You're not the only one here wishing for something 'lighter' than what we've been given over the last two decades. I also prefer the fun/entertainment approach of the series, which doesn't prevent me from appreciating Craig's performance as Bond. It's his movies I've issues with, not the actor. I recently said movies like Dead Recknoning and The Final Reckoning (which are far from being perfect but very enjoyable) were the kind of blockbusters set in a world of espionage I would have imagined for Bond 26, but it seems the path Heyman and Pascal decided to choose will be very different from what some of us had in mind.
Having said that, we cannot deny this choice is relevant. Villeneuve belongs to this class of directors whose prestigious and mature approach of filmmaking clearly is in compliance with the public's taste, and he's become an obviousness considering the tremendous success of the Craig era. After Mendes and Fukunaga, having this guy on board is in line with Barbara's vision.
Definitely good news in my mind... love his vision and tone.. I don't necessarily miss the campy humor of the older era much at all.. I actually preferred the more serious dark tone of the Craig era.. My only huge hope here is that they reset the series to the cold war vs continuing in a modern day narrative. SO much potential to go closer to the original writing.
You're not the only one here wishing for something 'lighter' than what we've been given over the last two decades. I also prefer the fun/entertainment approach of the series, which doesn't prevent me from appreciating Craig's performance as Bond. It's his movies I've issues with, not the actor. I recently said movies like Dead Recknoning and The Final Reckoning (which are far from being perfect but very enjoyable) were the kind of blockbusters set in a world of espionage I would have imagined for Bond 26, but it seems the path Heyman and Pascal decided to choose will be very different from what I had in mind.
Having said that, we cannot deny this choice is relevant. Villeneuve belongs to this class of directors whose prestigious and mature approach of filmmaking clearly is in compliance with the public's taste, and he's become an obviousness considering the tremendous success of the Craig era. After Mendes and Fukunaga, having this guy on board is in line with Barbara's vision.
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 30,880Chief of Staff
It’s because you made a couple of quick edits to your post…the forum software has a built-in anti-spam filter…too many posts (or edits) in quick succession, and the post hits the spam filter…
Anyway, I've not seen much of his stuff, probably his drug running one I think... He's a class act but again, no fun - not sure if jokes of any kind exist in his universe and imo the Bond films should be comedies; the minute they stop doing that they don't work for me. I don't mean naff comedy, but sharp, smart, knowing... Too many directors just don't have funny bones; there are some good gags in DAD for instance, but the director doesn't know how to set up a joke, the tone isn't light, so it's wasted.
I watched Saltburn this week, similarly named to Skyfall, and thought to recommend its director Emerald Fennell simply because, well, I'm not saying it's a masterwork or anything but I did enjoy it, it just knows how to tell a story, and it feels very English. The jokes work. It's light. Great cinematography. And it has moments that folk talk about in it - I mentioned it to my boss at work and he mentioned 'the bathroom scene' jokingly, it's got stuff like that in it, and so did the Bond films once, bits that people mention: 'Oh, it starts with three blind men walking along the street, and then...' Or, 'There's this Russian assassin with a cheese cutter in his watch' or 'It's got this crazy car in it...' Okay, latterly these quirky scenes became simple outlandish stunts, but these were talking points. Recent talking points have been '007 is now black and a woman' or the finale of the last one which isn't in fairness a talking point, it was kept under wraps, but none of it evokes joy.
Fennell doesn't have much of a resume however. aside from a controversial upcoming Wuthering Heights. She wrote series 2 of Killing Eve which I really didn't like, it has no connection to Phoebe Waller-Bridger who scripted the first series and does seem to be another posh gal who trades on thin talent, I mean she hasn't done much of late.
Saltburn did have a potential Bond in Jacob Alordi who is brilliant as the posh Oxford boy - he is actually Australian so is doing a convincing Chris Hemsworth as James Hunt in Rush type thing. He was also a young Elvis in Priscilla.
"This is where we leave you Mr Bond."
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 30,880Chief of Staff
edited June 2025
Phoebe Waller-Bridge who scripted the first series and does seem to be another posh gal who trades on thin talent, I mean she hasn't done much of late.
