My personal preference would be a reader and fan of the original source material, natch. But that's probably not on the table (and more's the pity)...failing that, I would hope they have at least seen the films - especially the inaugural 1960s Connery run - and have an understanding of the nature of the character's appeal. My greatest fear is that Bond's fundamentals will be effed with to appease a loud minority.
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
The longevity of the Bond series is entirely because of the Brocolli family. Studio executives come and go, and if an IP underperforms the studio can drop it and move on to something else that's more fashionable. Dropping Bond wasn't an option for Cubby and his family, who kept the series going no matter what, even after Saltzman left and United Artists began falling apart. A family business may make mistakes, but it will always have a closer, more protective attachment to its product than an entirely corporate enterprise. Cubby was a lifetime executive for James Bond, not a studio.
In the short term, Amazon's success with Bond will hinge on the executive it appoints to lead the series onward. If the right executive is chosen, he or she might be able to produce a few new Bond films that might be better than some of Craig's. But that executive won't be there for life, unlike Cubby, who had to keep Bond going if he wanted to stay in the film business. Amazon has no such obligation to Bond, and whenever the series underperforms its future will be imperilled.
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,984Quartermasters
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
@QuantumofSolange For your Tv only is hilarious as people tend to share their accounts, Hahah
It is an End of an Era. That is very sad.
A Toast to the legacy.
But on the other hand I am really looking forward for amazon content. Moonraker 2 after my favourite Bond would be awesome, but with Jeff Bezos instead of Hugo Drax!
This situation reminds me of when George Lucas sold Star Wars to Disney. Of course as with every huge fandom there are quite some haters, but I did not object to Disney Star Wars Content, I fully embraced them milking the cow- me!
A 007 Theme Park would be nice. Not like 007 Elements in Sölden but more like Galaxys Edge in Disneyland or the Hogwarts Experience or the Universal Studios.
If they make a period TV show, does it mean there will be several 'chosen ones' ? Unless Babs made sure in the deal Bond would remain on the big screen only...
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
Literally had to come back from the dead to comment on this. Sad news, sad times - James Bond will see a fate similar to Star Wars it seems.
It's not like Amazon is creating only crap (Reacher is pretty great to be honest, The Man From the High Castle even better) so I'm not giving up all hope. Still - 007 movies seemed like actual events, once it hits streaming it's just another mass produced Hollywood thing.
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,984Quartermasters
Another excellent point. It's just the corporate board room running things, as opposed to a loving caretaker.
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
I have mixed feelings about this. While I enjoyed Craig's performances as Bond -- and thought Casino Royale was the best Bond movie since the Connery era -- the ones that followed were middling and sometimes frustrating. I'm not sure the current production team, with their "we'll get it done in our own sweet time" approach, hadn't run out of ideas.
At the same time, Amazon is a tech company, overstuffed with tech people and marketers. They see TV and movies as "content," not as art, even in the dubious way commercial artists do. I fear we'll see both a watering down of what Bond is to pander to the lowest common denominator but also a fragmenting of the brand to milk it for all it's worth, a la Star Wars and Star Trek. That's the current rage. I don't need a Bond cartoon, a young Bond series, another Bond series of some kind, and a "feature film" pumped out every year but of questionable quality.
I’d put money on Amazon having a script in play already, and even a casting shortlist. They’ve been waiting this thing out, and I’d expect things to move very swiftly from here on out..
I'll go one better and say that I would not be shocked if Amazon made an announcement about either casting or directing tomorrow. I'm sure they've had tentative contracts in place pending this transaction with EON, so stuff is probably going to move fast.
I was absolutely gobsmacked at this and like everyone else, felt that this came out of left field.
I can understand BB and MGW feeling that they're leaving on a high note. I remember the thrill of the Brosnan era where Bond was cool again, and a box office draw. But then they surpassed that with Craig - the box office takes were exceptional, and the elevation of quality and personnel something I never would have expected.
