Realistic & Serious Story Ideas for Bond 25 (...to be used by EON Productions Ltd.??)

edited October 2015 in No Time To Die Posts: 11,119
First of all dear forummembers & forummoderators, I have not found a large, general topic for possible ideas for a 25th Bond film. I have used the search button, I have checked all the topics in this "Bond 25 & Beyond" section. Therefore please don't immediately close this topic. I hope this general thread for 'realistic story ideas' could inspire EON Productions to actually use it. It could result in a serious discussion topic...that's perhaps even read by scouts from EON.

Now I'm glad some of the negative media attention towards the ongoing narrative of 'possible successors of Daniel Craig', is fading away a bit and is changing into a more positive discussion about realistic ideas for future Bond films. And perhaps such a discussion might even excite Daniel Craig to come back once more after "SPECTRE".

Here are some ideas that I have already worked out in a short screenplay treatment. I would love to have your feedback. And off course feel free to post your ideas for a great, unique, 25th Bond adventure as well:


The 'Bond goes into space' idea:
I have been thinking of this myself as well. Look, there's quite a big trend in recent years to produce scientifically sound and more realistic sci-fi films again. I'm not talking about space opera, like "Star Trek" and "Star Wars". But I do think movies like:
--> "Sunshine" (2007, Danny Boyle).
--> "Moon" (2009, Duncan Jones),
--> "Europa Report" (2013, Sebastián Cordero),
--> "The Last Days On Mars" (2013, Ruairi Robinson),
--> "Elysium" (2013, Neill Blomkamp),
--> "Oblivion" (2013, Joseph Kosinski),
--> "Gravity" (2013, Alfonso Cuarón),
--> "Interstellar" (2014, Christopher Nolan) and even the upcoming....
--> "The Martian" (2015, Ridley Scott).....
put the space-based sci-fi genre in a new light. Above movies were, mostly, produced in close cooperation with NASA, thus having a more serious and realistic feel. Moreover, these movies also did tell us something. Like every good sci-fi, they put up a mirror in front of us; a mirror to todays geopolitical world we live in.

Having said that, I think something similar can be done with Bond 25. And as of 2015 it simply isn't that 'cheesy' anymore to go into space. Back in 1979 there wasn't a real space station (exception is perhaps Mir), but nowadays this 'thing' is really in geostationary orbit:
693259main_jsc2012e219094_big.jpg
The_International_Space_Station_seen_from_Space_Shuttle_Discovery_after_the_STS-124_mission.jpg

So why not developing a plot/story that is partially based on the ISS?? Christoph Waltz said earlier this week that his role could be compared with Elon Musk. But hey, perhaps Elon Musk is even larger-than-life than the fictional Oberhauser? This man is today's Drax. He co-founded and is co-financing commercial space travel with his 'Space X' rockets at this very moment. Such a guy could be wonderfully translated into a Bond villain, who wants to destabilizing the relationship between Russia and The West, by destabilizing the only real peaceful international community on Earth: the people who are living on the ISS. Perhaps one could do something sinister with a new commercial 'module' that will be docked to the ISS, but that has some sinister, dangerous secrets.


The 'Bond goes Formula One' idea:
I've been also quite a fan of this prospect. Especially since the novel "Trigger Mortis" got published. It's partially based on Ian Fleming's "Murder On Wheels". And I actually think it's a wonderful title for a Bond film! We simply haven't had a Bond film yet that is entirely set in the lush, luxury and fast world of Grand Prix racing. Movies like:
--> "Grand Prix" (1966, John Frankenheimer),
--> "Le Mans" (1971, Lee H. Katzin),
--> "Days Of Thunder" (1990, Tony Scott),
--> "Michel Vaillant" (2003, Luc Besson),
--> "Senna" (2010, documentary, Asif Kapadia), and....
--> "Rush" (2013, Ron Howard)......
treat this subject very nicely. And I do think "Rush" really is one of the highlights in this genre. Formula One car racing was also briefly a setpiece in "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.".

