109 replies to this topic

[Vauxhall]

I'd expect BOND 25 to be a sequel to SPECTRE, in the same way SPECTRE is to SKYFALL, but I see little to no chance of a proper two-parter. So much can change between movies that it would be tempting fate, and these all work best as adventures that can standalone.

[SecretAgentFan]

Agreed.  And I don´t think that a two-parter is necessary.

 

Right now, it seems to be most sensible to have BOND 25 carry on with the open strands of SPECTRE, finishing Craig´s tenure.

[thecasinoroyale]

I just feel there is so much that could be continued because of the things that happen in 'SPECTRE' to warrant them saying Bond 25 is a sequel to this, much like they said 'QOS' was to 'CR' picking up events.

 

It's the 'SSS' trilogy - 'Skyfall', 'SPECTRE' and then hopefully another beginning with S to really bring this journey to a close and some resolve for Craig's Bond, because things certainly aren't over I think in one way or another at the end of this film for certain people.

[Surrie]

I'm going to see SPECTRE again tonight so will probably be able to make a more informed opinion after that. But, after watching it the first time my instant reaction was that they would leave Craigs bond there. Even though there are few things that could benefit from being tied up completely in an additional film, I felt as though they rounded the finish of SPECTRE off in a way that was similar to Brosnan's era films. 

[Guy Haines]

If by "two parter" we mean back to back filming - its not going to happen, is it? Daniel Craig has made it clear he doesn't want to jump back into Bond right now - emphasis on the words "right now".

But a sequel to SPECTRE is entirely possible. It would round everything off in Craig's (presumed?) final movie. I have concerns about it which I'll detail below and I repeat for it to work it would depend on

Spoiler

Quite a few of the SPECTRE cast being available to appear in the next movie.

My concerns, and I'll be surprised if I'm alone on this, is that the end of SPECTRE might set up another movie with a "personal" angle. Our hero and his lady survive and go off into the sunset,apperently "an item" as they say. But our villain is still around. It's not rocket science to guess what could happen next - it's a road that's been traveled by Bond before.

And as for Bond finally finding happiness and normality in life - that thing Moneypenny suggests he tries at one point! - well to borrow a line from a favourite political thriller of mine; "But of course it was not to be. The road chosen by James Bond must be traveled to the end."

[thecasinoroyale]

Surrie, enjoy it again! When you do, watch....

 

Spoiler

...the looks that Blofeld gives Bond and Swann on the bridge in the finale, and it makes me think he's already counting on something happening with SPECTRE to destroy them both. The camera lingers on his face too much for it to simply be a shot meaning nothing. That made me think it's not over, for sure.

[Surrie]

Surrie, enjoy it again! When you do, watch....

 

Spoiler

...the looks that Blofeld gives Bond and Swann on the bridge in the finale, and it makes me think he's already counting on something happening with SPECTRE to destroy them both. The camera lingers on his face too much for it to simply be a shot meaning nothing. That made me think it's not over, for sure.

 

I'll be sure to watch out for that! 

[Harmsway]

With the next film being Craig's last, it will almost certainly follow on from Spectre.

[sharpshooter]

I think it has to.

Spoiler

Blofeld simply just doesn't become imprisoned and that's that, IMO. He may be incapacitated for some time, but not forever. I'd be wanting him broken out by his men. And I think Swann should be returning as well. Bond clearly has deeper feelings for her and that should be explored, IMO.

[Vauxhall]

The one stipulation I'd make is:

Spoiler

It has to be Waltz in BOND 25. Casting another actor in the role just wouldn't work for me, although I know that was what they did in the past.

[sharpshooter]

The one stipulation I'd make is:

Spoiler

It has to be Waltz in BOND 25. Casting another actor in the role just wouldn't work for me, although I know that was what they did in the past.

Absolutely.

[Surrie]

 

The one stipulation I'd make is:

Spoiler

It has to be Waltz in BOND 25. Casting another actor in the role just wouldn't work for me, although I know that was what they did in the past.

Absolutely.

 

Agreed.

Edited by Surrie, 30 October 2015 - 01:57 PM.

[thecasinoroyale]

If they waste an actor and character, then I'll lose faith in their direction altogether.

[Guy Haines]

I absolutely agree with the above about the next villain, regarding casting. Whether it will happen remains to be seen. Call my a cynic ("A cynic is what an idealist calls a realist" - copyright, Sir Humphrey Appleby, Yes Minister) but;

 

Spoiler

The injury sustained by ESB in the film is not only a nod to something very similar that scarred another ESB in another place, but provides the perfect "excuse" to cast a new man in the part if Waltz is not available in two or three years time. ESB is sprung from clink by SPECTRE - we still have people everywhere, including the British Prison Service! - goes on the run, realises he has to change his appearance, if not his name, and I think you can guess the rest. Plus, it fits in with what happened when we the readers first encountered ESB in the books - his appearance in Thunderball had radically changed by the time we caught up with "the Comte" in OHMSS. I really hope Christoph Waltz returns in the role - he's left us wanting more - but I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't, and if so the "excuse" from the Fleming source material - "we're being true to Ian Fleming, just check out what he wrote about Blofeld" - is available and would justify casting a new man in the role.