I wonder if there were any elements to the deal that we aren't aware of yet - perhaps a name was dangled in front of them as the Fiege like figure to oversee the franchise and they felt like it would be in good enough hands? Or some possibility of more control in the future if certain conditions are or are not met?
So now we're on, by my estimation, the Third Age of Bond. DN to LTK was the first, and while the end of the Moore era (and TLD to an extent) were recognizable as part of the same universe as the "Golden Age of Bond in the 1960s in terms of style, story construction, etc, by the time of LTK the times were very much changing. GE through NTTD brought Bond into the current modern world, but again this iteration was getting a bit long in the tooth - though it was great to see a whole generation have a Bond in Craig as much as previous audiences had Connery and Moore for so long.
So what now? I had originally thought that there would be a return to the more light hearted, one off films in the style of Brosnan. Cavill would have been great at these if younger, except that a younger actor was tipped. Now - who knows?
The purist part of me wouldn't object to a TV series set in the 50s adapting the books, even in black and white (check out the stunning cinematography in Ripley). But you'd need a commanding presence as the lead to draw mainstream audiences to that world when they're so used to Bond as a modern set film series with loads of gadgets. And would they be willing to sacrifice the film revenues? Surely they're dreaming of another billion dollar box office take...in any case I do hope that they don't run these two projects concurrently because I do fear that brand dilution would kill Bond off.
May we live in interesting times...
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,984Quartermasters
I actually hope that's the case - if only to move beyond these doldrums in which fandom has been stuck since NTTD. Tomorrow would be great, but I think the more generic soon is more likely than not.
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
I have mixed feelings about this. I think it's likely Bond26 will come sooner because of this, and I always look forward to new Bond movies. But I worry about what Amazon will do to James Bond. Will it become diluted because of too many TV-series and movies about every character mentioned in the previous movies, like Star Trek? Will Amazon make Bond American and change James Bond himself too much to please cultural movements who are very loud today? I'm worried, but I think I should give Amazon the benefit of the doubt. Amazon may destroy the character, perhaps the coming movies will be seen as a new golden age and perhaps most likely the "content" that we will get will be on average pretty .... average.
I would like to take this moment to thank Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson for the decades of work and dedication for James Bond. Much of what they did I loved and some I didn't like, but they worked hard and cared deeply for the character James Bond.
Thunderbird 2East of Cardiff, Wales.Posts: 2,932MI6 Agent
"...in any case I do hope that they don't run these two projects concurrently because I do fear that brand dilution would kill Bond off."
But it is inevitable they WILL do this.
What with Paramount's merger with Skydance, after Star Trek floundering in live action since 2017, and the devious House Of Mouse has diluted the other big hitters with diminishing returns. - Marvel, Star Wars, Disney live action... its highly unlikey Amazon won't do that.
Its the media business model that is making money in the short term and killing brand longevity.
Questions we all need to ask now... will Bond remain British? Will projects be filmed from the UK? How true to the source material will it be? How will the franchise be diversified and kept relivant to modern younger audiences?
I dread to think.
This is Thunderbird 2, how can I be of assistance?
This is probably the biggest change for the production of Bond movies since Cubby and Harry Saltzman started making the movies, and bigger than when Saltzman left.
I have to admit I'm glad Greg Wilson (maybe?) won't have much creative control of Bond if the stories of him backing a non-straight James Bond are correct.
Comments
Maybe the first movie will be named Everything or Nothing?
Ah, but what kind of Bond fan, Loeffs? It takes all sorts. 😀
Roger Moore 1927-2017
My personal preference would be a reader and fan of the original source material, natch. But that's probably not on the table (and more's the pity)...failing that, I would hope they have at least seen the films - especially the inaugural 1960s Connery run - and have an understanding of the nature of the character's appeal. My greatest fear is that Bond's fundamentals will be effed with to appease a loud minority.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
The longevity of the Bond series is entirely because of the Brocolli family. Studio executives come and go, and if an IP underperforms the studio can drop it and move on to something else that's more fashionable. Dropping Bond wasn't an option for Cubby and his family, who kept the series going no matter what, even after Saltzman left and United Artists began falling apart. A family business may make mistakes, but it will always have a closer, more protective attachment to its product than an entirely corporate enterprise. Cubby was a lifetime executive for James Bond, not a studio.
