Michael G. Wilson's As Ruthless As Blofeld!

BIG TAMBIG TAM Wrexham, North Wales, UK.Posts: 773MI6 Agent
in Skyfall - Bond 23 (2012)
Just read a titbit on MI6 today about Mike Wilson's pragmatic approach to his leading man. It would indeed be a brave move to recast even if SKYFALL's a success, but I think the series has more legs on a continuity level under Craig's tenure. If successful I'd let him have another couple of shots in the role & then move on. However, that may depend on the cinematic climate. I note THE BOURNE LEGACY's had a good opening weekend. If it carries on its success it'll be proof that there's still a public appetite for a tougher protagonist.
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Comments

  • Moore ThanMoore Than EnglandPosts: 3,173MI6 Agent
    According to MGW, "Bond is the star. He is bigger than any actor who portrays him." And he is right in saying that. Daniel Craig stated in an interview with the BBC that he would continue as long as he was asked to. MGW and Babs will ultimately decide his fate. Hopefully their judgement will be as wise as their decision to dispense with Pierce Brosnan and re-boot the franchise. I really thought they were wrong at the time but subsequent events have proved them right, IMO.
    Moore Not Less 4371 posts (2002 - 2007) Moore Than (2012 - 2016)
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,308MI6 Agent
    Bond is the star now, not so sure back in the day of Connery and Moore, simply because they had such star appeal, whether you liked them or not. Could it be a ploy to ensure Bond is still the star, by not giving Craig or Brozzer scripts that quite work for them? They have rejigged the franchise so it relies on the trappings of Bond - the vodka martini, the Aston, etc
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • HowardBHowardB USAPosts: 2,744MI6 Agent
    edited August 2012
    Napoleon Plural wrote:
    Bond is the star now, not so sure back in the day of Connery and Moore, simply because they had such star appeal, whether you liked them or not. Could it be a ploy to ensure Bond is still the star, by not giving Craig or Brozzer scripts that quite work for them? They have rejigged the franchise so it relies on the trappings of Bond - the vodka martini, the Aston, etc

    Agree about the old days with Connery and Moore, but I think it would be a real stretch for EON to be purposely creating bad scripts. Maybe bad judgement re scripts (especially with Brosnan) but not on purpose.

    I think Wilson was just being honest. EON makes James Bond films, not Pierce Brosnan or Daniel Craig films. I would not read anything else into it. Bond films are producer's films. That being said, as long as "Skyfall" meets or exceeds the box office of CR and QOS Craig will be back for at least one or two more films. I don't believe that EON/Sony/MGM would have anounced such an aggressive production schedule (a film every two years) if they were planning on replacing Craig after "Skyfall".

    With respect to the "other" franchise. The Bourne Legacy did well over the weekend grossing 38 million. I saw the film and it was
    "ok". The question being, is the film good enough to have "legs" and continue to gross well and not have a huge drop off next weekend and will people be interested enough to come back for the next one if there continues to be no Matt Damon.
  • Agent007jamestAgent007jamest usaPosts: 163MI6 Agent
    I think part of Bonds film success is the fact that Connery & Moore both did 7 films (yes I count NSNA). I think if they start changing the character/ actor every 3-4 films it will not endure and people will start to pay less attention as the actors change. Now it is still a big event when they cast the new Bond if they open that rotating door it will lose that. I hope they run with DC as long as they can than possibly reboot with a young actor again and give him a nice run. They should focus on what made the series successful and not worry about Bourne, Batman and all the rest of the new crap.
    Their was a point when they wouldn't let Moore or Connery leave and now they cant wait to show the actors the door. MGW is right it should be about Bond but that should go for the producers too!
  • Moore ThanMoore Than EnglandPosts: 3,173MI6 Agent
    The MI6 article refers to a speech given by MGW at the British Business Embassy, on the subject of the Bond film franchise. In the speech he talks about his approach to the leading man. "Cubby Broccoli used to say, Bond IS the star. That means that Bond is bigger than any actor who portrays him. And no director, writer or producer is indispensable."

    You can see MGW's speech at the link below, it's well worth a look.

    Creative Content Summit: James Bond - Creating a Global Film Franchise - Michael G Wilson OBE
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZGqx3c9bWs&feature=player_embedded
    Moore Not Less 4371 posts (2002 - 2007) Moore Than (2012 - 2016)
  • zaphodzaphod Posts: 1,183MI6 Agent
    It's an odd statement to make at this time. I'm sure it's intentional and probably is connected with some trouble or disquiet in the camp, but what's driving it is a mystery.
  • HowardBHowardB USAPosts: 2,744MI6 Agent
    zaphod wrote:
    It's an odd statement to make at this time. I'm sure it's intentional and probably is connected with some trouble or disquiet in the camp, but what's driving it is a mystery.