[Harmsway]

I'm reasonably sure that Waltz is already contracted for another one.

[Vauxhall]

I'm reasonably sure that Waltz is already contracted for another one.

That would be sweet.

[SecretAgentFan]

It would not make sense to re-cast, IMO.  I only wonder how they will deal with... his looks.

 

Maybe a slight cosmetic altering?

[Guy Haines]

It would not make sense to re-cast, IMO.  I only wonder how they will deal with... his looks.
 
Maybe a slight cosmetic altering?

Spoiler

His wounds will heal - he said so himself! I don't think they will completely and he's more mentally scarred than ever now - in the previous three films he's hurt Bond, indirectly, but here Bond has directly damaged him all round. If we go the sequel route it does set up an "it's personal' angle on both sides. And I hope Waltz is cast in it. And Lea Seydoux - I don't see it working without them. But I wouldn't be surprised if, in the event Waltz is unavailable or doesn't want to return, that the plastic surgery excuse is used to introduce another actor as Blofeld.

[SecretAgentFan]

 

It would not make sense to re-cast, IMO.  I only wonder how they will deal with... his looks.
 
Maybe a slight cosmetic altering?

Spoiler

His wounds will heal - he said so himself! I don't think they will completely and he's more mentally scarred than ever now - in the previous three films he's hurt Bond, indirectly, but here Bond has directly damaged him all round. If we go the sequel route it does set up an "it's personal' angle on both sides. And I hope Waltz is cast in it. And Lea Seydoux - I don't see it working without them. But I wouldn't be surprised if, in the event Waltz is unavailable or doesn't want to return, that the plastic surgery excuse is used to introduce another actor as Blofeld.

 

 

I would be very surprised if EON had 

Spoiler

contracted Waltz without the option to continue

.

[Guy Haines]

Something occurred to me just now about Bond 25 if we go the "Garden of Death" route;

Spoiler

possible now in light of the new movie. I'm thinking about the end.

Bond defeats villain but as in the book is himself injured. The Craig films have all been about James Bond the person - even SPECTRE which on the surface is a more traditional, classic film.

We know what happens at the end of the book YOLT. I can just envisage a final scene in which Bond is saved, and his rescuers ask his name - and all he can say is "I don't know? Who am I?"

I hope I'm wrong, but it's just the kind of ending we might get if the film makers, having spent over a decade "exploring Bond's psyche" might spring on us - we've spent all that time learning about who Bond is, but in the end even he doesn't know!

[Harmsway]

Something occurred to me just now about Bond 25 if we go the "Garden of Death" route;

Spoiler

possible now in light of the new movie. I'm thinking about the end.

Bond defeats villain but as in the book is himself injured. The Craig films have all been about James Bond the person - even SPECTRE which on the surface is a more traditional, classic film.

We know what happens at the end of the book YOLT. I can just envisage a final scene in which Bond is saved, and his rescuers ask his name - and all he can say is "I don't know? Who am I?"

I hope I'm wrong, but it's just the kind of ending we might get if the film makers, having spent over a decade "exploring Bond's psyche" might spring on us - we've spent all that time learning about who Bond is, but in the end even he doesn't know!

It would be a fitting finale for CraigBond. And it would also allow for

Spoiler

Madeleine to remain alive, believing that she has lost Bond.

[Guy Haines]

Something occurred to me just now about Bond 25 if we go the "Garden of Death" route;

Spoiler

possible now in light of the new movie. I'm thinking about the end.
Bond defeats villain but as in the book is himself injured. The Craig films have all been about James Bond the person - even SPECTRE which on the surface is a more traditional, classic film.
We know what happens at the end of the book YOLT. I can just envisage a final scene in which Bond is saved, and his rescuers ask his name - and all he can say is "I don't know? Who am I?"
I hope I'm wrong, but it's just the kind of ending we might get if the film makers, having spent over a decade "exploring Bond's psyche" might spring on us - we've spent all that time learning about who Bond is, but in the end even he doesn't know!

It would be a fitting finale for CraigBond. And it would also allow for

Spoiler

Madeleine to remain alive, believing that she has lost Bond.

Assuming the next movie;

Spoiler

leaves Madeleine alive - which I would prefer. Bond called out of, if not retirement then, 'career change" - return to Royal Navy, for instance, or something completely different? - to battle "that man again" but on the basis that he's at large, not the "once more it's personal" line. Madeleine parts from Bond - he can't let go of his former life. She might become the victim of ESB, but not via assassination - what if he turns her against Bond? Worse than losing her for good, and he'd have to work overtime to win her back. At the end of which, as you say.....

[Harmsway]

Well, I have a treatment I sketched out on my free time, and it starts like this:

Spoiler

Bond and Madeleine are traveling, the way Bond and Vesper intended to do, and they've essentially gone off the grid for a few months.

