Spectre (Bond24) 2015

[The Joker]

http://www.bbc.com/news/30308894

The Announcement made today:

And, now we know. Director Sam Mendes has just revealed the title for Bond 24 which will be Spectre. Mendes made the announcement this morning from the 007 stage at Pinewood Studios where the film will shoot along with London, Rome, Mexico City, Tangier, Erfoud and the Austrian Alps. The newest cast members are confirmed as Christoph Waltz, Andrew Scott, Dave Bautista, Monica Bellucci and Léa Seydoux. Daniel Craig will of course return as Bond along with Rory Kinnear as Tanner, Ben Whishaw as Q, Naomie Harris as Miss Moneypenny and Ralph Fiennes as the new M. Oscar winner Waltz will play Oberhauser, while Blue Is The Warmest Color's Seydoux is Madeleine Swann and Bellucci is Lucia Sciarra. (Bellucci is a nice get for the Bond folks who I hear have been eyeing her for a role for a long time.) Guardians Of The Galaxy's Bautista is playing Mr Hinx and Sherlock's Scott is Denbigh. Interstellar cinematograther Hoyte Van Hoytema will shoot the film with Mendes. And that same film's Lee Smith is joining as editor. Also joining the film is the Aston Martin DB10 which was designed specially for Spectre.

The logline for the new film is: "A cryptic message from Bond's past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE."

Bond aficionados may recognize the title from the Bond canon. It's an acronym for "Special Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion." A global crime organization, it's previously been led by evil genius Ernst Stavro Blofeld in the Ian Fleming novels, who also appears in the films From Russia With Love, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Diamonds Are Forever and For Your Eyes Only. There had been speculation that Waltz would play him in this 24th Bond movie, but his character name would seem to dispell that.

Spectre hails from EON Productions, MGM, and Sony Pictures Entertainment with Mendes directing his second Bond film after global blockbuster Skyfall. Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson are producers. John Logan, Neal Purvis and Robert Wade are writers. Spectre releases domestically on November 6, 2015.

And Monica Bellucci is now a Bond girl.




Woooooo!

[johnnygobbs]

Although I wasn't as enamoured with Skyfall as everyone else, Bond 24 is looking really good, and I've been really impressed with the Daniel Craig reboot overall.  I'm almost inclined to pretend that any serious Bond films existed before 2006's Casino Royale.

By the way, do you have any information about Monica Bellucci's character?  I'd love to see her play a seductive evil heiress type similar to Sophie Marceau's 'Electra King' in The World is Not Enough.

[The Joker]

The character's name that Monica is playing is, Lucia Sciarra, but that's about all the info given as of yet.

I certainly wouldn't mind seeing Monica play a villainess aligned with the Spectre organization. Which I am also excited about seeing back. It's been a long time coming, and since the Broccoli's finally have the rights back to both Spectre and who is widely considered Bond's ultimate arch nemesis, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, it's good to see these classic components revived in the rebooted franchise.

Blofeld hasn't been confirmed yet, but come on, it's S.P.E.C.T.R.E., you just KNOW he's around. 

[johnnygobbs]

The character's name that Monica is playing is, Lucia Sciarra, but that's about all the info given as of yet.

I certainly wouldn't mind seeing Monica play a villainess aligned with the Spectre organization. Which I am also excited about seeing back. It's been a long time coming, and since the Broccoli's finally have the rights back to both Spectre and who is widely considered Bond's ultimate arch nemesis, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, it's good to see these classic components revived in the rebooted franchise.

Blofeld hasn't been confirmed yet, but come on, it's S.P.E.C.T.R.E., you just KNOW he's around. 

I read some speculation that Waltz's character will be revealed as Blofeld, but perhaps it's intended to be a 'surprise' for the masses.  In the same way that Ralph Fiennes' becoming M was meant to be a surprise of sorts.

I also entirely agree that it's great to see the new franchise revive some of the most memorable and significant characters and elements of the original books and earlier films.  I do however hope that Jeffrey Wright's Felix Leiter will one day come back (the latest announcement suggests not  ) since Leiter is also a significant element of the books and previous films (and Wright's cynical, world-weary portrayal of the character is particularly compelling).  Also, whatever happened to Mr White from Quantum of Solace and the rest of his organisation?  Have they been forgotten about?  Was Skyfall intended to be Sam Mendes' 'reboot' of the franchise rather than a continuation of the previous two films?  I hope not because apart from anything else that would demonstrate a degree of arrogance on his part as well as contempt for fans of Casino Royale and the underrated Quantum of Solace, of whom I count myself.