One could perfectly devise a plot in which a rogue "S.P.E.C.T.R.E."-member takes Formula One racing to serious and puts "S.P.E.C.T.R.E." too much in the spotlight. The actual man therefore needs to be eliminated in a cruel way....thus leading towards a new Bond adventure in which 007 goes on a plain, solid mission to find out what's happening. And obviously, the film is containing at least two very significant car chases.....in a Formula One car. And in that film 007 gets to race in such a car during a test driving presentation.
saul-bass-grand-prix-title-sequence-21.jpg
BTS-Grand-Prix.jpg

As many Formula One racing tracks are located in wonderful, expensive places across the globe, we could have a Bond films with new, fresh exotic locations. Like for instance Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), Melbourne (Australia), Monza (Italy), Montmeló (Spain), Monte Carlo (Monaco) and Austin, Texas (United States of America). And I haven't even mentioned the pit stop girls, one of which could be developed into a fun and playful Bond-girl.


Hopefully EON Productions will have a serious look at these two ideas ;-). I think Daniel Craig could then certainly be persuaded to come back after "SPECTRE".
«13456738

Comments

  • ThomasCrown76ThomasCrown76 Augusta, ks
    Posts: 757
    Ron Howard directed Rush
  • Posts: 11,119
    Ron Howard directed Rush

    Thanks for the advice. It is corrected :-). Any more insightful...ideas :-)?
  • M_BaljeM_Balje Amsterdam, Netherlands
    Posts: 4,415
    Elements "Bond 25" must have to tackle all criticism that surrounded "Spectre":

    45 people said: Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson presents (followd by the gunbarrel or the lion)
    32 people said: Gunbarrel back at the start.
    30 people said: Pervis & Wade should not return for Bond 25.
    20 people said: Mabey instumental track for maintitles if Adele not return (with flashbacks)
    18 people said: Movie end with girl and Bond together (Camile??)
    15 people said: The return of Jeffrey Wright/Felix, Olga/Camile (and Adele) should be confirmd so soon as possible.
    12 people said: Quantum and Spectre are not the same/Return of crime syndicate QUANTUM.
    10 people said: Bond should visit Dench M grave.
    8 people said: Tobias Menzies (Villiers) should make a comeback. (Possible as trater)
    6 people said: Mething acting actres like Andrea Riseborough.
    5 people said: Movie should named ''Risico''
    5 people said: Bond 25 in October/November 2018 (We know it be you Sam Mendes!.)
    4 people said: Dominic Green should return.
    3 people said: Moneypenny should lost inportent paper flying out of window who is opend by Tanner.
    3 people said: Bond 25 in 2017
    1 person said: 4 May 2018 as release date
    1 person said: Bond 25 should get famale M again, Malory should die in Spectre.
  • mcdonbbmcdonbb deep in the Heart of Texas
    Posts: 4,116
    Gun barrel at start is all I got at the moment.

    I want a smaller film. Strong mission driven plot.. great photography but more natural.

    Simple and brutal. Back off being the big franchise. Too much to lose if fails... can't afford the make another ....no no no.
  • JohnHammond73JohnHammond73 Lancashire, UK
    Posts: 4,151
    I'd like to see the "last job" (before Dr No) where Bond's Beretta jammed and caused him to spend 6 months in hospital.
  • Posts: 11,119
    Please, this is a different topic. I'd like to read some very interesting, more elaborate story ideas/outlines/treatments. This is not a topic about 'elements', but about elaborate, well-thought ideas for future screenplays.
  • mcdonbbmcdonbb deep in the Heart of Texas
    edited October 2015 Posts: 4,116
    There is a non spoiler free topic started by the leak geeks but that's been kinda dead.

    (I'm a leak geek :( )

    But sorry @GG I know what you are seeking... just got nothing right now.
  • Posts: 11,119
    mcdonbb wrote: »
    There is a non spoiler free topic started by the leak geeks but that's been kinda dead.

    (I'm a leak geek :( )

    But sorry @GG I know what you are seeking... just got nothing right now.

    Don't worry ;-). If you think of anything nice that hasn't been done before in previous Bond films, then that would be wonderful to mention also.

    By the way, I think it's safe to assume that the gunbarrel entrance will be at the start again of "SPECTRE".
  • mcdonbbmcdonbb deep in the Heart of Texas
    Posts: 4,116
    @GG I certainly hope so.. I think Craig has filmed more gunbarrels than any other Bond but has yet to have one in the proper place.

