remember, IFP (which is NOT Glidrose) came into being around 2000, and the terrific Fahey reprints were really their first thing. Young Bond was their first spin off. Then Moneypenny Diaries, the reprints of Thrilling Cities & Diamond Smugglers, the Fleming exhibitions in London, the radio plays, the stamps...all IFP ideas that I think where handled pretty darn well. Sure, people have their problems with DMC as a book, but you can't fault IFP for the idea of hiring Faulks, nor the massive promotion they helped engineer. I think their track record has been remarkable.

[Jackanaples]

Can't speak for Loomis, but I definitely wasn't making a distinction between Glidrose and IFP when I wrote my reply. You're right, they've done pretty well since taking over. Haven't read DEVIL MAY CARE or the Moneypenny series, but I enjoyed Higson's Young Bond series quite a bit.

[David Schofield]

But you do have far greater faith in IFP than I considering some of the swill they've signed off on in the recent past.

What swill has IFP signed off on? Remember, IFP (which is NOT Glidrose) came into being around 2000, and the terrific Farley reprints were really their first thing. Young Bond was their first spin off. Then Moneypenny Diaries, the reprints of Thrilling Cities & Diamond Smugglers, the Fleming exhibitions in London, the radio plays, the stamps...all IFP ideas that I think where handled pretty darn well. Sure, people have their problems with DMC as a book, but you can't fault IFP for the idea of hiring Faulks, nor the massive promotion their helped engineer for it. I think their track record has been remarkable.

But the fault in signing-off I'm claiming is the very fact IFP did enagage Faulks, did not closely monitor what he was up to and then SIGNED DMC off. And promoted it, too, as you suggest.

That alone gives me little confidence.

The Moneypenny Diaries was also a poor idea and badly executed. Once again IFP did not monitor what was being produced and the weakness of the very concept.

Bit of a theme developing here, isn't there?

Obviously, I wouldn't criticise the reprints of the Flemings, exhibitions and allowing radio plays to be produced isn't where the problem seems to lie; its just the CREATIVE Bond output IFP have sanctioned that clearly suggest they are easily impressed with what they signed off recently.

But I will conceed that against the odds Higson's boy Bond which IFP sanctioned DID work. Sort of. Somehow.

[Dustin]

Fact is IFP have been quite busy during recent years. Perhaps not all publications were a treat to all fans. But overall most of them managed to do well and whenever a company is moving with basically limited material in so many different directions they are bound to have the odd underperformer (depending on what you personally prefer) as well. It's perhaps inevitable that IFP's portfolio is picked upon by us fans. But it begs the question: What would we rather have? What would we, finally, be content with?

[zencat]

Hey, I'm more than content, especially with the news of the Gardner reprints.

I'm just wondering when we might get news of the next Bond novel?

[David Schofield]

Hey, I'm more than content, especially with the news of the Gardner reprints.

I'm just wondering when we might get news of the next Bond novel?

Guessed you might be, Zen.

But hey, let's see what Jeff comes up with and give him the benefit of the doubt 'til we get to read it.

Fingers crossed.

[zencat]

Wait, was that optimism?

[Loomis]

Deaver has a reputation for sheer cleverness in plotting that vastly exceeds the synopsis you've come up with a few spare moments, Loomis. Rest assured, the Fleming estate would expect more from their advance than what you're suggesting as well.

I hope you're correct, but the Bond continuation novels have by and large had very conventional and unexciting plots, and "sheer cleverness in plotting" isn't something I've come to expect from the literary 007. It's all been very meat-and-potatoes, join-the-dots fare, and indeed I can't see how the plot I came up with a few posts ago would have disgraced a Gardner or Benson novel.

[Loomis]

What swill has IFP signed off on?

Well, certainly DEVIL MAY CARE.

The Moneypenny Diaries was also a poor idea and badly executed.