[The Joker]

I read some speculation that Waltz's character will be revealed as Blofeld, but perhaps it's intended to be a 'surprise' for the masses.  In the same way that Ralph Fiennes' becoming M was meant to be a surprise of sorts.

Could very well be. Waltz is a fine actor, and is especially good at playing a villainous character.

I also entirely agree that it's great to see the new franchise revive some of the most memorable and significant characters and elements of the original books and earlier films.  I do however hope that Jeffrey Wright's Felix Leiter will one day come back (the latest announcement suggests not  ) since Leiter is also a significant element of the books and previous films (and Wright's cynical, world-weary portrayal of the character is particularly compelling).

That's true. Felix being (so far) excluded from the rebooted series kinda feels off. Especially for long time fans of the franchise. Perhaps similar to the Blofeld speculation, Felix Leiter will appear in some capacity, and it's simply being kept hush-hush at the moment? 

Also, whatever happened to Mr White from Quantum of Solace and the rest of his organisation?  Have they been forgotten about?  Was Skyfall intended to be Sam Mendes' 'reboot' of the franchise rather than a continuation of the previous two films?  I hope not because apart from anything else that would demonstrate a degree of arrogance on his part as well as contempt for fans of Casino Royale and the underrated Quantum of Solace, of whom I count myself.

I don't really see Casino Royale being ignored. I would say that with Quantum of Solace getting a mixed reaction, the Broccoli's and such found no real desire for Skyfall to be a 'direct sequel' to Quantum like Quantum was for Casino Royale, and thus the Quantum storyline was not expanded upon. With the overwhelming success of SKyfall, I guess it would only be natural for that film to be considered the "new" jumping on point, especially from a business perspective, whether it was intentional or not.


I agree, that it would be nice to see the arcs of Mr. White/Quantum atleast wrapped up in some capacity rather than just simply never acknowledged again. With the classic Spectre organization being introduced, it would be cool to see Spectre swiftly mastermind a hostile takeover of Quantum. Demonstrating to the audience the scope of power Spectre wields and of course, upping the ante in the grand scheme of things.

[Cobblepot4Mayor]

Surprised we have another "s" and singular title immediately after "Skyfall". However given what it refers to, it is not as disappointing as it would have been. I do long for the days of crazy and cool Bond titles with almost a comic book flair such as "A View to a Kill", "Live and Let Die" or "The Man with the Golden Gun". Perhaps something as nuts as "The Man with the White Cat" may have sufficed? lol

You can see Monica Bellucci in 1992's "Bram Stoker's Dracula" where she plays one of the vampire brides that tried to take a bite out of Keanu Reeves.

[johnnygobbs]

Also, whatever happened to Mr White from Quantum of Solace and the rest of his organisation?  Have they been forgotten about?  Was Skyfall intended to be Sam Mendes' 'reboot' of the franchise rather than a continuation of the previous two films?  I hope not because apart from anything else that would demonstrate a degree of arrogance on his part as well as contempt for fans of Casino Royale and the underrated Quantum of Solace, of whom I count myself.

I don't really see Casino Royale being ignored. I would say that with Quantum of Solace getting a mixed reaction, the Broccoli's and such found no real desire for Skyfall to be a 'direct sequel' to Quantum like Quantum was for Casino Royale, and thus the Quantum storyline was not expanded upon. With the overwhelming success of SKyfall, I guess it would only be natural for that film to be considered the "new" jumping on point, especially from a business perspective, whether it was intentional or not.

I agree, that it would be nice to see the arcs of Mr. White/Quantum atleast wrapped up in some capacity rather than just simply never acknowledged again. With the classic Spectre organization being introduced, it would be cool to see Spectre swiftly mastermind a hostile takeover of Quantum. Demonstrating to the audience the scope of power Spectre wields and of course, upping the ante in the grand scheme of things.

Great news: http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=42923

Mr White Will Return In SPECTRE
Jesper Christensen confirms he's aboard

Those of you who were quick to lament that the return of SPECTRE might mean the continuing abandonment of Quantum can now take heart. He was missing from Thursday's official unveiling of the 24th Bond movie, but Jesper Christensen has confirmed that he will be returning to the role of Mr. White in the new film.

