I agree with Lexi. Having a Bond film come out every year would make it seem less special. The first four films were extraordinary, but they were unique. They were lightning in a bottle, and if we had four successive films again, chances are the quality would greatly vary. In fact, even in the 60's, following the first four classics, we had YOLT; good, but not exactly in the league of the first four.
Also, with the internet as well as television and numerous other competing film series, looking ahead towards the release of Bond #48 (in just 48 years) would lead to Bond being regarded as just another series. Except it's not. Personally, I think that two year gaps are the best, with the occasional three year gap.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
...never forget those films were made fast and under pressure. In the heat of the moment with no time for second-guessing...
Terence Young, Peter Hunt, John Barry,Maurice Binder , Ken Adam and a lean, mean Connery were forced by deadline to deliver the goods. Their imagination was under the gun...and look at the results! And lets not even talk about Fleming's annual output...
Cubby and Harry understood that the series should be made with a Bondian type of efficiency. Keep it lean, mean and moving like a freight train...
I think that pretty much sums it all up. When watching the bonus material for Dr. No, I remember hearing someone say that they had to hit the audience fast and hard, not giving them time question what was going on while they were watching the movie. If they questioned it two hours later, that was alright. Just not in the theater.
Not only that but Craig has other commitments and projects, Connery was not involved in a great deal between Bonds.
That's why I support the idea of finding a completely unknown actor (no prior commitments) that's in his early thirties (old enough to know what needs to be done, young enough to do it), sign him to a ten or fifteen year contract and turn out a film every eighteen months to two years. But then, no one asked me either.
I don't think the problem is the actors having other commitments. I think that Barbara Broccoli wants to produce other things besides Bond. (Can't blame her really. {:).) I thought I read that she was involved in Craig’s play and also looking at producing a non-bond movie.
"A blunt instrument wielded by a Government department. Hard, ruthless, sardonic, fatalistic. He likes gambling, golf, fast motor cars. All his movements are relaxed and economical". Ian Fleming
I would ideally like to see a new Bond every two years. I think that sort of a break would help ensure the quality of the product...and the appetite of the audience. Longer than 2 years and you risk wasting some of the momentum you have created with previous films, especially after QoS disappointed quite a few 'casual' Bond fans who were won over by CR. Although under no circumstances do I want to jeopardise the quality of the writing or the production, my biggest fear in a 3 year wait is that we not not get 4 films out of DC. I really want to see DC do at least 4 films and if we lose even one because of production delays, I will be frustrated.
I would ideally like to see a new Bond every two years. I think that sort of a break would help ensure the quality of the product...and the appetite of the audience. Longer than 2 years and you risk wasting some of the momentum you have created with previous films, especially after QoS disappointed quite a few 'casual' Bond fans who were won over by CR. Although under no circumstances do I want to jeopardise the quality of the writing or the production, my biggest fear in a 3 year wait is that we not not get 4 films out of DC. I really want to see DC do at least 4 films and if we lose even one because of production delays, I will be frustrated.
I'm with you there. Welcome, by the way. -{
Amazon #1 Bestselling Author. If you enjoy crime, espionage, action and fast-moving thrillers follow this link:
Thanks for posting this. It's a good interview. DC seems so much more relaxed and affable with the media these days. Even the dreaded tash looks better than in photos (not that I'm suggesting it as a look for 23)
And Huggy Bear says the word on the street is there will be no competition from a certain other spy in 2011. Paul Greengrass has walked away from the Bourne franchise taking his shaky-cam and apparently Matt Damon with him.
...word on the street is there will be no competition from a certain other spy in 2011. Paul Greengrass has walked away from the Bourne franchise taking his shaky-cam and apparently Matt Damon with him...This could be Greengrass and Universal calling each other's bluff, but for now Bourne is not happening.
Hmm...this doesn't really surprise me.
If they're going to go back to the Bourne well again, they're going to need another 'hook.' I've always said that Bourne has limited potential for a long-term (beyond a trilogy) franchise. He'd almost have to become more like---well, James Bond; someone who does his job out of a sense of duty.
More likely, Bond's next 'spy competition' will be Matt Helm B-)
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
If they're going to go back to the Bourne well again, they're going to need another 'hook.' I've always said that Bourne has limited potential for a long-term (beyond a trilogy) franchise. He'd almost have to become more like---well, James Bond; someone who does his job out of a sense of duty.