  • dominicgreenedominicgreene The Eternal QOS Defender
    Posts: 1,756
    I thought a good plot idea would be something along the Bre-X scandel, involving a mass scam of people's money due to a company fraud Bond has to investigate.
  • Posts: 4,599
    Modern F1 is too brash and corp for Bond to touch BUT if you look at the booming classic car market and meets (Le Mans, Goodwood etc) these are stylish and sophisticated events where Bond would be at home with many references and nods to the 60s.
  • DariusDarius UK
    Posts: 354
    @Gustav_Graves

    I think that the notion of Bond in Space had been done to death in YOLT and MR. I would be interested to know what possible plot device could exist to put our favourite hero on the International Space Station without sinking to pulpy sci-fi. Anyway, i'd be interested to hear some ideas.

    Now, the notion of including Formula 1 racing, or even rally racing opens the doors to many possibilities. Obviously, this is unlikely to be the main plot device, but to include this would, I think, add an ingredient, not yet tapped into.

    I presume you're looking for plot devices as well as scenarios for story ideas. Why not take Bond into previously unexplored territory?

    1. Show Bond demonstrating genuine fear for the nemesis character. Something like this deepens and humanises Bond whilst making the nemesis more believable and scary at the same time.

    2. Show Bond trying to solve a serious life-threatening problem stripped of his "deux ex machina gadgets". In my opinion, the weakest part of CR plot-wise, is where Bond is poisoned by digitalis and conveniently happens to have the antidote and a defibrillator handy. Although the defibrillator is briefly foreshadowed, this still a very sloppy bit of plotting that robs the scene of most of its suspense. Another example is in MR when Bond is strapped inside a centrifuge and... whatya know? He just happens to have the right gadget strapped to his wrist.

    3. Bond finds that M is really a double agent or a mole working for North Korea and has to in some way neutralise or even kill M, even though M is, in Fleming's words, " the only man Bond loved". Remember M is a father figure to Bond, so a plot like this creates loads of dramatic tension in the emotional dynamic of the story. Good drama is about characters in conflict, either with themselves or with others. It also fulfils the "how the hell will he resolve this one?" factor.

    4. Bond is disgraced, loses his job and becomes unemployed. Now no one in the intelligence community will touch him. What happens next? Maybe this is a big set-up?

    5. Bond is set up (framed) by the nemesis character who then blackmails him.

    These are all things that have not happened to Bond yet, so I reckon they could drive a good movie.
  • edited October 2015 Posts: 4,599
    Have we ever seen Bond work side by side with another agent on equal terms? that could be of interest? (DAD does not count)
    Also, I often wonder about Moneypenny getting kidnapped (by SPETRE or similar) with M just writing her off as a lost cause and Bond (assisted by Q) not willing to do so? (shades of Taken)
  • BondJasonBond006BondJasonBond006 on fb and ajb
    Posts: 9,020
    I want Bond to find out that MI6 has been infiltrated, possibly into the highest command chain by unknown enemies with an unknown agenda.

    He has to team up with 006, 008 and 009 and together they go "undercover" to find out what's going on. Felix Leiter helps out as well.

    They get approached by MI5 internal affairs who have suspected the same.

    Everything points to M. Only in the last 5 minutes in a huge plot twist Bond realises it's not M but....
  • 00Ralf00Ralf Germany
    Posts: 149
    Interesting idea, BondJasonBond006. The whole trust angle between Bond and M, just the other way round. I like it.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,368
    With how grounded, brutal, and relatively realistic they've tried to keep Craig's run as Bond, we won't be getting any space adventures if he does return for 'Bond 25.' Personally, I hope the day never comes again that Bond has the need to go to space for any reason whatsoever.
  • jake24jake24 Sitting at your desk, kissing your lover, eating supper with your familyModerator
    Posts: 10,586
    I want Bond to find out that MI6 has been infiltrated, possibly into the highest command chain by unknown enemies with an unknown agenda.

    He has to team up with 006, 008 and 009 and together they go "undercover" to find out what's going on. Felix Leiter helps out as well.

    They get approached by MI5 internal affairs who have suspected the same.

    Everything points to M. Only in the last 5 minutes in a huge plot twist Bond realises it's not M but....

    Interesting idea, though I wouldn't have Bond team up with the other 00's. At that point the cast would cross in ensemble territory, which could shift focus from Bond himself.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,368
    I want Bond to find out that MI6 has been infiltrated, possibly into the highest command chain by unknown enemies with an unknown agenda.

    He has to team up with 006, 008 and 009 and together they go "undercover" to find out what's going on. Felix Leiter helps out as well.

    They get approached by MI5 internal affairs who have suspected the same.

    Everything points to M. Only in the last 5 minutes in a huge plot twist Bond realises it's not M but....

