Depends on how many films they pump out during a timespan. If Craig hangs around for another film, he could beat Moore's record of 12 years. While that will take him to five films, I don't think Moore should've stopped at five (FYEO) for any other reason other than his age. Even then, he still could've done OP as a great swan-song film (which happens to be AVTAK anyway -{ )
Boredom/age/popularity are the only limits to a Bond actor IMO. Brosnan could still be Bond if he didn't have to be young {[]
Brosnan didn't even have to be younger when he was let go. It was just an excuse to get rid of him. But as much as I like the guy, he's too old now to be Bond.
Brosnan didn't even have to be younger when he was let go. It was just an excuse to get rid of him. But as much as I like the guy, he's too old now to be Bond.
Agreed, 100%. He was younger than Moore and Connery at that point and could easily have done another film or more.
Brosnan didn't even have to be younger when he was let go. It was just an excuse to get rid of him. But as much as I like the guy, he's too old now to be Bond.
Agreed, 100%. He was younger than Moore and Connery at that point and could easily have done another film or more.
It's largely due to Die Another Day's poor reputation overall, his age was a minor issue but how his swan song turned out gave him more of a reason to retire sooner.
I think they might've struggled to go in a different direction (CR) with a Bond who was well entrenched in a certain formula/style. They needed Craig to help pull it off.
Gosh I wonder what would have happened if Timothy Dalton had done 'The Property Of A Lady' in 1991, and possibly a 1993 swan song? He would have done four films, and I am sure his third would have been amazing. It's a shame that that never happened, but if it did, would there have been a Goldeneye in 1995? Or would Timothy Dalton have done GE in 1993 as his final performance?
I agree that five is the optimal number, although TB would have been a better swan song for Connery. FYEO or OP would have been great swan songs for Moore. Dalton deserved another two or three films, and Brosnan deserved another film as well. I think Craig left on a high point though.
I feel like it would be awfully boring if each actor did a strict 5 films before leaving to be honest. I'd say keep going until the actor wants to leave or if the Bond series needs another 'shake-up'.
As far as getting too old, I feel like there is room for an older Bond, however they would just need to play their cards right. I really like the idea of AVTAK being about this older, wiser dude who's on his final mission.
“The scent and smoke and sweat of a casino are nauseating at three in the morning. "
-Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
He hasn't left yet!
I think he's coming back in all honesty.
“The scent and smoke and sweat of a casino are nauseating at three in the morning. "
-Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,990Quartermasters
Five pictures would seem to be pretty much a maximum at this point, given a three-year average turnaround between films and the new threshold for how physically involved the lead actor is required to be.
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,990Quartermasters
I do agree that DAD has a poor reputation, but Brosnan's performance in the film was just fine- he shouldn't carry the can.
Agreed; I've always enjoyed his performance there, and rate his work in the first half to be among his best ever {[]
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
4 to 6 is a good range, though I'll admit if I like the Bond, keep going as long as he is interested. I would be very sad to lose any of the 7 Moore entries.
The other consideration is the gap between films. I'd like Bond to be in the role for 7-10 years to have time for his Bond to establish himself, evolve, and age with the times. These days that is only 3-4 films, where it use to be 5-6. I really hope they return to 2-3 years or at the very least show consistency in 3 year gaps. 4 years is just too long!
I think 3 is ideal. First is a learning curve, second is getting the hang of it, third is peak performance. By 4 boredom and familiarity are the risk, by 5 it's getting stale.
Of that of which we cannot speak we must pass over in silence- Ludwig Wittgenstein.
I really like the idea of AVTAK being about this older, wiser dude who's on his final mission.
I love this idea too. It would have been the perfect nod to fans.
In this vein, the Ultimate Edition of the AVTAK DVD has a cut scene where M bails Bond out of jail after his arrest in France. The prison officer goes through Bond's gadgets from previous films, giving us a hint that this is still the same character from as far back as Dr No. It's a nice bit of fun and it's a shame it was cut from the final film because it really adds to the "older" agent feel.
I feel Barry's score, especially the sad chords in the last scene, add to the tone of finality of the film, informing the audience that AVTAK was the end of an era.