Phoebe was given a lot of money by Amazon to write and executive produce a tv series based on Tomb Raider - so she’s been really busy working on that.
YNWA 97
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
The question is: what parts did she write? We know she worked on the Cuba sequence and many people liked that a lot. We also know giving Bond a kid and then killing him wasn't her idea. We also know she did write Killing Eve and Fleebag. I want her to write more James Bond based on this info.
I belive a movie needs a funny script and actors who can be funny on screen to make a movie or scene funny. Editing, music, the direction the director gives etc. also play a part. But I think a director of DV's skill can do that.
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,984Quartermasters
I'd rather they lock P&W out of the process, personally. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is a talent, and I wouldn't object to her reflexively, but I think they need to recruit new writing blood - proven writing chops plus a respect for both Fleming and Cinematic Bond legacy. I enjoyed the Craig Era more than many, but I'll concede a bit of winking fun would be most welcome.
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 announcement of Villeneuve is good news. I hope it doesn't have to mean we end up with more Bond in po-faced mode - but we'll certainly get a well-made, visionary film.
Critics and material I don't need. I haven't changed my act in 53 years.
I agree, one other possible screenwriter (or help with story ideas) is Anthony Horowitz. FAAD is one of my favorite Bond novels in general. I think that Amazon should look at it for influence for the next movie. I told Horowitz on social media that it should be the next movie. He said thank you, but it's extremely unlikely! This was when EON was truly in charge. Maybe things have changed. Also, it wouldn't be too hard to modernize FAAD's story. I think Anthony Horowitz should be looked at as a possible future Bond screenwriter!
Videos about Denis Villneuve's directing style. I'd say that even though DV's movies have some common elements they can be very different. Siccario and Arrival are good examples of this. Some of his style will fit James Bond very well. A mix of spectacular and intimate scenes, the lead trying to figure out a mystery or making locations have very distinctive feel. (I've only seen the first video yet)
Sure there is... but again... So much potential to take the stories back to THE ORIGINAL WRITING by Fleming.. The films strayed from the literary narratives.. Some of the films having ZERO to do with the original titles..
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 30,880Chief of Staff
Horowitz writing a Bond film would be the utlimate dream indeed. Funnily enough, Forever and a day, seen by many as the best of the 'trilogy', is the one I like the least. The masterpiece definitely remains With a mind to kill, which is, imo, one of the best Bond novels ever, Fleming included. The twist is unbelievable and I felt it was, with FRWL, the most thrilling adventure Bond has ever been involved in. It's almost impossible not to be hooked from the first pages.
I don't believe Mr. Horowitz is someone the execs of Amazon MGM keep an eye on, but David Heyman might. Perhaps not for Bond 26, but for future movies.
Great Videos Number24. A pal told me about Studio Binder about a year ago and I subscribed to it but I didn't know about this video as its 5 years old.
I think it shows we're going to get a very special Bond film from DV, it won't be the FRWL or SWLM remakes that some people want and it won't be Skyfall redux.
I think the older videos are still relevant, but DV is a director who evolves. He is smart enough to know he can't make Bond26 in the same style as Dune or even Siccario, but there are styles and themes he is drawn to. I think whatever he makes DV will make a very good and technically brilliant movie. it remains to be seen if it will be a James Bond movie we like, but I'm optimistic.
I've interviewed a number of actors over the years who have always been cast as villains, bad guys, or just in very serious roles and who told me that they would love to do comedy but never had the chance. The same could apply to directors. Perhaps Villeneuve has always fancied adding a dab of humour but never had the right film to do it.
Comments
I went to edit my post and it ended up deleting my post...weird, I think this happened before a few years ago
1 - Moore, 2 - Dalton, 3 - Craig, 4 - Connery, 5 - Brosnan, 6 - Lazenby
You're not the only one here wishing for something 'lighter' than what we've been given over the last two decades. I also prefer the fun/entertainment approach of the series, which doesn't prevent me from appreciating Craig's performance as Bond. It's his movies I've issues with, not the actor. I recently said movies like Dead Recknoning and The Final Reckoning (which are far from being perfect but very enjoyable) were the kind of blockbusters set in a world of espionage I would have imagined for Bond 26, but it seems the path Heyman and Pascal decided to choose will be very different from what some of us had in mind.
