It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
^ Back to Top
The MI6 Community is unofficial and in no way associated or linked with EON Productions, MGM, Sony Pictures, Activision or Ian Fleming Publications. Any views expressed on this website are of the individual members and do not necessarily reflect those of the Community owners. Any video or images displayed in topics on MI6 Community are embedded by users from third party sites and as such MI6 Community and its owners take no responsibility for this material.
James Bond News • James Bond Articles • James Bond Magazine
Comments
I've been saying this. And in a film without Wright, I have to wonder if PC has pressured EON into taking a position that Harris can't be more than a token type of hire?
What do you mean Sir Henry?
I see what your getting at in a character sense but I find it hard to believe they'd fret over representation. There are no key characters, or characters in fact, that are non-Caucasian in QoS. I really think this PC line is a bit of unquantifiable codswallop. Anyone who thinks EON sit about deciding on how to strike an ethnic balance are missing the point IMO.
Felix Leiter. He's a key character is he not?
Apologies. I meant non-staple. There were no new characters outside of the regulars. Perhaps we shouldn't go down this inevitable path. The fact that talk of black actors leads to a PC debate is bad enough and probably says a lot about the level of the forum at times.
Naomi Harris is excellent. I'm sure she'll be great in Bond 24, hopefully in a bigger role.
Let me start by saying that I didn't like Moneypenny in Skyfall. I like Naomi Harris but I thought she seemed really wooden as MP and I didn't like how they felt the need to give her a backstory of her being a failed field agent. It didn't help that the rest of the cast were all brilliant.
Still, the end of Skyfall to me seemed to symbolise that things would be more normal from now on. Even if Harris didn't improve, chances are she wouldn't get as big a part next time so it'd be alright. But according to this rumour that's not happening.
I don't get the logic in her being in the field again. Why is she even called Moneypenny if they're going to keep using her this way? What's the point making her a secretary at the end of SF if she's going to be in the field again anyway? And if she's not a secretary, why not just have MP behind a desk and invent a new recurring female Bond type character?
I'm getting a bit sick of the way they're using the MI6 recurring characters too. I don't want anymore of Bond yelling through his f***ing (incredibly obvious and visible) earpiece followed by quick cuts back to London where all the regulars are sitting at a computer holding Bonds hand every step of the way.
But again, what makes this news worse for me is that unlike Wishaw and Fiennes, I didn't even think she was very good in Skyfall. So more of her isn't something I'm pleased about.
I know I should've expected it, she's a fairly big name that must be getting a fair bit of money so it was likely EON would use her more, but I'm disappointed. Sorry for the rant.
I do like some sci fi, like the Alien films. But I've never really felt compelled to watch Star Wars even though it has people I like in it.
So she's back to being a secretary which is why most of us thought she wouldn't be in the field with a bigger role again.
That scene was written to conclude Skyfall. I don't think they were sending out any messages about the next film. Was the script for Bond 24 written when that scene in M's office was written and shot? Had they even had preliminary discussions at that time?
Speaking of Felix, I want Dean Norris (Hank off Breaking Bad) to play him if he's in Bond 24. I think he'd be brilliant.
Even though they are both not very old, some bantering like between an old couple could be fun, while changing magazines for instance.
That's true!!!
I liked Harris in SF so much but Monepenny should always be M personal secretary, not field operative.
Yes, their chemistry is superb. They need to get him back, I think it would be my favourite casting of 24 if he returned, particularly in a more substantial role.
As for the return of Felix Leiter, bring it on but please some continuity stick with Wright for my money he's the best Leiter yet. No sign of being a Bond lackey for all Jack Lord's coolness in DN by the end he's bowing down to Bond's greatness. Leiter should be more Bond's equal, he's a more seasoned agent for a start or that's the way it seems in CR.
I am really looking forward to his debut on HBO's Boardwalk Empire tomorrow night as Dr. Valentin Narcisse, the crime lord of Harlem. Gonna be awesome :)
If we want a Felix that's Bonds equal then look no further than Dean Norris. Can't find a clip but watch the Breaking Bad episode where he kills the cousins. One of the most badass scenes I've ever seen.
Found one but the uploader really messed it up. The music sort of ruins it and they cut out a large part of the scene so the tension before the shooting starts is gone.
I agree with all this.