I think 3 is ideal. First is a learning curve, second is getting the hang of it, third is peak performance. By 4 boredom and familiarity are the risk, by 5 it's getting stale.
It depends.
This certainly holds true for Connery - after Goldfinger, his films, and performance, went down hill.
Although TSWLM is arguably Moore's best performance as Bond, many of the following films were still fun-filled adventures with great performances. While he perhaps looked too old to be believable in OP and AVTAK, especially in the latter because of the cringe-worthy gap between the age of Bond and the ladies, he still put in good performances.
It's hard to say with Dalton because he only did two films. I preferred his performance in TLD but he's still on form, if a little rougher, in LTK.
Brosnan only got better with each film. He was even on fine form in DAD, despite what many think of the film. I think he could easily have done another without overstaying his welcome.
Craig delivered great performances throughout his run and if he had done a fifth film, I think it would have rounded out his tenure nicely.
Comments
Brosnan didn't even have to be younger when he was let go. It was just an excuse to get rid of him. But as much as I like the guy, he's too old now to be Bond.
Agreed, 100%. He was younger than Moore and Connery at that point and could easily have done another film or more.
It's largely due to Die Another Day's poor reputation overall, his age was a minor issue but how his swan song turned out gave him more of a reason to retire sooner.
1. Dalton 2. Moore 3. Connery 4. Craig 5. Lazenby 6. Brosnan
"Better make that two."
1. Dalton 2. Moore 3. Connery 4. Craig 5. Lazenby 6. Brosnan
8. TSWLM 9. TMwtGG 10. AVtaK 11. SF 12. TND 13. LtK 14. NTtD
15. MR 16. LaLD 17. YOLT 18. GF 19. DN 20. SP 21. TWiNE
22. TB 23. DAD 24. QoS 25. DaF
As far as getting too old, I feel like there is room for an older Bond, however they would just need to play their cards right. I really like the idea of AVTAK being about this older, wiser dude who's on his final mission.
-Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
I think he's coming back in all honesty.
-Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Agreed; I've always enjoyed his performance there, and rate his work in the first half to be among his best ever {[]
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
The other consideration is the gap between films. I'd like Bond to be in the role for 7-10 years to have time for his Bond to establish himself, evolve, and age with the times. These days that is only 3-4 films, where it use to be 5-6. I really hope they return to 2-3 years or at the very least show consistency in 3 year gaps. 4 years is just too long!
In this vein, the Ultimate Edition of the AVTAK DVD has a cut scene where M bails Bond out of jail after his arrest in France. The prison officer goes through Bond's gadgets from previous films, giving us a hint that this is still the same character from as far back as Dr No. It's a nice bit of fun and it's a shame it was cut from the final film because it really adds to the "older" agent feel.
I feel Barry's score, especially the sad chords in the last scene, add to the tone of finality of the film, informing the audience that AVTAK was the end of an era.
8. TSWLM 9. TMwtGG 10. AVtaK 11. SF 12. TND 13. LtK 14. NTtD
15. MR 16. LaLD 17. YOLT 18. GF 19. DN 20. SP 21. TWiNE
22. TB 23. DAD 24. QoS 25. DaF
This certainly holds true for Connery - after Goldfinger, his films, and performance, went down hill.
Although TSWLM is arguably Moore's best performance as Bond, many of the following films were still fun-filled adventures with great performances. While he perhaps looked too old to be believable in OP and AVTAK, especially in the latter because of the cringe-worthy gap between the age of Bond and the ladies, he still put in good performances.
It's hard to say with Dalton because he only did two films. I preferred his performance in TLD but he's still on form, if a little rougher, in LTK.
Brosnan only got better with each film. He was even on fine form in DAD, despite what many think of the film. I think he could easily have done another without overstaying his welcome.
Craig delivered great performances throughout his run and if he had done a fifth film, I think it would have rounded out his tenure nicely.
8. TSWLM 9. TMwtGG 10. AVtaK 11. SF 12. TND 13. LtK 14. NTtD
15. MR 16. LaLD 17. YOLT 18. GF 19. DN 20. SP 21. TWiNE
22. TB 23. DAD 24. QoS 25. DaF
-Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
"You forgot the first rule of Mass Media Elliot! Give the people what they want!!!"
"I never miss..."
"Time to face gravity!"