James Bond in SkyFall

[BatmAngelus]

After a ton of delays, it looks like the next James Bond film, titled SkyFall, is moving forward with Daniel Craig returning as James Bond as Judi Dench returning as M. 

Here's the logline:

In SKYFALL, Bond's loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

http://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/articles/bond_23_official_title_announcement.php3?s=bond23&id=02997

While deliberately vague, I find the premise intriguing.  We've dealt a bit with M's past in The World is Not Enough, but I imagine this'll be much different.

As for the title, it's not as "Bondian" as we're used to.  I have a feeling they wanted a simpler, blander title after Quantum of Solace became the brunt of jokes.  They've also stated that the meaning of the title will have an "emotional context" in the film, so we'll see.

Sam Mendes, who worked with Craig in Road to Perdition and is famous for American Beauty, is directing and stated that the movie won't really be tied into the previous two.  Perhaps we won't see the return of QUANTUM then?

The screenplay is credited to Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, and John Logan and won't be an adaptation from any of the books.  At one point, Peter Morgan was writing a draft and I would've loved to have seen what his take was, but oh well.

As for the new cast, Javier Bardem will be the villain, though his comment on the role, "Who told you a villain is a bad person?" is interesting.  Perhaps we'll have a more morally ambiguous villain than usual?
Bardem is one of the more high profile actors to be cast as Bond villain in awhile, so I look forward to seeing what's in store.

Bérénice Marlohe and Naomie Harris are the Bond girls named Severin and Eve, respectively.  Nothing much in description for either character except that Harris will be a "field agent."  Harris was previously rumored to be playing Moneypenny, but if "Eve" is actually "Eve Moneypenny," then the character will have a bigger role than usual considering Harris has been undergoing training for the role.

In the meantime, Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney, and Ben Whishaw have been confirmed as part of the cast, though their character names have been withheld.  According to the press conference, this is due to the possibility of fans recognizing the names (from previous movies or the Fleming novels), so let the speculation begin!

John Logan previously has hinted at including Bond's longtime nemesis, Ernst Blofeld, into the picture.  Right now, fan theories seem to be that Fiennes, jumping off of the evil archwizard Voldemort from the Harry Potter series, will be Blofeld (with Bardem in a Largo/No. 2- type role).  While that could work, it also seem a bit like typecasting to me.  After seeing him play such a major villain in a big franchise already, I'd be more intrigued to see Fiennes as a major MI6 character (perhaps the often-mentioned, never-seen 008?).
http://www.slashfilm.com/bond-23-screenwriter-hints-blofeld-appearance/

In the meantime, Albert Finney has been rumored to be M's superior in the British government.  It could be interesting if he were Sir Miles Messervy, the original M from the Fleming books and movies.  I think there'd be an interesting dynamic between Dench's M and her predecessor (though the shame is that in the new continuity, Craig's Bond wouldn't have had Sir Miles as a superior.  I guess an idea like this would've fit The World is Not Enough better).

As for Ben Whishaw, I find his casting amusing after watching him on the show, The Hour, when he kept calling Romola Garai's character "Moneypenny" and she kept calling him "James."  He even had a copy of the original print of Fleming's Casino Royale at his desk. 
It would be interesting if Whishaw turns out to be a young Major Boothroyd/Q.  I could definitely see him in the role, working in the lab and presenting the gadgets to Craig's Bond.

The movie will be released on November 9, 2012.

Anyone else have thoughts on the latest news?

[The Dark Knight]

I find it all very exciting. It's been four years since the last film as I have serious hunger for another.

The title is fine. Similar to Thunderball. And given how 2012 is surrounded with 'end of the world talk', it does seem very apt.

The meaning behind the name is pretty much out of the bag, with Skyfall being the name of Bond's ancestral home. Just as Ian Fleming called his Jamaican house GoldenEye in real life. It does bode well in terms of the 50th anniversary, how it would bring things back to Bond the man.

Interesting how Mendes didn't name certain roles. There is talk that Fiennes will be playing Blofeld. Now wouldn't that send fans into orbit? Would be pretty darn awesome. Bardem is a beast of an actor. Huge potential there. There's a chance, IMO, that he will play the up front villain role. And Fiennes will be behind the scenes.

I think Wishaw will be Q. He's young, and could play the part for a long stint. Become a regular. And really, technology these days is a thing for the young. An older person ala Desmond Llewelyn wouldn't quite fit now, IMO.

And indeed I think Moneypenny is in. How about she starts out in the field, and she and Bond are about to do the deed. They never get the chance, as Moneypenny is relocated to work as M's secretary. Explaining the heat that exists between them. Doing something different with the character but still being true to it.

Craig has said that this film is Bond with a capital B and has all of the ingredients. So yes, I'd say SkyFall's objective is to throw in the kitchen sink 'classic' wise, (though in the Craigverse fashion) and really win back those people who were meh about Quantum of Solace.

[BatmAngelus]

Looks like we were right about Whishaw as Q, Dark Knight:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15889689

[The Dark Knight]

Looks like we were right about Whishaw as Q, Dark Knight:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15889689

Great minds think alike.

They could reverse the whole dynamic. The young Q getting excited about the toys, and the serious Craig Bond telling him to get on with it.

[The Dark Knight]

The teaser poster:



I think it's a simple and classy poster. There's something old school about it as well. Celebrating the character but also advertising the new movie. The teaser trailer is hitting on Monday, by the way.

[Grissom]

Love the poster and lookling forward to the film. This along with The Hobbit will make a great end of year at the movies.

[The Dark Knight]

The teaser trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJ4dAY3DW4c&feature=player_embedded

This looks fantastic.

[Grissom]

Nice! probably one of the best teasers of the year.

[greggbray]

I am terribly excited for this film.  Like many of you I'm a huge Bond fan.  Casino Royale is one of my favorites, though my list shuffles and re-shuffles itself from year to year.  Part of the fun I suppose.

That said I thought QOS was a bit of a letdown.  Not a bad film by any means, it felt less 'Bond' and more 'Bourne.'  Truth be told, I missed some of the classic Bond punctuations.   All of which feel present in the trailer above. 

I love that Q is a young man.  I think it's a just a smart and fresh idea, taking nothing away of course from the late Desmond Llewellyn. 

Quite frankly, this looks like the Bond I've been hungry for, and I'm really looking forward to its release. 

[greggbray]

I would place it somewhere in my top five.  I'm absolutely stunned by how much I enjoyed it, and I'm thrilled to have walked in spoiler-free.  My top five includes From Russia with Love, OHMSS, Goldfinger, and Skyfall with the final spot up for grabs.  Maybe TSWLM, LTK, or TWINE.  Not sure.

Honestly, though, Skyfall is my favorite since OHMSS.  Hands down.  Bar none. Stunned.

Anyone else enjoy it?