Mr White was the liaison for the mysterious criminal organisation Quantum in both Casino Royale and Quantum Of Solace. Last we saw of him, he was escaping through the tunnels under Siena, having been saved from enthusiastic "interrogation" by M's double-agent bodyguard Mitchell.

After that, the rest was silence, and there was nary a mention of Quantum or White in Skyfall. But, says Christensen now, "I am looking forward to working with Sam Mendes and Daniel Craig. It is a truly exciting script and a very capable team. So it'll be fun..." Let the speculation of how Quantum and SPECTRE are connected begin.

Like Goldfinger, Skyfall seems to be taking its place as a standalone adventure in the middle of an ongoing narrative, making SPECTRE the rebooted series' Thunderball. Or something. Will we find ourselves in a volcano base come Bond 25? We're going with no.

SPECTRE, as you know already and we told you yesterday, stars Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw, Rory Kinnear, Andrew Scott, Monica Belluci, Dave Bautista and Lea Seydoux. The script was written by John Logan, Neal Purvis and Robert Wade; Interstellar's Hoyte van Hoytema is the DP; and Sam Mendes is directing.

Shooting starts on Monday and will take in Pinewood, London, Mexico City, Rome, and Tangier and Erfoud in Morocco. The film arrives, with Mr. White in its boot, on October 23 next year.

Maybe your theory is correct Joker. 

[The Joker]

Surprised we have another "s" and singular title immediately after "Skyfall". However given what it refers to, it is not as disappointing as it would have been. I do long for the days of crazy and cool Bond titles with almost a comic book flair such as "A View to a Kill", "Live and Let Die" or "The Man with the Golden Gun". Perhaps something as nuts as "The Man with the White Cat" may have sufficed? lol

I'm surprised "Property of a Lady" hasn't been used yet. Especially since it originates from one of the Flemming stories. It'll happen one day I suppose .....

You can see Monica Bellucci in 1992's "Bram Stoker's Dracula" where she plays one of the vampire brides that tried to take a bite out of Keanu Reeves.

Talk about one sexxxy vampire.     

Great news: http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=42923

Maybe your theory is correct Joker. 

Awesome news!!! Yeah, Skyfall looks like it's going to be, ultimately, something of a one-shot (though a significant one) where the narrative that began with Casino Royale, which was directly followed up on by Quantum of Solace, is evidently going to continue further with Spectre. I suppose Mr. White could have something of a uneasy alliance with Spectre, where perhaps Mr. White is well aware that he shouldn't fully trust the Spectre organization, but it's all fun speculation. Any sort of way you would like to see this stuff play out, Johnny?

I know this has been discussed quite a bit on the net, but I love how the teaser poster homages the classic Spectre logo.

[johnnygobbs]

Great news: http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=42923

Maybe your theory is correct Joker. 

Awesome news!!! Yeah, Skyfall looks like it's going to be, ultimately, something of a one-shot (though a significant one) where the narrative that began with Casino Royale, which was directly followed up on by Quantum of Solace, is evidently going to continue further with Spectre. I suppose Mr. White could have something of a uneasy alliance with Spectre, where perhaps Mr. White is well aware that he shouldn't fully trust the Spectre organization, but it's all fun speculation. Any sort of way you would like to see this stuff play out, Johnny?

Not sure Joker.  I like your theories. 

I'm just pleased that the series is following some sort of rough continuity.

I do hope that Leiter will return in the next one though.

So far all the main Daniel Craig villains have been European (Mads Mikkelson, Mathieu Almeric, Javier Bardem, Christoph Waltz...or so it appears), so maybe they could have an American (North or South) as the villain for the subsequent film, in which case there might be a role for the CIA (and thus, Leiter).  I'd also like to see a British villain sometime.  It can't always be 'Johnny Foreigner' who represents all that's wrong in the world. 

[The Joker]

So far all the main Daniel Craig villains have been European (Mads Mikkelson, Mathieu Almeric, Javier Bardem, Christoph Waltz...or so it appears), so maybe they could have an American (North or South) as the villain for the subsequent film, in which case there might be a role for the CIA (and thus, Leiter).  I'd also like to see a British villain sometime.  It can't always be 'Johnny Foreigner' who represents all that's wrong in the world. 

I see where you're coming from, but I question if Craig will ever get the chance to battle an American main baddie during his tenure as Bond, as I agree, and I'm sure you probably as well, that Blofeld/SPECTRE is too big a arc to be wrapped up in one film. Ideally, it should be atleast 2 films (Bond24 & Bond25).