Please know that we’re taking the time to do this with care and deep respect. It is the dream of a lifetime for all of us to bring audiences this next chapter, and it’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly.
I wonder, is that possibly a sign of studio/producers/Villeneuve not all being on the same page about the recasting of Bond? Strikes me as odd that only last week the ‘very young Bond’ initiative was kicked off. If it’s all proceeding as expected, what would keep them from getting ready to present their choice? Only that the choice hasn’t been made yet, no?
My thinking is that Bond 26 will get the “platinum” treatment. High budget, creative freedom, the works. However, depending on it’s success, I’m far more worried for Bond 27. Will it be rushed to capitalize on the 26’s success? Or will it see it’s production slashed to reduce costs and be treated as “content”?
It’s all up to how BOND 26 will do. Which may not even be entirely in the film’s powers to influence. If theatrical release doesn’t recover on a scale even the best production cannot singlehandedly drive people back into cinemas. The next Avengers vehicle may be a pointer, but perhaps inconclusive since superheroes aren’t a guaranteed success any more, even with RDJ’s return.
But if BOND 26 doesn’t mark the return of the tentpole big budget production I seriously don’t know what could do it. Further Bond films would have to scale back and it’s anybody’s guess how that might influence the series.
Despite my misgivings about Amazon, with Villeneuve involved as director, I want to believe that Bond 26 is getting serious consideration. I confess that I’m not overly enamored of the Dune films I’ve watched, but everything else I’ve seen by Villeneuve is stellar. So I have my fingers crossed that his expertise and attention to detail meshes with the pre-production work being done now.
Sounds like there’s still a long way to go, given his “bottom of the first inning” comment. Which is fine, to be honest, because they need to get this right, and it sounds like he understands that as well. Good to hear that he says he agrees with Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson that Bond should be a theatrical franchise as well.
To be fair - I was of the understanding that keeping Bond as a theatrical franchise was in the terms of the agreement, so what else could he say? Or if memory serves, it was reported as “always have a theatrical release” but the devil is always in the details.
An interesting retrospect with the 3 Bond alumni. Casino Royale will be screened with a live orchestra, in the UK. But still keep them away from Bond for awhile!
Well, we know the only one on Bond 26 who has worked on a Bond movie before is Amy Pascal as studio rep on the Sony funded Bond movies. The closest otherwise is Villeneuve who circled, I think, NTTD and Knight who was rumoured at one point to write a future Bond film not long after Skyfall I seem to recall.
Difficult to say. With Eon the Broccoli/Wilson tandem (with perhaps increasing input by their respective kids) was all a close knit family business and the front of Eon towards studios and directors seems to have been largely united.
Pascal & Heyman may be a lot further apart in their vision of Bond. This can potentially turn into a problem you wouldn’t want with your first entry under the Amazon moniker. Mind you, it needn’t necessarily if they are clear about responsibilities and present such a united front towards Amazon and Villeneuve. But it will no doubt take a bit until routines are established.
And we’re still at the very start of production and major cliffs are still up ahead, presenting Bond and the cast, teasing the story and the villain’s scheme. Much of that is bound to cause attention - has to cause attention if the film is going to be a success. A single responsible producer may negotiate that turmoil easier than a duo of nominally equal execs.
I don’t know whether Bond Influencers are important, and I am sure that the absence of official news are the reason fans stay away from message boards.
But on this I agree: if casting has been successful there needs to be a good reason for withholding the choice, and DUNE 3 and its press tour are definitely not helping a swift announcement.
In the end, I have faith in the BRAND (ugh). When it is restarted people will come. If it is restarted badly, however, we as fans are in trouble.
I was discussing this with a friend. There is another risk connected both to the actor and the general direction they want to follow: if they chose a path that is in line with what the general public wants, they will probably disappoint the fans. If they try to please the fans it could be a problem from the box office POV. It’s a tricky balance
For what it’s worth @TheInSneider has said “don’t be surprised if we hear more about James Bond next week, as I hear this weekend is a big one for the actors in contention. And it sure has been quiet over in Jacob Elordi’s neck of the woods lately.”
You can say that of any ip. Ignore “the fans!!” is the best approach. They never have a unified opinion and are going to have a tantrum online regardless of what you do and chasing “fan” approval has driven many a series into a hole they can’t get out of (hello Star Wars)
This thing about Global James Bond Day October 5th, as being of any significance whatsoever; that’s all pretty recent, isn’t it? Don’t remember it being mentioned (say) 20 years ago, but then I am very old and have forgotten most… thingywhatsits.