Having said that, we cannot deny this choice is relevant. Villeneuve belongs to this class of directors whose prestigious and mature approach of filmmaking clearly is in compliance with the public's taste, and he's become an obviousness considering the tremendous success of the Craig era. After Mendes and Fukunaga, having this guy on board is in line with Barbara's vision.
Definitely good news in my mind... love his vision and tone.. I don't necessarily miss the campy humor of the older era much at all.. I actually preferred the more serious dark tone of the Craig era.. My only huge hope here is that they reset the series to the cold war vs continuing in a modern day narrative. SO much potential to go closer to the original writing.
Quentin had that the other day, seems to be a problem with the forum.
If you’re looking for a cold war espionage plot you don't haveto go back decades. There's plenty of that going on right now.
Feeling most excited since learning Craig's 4th film would be titled "Spectre".
Villenueve directed an all time fave of mine in Bladerunner sequel. Can't wait!
I think I've sorted that now, @Jarvio, let me know if the one restored was the correct one.
Yup that's the one thanks 👍
1 - Moore, 2 - Dalton, 3 - Craig, 4 - Connery, 5 - Brosnan, 6 - Lazenby
You're not the only one here wishing for something 'lighter' than what we've been given over the last two decades. I also prefer the fun/entertainment approach of the series, which doesn't prevent me from appreciating Craig's performance as Bond. It's his movies I've issues with, not the actor. I recently said movies like Dead Recknoning and The Final Reckoning (which are far from being perfect but very enjoyable) were the kind of blockbusters set in a world of espionage I would have imagined for Bond 26, but it seems the path Heyman and Pascal decided to choose will be very different from what I had in mind.
Having said that, we cannot deny this choice is relevant. Villeneuve belongs to this class of directors whose prestigious and mature approach of filmmaking clearly is in compliance with the public's taste, and he's become an obviousness considering the tremendous success of the Craig era. After Mendes and Fukunaga, having this guy on board is in line with Barbara's vision.
She has already written a Bond script though…she rewrote parts of NTTD…and plenty of fans didn’t like that film…I did.
It’s because you made a couple of quick edits to your post…the forum software has a built-in anti-spam filter…too many posts (or edits) in quick succession, and the post hits the spam filter…
You've done that post, @SeanIsTheOnlyOne !
Anyway, I've not seen much of his stuff, probably his drug running one I think... He's a class act but again, no fun - not sure if jokes of any kind exist in his universe and imo the Bond films should be comedies; the minute they stop doing that they don't work for me. I don't mean naff comedy, but sharp, smart, knowing... Too many directors just don't have funny bones; there are some good gags in DAD for instance, but the director doesn't know how to set up a joke, the tone isn't light, so it's wasted.
I watched Saltburn this week, similarly named to Skyfall, and thought to recommend its director Emerald Fennell simply because, well, I'm not saying it's a masterwork or anything but I did enjoy it, it just knows how to tell a story, and it feels very English. The jokes work. It's light. Great cinematography. And it has moments that folk talk about in it - I mentioned it to my boss at work and he mentioned 'the bathroom scene' jokingly, it's got stuff like that in it, and so did the Bond films once, bits that people mention: 'Oh, it starts with three blind men walking along the street, and then...' Or, 'There's this Russian assassin with a cheese cutter in his watch' or 'It's got this crazy car in it...' Okay, latterly these quirky scenes became simple outlandish stunts, but these were talking points. Recent talking points have been '007 is now black and a woman' or the finale of the last one which isn't in fairness a talking point, it was kept under wraps, but none of it evokes joy.
Fennell doesn't have much of a resume however. aside from a controversial upcoming Wuthering Heights. She wrote series 2 of Killing Eve which I really didn't like, it has no connection to Phoebe Waller-Bridger who scripted the first series and does seem to be another posh gal who trades on thin talent, I mean she hasn't done much of late.
Saltburn did have a potential Bond in Jacob Alordi who is brilliant as the posh Oxford boy - he is actually Australian so is doing a convincing Chris Hemsworth as James Hunt in Rush type thing. He was also a young Elvis in Priscilla.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Phoebe Waller-Bridge who scripted the first series and does seem to be another posh gal who trades on thin talent, I mean she hasn't done much of late.