How so? There's been practically zero discussion of the Moneypenny novels even on hardcore Bond geek sites like this one, so I'm curious as to your views on them. I own only the first book but have never got round to reading it - every time I pick it up it strikes me as pretty impenetrable stuff, all concept and no story (I may, of course, be wrong).

[zencat]

Great interview with Deaver at HMSS.

http://hmssweblog.wo...jeffrey-deaver/

[Jeff007]

Great interview over at HMSS.

Just curious on these words from Deaver.

My Bond will be a veteran of Afghanistan. He was a soldier over there.

I'm just wondering if Bond will be in the Royal Marines or Royal Navy while serving in Afghanistan? Or possibly the Special Boat Service? We all know Fleming's Bond made it to the Naval Rank of Commander. This would make him a "sailor".

Now Deaver states that he was a "soldier" over there. Technically this means he is in the Army. Airmen would be Airforce. However, it is possible that he uses the term "solider" in just meaning he's a warrior fighting off the insurgency and it does sound weird to say, "He was a sailor over there" in a land locked country. Point of note is that there are many sailors from many nations in Afghanistan.

Just something that caught my eye.

[Jump James]

Solider, hmmmm, intresting. Don't we have a Navy anymore? Might take a bit of getting used to. Tank Bond....Dessert Rat Bond? Intresting.

[Jackanaples]

James Bond's rank of Commander in the Royal Navy has only ever been an honorary one, a cover if you like. He never served on a ship or boat and his wartime service was essentially as a commando. So if you're updating it, serving in Afghanistan is perfectly appropriate for him. I think Fleming wrote that Bond fought in France and Germany during WWII, though my memory may be faulty on this. Whatever he was doing in his wartime service, it was decidedly NOT naval.

Edited by Jackanaples, 18 April 2011 - 08:13 AM.

[Loomis]

Great interview with Deaver at HMSS.

http://hmssweblog.wo...jeffrey-deaver/

Very interesting. Thanks.

[Jump James]

I best read the Fleming books again. It's dented my pride.

[dlb007]

Great interview with Deaver at HMSS.

http://hmssweblog.wo...jeffrey-deaver/

Very interesting. Thanks.

I agree, very interesting. He seems to know his Bond. I have a feeling this might be the strongest continuation novel since 'Colonel Sun.'

[Matt_13]

Great interview.

[Jeff007]

James Bond's rank of Commander in the Royal Navy has only ever been an honorary one, a cover if you like. He never served on a ship or boat and his wartime service was essentially as a commando. So if you're updating it, serving in Afghanistan is perfectly appropriate for him. I think Fleming wrote that Bond fought in France and Germany during WWII, though my memory may be faulty on this. Whatever he was doing in his wartime service, it was decidedly NOT naval.

For tradition I hope Deaver will have him with a Naval Background. This doesn't mean that he had to of served on a ship. Many people in the RAF don't fly planes.

[zencat]

New trailer on the official site!

http://www.007carteblanche.co.uk/

[Jeff007]

Wow very cool!! Can't wait.

They were still holding the old cover btw.

[Jump James]

It reminded me of one of those videos you see on The Apprentice when they have to make a commercial to sell a product. I can see Sugar telling the team they are fired over this.

Edit: that came as cross as a touch aggressive, it wasn't that bad ;-)

Edited by Jump James, 19 April 2011 - 04:10 PM.

[TheREAL008]

I liked it. Will definitely be rewatching until the novel comes out.

I also hope there's more to come.

[Jump James]

Kudos to the feeling were watching some James Bond character that turns out to be a reader. Least it was done with a sense of humor.

[zencat]

Yeah, I think it's cool and clever. I was also able to grab this pretty bad-a** screen capture. Meet XBond.

Attached Files

•  cartebond .jpg   30.94KB   26 downloads

[Jump James]

True, it did have x-bond feeling to it. Birds alright also. I mean, I wouldn't say no.

[Matt_13]

Looks a bit like a younger Fleming Bond to me. Should be interesting reading about a Bond in the prime of his life. Only one month to go.