    Again, I wouldn't read too much into what Wilson said. He appeared to be explaining how to keep a film franchise thriving for 50 years, which is unprecedented. The Bond films were brought to life by EON and continue to be one of the great family business stories of all time. I don't think there was any message being sent to anyone except the audience he was addressing. As far as who plays Bond, I just believe they have learned from the past and want to avoid the "one film too many" syndrome. I also believe that Wilson and Barbara B are very protective of their franchise and might be reacting a bit to the recent rehashing in the media of Quentin Tarantino's old Bond rant "I should have done Casino Royale because I am a genius, I know what's best for Bond and I invented film making and I would have kept PB because he was Bond for the 90's, yattah, yattah, yattah".
    I actually like Tarantino's films, but EON will still be making Bond films when Tarantino is sitting in the old actor's home in an adult diaper, watching old grindhouse flicks and sipping his dinner through a straw.
  • FatsnbulFatsnbul Prospect, KentuckyPosts: 79MI6 Agent
    It's time to re-negotiate DC's contract. That's why he said it. Letting DC and his agent know where they stand.
  • HowardBHowardB USAPosts: 2,744MI6 Agent
    Fatsnbul wrote:
    It's time to re-negotiate DC's contract. That's why he said it. Letting DC and his agent know where they stand.

    Maybe Mr. Wilson is starting to worry. Maybe they are thinking they have a potential monster hit on their hands with "Skyfall" and he is concerned that Craig may be looking for the motherload to do more Bond films. However, I don't know if this is really what may be going on as Craig appears to have a much more congenial and collegial relationship with the producers than past Bond actors, especially with Barbara B. Maybe Michael Wilson and Barbara B are playing a little good cop/bad cop with DC and his agent in order to resign him to more films at a price more in line with what they would prefer.

    There are some things we do know about EON these days: they don't mind paying big money to a Bond actor, however they appear to draw a strong line in the sand when it comes to giving anyone a percentage of the gross and/or a producer's credit.
  • Red IndianRed Indian BostonPosts: 427MI6 Agent
    Very interesting. Echoes of Connery's experience with Cubby! What MGW said may be true in the grand scheme of things, but when you have someone like Craig who has completely knocked it out of the park it's a different story.

    Eon would in NO WAY have the success they've had with these recent films with anyone else. I'm sure it makes them a bit uncomfortable!
  • BodieBodie Posts: 211MI6 Agent
    May also be something to do with the fact that Craig is starting to look dog rough and they may be thinking they are not going to get as many movies out of him as they originally thought.
  • Agent007jamestAgent007jamest usaPosts: 163MI6 Agent
    Bodie wrote:
    May also be something to do with the fact that Craig is starting to look dog rough and they may be thinking they are not going to get as many movies out of him as they originally thought.
    8-)
    :)
    :))
    I love DC in the role but that was pretty funny!
  • Gala BrandGala Brand Posts: 1,172MI6 Agent
    Bodie wrote:
    May also be something to do with the fact that Craig is starting to look dog rough and they may be thinking they are not going to get as many movies out of him as they originally thought.

    He looks fine in the trailers I've seen. It's amazing what a little makeup and the right lighting can accomplish.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Might be a LOT of make up, :))
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • David SchofieldDavid Schofield EnglandPosts: 1,528MI6 Agent
    Well, there are cetainly echoes of Connery - he's only an employee, lets not let him get too big for his boots/pay him more than necessary.

    Rog - Cubby realising how shagged out he was beginning to look and how, erm, sympathetically and carefully he had to be photographed in AVTAK.

    And shades of Brosnan - sack the bastard while he's on top (at least at the box office), and while the franchise is in financially rude health and a very powerful position.

    Maybe DC, sadly IMO, isn't as vital to EON as he'd hope, nor a viable long term as he might believe.
  • HowardBHowardB USAPosts: 2,744MI6 Agent
    David Schofield wrote:
    Well, there are cetainly echoes of Connery - he's only an employee, lets not let him get too big for his boots/pay him more than necessary.

    Rog - Cubby realising how shagged out he was beginning to look and how, erm, sympathetically and carefully he had to be photographed in AVTAK.