In the short term, Amazon's success with Bond will hinge on the executive it appoints to lead the series onward. If the right executive is chosen, he or she might be able to produce a few new Bond films that might be better than some of Craig's. But that executive won't be there for life, unlike Cubby, who had to keep Bond going if he wanted to stay in the film business. Amazon has no such obligation to Bond, and whenever the series underperforms its future will be imperilled.
Bingo! Well said 🍸️
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
@QuantumofSolange For your Tv only is hilarious as people tend to share their accounts, Hahah
It is an End of an Era. That is very sad.
A Toast to the legacy.
But on the other hand I am really looking forward for amazon content. Moonraker 2 after my favourite Bond would be awesome, but with Jeff Bezos instead of Hugo Drax!
This situation reminds me of when George Lucas sold Star Wars to Disney. Of course as with every huge fandom there are quite some haters, but I did not object to Disney Star Wars Content, I fully embraced them milking the cow- me!
A 007 Theme Park would be nice. Not like 007 Elements in Sölden but more like Galaxys Edge in Disneyland or the Hogwarts Experience or the Universal Studios.
Bring it on, Jeff!
With the Amazon News, I think it's a case of ..... " It was the best of times. it was the worst of times ". Did not only Bond but the
entire Franchise get killed off in NTTD ? or are we headed for a Bright new future ? I guess time will tell.
" The series as you know it will cease to exist, then a Rebirth a new world "
If they make a period TV show, does it mean there will be several 'chosen ones' ? Unless Babs made sure in the deal Bond would remain on the big screen only...
Ha! That would be rather cruel 😄
We all know what the first movie is going to be.
DR. NO.
Indeed! And entirely apropos.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
😁😁😁
First Movie will probably be called something like:
JAMES BOND: 007
JAMES BOND: ORIGIN OF A SPY
JAMES BOND: THE FIRST MISSION
JAMES BOND AND WOLVERINE
Not sure what to make of this. Could they make a film worse than NTTD? After that film the bar is pretty low so I’m not giving up all hope.
Literally had to come back from the dead to comment on this. Sad news, sad times - James Bond will see a fate similar to Star Wars it seems.
It's not like Amazon is creating only crap (Reacher is pretty great to be honest, The Man From the High Castle even better) so I'm not giving up all hope. Still - 007 movies seemed like actual events, once it hits streaming it's just another mass produced Hollywood thing.
Another excellent point. It's just the corporate board room running things, as opposed to a loving caretaker.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
All we can do is wait and see and hope they take a worthwhile approach.
I have mixed feelings about this. While I enjoyed Craig's performances as Bond -- and thought Casino Royale was the best Bond movie since the Connery era -- the ones that followed were middling and sometimes frustrating. I'm not sure the current production team, with their "we'll get it done in our own sweet time" approach, hadn't run out of ideas.
At the same time, Amazon is a tech company, overstuffed with tech people and marketers. They see TV and movies as "content," not as art, even in the dubious way commercial artists do. I fear we'll see both a watering down of what Bond is to pander to the lowest common denominator but also a fragmenting of the brand to milk it for all it's worth, a la Star Wars and Star Trek. That's the current rage. I don't need a Bond cartoon, a young Bond series, another Bond series of some kind, and a "feature film" pumped out every year but of questionable quality.
Sounds like Amazon threw an extra billion at EON to make this deal happen.
Honestly, I'd take that billion too.
This is the end. Hold your breath and count to ten.
James Bond Will Return in Money Talks. 💰 🤑
Is this true? Bezos and his Dildo shaped rocket ships now can control Bond?
How can the Bond films go forward without...
without... without The House Of Eon?!
All drinks in th Silencer and Black Garter are on the house till 007 hundred hours on Saturday morning.
Yes, I AM in a state of shock.
