25 replies to this topic

[Hank Scorpio]

I've been reading the threads below and possible plots for Bond 21. A lot of people have been disussing various elements from the recent novels to be included. This leads me to my question. If you were writing the next Bond film and you were going to adapt it from a previous novel..Which one would you choose and why? I know a lot of people are going to say Casino Royale or Colonel Sun, but I want to try to focus on the Gardner/Benson era because of the modern spin those Bond books have in them. My choice:


THE FACTS OF DEATH by Raymond Benson (some spoilers)



Bond returns to his roots in many ways. There is the huge terrorist organization out for world destruction. Great gadgets, strong women, and exotic locations we haven't seen in a Bond film in years (Japan, Texas, Greece)
It is a epic "fantasy bond" plot: Evil organization, The Decada, is led by rich meglomanic who plot is to start a war between Greece and Turkey over Cypus but then a twist reveals the real plot to unleash a virus to kill half the world's population. This includes somehing we haven't seen in a bOnd film in years the "Big Army" fight. Hundreds of good guys and bad guys fighting the villians lair during the explosive climax.

But this is also a "realistic bond: plot too...
Biological viral warfare is in the news everyday as a possible threat.
The stunts and gagets are not in the realm of ridiculous
The return of a wheelchair bound Felix Leiter
great Bond Characterization..

The only thing I would change is the title. Though I like it, I still feel Bronson needs a "Villian's Name" title. He hasn't had one yet.

You can change the name of the books main villian, Romanus, to either Shatterhand or Scorpius. I like Scorpius, it remains Greek and sinister. But people might get it confused with the Gardner novel. Great name...ok book. I'm sure there are other sinister sounding Villian names they can come up with, but I love the plot of The Facts of Death.

What are your Choices??

[SeanValen00V]

Terrorism I don't think Bond will cover, or much anyone, too real for some, and people want escapism from that, then again be good to see Bond overcome them, but its maybe too touchy story to risk Bond for, we don;t know if there be any more attacks around when Bond 21 opens, so don't think studio will take risks on that. Would of been good before September 11th 2001 though.



I like Never Dream of Dying, wonderful title, would make a great song as well, just feel it from the title.

I have not read the books, just briefly know somethings about them.

[kevrichardson]

the novel For Special Services would make a great Bond movie, the reason it's Gardner's best and it part of his SPECTRE trilogy. the book deals rather neatly with the return of SPECTRE and Blofled in the form of his daughter. IT his a Personal motive for revenage on the part of both character,and it has a direct link to Fleming's original characters.

[SeanValen00V]

Special Services sounds cool, although I heard Mclory/Kevin has the rights to Blofled, maybe adapt the book with updated contempory names and villians.

[kevrichardson]

all of that has been settle with the end of the lawsuits between Sony and EON/MGM . the rights to every now belong to EON/MGM. Mcclory has no right to any thing with regards to James Bond. it is a question for if the Gardner/BOnd book have ever been option for film right. i believe that has alway been a question. the Gardner book have alway been written as if they can be adpated for film, For Special Services is about the best of the lot ,with avery good plot. the use of SPECTRE AND A NEW BLOFELD WORKED VERY WELL IN THE NOVEL. I am stii of the mind that Casino Royale, would better since it would be fresh take on original source material, i.e. Ina Fleming's first novel. the problem too me is a question of good screenwritters,and Director. Bronsan relly want to do it. cast would be easy and since it is centered in Europe, primarily ,UK,France, the budget would not be that much, also it would be more of a period piece, like FRWL,Dr.No.

[Adam]

I agree w/ using The Facts of Death. There were like 6 main villains in that novel, and each was pretty cool...plus there were a lot of twists. I said this earlier, but I think another Mediterranean themed movie is in order...this would provide that

[Hank Scorpio]

I forgot about the group "The Suppliers" that Bond encounters in the USA in The Facts of Death. Big action sequence in the middle of the book. Felix and Bond attack a Militia compound. This is a very cinematic book.

[Carver]

I think that they should start maiing Gardener and Benson books into films, starting with Gardeners novels. I'll always stick with Never Dream Of Dying as my choice for Bond21, as it is a perfect example of a Bond story. Everything fits, and we have the right actors/actresses today. For example, maybe Catherine Zeta Jones could play Tylyn, while Robert Redford or someone like him could play Draco. This is definatly the best Bond book I have ever read, and for the Bond fans who haven't even heard of Benson and Gardener (like my friends at school), it could be a real treat:).

[belvedere]

Casino Royale should be Bond 21. You can cast Catherine Zeta-Jones as Vesper, Anthony Hopkins as Le Chiffre, and Jean Reno as Mathis (don't think star power helps? Go check how much DAD has grossed, it's not all due to Brosnan and 007).

But to stick to the thread, I would choose Icebreaker (Gardner's best book, great title, and you would use Scandinavia as a locale which has not been done yet). From Benson, High Time to Kill - although it is sort of a Bond meets the Eiger Sanction, it would make a great movie.

[freemo]

How about Nobody Lives Forever ? There'd be a few things they'd have to change, but I like the idea of Bond being headhunted, it's something a little different.

