Judi Dench leaving possibly

James Suzuki

Bond's loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost. -
heres a thought, maybe at the end of the film M, leaves after what ever mistake she did in her past, and we get a decent, male m for once instead of the female, Judi dench

Mr Martini

Or instead of the current M resigning, she's Assassinated. Or Bond is ordered to kill her from a "Higher Power"

Mr Beech

It is a commonly hammered out theory about Skyfall. Perhaps Dench's M farewell after all these rounds. The story we know of so far seems to leave her departure open as a possibility so far, but we still don't know enough to be sure.

007

Mr Martini wrote:

Or instead of the current M resigning, she's Assassinated. Or Bond is ordered to kill her from a "Higher Power"

I actually like that a lot.

Martin Aston

xboy614 wrote:

we get a decent, male m for once instead of the female, Judi dench

Whats wrong with having a female M?

JohnMasterson

I, for one, believe there's nothing wrong with having a female M, I just think a lot of people must be sick of seeing Dame Judi Dench now because she's been in every Bond film since GoldenEye!

The Domino Effect

I think Dench has been a superb M...and considering that we've had Rimington and Manningham-Buller as real-life Directors General of MI5 in recent years, her employment has been consistent with reality. Ultimately, I like a strong character portrayed by a strong actor, and in Dench we have both. I am not opposed to a change, but wouldn't advocate one for the sake of change.

darenhat

I wouldn't be sad to see Dench go as M...I think I'm still chair of the Dench's M is Incompent committee. Every film she has been in, with the exception of TND, she comes across as someone who has no idea of what is actually going on in MI6 and is constantly having to clean up her own embarassing mistakes. If anyone is going assassinate her, it will probably be the PM.

Carter

It would be sad to see her go. This is just speculation based on nothing, but the minute I saw the black box that Harris' character holds here I thought: M's ashes. http://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/gallery/skyfall_london_dec2011a.php3?t=&s=articles&id=03025 "She wanted you to have this"

Mr Martini

Mr Martini wrote:

Or instead of the current M resigning, she's Assassinated. Or Bond is ordered to kill her from a "Higher Power"

I'm still trying to piece things together in my mind. If Judi Dench is done with the Bond franchise, who will replace her? I'm wondering if that's where Ralph Fiennes comes into the picture. He's seems a tad to young to be in the position of M (early 50's), but then again, with the future films he'll age. I'm just wondering if Fiennes would be that committed to the role.

Blackleiter

I'm with you, friend. That remark about replacing Dench with a "decent male for once, instead of a female" doesn't sit well with me.

The Domino Effect wrote:

I think Dench has been a superb M...and considering that we've had Rimington and Manningham-Buller as real-life Directors General of MI5 in recent years, her employment has been consistent with reality. Ultimately, I like a strong character portrayed by a strong actor, and in Dench we have both. I am not opposed to a change, but wouldn't advocate one for the sake of change.

GaddGeneGadd

The handle "Xboy" seems accurate in this instance. I think Dame Judy Dench has been a very good M ( far better than Robert Browns version of M ) She has served the franchise well and I will always hold her tenure on the Bond films with high esteem.

Lexi

Mr Martini wrote:

Or instead of the current M resigning, she's Assassinated. Or Bond is ordered to kill her from a "Higher Power"

I think Loeff has been championing this idea for a good while now..... (although I don't want Judy to leave) I do think this will be her last movie... and I can't see her simply resigning - having her assassinated would be a great twist and add to Craig’s angst (with Vesper)

Lancaster

Gender not really the issue in my view - retaining all marbles for the role more important (as a character - I'm not saying Dame Judy is losing it)!

I think a spectacular demise might be appropriate - maybe a trade for Bond if the plot permits...