A bad one. A VERY bad one.
I’d put money on Amazon having a script in play already, and even a casting shortlist. They’ve been waiting this thing out, and I’d expect things to move very swiftly from here on out..
I'll go one better and say that I would not be shocked if Amazon made an announcement about either casting or directing tomorrow. I'm sure they've had tentative contracts in place pending this transaction with EON, so stuff is probably going to move fast.
I was absolutely gobsmacked at this and like everyone else, felt that this came out of left field.
I can understand BB and MGW feeling that they're leaving on a high note. I remember the thrill of the Brosnan era where Bond was cool again, and a box office draw. But then they surpassed that with Craig - the box office takes were exceptional, and the elevation of quality and personnel something I never would have expected.
I wonder if there were any elements to the deal that we aren't aware of yet - perhaps a name was dangled in front of them as the Fiege like figure to oversee the franchise and they felt like it would be in good enough hands? Or some possibility of more control in the future if certain conditions are or are not met?
So now we're on, by my estimation, the Third Age of Bond. DN to LTK was the first, and while the end of the Moore era (and TLD to an extent) were recognizable as part of the same universe as the "Golden Age of Bond in the 1960s in terms of style, story construction, etc, by the time of LTK the times were very much changing. GE through NTTD brought Bond into the current modern world, but again this iteration was getting a bit long in the tooth - though it was great to see a whole generation have a Bond in Craig as much as previous audiences had Connery and Moore for so long.
So what now? I had originally thought that there would be a return to the more light hearted, one off films in the style of Brosnan. Cavill would have been great at these if younger, except that a younger actor was tipped. Now - who knows?
The purist part of me wouldn't object to a TV series set in the 50s adapting the books, even in black and white (check out the stunning cinematography in Ripley). But you'd need a commanding presence as the lead to draw mainstream audiences to that world when they're so used to Bond as a modern set film series with loads of gadgets. And would they be willing to sacrifice the film revenues? Surely they're dreaming of another billion dollar box office take...in any case I do hope that they don't run these two projects concurrently because I do fear that brand dilution would kill Bond off.
May we live in interesting times...
I actually hope that's the case - if only to move beyond these doldrums in which fandom has been stuck since NTTD. Tomorrow would be great, but I think the more generic soon is more likely than not.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
I have mixed feelings about this. I think it's likely Bond26 will come sooner because of this, and I always look forward to new Bond movies. But I worry about what Amazon will do to James Bond. Will it become diluted because of too many TV-series and movies about every character mentioned in the previous movies, like Star Trek? Will Amazon make Bond American and change James Bond himself too much to please cultural movements who are very loud today? I'm worried, but I think I should give Amazon the benefit of the doubt. Amazon may destroy the character, perhaps the coming movies will be seen as a new golden age and perhaps most likely the "content" that we will get will be on average pretty .... average.
I would like to take this moment to thank Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson for the decades of work and dedication for James Bond. Much of what they did I loved and some I didn't like, but they worked hard and cared deeply for the character James Bond.
"...in any case I do hope that they don't run these two projects concurrently because I do fear that brand dilution would kill Bond off."
But it is inevitable they WILL do this.
What with Paramount's merger with Skydance, after Star Trek floundering in live action since 2017, and the devious House Of Mouse has diluted the other big hitters with diminishing returns. - Marvel, Star Wars, Disney live action... its highly unlikey Amazon won't do that.
Its the media business model that is making money in the short term and killing brand longevity.
Questions we all need to ask now... will Bond remain British? Will projects be filmed from the UK? How true to the source material will it be? How will the franchise be diversified and kept relivant to modern younger audiences?
I dread to think.
I think they'll announce B26 very soon but I'd be surprised to see any names next to it. For starters they need an actual producer first and foremost.
This is probably the biggest change for the production of Bond movies since Cubby and Harry Saltzman started making the movies, and bigger than when Saltzman left.
I have to admit I'm glad Greg Wilson (maybe?) won't have much creative control of Bond if the stories of him backing a non-straight James Bond are correct.