Licence Renewed, but with a different title (better bring back up that alternative title thread) would work well too I think.

[JackChase007]

Originally posted by belvedere
Casino Royale should be Bond 21.  You can cast Catherine Zeta-Jones as Vesper, Anthony Hopkins as Le Chiffre, and Jean Reno as Mathis (don't think star power helps?

That's funny - I've been coming up with ideas for a Casino Royale movie, and you've just named people in my "dream cast". I never had Vesper cast (Zeta-Jones might do fine), but I definately thought of Hopkins for Le Chiffre, or if possible, Alan Rickman. I immediately knew that Jean Reno should be Mathis - he's such an excellent actor. I thought Willem Dafoe would make a great Felix Leiter as well. Good call!

[daman3755]

I agree with Nobody Lives Forever. The idea of the Head Hunt and how SPECTRE has put a price on James Bond's head, ooh, the novel is delicious. Yes, some of the aspects would have to be changed, but it would be a great actioneer.

Though, I'd rather stick with Casino Royale for Bond 21, then start with the novels in 2007 with the new Bond actor at the helm. And for the first movie? Start with Gardner's first with For Special Services. Ooh it'd be perfect.

[belvedere]

JackChase - good thought on Dafoe, that would be interesting.

Daman - For Special Services reads well, but I'm not sure about it as a movie (have to make the locations more sexy - Texas isn't going to pack them into a theater like Iceland will!)

[SeanValen00V]

http://007art.free.f...es/alternat.htm

Zeta Jones features on two alternative Bond posters:
The Property of a Lady
and
By Respect for Crown

And William Defoe features on the
Smiert Spionam poster


I love these posters, printed them all out, great

[belvedere]

And Property of a Lady has Anthony Hopkins, too. Anyone have EON's address? I think we are on to something!

[ChandlerBing]

Scorpius was always a nice one. I am scared of snakes, and that scene there really got me good.

[rafterman]

not one book, but bits from each book, they could just mine them for the best ideas, I'd be more interested in this than strict adaptations...

[jim74454]

I'd say FOR SPECIAL SERVICES but instead of setting it in Texas, maybe Africa or Latin America? That airplane scene in the begining HAS to become at least a pre-title sequence for one of the movies.

[JackChase007]

I think that Benson's "Union" trilogy has screen potential - of course some of the things need to be reworked, but nonetheless, it could provide for some entertaining films. I would especially love to see DoubleShot be turned into a movie.

[freemo]

not one book, but bits from each book, they could just mine them for the best ideas, I'd be more interested in this than strict adaptations...

Yeah, I couldn't imagine strict adaptions, just maybe the basic plot and character names, not unlike many of the films "based" on Fleming novels.

[JackChase007]

That sounds more realistic to me, as something EON would do. Personally, I think they should throw in a combination of:
1) Gala Brand (even have Bond NOT end up with her to throw the audience off).
2) Give Bond amnesia at the end somehow.
3) In the beginning of the next movie, have Bond try to assassinate M.

I've been lobbying for this for years.

[zencat]

James Bond meets Cliffhanger = High Time to Kill. This would make a great Bond 21 I think.

James Bond in the world of showbiz = Never Dream of Dying. This also could be adapted into an awsome Bond 21.

For more, I made a list on Amazon. Check it out: James Bond Books That Should Be Films

[JimmyBond]

Havent read enough of either Gardner or Benson to pick what novels would make great films, although Gardners "Death is Forever" was a great read, and would make a great espionage thriller.

Though, would they change the beginning?

Maybe "Pierce Brosnan is Ian Fleming's James Bond 007 IN John Gardners....."

A bit wordy eh?

[zencat]

Originally posted by JimmyBond
Havent read enough of either Gardner or Benson to pick what novels would make great films, although Gardners "Death is Forever" was a great read, and would make a great espionage thriller.  

Though, would they change the beginning?

Maybe "Pierce Brosnan is Ian Fleming's James Bond 007 IN John Gardners....."

A bit wordy eh?

Oh, it would be better than that. Try: "Pierce Brosnan is Ian's Fleming's James Bond in Albert R. Broccoli's Eon Productions of John Gardner's NOBODY LIVES FOREVER by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade. A film by Lee Tamahori."

[JackChase007]

Well, wouldn't it go something like:
Albert R. Broccoli's EON Productions Presents
Pierce Brosnan
as
Ian Fleming's
James Bond 007
in
John Gardner's
DEATH IS FOREVER

Wordy indeed.

[jamie wilkins]

NOBODY LIVES FOREVER would be my pick, the producers could put as many set pieces as they want and make it into a truley globetrotting adventure. The film could also be called HEADHUNT if they wanted. Changes could be made to locations and Bonds car could be the latest Aston Martin and if Eon dont want to handle spectre they could drag a past villain, who survived at the end of a previous film and is terminally ill from what bond has done to them wanting revenge. Christopher Lee or any past bond villain could be used to play the bed bound main villain.
I think the idea that someone has put a reward for bonds head would be a great story and make a very good film.