I’m probably going to be in the minority here, but I wasn’t impressed by the trailer. Didn’t blow me away and the graphics looked like something from five years ago.
Perhaps I’ve be spoilt by the GTAVI trailer, but that looks ultra-realistic compared to this.
Granted, but that maverick characterisation isn’t just Bond but seemingly every other agent/detective/special forces soldier depicted in genre fare. And if we’re honest, the M-Bond chemistry has been volatile even back in GOLDFINGER. We expect heroes to be individualistic. Not necessarily loose cannons but distinctly unconventional.
But I agree it would be a lot more interesting to see a competent M send out a competent Bond and that’s that.
The real problem is that James Bond doesn’t need an “origin” and his mystique and impact is only diminished by having one.
I think it makes sense for a young man who lost both of his parents at a young age (saving his life, no less) to have some issues with authority and commitment. I think a reasonable arc, which the Craig era hinted at and then abandoned immediately, involves maturing in a structure and gaining a nuanced understanding of “the big picture” that structure serves. Half monk, half hitman.
That said, maturing is also understanding that just because someone is in charge, they are not always right, and that when the stakes are high, sometimes your position, especially if it’s one of massive responsibility in and of itself, calls for challenging that authority. Arguably, your superiors will have put you in that position because they trust your judgement, even if it goes unsaid. If need be, violating an order with the belief that your outcome will be on the right side of a moral argument by, say, reducing collateral damage that would otherwise be deemed acceptable by the bosses when looking at “the big picture,” is a reflection of character and bravery, and may even be expected and quietly encouraged. Coupled with a willingness to accept the consequences of whatever comes to pass, you have a figure who is a team player and understands his role in the larger machine, but who also refuses to completely sacrifice his humanity and morality to that same machine, which is made even more interesting by the amoral acts that mechanism expects of him. This can of course go sideways and the morality of the person who breaks the rules can be horribly skewed, which is why I’m curious to see what they have in mind for 009 here.
At any rate, I think that a Bond who (still) has some problems with authority is perfectly acceptable in an age where elected government officials and their appointees can very much be on the wrong side of an argument. Would it be nice if they just sent Bond out on a mission with no such tension? Sure. Is it more interesting? I guess that’s open for debate. I’m interested to see how they handle his arc.
I agree. “Stuff my orders” applies to both ends of the age spectrum for different reasons. The attitude of a young rookie and that of a weary veteran. Either way, it’s inherent. Would Bond’s behaviour be tolerated in real life? No. But this has never been real life, and Bond has pretty much always had a special relationship with all versions of M. They have an understanding he’s a unique case.
I’m up for a change of pace in the games after what we’ve had from Skyfall onwards, as much as I liked that. I’m also fine with IO taking their time with this Bond’s evolution, given the CR/QoS period was fleeting. I see the cockiness Lazenby had, especially in his on and off set photos, evident in this trailer.
That’s crazy.
Listening to Calvin Dyson’s video on this, and he mentioned that the model for James Bond is the actor Patrick Gibson, who played the role in the motion cap for the game. The discussion is at about 5:40 in the video:
Here’s the live link for the showcase, set to start in 12 hours:
That’s been the going speculation ever since the trailer dropped. If he is Bond, we’ll likely get confirmation today in the IOI showcase. He’s 30, I believe which puts him right around Bond’s age in Casino Royale (novel) depending on when his birthday is supposed to be (1920 or 1924). Also, Connery was 32 in Dr. No and Lazenby was 29 in OHMSS, putting Gibson right around the correct age for a young Bond. Unfortunately, we can’t all be like Roger Moore and look 27 at 46.
I’ll probably still eventually buy it, and I get we’re all tired of adaptations, but I’m afraid that this game is going to be what I hated about Agent Under Fire; that Bond will be some pretty boy who’s more known for his charm than his badassery. Watching the previews for this, I don’t think that’ll be an issue and like I said, I’ll still play it, but I’m still apprehensive.
Le Chiffre, actually beng played by Mads Mikkelsen, is being added to Hitman next month.
It means you get to kill 2 Bond villains in the game.
Independent thinking on the part of Bond, and others like him, is something that is worthwhile having as a part of the character that comes up from time to time. The problem is, however, that this has been more or less the focus of the films since the mid-90s. It’s more than overstayed its welcome and a course correction in the other direction would be greatly appreciated at this point.
His humour is being highlighted a lot more than I expected, I’ll give you that.
Definitely gonna have to boot up Hitman this month. Even better that Mads Mikkelsen has recorded new dialogue and mocap as Le Chiffre for the game.
He is in the game. Looking forward to finding him.
Nothing new other than the trailer we’ve already seen. Gameplay to be shown later in the summer. The Le Chiffre content from Hitman looks great, though. The closest to a video game recreation of Casino Royale we’re likely to get. I’ll be off to play it now.
Yeah, Im guessing we’ll get the gameplay reveal at Gamecom. Which is fine with me. I don’t need everything immediately. The trailer is enough to sate me for now.
Exactly.
The romanticization of going rogue is hurting the character. Bond should know how to circumvent orders while still achieving his goals - that’s what makes him interesting and unique.
I think (wish) that’s going to build up along the way in the game, at least M’s line seems to infer that: “Bond is a bullet without a target. Let’s give him one.”
Given that the game was commissioned still with EON on full power, I’m guessing this version/story doesn’t reflect nothing Amazon has planned for future film or videogames, so given that they plan to start a regular release of games it will be interesting how will they adapt to whatever Amazon brings as a story/actor. This videogame young Bond will have nothing to do with the next Amazon movie Bond.
I’m okay with a younger Amazon Bond but I’d rather he already know the regulars and be established like Moonraker (1955), the third book in Fleming’s run.
I was hoping to see more actual gameplay but I agree the trailer did enough to scratch the itch. Watching it again I’m wondering if the goon wearing the golden mask is the main henchman? Looks like Bond is wearing a tuxedo during the fireworks sequence. If it’s him watching the chess game from the balcony he’s definitely wearing one there.
I think it started before that. It’s the clear focus of LK. For me, it’s an interesting focus for a Bond story. The problem is it’s been done too many times. What was it someone said on here a few years back? This time it’s even more personal.!