Loeffelholz

Lexi wrote:

Mr Martini wrote:

Or instead of the current M resigning, she's Assassinated. Or Bond is ordered to kill her from a "Higher Power"

I think Loeff has been championing this idea for a good while now..... (although I don't want Judy to leave) I do think this will be her last movie... and I can't see her simply resigning - having her assassinated would be a great twist and add to Craig’s angst (with Vesper)

I have indeed been on the forefront of the 'Assassinate Dench's M' movement:

http://www.ajb007.co.uk/topic/30362/denchs-m-must-die/

James Suzuki

That would be quite cool. Bond and M are talking and suddenly Bond sees a red isght on M. But its too late, she shot, and she drops to the ground. And then Bond sees a figure running of in the distance...

jetsetwilly

I'm of the school that prefers a Bond film to be an entity of itself. Robert Brown (and, arguably, Bernard Lee) was simply replaced. I like the idea that there is stuff happening between Bond movies and it just happens - I don't feel the need to be spoon fed every development or change in personnel. If Judi Dench finishes with Skyfall, I'd rather she just didn't appear again, instead of there being a "passing of the torch".

Lady Rose

jetsetwilly wrote:

I'm of the school that prefers a Bond film to be an entity of itself. Robert Brown (and, arguably, Bernard Lee) was simply replaced. I like the idea that there is stuff happening between Bond movies and it just happens - I don't feel the need to be spoon fed every development or change in personnel. If Judi Dench finishes with Skyfall, I'd rather she just didn't appear again, instead of there being a "passing of the torch".

I'm with you jetset and darenhat. I think M's role has become far too involved and expanded during the Dench years. I would like a return to a more traditional M ( male or female, I dont care). I like the idea of things just happening in the background. Not everything has to be explained. Bond just changes, so should M.

Martin Aston

Unless his role has been confirmed elsewhere I still think Albert Finney is poised to take over the role of "M"

DEFIANT 74205

Martin Aston wrote:

Whats wrong with having a female M?

Because in Fleming's books, M was a man. An old man, a Navy veteran, grey hair and a weathered face. His name is Sir Miles Messervy.

Yes, I'm a purist. I'd prefer Bond films to be as close as possible to being an exact reproduction of the novels, and I'd prefer actors who are playing the role of Bond characters to look somewhat like the character that Fleming described. Regardless of how good an actor Dame Judi Dench is - and I've got to admit, she's a fine actor - she is most definitely not the 'M' that Fleming described.

jasper_lamar_crabb

Martin Aston wrote:

Unless his role has been confirmed elsewhere I still think Albert Finney is poised to take over the role of "M"

Finney is too old to take the role of M, and has been in poor health recently.

Martin Aston

DEFIANT 74205 wrote:

Martin Aston wrote:

Whats wrong with having a female M?

Because in Fleming's books, M was a man. An old man, a Navy veteran, grey hair and a weathered face. His name is Sir Miles Messervy.

Yes, I'm a purist. I'd prefer Bond films to be as close as possible to being an exact reproduction of the novels, and I'd prefer actors who are playing the role of Bond characters to look somewhat like the character that Fleming described. Regardless of how good an actor Dame Judi Dench is - and I've got to admit, she's a fine actor - she is most definitely not the 'M' that Fleming described.

Well if you go with that theory then you would also want DC replaced as Bond as he is nothing like the Bond in the books, you would also want the Bond timeline to be in the 50's which wouldn't work. The reason tthe series has lasted is because it adapts and changes to reflect the times we live in. If the screen Bond and the people around him were the same as in the books then you have to ask the question would we still be getting ready for Bond 23? I don't think we would.

Jedi Master

DEFIANT 74205 wrote:

Yes, I'm a purist. I'd prefer Bond films to be as close as possible to being an exact reproduction of the novels, and I'd prefer actors who are playing the role of Bond characters to look somewhat like the character that Fleming described.

To you I, first of all, say what he said:

Martin Aston wrote:

Well if you go with that theory then you would also want DC replaced as Bond as he is nothing like the Bond in the books, you would also want the Bond timeline to be in the 50's which wouldn't work. The reason the series has lasted is because it adapts and changes to reflect the times we live in.

The movies have always been different from the books, and that's a good thing because (as Martin rightly points out) they have lasted years and years! I don't think purism ever accomplished anything in any context, change is where it's at!!