Phoebe was given a lot of money by Amazon to write and executive produce a tv series based on Tomb Raider - so she’s been really busy working on that.
+1 🍻
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
The question is: what parts did she write? We know she worked on the Cuba sequence and many people liked that a lot. We also know giving Bond a kid and then killing him wasn't her idea. We also know she did write Killing Eve and Fleebag. I want her to write more James Bond based on this info.
I belive a movie needs a funny script and actors who can be funny on screen to make a movie or scene funny. Editing, music, the direction the director gives etc. also play a part. But I think a director of DV's skill can do that.
I'd rather they lock P&W out of the process, personally. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is a talent, and I wouldn't object to her reflexively, but I think they need to recruit new writing blood - proven writing chops plus a respect for both Fleming and Cinematic Bond legacy. I enjoyed the Craig Era more than many, but I'll concede a bit of winking fun would be most welcome.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Thanks for the info. I will keep it in mind for next time, and will make sure to slow down when editing the word "of" to "off" ;)
1 - Moore, 2 - Dalton, 3 - Craig, 4 - Connery, 5 - Brosnan, 6 - Lazenby
I agree it's time for P&W to find other writing jobs. Personally I count PW-B as fresh writing blood in spite of her involvement in NTTD.
The announcement of Villeneuve is good news. I hope it doesn't have to mean we end up with more Bond in po-faced mode - but we'll certainly get a well-made, visionary film.
I agree, one other possible screenwriter (or help with story ideas) is Anthony Horowitz. FAAD is one of my favorite Bond novels in general. I think that Amazon should look at it for influence for the next movie. I told Horowitz on social media that it should be the next movie. He said thank you, but it's extremely unlikely! This was when EON was truly in charge. Maybe things have changed. Also, it wouldn't be too hard to modernize FAAD's story. I think Anthony Horowitz should be looked at as a possible future Bond screenwriter!
Anthony Horowitz would be great,
Videos about Denis Villneuve's directing style. I'd say that even though DV's movies have some common elements they can be very different. Siccario and Arrival are good examples of this. Some of his style will fit James Bond very well. A mix of spectacular and intimate scenes, the lead trying to figure out a mystery or making locations have very distinctive feel. (I've only seen the first video yet)
Sure there is... but again... So much potential to take the stories back to THE ORIGINAL WRITING by Fleming.. The films strayed from the literary narratives.. Some of the films having ZERO to do with the original titles..
Only the first series of Killing Eve…and she’s busy writing Tomb Raider tv series at the moment…I can’t see Bond in Fleabag 👀🤣
Horowitz writing a Bond film would be the utlimate dream indeed. Funnily enough, Forever and a day, seen by many as the best of the 'trilogy', is the one I like the least. The masterpiece definitely remains With a mind to kill, which is, imo, one of the best Bond novels ever, Fleming included. The twist is unbelievable and I felt it was, with FRWL, the most thrilling adventure Bond has ever been involved in. It's almost impossible not to be hooked from the first pages.
I don't believe Mr. Horowitz is someone the execs of Amazon MGM keep an eye on, but David Heyman might. Perhaps not for Bond 26, but for future movies.
Great Videos Number24. A pal told me about Studio Binder about a year ago and I subscribed to it but I didn't know about this video as its 5 years old.
I think it shows we're going to get a very special Bond film from DV, it won't be the FRWL or SWLM remakes that some people want and it won't be Skyfall redux.
I hope Roger Deakins will be the cinematographer.
I completely agree. I think Barbara, and MGW, have played it like spy masters.
I think the older videos are still relevant, but DV is a director who evolves. He is smart enough to know he can't make Bond26 in the same style as Dune or even Siccario, but there are styles and themes he is drawn to. I think whatever he makes DV will make a very good and technically brilliant movie. it remains to be seen if it will be a James Bond movie we like, but I'm optimistic.
I've interviewed a number of actors over the years who have always been cast as villains, bad guys, or just in very serious roles and who told me that they would love to do comedy but never had the chance. The same could apply to directors. Perhaps Villeneuve has always fancied adding a dab of humour but never had the right film to do it.