Should EON bring in Frederick Forsyth for Bond 25?

perdogg · November 2015

It could not hurt. He knows the Fleming genre and is experienced in developing teleplays. No one would question his ability, he would have some clout in dealing with the studios. We may actually get something that is neither Batman nor Rogue Nation. . I think it would be a great idea.

James Suzuki · November 2015

The thing which makes Forsyth's novels so good is that he has lived them. Seriously. Read his biography. His life rivals that of James Bond.
I'd be super keen to be honest. He could bring back the old fashioned espionage feel to them. The only problem is his advancing age. He must be 80 now at least.

Dryden · November 2015

James Suzuki wrote:

The thing which makes Forsyth's novels so good is that he has lived them. Seriously. Read his biography. His life rivals that of James Bond.
I'd be super keen to be honest. He could bring back the old fashioned espionage feel to them. The only problem is his advancing age. He must be 80 now at least.

I agree with this for his earlier novels, say up until 'The Fist Of God', but his more recent have become what I can only describe as lazy; relying on ridiculous coincidences and recycling plot threads from earlier books with minor tweaks.

I fear this is due to his advancing years which mean he's probably missed the boat Bond script wise.

James Suzuki · November 2015

I believe you are Right. I have not read any of his new stuff. Only his classics, fist of god, Odessa file, day of jackal etc.
a friend of mine said that he became formulaic later on and his name sold them and that was all.
You never know tho. Bond could revitalise him and give him new ideas etc.

James Suzuki · November 2015

A pipe dream!

Thunderpussy · November 2015

Why not try his brother Bruce Forsyth ?

Silhouette Man · November 2015

You have to bear in mind that Frederick Forsyth was offered the James Bond continuation gig by Patrick Janson-Smith (Peter's son) during the summer of 2001. Frederick Forsyth refused. His first novel The Day of the Jackal (1971) was described by The Times as "easily beating Ian Fleming on his own ground." I think Forsyth is no big Bond fan and that he would consider the role of writing a continuation Bond or even a Bond film very much below him. In other words, it will never happen so one shouldn't get their hopes up.

Thunderpussy · November 2015

Good point SM, I vaguely remember a radio iinterview, in which he
Was none too complimentary about Bond.

perdogg · November 2015

Silhouette Man wrote:

You have to bear in mind that Frederick Forsyth was offered the James Bond continuation gig by Patrick Janson-Smith (Peter's son) during the summer of 2001. Frederick Forsyth refused. His first novel The Day of the Jackal (1971) was described by The Times as "easily beating Ian Fleming on his own ground."I think Forsyth is no big Bond fan and that he would consider the role of writing a continuation Bond or even a Bond film very much below him. In other words, it will never happen so one shouldn't get their hopes up.

I have started an essay on Frederick Forsyth and James Bond. You would be surprised the elements of Fleming Forsyth brings in the his novel.

Silhouette Man · November 2015

perdogg wrote:

Silhouette Man wrote:

You have to bear in mind that Frederick Forsyth was offered the James Bond continuation gig by Patrick Janson-Smith (Peter's son) during the summer of 2001. Frederick Forsyth refused. His first novel The Day of the Jackal (1971) was described by The Times as "easily beating Ian Fleming on his own ground."I think Forsyth is no big Bond fan and that he would consider the role of writing a continuation Bond or even a Bond film very much below him. In other words, it will never happen so one shouldn't get their hopes up.

I have started an essay on Frederick Forsyth and James Bond. You would be surprised the elements of Fleming Forsyth brings in the his novel.

I look forward to reading it - send me a copy when you get it finished.

-{

Silhouette Man · November 2015

Thunderpussy wrote:

Good point SM, I vaguely remember a radio iinterview, in which he
Was none too complimentary about Bond.

Yes, TP, he was the same in a TV interview I saw with him in 2002 called Reading the Decades on BBC 2 (I also have the book that accompanied the series). Forsyth was one of the early docu-thriller writers along with Jack Higgins and others and so the literary Bond would have been viewed as too fantastical by him. That's why I'd wager that he wouldn't touch the writing of a Bond book or film with a ten foot barge-pole!

Should EON bring in Frederick Forsyth for Bond 25?

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