    And shades of Brosnan - sack the bastard while he's on top (at least at the box office), and while the franchise is in financially rude health and a very powerful position.

    Maybe DC, sadly IMO, isn't as vital to EON as he'd hope, nor a viable long term as he might believe.

    Maybe we are all reading way too much into this. Hasn't "no actor nor director is bigger than EON, oops I mean Bond ;)" been the company line for many years now.
  • David SchofieldDavid Schofield EnglandPosts: 1,528MI6 Agent
    HowardB wrote:
    David Schofield wrote:
    Well, there are cetainly echoes of Connery - he's only an employee, lets not let him get too big for his boots/pay him more than necessary.

    Rog - Cubby realising how shagged out he was beginning to look and how, erm, sympathetically and carefully he had to be photographed in AVTAK.

    And shades of Brosnan - sack the bastard while he's on top (at least at the box office), and while the franchise is in financially rude health and a very powerful position.

    Maybe DC, sadly IMO, isn't as vital to EON as he'd hope, nor a viable long term as he might believe.

    Maybe we are all reading way too much into this. Hasn't "no actor nor director is bigger than EON, oops I mean Bond ;)" been the company line for many years now.

    Of course it's always been the case.

    As evidenced by EON's brilliant success in casting, and replacing, each new actor.

    And it always will be.
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    Hey! :#
    Thunderpussy wrote:
    Might be a LOT of make up, :))
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • HowardBHowardB USAPosts: 2,744MI6 Agent
    When you look at the history of the actors who played Bond and their relationship with EON it's not surprising....but there are some differences.

    Connery was done with playing Bond and wanted out and probably had no expectation that his demands would be met.

    Lazenby was given poor advice and was on an ego trip, difficult and didn't have a clue.

    Roger Moore was more an issue of EON letting him stay on too long.

    Timothy Dalton was basically a casualty of the legal wrangling EON was going through over the rights to Bond.

    And of course Pierce Brosnan became a victim of EON's own failure to keep the films fresh during his tenure and belief
    that significant change was needed to keep the franchise viable or bring it to a higher level in the long term.
  • zaphodzaphod Posts: 1,183MI6 Agent
    Bodie wrote:
    May also be something to do with the fact that Craig is starting to look dog rough and they may be thinking they are not going to get as many movies out of him as they originally thought.

    Careful...you may be struck down by the wrath of the fan-boys ;)
  • HowardBHowardB USAPosts: 2,744MI6 Agent
    zaphod wrote:
    Bodie wrote:
    May also be something to do with the fact that Craig is starting to look dog rough and they may be thinking they are not going to get as many movies out of him as they originally thought.

    Careful...you may be struck down by the wrath of the fan-boys ;)

    Ever see any actors in person on the street without make up, lighting, etc. Sometimes it's not a pretty sight.
    As far as DC is concerned, from the trailers (I saw one on a 70' IMAX screen) whether it was good make-up, lighting, or voodoo, he looked fine (I'm not a big fan of the super short hair though).
  • David SchofieldDavid Schofield EnglandPosts: 1,528MI6 Agent
    HowardB wrote:
    zaphod wrote:
    Bodie wrote:
    May also be something to do with the fact that Craig is starting to look dog rough and they may be thinking they are not going to get as many movies out of him as they originally thought.

    Careful...you may be struck down by the wrath of the fan-boys ;)

    Ever see any actors in person on the street without make up, lighting, etc. Sometimes it's not a pretty sight.
    As far as DC is concerned, from the trailers (I saw one on a 70' IMAX screen) whether it was good make-up, lighting, or voodoo, he looked fine (I'm not a big fan of the super short hair though).


    You mean actors are like the rest of us...? :o
  • Gala BrandGala Brand Posts: 1,172MI6 Agent
    HowardB wrote:
    zaphod wrote:
    Bodie wrote:
    May also be something to do with the fact that Craig is starting to look dog rough and they may be thinking they are not going to get as many movies out of him as they originally thought.

    Careful...you may be struck down by the wrath of the fan-boys ;)

    Ever see any actors in person on the street without make up, lighting, etc. Sometimes it's not a pretty sight.
    As far as DC is concerned, from the trailers (I saw one on a 70' IMAX screen) whether it was good make-up, lighting, or voodoo, he looked fine (I'm not a big fan of the super short hair though).