Mr Martini

jasper_lamar_crabb wrote:

Martin Aston wrote:

Unless his role has been confirmed elsewhere I still think Albert Finney is poised to take over the role of "M"

Finney is too old to take the role of M, and has been in poor health recently.

I'm sticking by my theory that Albert Finney will play M's husband. If he's not M's husband, perhaps he'll play the Prime Minister.

DEFIANT 74205

Martin Aston wrote:

Well if you go with that theory then you would also want DC replaced as Bond as he is nothing like the Bond in the books, you would also want the Bond timeline to be in the 50's which wouldn't work. The reason tthe series has lasted is because it adapts and changes to reflect the times we live in. If the screen Bond and the people around him were the same as in the books then you have to ask the question would we still be getting ready for Bond 23? I don't think we would.

Not quite.

You're right that I didn't much like Craig when it was announced that he would be James Bond, but his performances so far has been nothing short of exemplary. Nonetheless, I would still prefer an actor that actually looked like James Bond to play the role, however good Craig's performance has been.

I don't mind change if it's for the better. Advancements in time bring new cars, new toys and a new look to MI6 headquarters. I don't mind that. What I do mind is when producers think they have a free licence to re-write Fleming's characters any way they see fit. I wouldn't have a problem with them introducing new characters, and new storylines. But Bond should be the same Bond as in the Fleming novels. Likewise, M should be the same, so should Leiter, and other recurring Bond characters that were created by Fleming. Changing M's gender is a 'change for change's sake' in my books, so it's time they changed M back to the person he is supposed to be.

Bond_James_Bond

Mr Martini wrote:

Albert Finney

I'm with Mr Martini on this one - i also think Albert Finney will play M's husband.

Ralph Fiennes will be the new M.

Wilde

The accountants have finally caught up with M and her expenses scandal, the 'evil queen of numbers' has been shut down. I mean, several Astons and various BM's, an account with all of the major clothiers on and off the row, single handedly propping up the air traffic defect, that's got to be a hanging offence in the eyes of white-hall!

Martin Aston

From the Secret 007 Yahoo group:


   Ralph Fiennes has finally revealed what kind of role he will be playing.  Previously, he has set the record straight he will not be petting a white cat. So that puts to rest the rumors of him playing "Blofeld".  Does it?

 Ralph Fiennes reveals he will be playing a "government official". However, he can not reveal the name of the character.

   Ralph Fiennes has enjoyed the James Bond novels, more than the movies he has seen.

 Fiennes said, "I used to be a complete nerd about the books and the detail in them. They are fantastic. There was Fleming's obsession with different kinds of champagne and caviar. He kind of fetishes these things."

  Now here is the surprising news.  Get out your handkerchief.

 According to an insider at EON Productions who revealed to MovieWeb:

 The movie, SKYFALL (2012), will be the final appearance of Judi Dench in the role as "M".
  The insider also says Ralph Fiennes will be taking over the role of "M".

    THIS HAS NOT BEEN CONFIRMED!

   Previously, Judi Dench, now 77, has said she wants to play "M for life.

   Last year, we have been hearing rumors that Ralph Fiennes was also playing a villain.
  Then, the role Fiennes would be playing was kept very quiet. Even the rumors that he was going to be a villain had been hushed.
  The attention was then focused on Javier Bardem as the main villain.

  Another rumor is Albert Finney would be playing M's boss.  Will Albert Finney play a role of someone from M's past?

  It was said a few years ago that Judi Dench was considering leaving the role of "M", but Barbara Broccoli talked her in to playing "M" once again.

  Aren't we all under the impression that Judi Dench loves playing the role of "M" and looks forward to it each time?   Why it's icing on the cake. It's the bubbles in the champagne  that tickle her nose.

  Whether their is any truth to what the insider says that MovieWeb has printed, remains to be seen.
  After all, the movie isn't nearly finished filming and has at leas five to six more months to go.  Anything can happen and, of course, changes can be made along the way as they have been doing already.

