Who’s your vote for the next James Bond?

[Paul Farquhar]

I didn't think of that, but you're right.
That's actually better casting.

Could go with my Bond: Legacy pitch. The new M has a much more important role in the narrative, he is a former 00 field agent himself who is desperately in need of a replacement for the late Commander Bond.

The new M could have the "ruthless bastard" characteristics, opening the way for a new 007 with a stronger moral centre. He initially believes the new protagonist is "too soft for the job" but by the end of the movie the results speak for themselves.

 

[Morrus]

Perhaps you're right but at this point in time is there still a lot of interest in the franchise? Or is it surviving because of a group of loyal fans?

The last five movies did *incredibly*well. Don’t mistake your lack of interest for that of the world at large. It’s a massive, and very popular franchise--the 4th biggest in the world, after Marvel, Star Wars, and Harry Potter. The Craig films made $4B. There is no way Bond will not be back.

 

[Morrus]

Talking of extra ‘content’, spinoffs, and the like—the Broccolis and Eons are incredibly protective of the IP. Amazon bought MGM and the distribution rights came with it, and want to do all that stuff—and TV shows, etc—and Broccoli has said no, period (actually the words she used were a bit stronger than that...) They don’t want a cinematic universe, or to dilute the brand. So we won’t see all that stuff.

Barbara Brocooli also says Bond is male and British (which is news to Lazenby and Brosnan, I imagine).

So I think it’s almost certain that the only thing we’ll see is a British man playing James Bond in a Bond movie, and they’ll happy wait until the stars align for that. At least while she’s still in charge.

On the literature side, the book rights are different, and there’s a whole bunch of stuff. Tons of post-Fleming books, comics, all sorts. But the movies aren’t going to branch out. But I'm still hoping for a 60s period reboot.

 

[AnotherGuy]

Sure. Gumping comes from Forrest Gump and refers to how they managed to take new footage of Tom Hanks and put him pretty seemlessly (a surprise at the time) into old footage of John F Kennedy and John Lennon (etc).

Like that Star Trek DS9 episode Trials and Tribble-ations (released November 1996, 2 years after Forest Gump).

 

[AnotherGuy]

I see that you're not interested in dissenting views, but while I think that more new spy stuff with non-white-male leads would be absolutely great, I think that they would only be made weaker to be forced to conform to any Bond-isms.

I do not think it is necessary to push for a non-white or male Bond.
And I agree with your points as to why!

Would "Killing Eve" or "Atomic Blonde" have been better if they'd been Bond stories? I don't think so.

Exactly. There is enough material to expand on other fresher ideas that could give way for a franchise.
I think the biggest fail these days are decent scripts and execution.

You could probably have pulled off an Idris Elba (or now a John Boyega) Bond, but again, I think that a spy character starring either of them would only be made more interesting if you leaned into how they are NOT Bond. YMMV.

IMO they did Idris Elba bad in the last Luther movie. Not his fault he had rubbish to work with.

Also,

Spoiler: Extraction Two

I was expecting to see him at the end of Extraction 2. His whole scene felt lame.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Talking of extra ‘content’, spinoffs, and the like—the Broccolis and Eons are incredibly protective of the IP. Amazon bought MGM and the distribution rights came with it, and want to do all that stuff—and TV shows, etc—and Broccoli has said no, period (actually the words she used were a bit stronger than that...) They don’t want a cinematic universe, or to dilute the brand. So we won’t see all that stuff

Have you seen this legal case? James Bond in battle to keep hold of 007 super spy’s name.

As I understand it, the basis is that because the IP hasn’t been used for X, Y and Z, the rights to use the IP for X, Y and Z have lapsed. I don’t know if it has any weight, but presumably their is a deadline they need to make a movie before or the rights will lapse.

 

[TiQuinn]

Perhaps you're right but at this point in time is there still a lot of interest in the franchise? Or is it surviving because of a group of loyal fans?

It’s been going 60+ years and the Craig movies made some big money, plus Amazon acquired the rights to Bond after the last movie so I think it’s safe to say it’s going to continue.

 

[Morrus]

Have you seen this legal case? James Bond in battle to keep hold of 007 super spy’s name.

Yeah. It’s very silly.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Barbara Brocooli also says Bond is male and British (which is news to Lazenby and Brosnan, I imagine

The character is male and British. The actor needn’t be.

 

[Morrus]

The character is male and British. The actor needn’t be.

True.