There is a strong undercurrent in parts of the media to give BOND 25 a hard time; that’s at least what the coverage seems to imply to me. But is it because of the actual political crisis that’s got the UK in its throes?
Partially maybe, but there’s also the fact that BOND 25 has indeed been a trouble magnet from early on, as far back as SPECTRE’s promo campaign and the Hiddleston rumours. There has been plenty of drama, MGM’s change of guard and the fate of Boyle’s whatever-it-was included. And tabloids simply run on drama, the uglier, bloodier, messier the better.
Add to this Eon’s own PR policy - keep it microscopic - and how little was done to make good weather with the usual suspects and this is the result. And since it was apparently implied Craig might be open for one more it’s open season again with certain scribes. I’d expect more of the same, mostly in the vein of ‘Craig-no-longer-Bond’ filth.
All true. I just thought that since the British tabloids heated the debate and misled the public they marked Craig and BB for further notice back then - and now´s the time for putting them on the spot.
Could well be, but even it BB/Craig were staunch leavers the guardian and its metro-centric ilk would equally be as likely to lay into bond 25. It’s not just the tabloids that spread the pain when there’s a grudge.
It could be argued that in that scenario the tabloids would come to bonds defence, but the guardian etc remain uninterested in defending fellow remainers because that doesn’t sell and are perhaps therefore the more cynical for it.
Leave or remain all the papers care about are sales and the tabloids would in truth print the same sour ‘scoops’ on bond whatever the politics so long as it sells.
I don’t think it’s anything political. Anything with Bond generates a lot of clicks and website hits, and bad news generates even more. It will be a cold, clinical business decision. It’s always been like this.
" a source close to Bond 12 said Mr. Moore threw down his Backgammon dice in fury and Mr. Broccoli was fearful for his safety"
They would have had a field day
And, naturally, the kidney stones. “Moore falls ill during shooting - emergency operation - work on MOONRAKER suspended, delayed indefinitely? Will he be ever be able to act again? EON rushing to find replacement!”
“Bond series will end! After the Lazenby disaster it is clear that only Connery is accepted as Bond. An insider told us “well, it was fun as long as it lasted”!”
Then…
“Connery is coming back for one last time - sources say he wants the character to be killed off at the end!”
Funny. The reports about the accident happening “while running in his trademark suit” and the images of the “heated chat shortly before injury” somehow don’t match…
Bond is one of the very few things that always generate interest. And interest - range, clicks - is the most important currency in media today, especially for the tabloid segment. Bond, like the Royals, is permanently, reliably a theme you can reach readers with, when other topics - Brexit, austerity, politics in general - have lost their appeal for many. Even back in the day when Bond had his relaunch with GOLDENEYE there were articles about Euro-Bond and how unsuitable it was for him to drive a Beemer.
Nearly everybody has an opinion about Bond, the current actor, the current film. But in contrast to Brexit, few people slide into quasi-religious fervour about 007. And regardless what nonsense the papers have written, they are always ready to change tune when the film‘s out and it looks like it’s a success. For the entertainment desks Bond is the gift that keeps giving.
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