More likely, Bond's next 'spy competition' will be Matt Helm B-)
The only way I could see them doing another Bourne is if he comes out of hiding to help a former colleague, preferably one of the ladies, Joan Allen, Julia Stiles or the Russian girl at the end of Supremacy. I think that might work. I don't really want another Bourne film if it is going to be another case of the CIA running after him again.
Are they remaking Matt Helm Loeffs?
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
There's a project in development called Matt Helm. Please God, don't let it be a remake of the Dean Martin pictures
Spielberg was looking at it, reportedly, but I haven't heard anything lately. Hopefully they'll go back to the rich source material---Helm's debut novel, Death of a Citizen by Donald Hamilton, begs to be a film---but who knows?
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
And Huggy Bear says the word on the street is there will be no competition from a certain other spy in 2011. Paul Greengrass has walked away from the Bourne franchise taking his shaky-cam and apparently Matt Damon with him.
This could be Greengrass and Universal calling each other's bluff, but for now Bourne is not happening.
I read somewhere that the reason Damon is leaving is because the screenwriter, a friend of his, was replaced.
I have to say, I'm quite happy about this. I like Damon, and I like Bourne (although I agree with you JD about not wanting another film about him being chased by the CIA), but I don't like Greengrass at all. His hand-held camerawork is extraordinarily annoying, and I would love it if someone else, anyone else, were to replace him.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
There's a project in development called Matt Helm. Please God, don't let it be a remake of the Dean Martin pictures
Spielberg was looking at it, reportedly, but I haven't heard anything lately. Hopefully they'll go back to the rich source material---Helm's debut novel, Death of a Citizen by Donald Hamilton, begs to be a film---but who knows?
Spielberg has always wanted to do a Bond, wouldn't surprise me if he makes this happen.
Comments
Also, with the internet as well as television and numerous other competing film series, looking ahead towards the release of Bond #48 (in just 48 years) would lead to Bond being regarded as just another series. Except it's not. Personally, I think that two year gaps are the best, with the occasional three year gap.
That's why I support the idea of finding a completely unknown actor (no prior commitments) that's in his early thirties (old enough to know what needs to be done, young enough to do it), sign him to a ten or fifteen year contract and turn out a film every eighteen months to two years. But then, no one asked me either.
I'm with you there. Welcome, by the way. -{
http://apbateman.com
Thanks for posting this. It's a good interview. DC seems so much more relaxed and affable with the media these days. Even the dreaded tash looks better than in photos (not that I'm suggesting it as a look for 23)
And Huggy Bear says the word on the street is there will be no competition from a certain other spy in 2011. Paul Greengrass has walked away from the Bourne franchise taking his shaky-cam and apparently Matt Damon with him.
http://theplaylist.blogspot.com/2009/11/so-paul-greengrass-has-quit-bourne-4.html
This could be Greengrass and Universal calling each other's bluff, but for now Bourne is not happening.
Hmm...this doesn't really surprise me.
If they're going to go back to the Bourne well again, they're going to need another 'hook.' I've always said that Bourne has limited potential for a long-term (beyond a trilogy) franchise. He'd almost have to become more like---well, James Bond; someone who does his job out of a sense of duty.
More likely, Bond's next 'spy competition' will be Matt Helm B-)
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
The only way I could see them doing another Bourne is if he comes out of hiding to help a former colleague, preferably one of the ladies, Joan Allen, Julia Stiles or the Russian girl at the end of Supremacy. I think that might work. I don't really want another Bourne film if it is going to be another case of the CIA running after him again.
Are they remaking Matt Helm Loeffs?
There's a project in development called Matt Helm. Please God, don't let it be a remake of the Dean Martin pictures
Spielberg was looking at it, reportedly, but I haven't heard anything lately. Hopefully they'll go back to the rich source material---Helm's debut novel, Death of a Citizen by Donald Hamilton, begs to be a film---but who knows?
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
I have to say, I'm quite happy about this. I like Damon, and I like Bourne (although I agree with you JD about not wanting another film about him being chased by the CIA), but I don't like Greengrass at all. His hand-held camerawork is extraordinarily annoying, and I would love it if someone else, anyone else, were to replace him.