I've been pondering an idea for some time about the new Danial Craig Bond verses all the Bond actors before him. I don't think I've seen this in writing anywhere.
Up until Goldeneye and Pierce Brosnan's first Bond film, the franchise was led by Albert R. Broccoli, he started the whole film franchise with Harry Saltzman. The films have been theirs, and a lot of director Terence Young's, vision of the cinematic Bond.
The Roger Moore films saw more of Michael G. Wilson's involvement, Wilson being Broccoli's step son with his third wife, Dana. His daughter, Barbara Broccoli also from Dana, became increasingly involved in the Dalton and Brosnan Bond films. But the films continued the same formula after Broccoli's death in 1996, including the last 3 Brosnan films.
With the start of Casino Royale, the Broccoli children are in total control. I had the idea that the Brosnan films suffered somewhat from a schitzophrenic point of view. They kept the formula, and perhaps injected what they felt was good and right for the films. Perhaps it was the change of the role of women, no longer the window dressing, but the involved and equal to Bond. Which was not a bad thing. But did their divided approaches hurt the Brosnan films? Not financially, they did well, the character was different somewhat due to the actors of course.
But with the start of Casino Royale, they were free. The Broccoli children decided to do what they wanted, and I think more so of Barbara Broccoli, as Wilson was still "old school". She alone I think pushed for Craig as the new Bond. She broke away from the Ian Fleming/Broccoli senior's vision of Bond. They literally started over. The biggest change of course is the selection of Craig. His looks and approach, unfettered by Connery's or anyone elses portrayal alters the Bond for the new generation.
What I am leading up to is that it's really Barbara Broccoli that is leading this charge and it will be interesting to see how far she takes it with the next film. At the end of Casino Royale, the old Bond appears to emerge. Judi Dench still in the film as M does remind us of the past, but I bet she's one of Barbara's changes in the Brosnan era. What will a new Moneypenny and Q be like? And is Craig, as blunt as he was in Casino Royale, be more Connery like? Does the film version change, or will it actually end up back where it started? Does Barbara Broccoli really change the character that much, or will the Studio (Sony) make her play it safe and keep in step with past formulas? Thoughts?
Up until Goldeneye and Pierce Brosnan's first Bond film, the franchise was led by Albert R. Broccoli, he started the whole film franchise with Harry Saltzman. The films have been theirs, and a lot of director Terence Young's, vision of the cinematic Bond.
The Roger Moore films saw more of Michael G. Wilson's involvement, Wilson being Broccoli's step son with his third wife, Dana. His daughter, Barbara Broccoli also from Dana, became increasingly involved in the Dalton and Brosnan Bond films. But the films continued the same formula after Broccoli's death in 1996, including the last 3 Brosnan films.
With the start of Casino Royale, the Broccoli children are in total control. I had the idea that the Brosnan films suffered somewhat from a schitzophrenic point of view. They kept the formula, and perhaps injected what they felt was good and right for the films. Perhaps it was the change of the role of women, no longer the window dressing, but the involved and equal to Bond. Which was not a bad thing. But did their divided approaches hurt the Brosnan films? Not financially, they did well, the character was different somewhat due to the actors of course.
But with the start of Casino Royale, they were free. The Broccoli children decided to do what they wanted, and I think more so of Barbara Broccoli, as Wilson was still "old school". She alone I think pushed for Craig as the new Bond. She broke away from the Ian Fleming/Broccoli senior's vision of Bond. They literally started over. The biggest change of course is the selection of Craig. His looks and approach, unfettered by Connery's or anyone elses portrayal alters the Bond for the new generation.
What I am leading up to is that it's really Barbara Broccoli that is leading this charge and it will be interesting to see how far she takes it with the next film. At the end of Casino Royale, the old Bond appears to emerge. Judi Dench still in the film as M does remind us of the past, but I bet she's one of Barbara's changes in the Brosnan era. What will a new Moneypenny and Q be like? And is Craig, as blunt as he was in Casino Royale, be more Connery like? Does the film version change, or will it actually end up back where it started? Does Barbara Broccoli really change the character that much, or will the Studio (Sony) make her play it safe and keep in step with past formulas? Thoughts?
. He has revised and expanded the book, and includes a new chapter on the Barbara Broccoli / Craig era.