The PTS finds them celebrating on the French Riviera when an assassin interrupts their romantic reverie. Bond kills the assassin. Shortly after the encounter, Bond finds that MI6 has frantically been trying to get in touch with him: Blofeld escaped containment in the Falklands, and Bond and Madeleine are now the target of a manhunt thanks to an enormous bounty placed on their heads by Blofeld.

[Guy Haines]

Well, I have a treatment I sketched out on my free time, and it starts like this:

Spoiler

Bond and Madeleine are traveling, the way Bond and Vesper intended to do, and they've essentially gone off the grid for a few months.
The PTS finds them celebrating on the French Riviera when an assassin interrupts their romantic reverie. Bond kills the assassin. Shortly after the encounter, Bond finds that MI6 has frantically been trying to get in touch with him: Blofeld escaped containment in the Falklands, and Bond and Madeleine are now the target of a manhunt thanks to an enormous bounty placed on their heads by Blofeld.

Good start, Harmsway.

Spoiler

I hope if we do have a Bond-v-Blofeld grudge match it doesn't involve the death of Madeleine, because it's too obvious and it's been done before. Your idea of them both having to fight ESB sounds good. Could end with the ultimate wrench - Blofeld defeated but Bond can't leave his former life behind and Madeleine can't live with him because of it.

[SecretAgentFan]

The question is: will another Bond film with the same Bond girl work?  Wouldn´t it be too much of a "romantic couple on the run"-story?

 

I could also imagine Bond returning to the service after parting ways with Madeleine and securing her (maybe with Felix´ help again) - because he rather wants to know he kept the woman he loves safe than risking to live with her and see her be killed.

[sharpshooter]

I haven't really considered it, mainly with all the possible allusions to OHMSS. But could they go the Trigger Mortis route? Bond has been living with Madeleine for some time, but he eventually tires of the 'domestic' life. The two become involved in another adventure, but mutually agree it's time to move on. Ideally, I've come to the conclusion I'd prefer Madeleine to live. There's other ways her and Bond can part. 

[solace]

OHMSS wasn't followed on correctly. The potential is there for a wedding with Bond and wife on route to honeymoon when newly escaped SPECTRE baddy (you know who) escapes shots and kills wife. The film is then the you only live twice reboot as per the Book.

Thoughts?

[Guy Haines]

I haven't really considered it, mainly with all the possible allusions to OHMSS. But could they go the Trigger Mortis route? Bond has been living with Madeleine for some time, but he eventually tires of the 'domestic' life. The two become involved in another adventure, but mutually agree it's time to move on. Ideally, I've come to the conclusion I'd prefer Madeleine to live. There's other ways her and Bond can part.

I agree.

Spoiler

The Tracy/Vesper route has been done. Bond losing Madeleine to a bullet from Blofeld is too obvious. Bond losing her because he can't escape his way of life might be worse for him. The knowledge that, unless he gives up his career he can never live a normal life - but he can never live a normal life because he can't give up his career.

The question is: will another Bond film with the same Bond girl work?  Wouldn´t it be too much of a "romantic couple on the run"-story?
 
I could also imagine Bond returning to the service after parting ways with Madeleine and securing her (maybe with Felix´ help again) - because he rather wants to know he kept the woman he loves safe than risking to live with her and see her be killed.

Spoiler

The safe house/witness programme route could also work. Again, a wrench for Bond, but if he's forced to face Blofeld again, would he want to risk Madeleine? He's lost a lady love before.

[solace]

maybe she dies but doesn't if you get my drift. She goes into witness protection aka Mission impossible type of setup

[Harmsway]

Well, I have a treatment I sketched out on my free time, and it starts like this:

Spoiler

Bond and Madeleine are traveling, the way Bond and Vesper intended to do, and they've essentially gone off the grid for a few months.
The PTS finds them celebrating on the French Riviera when an assassin interrupts their romantic reverie. Bond kills the assassin. Shortly after the encounter, Bond finds that MI6 has frantically been trying to get in touch with him: Blofeld escaped containment in the Falklands, and Bond and Madeleine are now the target of a manhunt thanks to an enormous bounty placed on their heads by Blofeld.

Good start, Harmsway.

Spoiler

I hope if we do have a Bond-v-Blofeld grudge match it doesn't involve the death of Madeleine, because it's too obvious and it's been done before. Your idea of them both having to fight ESB sounds good. Could end with the ultimate wrench - Blofeld defeated but Bond can't leave his former life behind and Madeleine can't live with him because of it.

I'd prefer it if

Spoiler

Bond leaves Madeleine, knowing she'll never be safe with him, and goes off to end things once and for all (perhaps, knowing she'd never leave him willingly, he departs secretly after bringing her to a safe place of some kind).

Perhaps, if it ends with Bond's presumed death, Madeleine greets the news with tears. Meanwhile, Bond awakes on a beach with no memory of his life, finally free of his cursed life.