Ian Fleming's Bond: A tv series?
0013
Scotland ukPosts: 46MI6 Agent
I was thinking the other day, would it be possible for a Bond tv series to be made today?
Now, before you all roar at me about how Eon have the rights to make movies, I know that. This is purley hypothetical.
I don't know if legally, a tv series could be made without too much upset from EON, or the full support of Ian Fleming Publications.
Also, consider Sherlock Holmes, he's been in Movies and TV, and yet no one says one has more 'Canonicity'or right to exist than the other.
Now, the idea I had was the BBC to make a drama for Sunday evenings, possibly after 9pm ( the Watershed, as it's known in the UK)
It wouldn't be called James Bond the series. Preferred Title: Ian Fleming's Bond.
First serial to be made, Casino Royale. But this time, a straight adaptation of the original, set in the same time perieod, 1951. 4 to 6 episodes.
I belive Raymond Benson was wanting to make a stage play of CR, so a script must exist somewhere. Some other material from the other Fleming book's, to do with descriptions of M, of the 'Universal Exports' Offices etc.
Bond should be a relative unknown. Young, but not too young. He should look like Flemings Bond, down to the scar on the cheek, which would be make up.
Le Chiffre. I heard he was meant to be based on Aleister Crowley. I think thats as good a way to go. A recent film, Chemical wedding, had a man 'possessed' in a sense, by Crowley. Simon Callow played 'Crowley'. Maybe thats the way to go.
Mathis: Whenever I picture Mathis, he is very typically French.
M, I always thought Micheal Jayston would make a good M. Maybe that's just me.
Vesper, a very pretty girl.
Bond should be given the Beretta 418, and the Bentley. It should be as period authentic as possible.
Any thoughts chaps?
0013
Now, before you all roar at me about how Eon have the rights to make movies, I know that. This is purley hypothetical.
I don't know if legally, a tv series could be made without too much upset from EON, or the full support of Ian Fleming Publications.
Also, consider Sherlock Holmes, he's been in Movies and TV, and yet no one says one has more 'Canonicity'or right to exist than the other.
Now, the idea I had was the BBC to make a drama for Sunday evenings, possibly after 9pm ( the Watershed, as it's known in the UK)
It wouldn't be called James Bond the series. Preferred Title: Ian Fleming's Bond.
First serial to be made, Casino Royale. But this time, a straight adaptation of the original, set in the same time perieod, 1951. 4 to 6 episodes.
I belive Raymond Benson was wanting to make a stage play of CR, so a script must exist somewhere. Some other material from the other Fleming book's, to do with descriptions of M, of the 'Universal Exports' Offices etc.
Bond should be a relative unknown. Young, but not too young. He should look like Flemings Bond, down to the scar on the cheek, which would be make up.
Le Chiffre. I heard he was meant to be based on Aleister Crowley. I think thats as good a way to go. A recent film, Chemical wedding, had a man 'possessed' in a sense, by Crowley. Simon Callow played 'Crowley'. Maybe thats the way to go.
Mathis: Whenever I picture Mathis, he is very typically French.
M, I always thought Micheal Jayston would make a good M. Maybe that's just me.
Vesper, a very pretty girl.
Bond should be given the Beretta 418, and the Bentley. It should be as period authentic as possible.
Any thoughts chaps?
0013
Comments
The big gripe of anyone who has read and loved the books is that they have been horribly butchered when brought to the screen, with almost four exceptions!
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
They really get a hold of you, those books.
Hope they do it properly
Have you got a link? Is this a definate go go?
I was quite fond of the Jeremy Bretts. Those will be difficult to best, IMO.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
I agree, Jeremy Brett was brilliant, it would be hard to top his performance.
Quite liked Brett and liked Basil Rathbone best.
This is the link you asked for Asp9mm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/12_december/19/sherlock.shtml
.... and set in present day London. Oh dear
Quotes like "Our Sherlock is a dynamic superhero in a modern world, an arrogant, genius sleuth driven by a desire to prove himself cleverer than the perpetrator and the police, everyone in fact" and "Everything that matters about Holmes and Watson is the same, Conan Doyle's original stories were never about frock coats and gas light; they're about brilliant detection, dreadful villains and blood-curdling crimes – and frankly, the hell with the crinoline" indicate to me that the people in charge understand the character. Whether they can pull it off is another matter.
By God, he was on morphine and opium back in the 1800s, what's he going to be on in the 21st century
You're right, I'm sure it can be succuessfully updated to modern day times, just as Bond has been. I was hoping for a more traditional piece though, although I think that the ITV series with Brett is hard to top and would make a new series pointless. I see Moffatt is onboard, so things are not all bad.
I might watch the first one just so i can complain but seeing Moffat on board it might be allright
I think it would work very well. A clear, unadultorated adaptation of the books, each story lasting approx 4 episodes of an hour. Generally only takes 4 hours to read a Fleming novel, so the timing is fine. They would not be monstrously expensive either, given the lack of really extravagant hardware and settings involved.
They may make them look a bit silly though. I'm thinking of Jack Spang in his cowboy outfit and Dr No with his hooks for hands, stuff like that, but there is a case for some of the finer novels to be revealed in their original glory. I am thinking of LALD and YOLT particularly.
Not 100% certain, but haven't a few of the novels been adapted for radio? Either as a talking book or as a play. I can't recall...
well, they woulde be - Richard E Grant???? jeez
Yeah, he peaked with Spice World...
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