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Comments
It all starts with a strong script.
You're right, there is more to it than that; but you're also right that it's kind of hard to define what that 'more' is. As you say, we've all tried to put our fingers on it and kind of failed, so as 007HallY says, saying 'don't change it so it's unrecognisable' is not great advice as it's hard to pin down exactly how you do that. I think the best advice is probably that old standard: don't listen to any advice.
I think making it feel like Bond is kind of down to the feel of the person making it rather than anything too specific: for me Mendes got it where Forster didn't, and I'd have trouble explaining why. Villeneuve is no slouch and obviously has love for Bond, so I'm pretty optimistic he'll have ideas for how to update it and yet make it feel right.
Oh, for sure.
Basically he's saying not to alter what's still working, don't update it for the sake of it. He obviously thinks no radical changes are necessary, which I would agree with. I know obviously that a fair number of people here wouldn't agree with that, and perhaps age is a factor in that.
By the way, I've found the full article:
https://www.goldderby.com/film/2025/goldeneye-martin-campbell-pierce-brosnan-james-bond/
Oh sorry, I haven't read that thread. Apologies.
I suppose it depends on what's deemed to be still working. And they'll always have to update it just by virtue of making a new film. Anyway, it's a very general thing to say, and it's not overly helpful. Also a bit funny coming from the director of CR (which is quite a formula breaking Bond film, even if includes/reinterprets some of those well worn tropes).
I doubt it. Choosing the new Bond is 50% of the job.
He wouldn't be choosing the new Bond.
I actually wonder how Amazon does things compared to EON.
I'd argue that the film isn't so much a reinvention of the franchise as a getting back to basics adaptation of Casino Royale. From the interview it seems Campbell saw Craig's Bond as the same man as in the other films, it's just him before those events, if you take into account the franchise's rather rubbery continuity. Craig's Bond is a little rougher around the edges because he's new at the job, but it really is just getting back to its roots rather than saying the character no longer works and needs changing.
As for your other points..
Well I suppose you could argue that they've never stopped working for the general public, though we've seen course-corrections where the makers were obviously concerned they were losing the cultural zeitgeist. Other than needing to replace a phenomenally successful lead actor the franchise appears to be good shape.
I'm not really sure what you mean when you say they have to update it by virtue of making a new film - yes technology moves on, fashions change, but those are surface changes; giving Bond a mobile phone and taking away his hat and cigarette doesn't really impact the core of the character. AIDS changed the sexual landscape for a while, and we got a slightly more romantic Bond in Dalton, but it was more scaling back on the excesses of the Moore years than an update. Most people here don't want to hear the term 'AI', and if the AI bubble bursts it might be safer to avoid it.
Who? Campbell or Villeneuve?
I think Villeneuve will handle the selection process. It's a very important matter
Yeah, I mean all that’s part of updating Bond. You can also apply it to the new actor having their unique take on the character. It’s all going to be ‘the same but different’.
Anyway, I get what you mean. Fundamentally they’re creating a new version of the same character, and it’s about being as true to Bond as possible while reinventing it all for a fresh new film. What Campbell says is all very general though. But hey, anyone can take from it what they will.
Campbell would not be choosing the new Bond...
My initial post was If Villeneuve is not available, they should get Campbell to direct the screentests, meaning if they want to begin shooting screentest with various actors and If Villeneuve is fulfilling other commitments , they could uses Campbell, a man who understands Bond, to simply direct the screentest, nothing more than direct; he would not be selecting the next Bond,
Do you not find Villeneuve films tend to...put...people.......to......sleeeep...?
Not at all. They always hold my attention. But I understand that his pacing isn't exactly brisk. Still, his previous films do not necessarily prepare us for his Bond film. He may yet come up with a very lively movie. We will see.
This is like asking someone else to choose your wife for you...