Albert Finney Joins Cast for B23
Lady Rose
London,UKPosts: 2,667MI6 Agent
For their eyes only: Sam Mendes shakes up his Bond cast with a top secret
'Sam Mendes wanted to spring a surprise on his high-calibre cast gathered at Pinewood studios for a script reading of the latest 007 adventure.
As the likes of Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem and Ralph Fiennes sat leafing through their scripts, each stamped ‘Highly Confidential’, with every page watermarked and coded, they must all have been wondering: who on earth could the Oscar-winning director be bringing in who might leave them shaken and (pleasantly) stirred?
Try Albert Finney, a legendary actor, revered by his peers and about to make his Bond debut at the age of 75.
An executive close to the production told me: ‘It was one of those fabulous “This can’t get any better!” moments because Mendes has upped the game by bringing in Bardem and Fiennes — and they’ve already got Dame Judi Dench.
‘So you think, well, who else can they get to make this any classier?’
Finney, who has been in remission from cancer of the prostate for several years, will play a Foreign Office mandarin with powers over the Secret Intelligence Service, described to me as a reasonably big role and full of class.
The part probably makes him M’s boss, though she — as played by Judi — might not see it that way.
The thespians were joined at the studio by Naomie Harris who, as revealed here, will play Miss Moneypenny; Berenice Marlohe as the requisite femme fatale (are we past using the term ‘Bond girl’ in the 21st century?) and Rory Kinnear, who will play M’s chief of staff, Bill Tanner.
He will have more to do in this movie than when he played Tanner in Quantum Of Solace.
Ben Whishaw and Helen McCrory have as yet unspecified roles.
John LOGAN, who wrote Gladiator and who has been winning acclaim for his sublime script for the forthcoming film Coriolanus, has long toiled over the Bond 23 script.
And now Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, keepers of the Bond movie flame, have asked him to be involved in writing other screenplays based on Ian Fleming’s famous espionage officer.
Rehearsals and camera tests continue this week, and next week shooting will begin on Bond 23, which will be released next autumn on the 50th anniversary of the first Bond film, Dr No.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2054492/BAZ-BAMIGBOYE-For-eyes--Sam-Mendes-shakes-Bond-cast-secret.html#ixzz1c4lvAHNQ
'Sam Mendes wanted to spring a surprise on his high-calibre cast gathered at Pinewood studios for a script reading of the latest 007 adventure.
As the likes of Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem and Ralph Fiennes sat leafing through their scripts, each stamped ‘Highly Confidential’, with every page watermarked and coded, they must all have been wondering: who on earth could the Oscar-winning director be bringing in who might leave them shaken and (pleasantly) stirred?
Try Albert Finney, a legendary actor, revered by his peers and about to make his Bond debut at the age of 75.
An executive close to the production told me: ‘It was one of those fabulous “This can’t get any better!” moments because Mendes has upped the game by bringing in Bardem and Fiennes — and they’ve already got Dame Judi Dench.
‘So you think, well, who else can they get to make this any classier?’
Finney, who has been in remission from cancer of the prostate for several years, will play a Foreign Office mandarin with powers over the Secret Intelligence Service, described to me as a reasonably big role and full of class.
The part probably makes him M’s boss, though she — as played by Judi — might not see it that way.
The thespians were joined at the studio by Naomie Harris who, as revealed here, will play Miss Moneypenny; Berenice Marlohe as the requisite femme fatale (are we past using the term ‘Bond girl’ in the 21st century?) and Rory Kinnear, who will play M’s chief of staff, Bill Tanner.
He will have more to do in this movie than when he played Tanner in Quantum Of Solace.
Ben Whishaw and Helen McCrory have as yet unspecified roles.
John LOGAN, who wrote Gladiator and who has been winning acclaim for his sublime script for the forthcoming film Coriolanus, has long toiled over the Bond 23 script.
And now Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, keepers of the Bond movie flame, have asked him to be involved in writing other screenplays based on Ian Fleming’s famous espionage officer.
Rehearsals and camera tests continue this week, and next week shooting will begin on Bond 23, which will be released next autumn on the 50th anniversary of the first Bond film, Dr No.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2054492/BAZ-BAMIGBOYE-For-eyes--Sam-Mendes-shakes-Bond-cast-secret.html#ixzz1c4lvAHNQ
Comments
Then again.... wasn't Finney in the last Bourne film? It's Bourne all over again!
Of course, Finney was originally mooted for the Carver role in TND.
Edit: Oh, hang on, he's a Foreign Office bod.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
;% ;% ;%
That said, I can't say having A-grade actors in the film need make any difference per se. It's not like once you break the film down into parts there will be any great emotional development going on from them. I mean, Tim Piggott-Smith was a fairly big name actor, but his role as the Foreign Sec in QoS, well, it could have been anyone in the role really. And Fiennes, well, he's also been in Harry Potter, not just adult-themed flicks like Schindler's and Hurt Locker. That said, DeNiro in Untouchables, well, that's a scene-stealing role from a big name actor, so it can work.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Thanks!
Hopefully there are enough quality, experienced actors on board now who will have the weight to say 'I dont think so ...' to any particularly outlandish script gaffs
I'd personally prefer more casting against type, or suprise casting, like Lotte Lenya must have been as Klebb. I mean, she was a cabaret artist and singer first and foremost.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
that movie. But still, you have a point.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Funny, I never thought of Finney as a "big name". . .I don't think many people go to a movie just because Finney is in it. Still, he's one of those actors like--I don't know--Judi Dench who's always reliable and lends a certain class and (to over-use a word) gravitas to a role.
I think Finney adds a strength.... and a certain depth. (Like a good Italian coffee.... you just know it's going to be well made and taste as it should.) Something that Bond 23 will no doubt benefit from - (a depth of character that is... not an Italian coffee
(One of my fav movies is Big Fish.... a very underrated movie, but beautifully told, and brilliantly acted, by both Finney and Ewan McGregor.)
Spot on Lexi - an actor of class and depth that is rare these days
My personal favourite - the uncle in a good year
And in may he admitted to having been fighting cancer , which he seems to have gotten the better of....
A five times oscar nominee, I also love his rejection of the knighthood in 2000
I bet he plays a Mathis - type character - and would be superb!
I love 'A Good Year' . A fabulous little film that leaves me with a warm glow each time I see it. :x
Same with 'Big Fish' ( good call, Lexi. forgot about that one
Finney is just one of those very fine calibre actors who just gets on with acting and producing good work and not making a spectacle of himself.
Think he will be a great asset to Bond
Spot on lady rose...
Now see how much more fun participation is ?
This is one of the better speculations I've encountered, Mr. M. When Finney was announced, I figured he's be like Tim Piggott-Smith in the last film: just brought in for a scene as a government functionary to harrumph over M's doings (and maybe he will be). . .but I hope you're correct!