    At least he still has his own hair, unlike some previous Bonds I can think of. :))
  • BodieBodie Posts: 211MI6 Agent
    Not for long by the looks of it. Definitely starting to grow a forehead.
  • Red IndianRed Indian BostonPosts: 427MI6 Agent
    Every man's hairline recedes. He's what, 44 now?!?! He's still got plenty and has never looked better - according to ALL of the women I know. All they talk about is how he's the most attractive actor out there!
  • PeppermillPeppermill DelftPosts: 2,860MI6 Agent
    Red Indian wrote:
    Every man's hairline recedes. He's what, 44 now?!?! He's still got plenty and has never looked better - according to ALL of the women I know. All they talk about is how he's the most attractive actor out there!

    You must know different women than I do :D
    1. Ohmss 2. Frwl 3. Op 4. Tswlm 5. Tld 6. Ge 7. Yolt 8. Lald 9. Cr 10. Ltk 11. Dn 12. Gf 13. Qos 14. Mr 15. Tmwtgg 16. Fyeo 17. Twine 18. Sf 19. Tb 20 Tnd 21. Spectre 22 Daf 23. Avtak 24. Dad
  • HowardBHowardB USAPosts: 2,744MI6 Agent
    I agree, like most men his age the hairline might be receding a bit. That close cropped haircut he has in "Skyfall" doesn't help. IMO better hairstyle in QOS with the McQueen/Connery Thunderball cut...less military looking. If he went back to that cut it would be fine. I actually don't mind him with a little bit of a rough road traveled look...it's probably what someone in his line of work would look like.
  • DutchfingerDutchfinger Holland With LovePosts: 1,240MI6 Agent
    Peppermill wrote:
    Red Indian wrote:
    Every man's hairline recedes. He's what, 44 now?!?! He's still got plenty and has never looked better - according to ALL of the women I know. All they talk about is how he's the most attractive actor out there!

    You must know different women than I do :D

    Haha I agree :)) - Most women I know don't seem to think he's that good lookin at all...
    I have seen footage of Sean Connery at the opening of Goldfinger in '64. Women were screaming, fainting, and one even snuck up to him in the car just to be in his presence... I don't think Craig (or any of the Bond's) come near that level. But then again, I don't think Bond has ever been as big as he was in the 60'ies. (And I wasn't even arround back then, but just based on what I've seen :P )
    Better known as DutchBondFan on YouTube. My 007 movie reviews: Recapping 007
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  • Thunderbird 2Thunderbird 2 East of Cardiff, Wales.Posts: 2,778MI6 Agent
    edited August 2012
    Women I know are split. Some some see him as a real bloke, others have disagreed.

    As to receding hairlines, whats the beef?! I'm virtually bald myself at 37, many guys loose their hair beore the hit 27. Besides having a beard (which Craig suits, as does Sir Sean) being bald or close too it is one of the most masculine qualities a guy can have to his appearance. Hasn;t done either Jason Statham or Sir Pat Stewart any harm. I actually feel a little sorry for Javier Bardem, his appearance as the baddie was a bit of a shock compared to his own appearance! Reminds me of one of the rejected make up tests they did to Michel Longsdale when he was cast as Drax!

    Re Mr Wilson's comments I pay no attention to industry scuttlebutt. I think Mr Craig's position is secure ain as much he knows where he is in the heirachy. Heres an interesting interview the Evening Standard had with Ms Broccoli, praising Mr Craig's take amongst other things.


    SPOILER ALERT! - Interview contains some cast and character info From Skyfall!

    http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/barbara-broccoli-i-thought-james-bond-was-a-real-person-until-i-was-seven-8052861.html?origin=internalSearch
    This is Thunderbird 2, how can I be of assistance?
  • HowardBHowardB USAPosts: 2,744MI6 Agent
    Haha I agree - Most women I know don't seem to think he's that good lookin at all...
    I have seen footage of Sean Connery at the opening of Goldfinger in '64. Women were screaming, fainting, and one even snuck up to him in the car just to be in his presence... I don't think Craig (or any of the Bond's) come near that level. But then again, I don't think Bond has ever been as big as he was in the 60'ies. (And I wasn't even arround back then, but just based on what I've seen )

    Can't compare what was going on in the 60's to now. The 60's was the height of Bondmania. Those first four Bond films with Connery were a cultural phenomenom. Bond films today, while still extremely popular, are just further entries into a successful series of blockbuster films, albeit with a tradition and very unique pedigree that has stood the test of time like no other.

    Don't know about your neck of the woods, Dutchfinger, but alot of women over here appear to be quite smitten with Craig, especially his physique.
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