HowardB

Well if there is any truth to the plot rumors that the story concerns "skeletons from M's closet" severely testing Bond's trust in her then it wouldn't be surprising that "M" (even if ultimately found to be innocent) would be sullied enough to be fired or resign. Fiennes would certainly be an excellent choice to be the next "M". With regards to the other rumor that "Skyfall" concerns a race to find a downed communications satelite....who knows? The "M" being compromised angle could easily co-exist as a subplot with just about any other plotlines. I will say that I like the idea of "M" being replaced as a result of scandle better than her being assasinated and having to endure another 007 out for revenge scenario. Some political scandle would be good in a Bond film....a believable dose of reality for the series.

CmdrAtticus

I am also a fan who used to prefer that the films be as close to the novels and the characters as possible. Unfortunately, now that all the original Fleming novels have been done and there are only bits and pieces from some that have yet to be fitted into the series, and now that we're so far removed from the cold war era of the fifties (we now have millions of audiences who were not even born at the time), the relevance of Fleming's original stories and minor characters have dimmed significantly in relation to modern audiences. That's why the producers realized to keep Bond a current and viable series it would have to be rebooted and updated. They put Dench in Goldeneye to keep up with the times and the reality of women heading the services. I originally scoffed at the change at the time as well, but came to realize the change was inevitable. I've enjoyed her turn as M, but I agree that the characters role has been too enlarged in order to accomodate her star status. M is the second most important characters in Bond's world, but he still was always relegated to a background role in the novels. There were many times he was given significant page time, but that was because in the stories it took that amount of time for M to explain the mission, the background of the villain, or to have meetings with Bond and other officials that were involved (such as the meeting with the Bank of England rep in Goldfinger).
There was also the Moonraker after hours dinner and gambling event at Blades, but that was an unsual event in the scope of all the novels. M's involvement has always seemed best when left as Bond's contact at HQ during his missions. You only heard him when Bond was reporting back to keep him up to date on his progress, and at the finish of the job. He wasn't visiting Bond willy-nilly out in the field as they had the character do in the films. The real heads of the services do not jet off on to distant countries to personally get involved in a mission or to council or reprimand a field agent in the middle of an assignment - that's what they have station chiefs and chiefs of staff and other staff for. Having the character do that in the films always made the stories even more far fetched to me (and the last thing they need is to add another element that pushes them further from reality). If Densch is replaced and if it is by a male actor (which probably would be a good thing for at least the remainder of Craig's run), I only hope they put the character's role back in where it was in Fleming's concept - as the who puts Bond on the mission, not the one who rides on his shoulder throughout the film.

Thunderbird 2

Although this is all idle speculation anyway - if Dame Judi is stepping down, then I would rather see her character retire. Firstly, it feels more like a Flemming approach. - It also gives the open door possibility that Dame Judi'd M could continue to appear in future films as a happily retired character. - An out of the loop mentor to Bond which would be a new take on the character. (Any version). After all, Dame Stella Rimington (who is about Dame Judi's age) has been keeping busy since she retired from MI5. - This could be another instance of Bond's fiction echoing real world fact? Also it is not plausible to me to just bump off M. M, Q and MPenny (all versions of them) have been the constant in Bond's life. It would be a bit much for one of them to get the chop, on top of virtually everyone else he knows?! - I do agree that M should not be peering over Bond's shoulder all the time though.

Ralph Fiennes as a new M? Quite simply, why not? Craig was younger than most of the Actors to play Bond, (Sir Sean excepted), we are about to get a younger Q, why not a younger M? As for concerns about long term, Mr Fiennes has played Voldermort in most of the Harry Potter films under uncomfortable prosthetics to boot). To play a new M would be a walk in the park by contrast for him, and he would be naturally good in the role. Of course for all we know, he could equally be the new Minister of Defence, or even the Prime Minister! (Who M was not allowed to see in Quantum, and had been referenced as M's boss in CR?) Fiennes is 49, David Cameron is 45. - Again, idle speculation!

In any event, we will find out by the end of the year. I just hope the storyline is true to the characters, and gives the actors meaty material to work with.