Plan B
zaphod99
Posts: 1,415MI6 Agent
I have wondrered for some time if EON have a substitute actor on retainer during filming? When announced the release date is specified, screens lined up, schedules set. What would happen if the lead actor was ill, injured, or incapacitated to the extent that filming could not resume. It strikes me that as the investment is so great their is likely to be contingency in place. Or do they just collect on the insurance? Anyone know/ have a view?
Of that of which we cannot speak we must pass over in silence- Ludwig Wittgenstein.
Comments
However, sometimes you just can't forsee what lies around the corner (such as Heath Ledger passing away during production of Dr Parnassus) and in these instances, the insurance policies will come into play.
How the producers would get around the death of a star in a Bond movie is unclear - you couldn't really do the same as Gilliam did with Ledger - with Parnassus being a fantasy film, he got away with re-casting the role, explaining it away as different physical incarnations of the same character as he passed through different worlds, but Bond is very different.
I can't see any situation where they'd have an understudy on standby, as is common in the theatre - audiences just wouldn't accept it. If the movie was 70%+ complete, they could probably get around finishing the film by re-writes, doubles shot from behind and CGI. Let's hope it never happens though.
"Do you expect me to talk? "No Mister Bond I expect you to die"
Yes, I believe Oliver Reed dropped dead of a heart attack in some tavern on Malta, where they were shooting. They CGI'd Reed's face on a double for that last shot...and you can tell
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Maybe a solution is to do what Peter Gabriel, the UK singer and former Genesis front-man, has reputedly done - have yourself totally digitised in hundreds of poses and from hundreds of angles. He's also apparently recorded his voice speaking all the phonics (language building blocks) in various pitches and at various volumes so that after his death, he can carry on producing music!!
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
I'm wondering if the knee injury which threatened to stall production (apparently) will curtail how much of the stunt work that Daniel (or whoever is next) is allowed to do? It was obviously more serious than first reported as Daniel needs more surgery. One of the things that I really value re his tenure is the sheer physicality and the way that he has (literally) thrown himself into the role. I thought that I noticed more of the doubles in SP but that could just be that I know that Daniel was absent/incapacitated for some stunts/action. It would be a shame,but understandable if it does.