I think they're too being unfaithful to the character too. You just don't change well established characters like this after years of them being in clearly defined roles. Fleming would be laughing his arse off about what they've done with this awful Penny backstory already.
Harris's acting in SF really is on the wooden side and she's unconvincing in her flirtations.
I wish they had have just cast some unknown but obviously talented actress in the role as Moneypenny.
I really like this Moneypenny a lot. I like her chemistry with Bond, I like Naomie's acting, and I do not mind more screen time for her compared to the older historically traditional Bond films. If they give her some field action, I actually am okay with that, as long as:
1) She is not made into a buffoon, seem stupid, bimbo-ish, or annoying (ala Goodnight in TMWTGG or Carver in LALD). In Skyfall, she made a bad shot - but before that, she was quite competent indeed.
2) She does not have a huge role in helping Bond. Bond is the one who does it alone and get is done when nobody else can. That is still Bond to me. But having Leiter or Moneypenny help him out in the field from time to time, within a good story, is actually fine with me. I do not want the films to be stuck in the exact same template as the older Bond films. I am happy for this to be a fresh approach - as long as it is limited in scope.
So I think this Moneypenny could be great. She could be his ally in the office, feeding him info and giving support (traditional role), and also be a reluctant field agent when needed. Reluctant because she made that one terrible mistake and it still haunts her.
Moneypenny in Skyfall was portrayed as competent, caring, and intelligent. They need to keep all of that for her character, and if it is a good part of a fine script, then yes - use her some, but not a lot, in the field at times. I am happy for Moneypenny to do at least a little more than what all the others did - mainly sit behind a desk and flirt with Bond. Especially with this actress, I am happy for her to do at more than that. This Moneypenny is intelligent and is a well rounded character already. I like that. Naomie and Daniel work very well together; they have a good chemistry.
This still leaves room for a sizzling, fine main Bond girl. Someone along the lines of Severine - by that I mean, really memorable and played by a good actress. But this time (another topic, I know), the main Bond girl needs to survive till the end and end up with Bond. That is one tradition I want back for sure.
But changing Moneypenny and Q somewhat, even having Moneypenny in the field, IN A LIMITED WAY, is not heresy to me and I think would be fine indeed considering the actress and her chemistry with Craig. I like what I was shown in Skyfall. I would welcome more Moneypenny being utilized in a slightly different way, including sometimes in the field. It is critical, though, that they (writers, director) get it right in the script.
I respect others' opinions, and appreciate respect of mine. These are just opinions, after all. I do not understand the comments saying Harris was "wooden" - but that is just our different takes on the character in Skyfall. It seems people either really felt she was flat or wooden or really liked her a lot. I thought she was great, some of her banter with Craig truly sizzled, and I am very glad she was chosen as the new Moneypenny.
I 100% agree with this. I loved Harris as Moneypenny. You know the old saying, get out of the house for a while. I loved the nod to Casino Royale in Skyfall. Yes Bond works alone most of the time but He has worked with others before too. Dr. No (Felix and Quarrel) FRWL (Kerim Bey) Goldfinger (Felix) TB (Felix) YOLT (Tiger, Aki, Kissy) DAF (Felix) LALD (Felix and Quarrel Jr.) TMWTGG (Hip and Goodnight) Spy (Anya) and so on. We got something new from the new Q why can't we have something new for Moneypenny?
Happy to state my feelings on this, because I do think it could be well done.
But I respect that many others will always feel differently about Moneypenny (no matter how fine Bond 24 turns out even, and let's hope it is great).
^^ This. Seriously.
Bond does not need a sidekick. Felix is enough of that.
The movies could do with a secretary at times but it's always seemed weird to me that they kept the same actress in the role of MP way beyond it being believable when, in fact, secretaries change all the time and that role could have been played by several actresses with different nicknames and such. But they keep some actors coming back playing different roles through the series. GAH!
I'm hoping the sidekick rumour is just that. Rumour.
That music....is it from streets of rage or double dragon? Either way it sounds like classic 90s gaming music.
RE: Moneypenny, I ways wanted Samantha Morten in the role but I'm happy with Harris and I think Mendes needs to do a better job directing Harris.
Bond needs to work in a healthy environment. As Moneypenny already said herself in 'Skyfall', being not in the field suits her better. Moneypenny can have a larger role yes. But please keep her INSIDE the building.
TI