Michael G. Wilson's As Ruthless As Blofeld!
BIG TAM
Wrexham, North Wales, UK.Posts: 773MI6 Agent
Just read a titbit on MI6 today about Mike Wilson's pragmatic approach to his leading man. It would indeed be a brave move to recast even if SKYFALL's a success, but I think the series has more legs on a continuity level under Craig's tenure. If successful I'd let him have another couple of shots in the role & then move on. However, that may depend on the cinematic climate. I note THE BOURNE LEGACY's had a good opening weekend. If it carries on its success it'll be proof that there's still a public appetite for a tougher protagonist.
Comments
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Agree about the old days with Connery and Moore, but I think it would be a real stretch for EON to be purposely creating bad scripts. Maybe bad judgement re scripts (especially with Brosnan) but not on purpose.
I think Wilson was just being honest. EON makes James Bond films, not Pierce Brosnan or Daniel Craig films. I would not read anything else into it. Bond films are producer's films. That being said, as long as "Skyfall" meets or exceeds the box office of CR and QOS Craig will be back for at least one or two more films. I don't believe that EON/Sony/MGM would have anounced such an aggressive production schedule (a film every two years) if they were planning on replacing Craig after "Skyfall".
With respect to the "other" franchise. The Bourne Legacy did well over the weekend grossing 38 million. I saw the film and it was
"ok". The question being, is the film good enough to have "legs" and continue to gross well and not have a huge drop off next weekend and will people be interested enough to come back for the next one if there continues to be no Matt Damon.
Their was a point when they wouldn't let Moore or Connery leave and now they cant wait to show the actors the door. MGW is right it should be about Bond but that should go for the producers too!
You can see MGW's speech at the link below, it's well worth a look.
Creative Content Summit: James Bond - Creating a Global Film Franchise - Michael G Wilson OBE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZGqx3c9bWs&feature=player_embedded
Again, I wouldn't read too much into what Wilson said. He appeared to be explaining how to keep a film franchise thriving for 50 years, which is unprecedented. The Bond films were brought to life by EON and continue to be one of the great family business stories of all time. I don't think there was any message being sent to anyone except the audience he was addressing. As far as who plays Bond, I just believe they have learned from the past and want to avoid the "one film too many" syndrome. I also believe that Wilson and Barbara B are very protective of their franchise and might be reacting a bit to the recent rehashing in the media of Quentin Tarantino's old Bond rant "I should have done Casino Royale because I am a genius, I know what's best for Bond and I invented film making and I would have kept PB because he was Bond for the 90's, yattah, yattah, yattah".
I actually like Tarantino's films, but EON will still be making Bond films when Tarantino is sitting in the old actor's home in an adult diaper, watching old grindhouse flicks and sipping his dinner through a straw.
Maybe Mr. Wilson is starting to worry. Maybe they are thinking they have a potential monster hit on their hands with "Skyfall" and he is concerned that Craig may be looking for the motherload to do more Bond films. However, I don't know if this is really what may be going on as Craig appears to have a much more congenial and collegial relationship with the producers than past Bond actors, especially with Barbara B. Maybe Michael Wilson and Barbara B are playing a little good cop/bad cop with DC and his agent in order to resign him to more films at a price more in line with what they would prefer.
There are some things we do know about EON these days: they don't mind paying big money to a Bond actor, however they appear to draw a strong line in the sand when it comes to giving anyone a percentage of the gross and/or a producer's credit.
Eon would in NO WAY have the success they've had with these recent films with anyone else. I'm sure it makes them a bit uncomfortable!
I love DC in the role but that was pretty funny!
He looks fine in the trailers I've seen. It's amazing what a little makeup and the right lighting can accomplish.
Rog - Cubby realising how shagged out he was beginning to look and how, erm, sympathetically and carefully he had to be photographed in AVTAK.
And shades of Brosnan - sack the bastard while he's on top (at least at the box office), and while the franchise is in financially rude health and a very powerful position.
Maybe DC, sadly IMO, isn't as vital to EON as he'd hope, nor a viable long term as he might believe.
Maybe we are all reading way too much into this. Hasn't "no actor nor director is bigger than EON, oops I mean Bond
Of course it's always been the case.
As evidenced by EON's brilliant success in casting, and replacing, each new actor.
And it always will be.
Connery was done with playing Bond and wanted out and probably had no expectation that his demands would be met.
Lazenby was given poor advice and was on an ego trip, difficult and didn't have a clue.
Roger Moore was more an issue of EON letting him stay on too long.
Timothy Dalton was basically a casualty of the legal wrangling EON was going through over the rights to Bond.
And of course Pierce Brosnan became a victim of EON's own failure to keep the films fresh during his tenure and belief
that significant change was needed to keep the franchise viable or bring it to a higher level in the long term.
Careful...you may be struck down by the wrath of the fan-boys
Ever see any actors in person on the street without make up, lighting, etc. Sometimes it's not a pretty sight.
As far as DC is concerned, from the trailers (I saw one on a 70' IMAX screen) whether it was good make-up, lighting, or voodoo, he looked fine (I'm not a big fan of the super short hair though).
You mean actors are like the rest of us...?
At least he still has his own hair, unlike some previous Bonds I can think of.
You must know different women than I do
Haha I agree
I have seen footage of Sean Connery at the opening of Goldfinger in '64. Women were screaming, fainting, and one even snuck up to him in the car just to be in his presence... I don't think Craig (or any of the Bond's) come near that level. But then again, I don't think Bond has ever been as big as he was in the 60'ies. (And I wasn't even arround back then, but just based on what I've seen :P )
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As to receding hairlines, whats the beef?! I'm virtually bald myself at 37, many guys loose their hair beore the hit 27. Besides having a beard (which Craig suits, as does Sir Sean) being bald or close too it is one of the most masculine qualities a guy can have to his appearance. Hasn;t done either Jason Statham or Sir Pat Stewart any harm. I actually feel a little sorry for Javier Bardem, his appearance as the baddie was a bit of a shock compared to his own appearance! Reminds me of one of the rejected make up tests they did to Michel Longsdale when he was cast as Drax!
Re Mr Wilson's comments I pay no attention to industry scuttlebutt. I think Mr Craig's position is secure ain as much he knows where he is in the heirachy. Heres an interesting interview the Evening Standard had with Ms Broccoli, praising Mr Craig's take amongst other things.
SPOILER ALERT! - Interview contains some cast and character info From Skyfall!
http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/barbara-broccoli-i-thought-james-bond-was-a-real-person-until-i-was-seven-8052861.html?origin=internalSearch
Can't compare what was going on in the 60's to now. The 60's was the height of Bondmania. Those first four Bond films with Connery were a cultural phenomenom. Bond films today, while still extremely popular, are just further entries into a successful series of blockbuster films, albeit with a tradition and very unique pedigree that has stood the test of time like no other.
Don't know about your neck of the woods, Dutchfinger, but alot of women over here appear to be quite smitten with Craig, especially his physique.