    It's interesting, but at the same time, I want the movies to start branching away from all these personal, double-crossing and traitor-riddled plots and start moving into some OTT fun again. You can keep it grounded yet fun at the same time, instead of making everything so personal and vendetta-driven.
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    I want Bond to find out that MI6 has been infiltrated, possibly into the highest command chain by unknown enemies with an unknown agenda.

    He has to team up with 006, 008 and 009 and together they go "undercover" to find out what's going on. Felix Leiter helps out as well.

    They get approached by MI5 internal affairs who have suspected the same.

    Everything points to M. Only in the last 5 minutes in a huge plot twist Bond realises it's not M but....

    It's interesting, but at the same time, I want the movies to start branching away from all these personal, double-crossing and traitor-riddled plots and start moving into some OTT fun again. You can keep it grounded yet fun at the same time, instead of making everything so personal and vendetta-driven.
    Agreed. It's been a long time since we've had a fun Bond film. I wouldn't mind seeing Bond going to outer space, but not just yet. Let the OTT begin ruling, again, and we might get a space adventure in the matter of six or seven films.
  • MyNameIsMyBondRnMyNameIsMyBondRn WhereYouLeastExpectMeToBe
    Posts: 221
    Gulbenkian Once Ruled as "Mr Five Percent"-In Bali whe have Vulcanos that could be perfect as a filmspot;..Nothing Is Like A Roaring Vulcano(together with something else that is Roaring in the Beginning of every Movie from a certain Co;..) actually-Both The Vulcano and the "kitten" could "ROOOOAAR" together..!
  • MyNameIsMyBondRnMyNameIsMyBondRn WhereYouLeastExpectMeToBe
    Posts: 221
    ..Then We could have that Kitten change into white fur, and jumping into BloFelDs Lap..!
  • ThomasCrown76ThomasCrown76 Augusta, ks
    Posts: 757
    James Bond catches the clap and is on a worldwide hunt to find who gave it to him
  • MyNameIsMyBondRnMyNameIsMyBondRn WhereYouLeastExpectMeToBe
    edited October 2015 Posts: 221
    ..SomeOne Dropped the Clap in my head, and next thing I know is.." I expected You To Die, Mr Bond!"-"I Clapped You!"..(-'for Heavens Sake'-I though-Who was this 'MadMan' ?!-)..!
  • MyNameIsMyBondRnMyNameIsMyBondRn WhereYouLeastExpectMeToBe
    Posts: 221
    -And Then I saw myself in the Mirror..it had shattered and half of it was on the floor,-I had fallen into the mirror and dreamt it all up..!-what a sorry end of the evening..!-
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,368
    Please read the title of the thread and post accordingly.
  • MyNameIsMyBondRnMyNameIsMyBondRn WhereYouLeastExpectMeToBe
    Posts: 221
    You Forgot "2001-A Space Odyssey"-from 1968- with the computer HAL 9000 going berserk-and who knew about computers in 1968 as compared to 2015..?!-that theme have been repeated again and again-but still it is what it is-peoples fears of redundancy-computers obeys their orders(programmes/software, take what You like!)-
    humans less so..and look at our society today-Robots everywhere, taking care of it all,
    -even profit making-the computer nerds are among those owning quite a few of the biggest Yachts on the waters,-any waters-but it was not like that in the beginning-when Fleming got the stuff to finally make his marker, as opposed to his wartime bad luck..!
  • MyNameIsMyBondRnMyNameIsMyBondRn WhereYouLeastExpectMeToBe
    Posts: 221
    The Substance has to be credible enough to make it into the mix, a little of this, a little of that, and a theme that You can hum..!..and it must actually tend to the Sum of Our Fears..as the Human Beings that we want to be..!
  • SarkSark Guangdong, PRC
    Posts: 1,138
    Mynameismybondrn I hope you're drinking heavily at the moment.

    Gustav, I'm confused by how you put "realistic and serious" in the title then said "Bond goes into space" in your post? What possible realistic and serious plot device would require Bond going into space?
  • Posts: 11,119
    Sark wrote: »
    Mynameismybondrn I hope you're drinking heavily at the moment.

    Gustav, I'm confused by how you put "realistic and serious" in the title then said "Bond goes into space" in your post? What possible realistic and serious plot device would require Bond going into space?

    Didn't I mention that in my idead for "Bond Goes Into Space"?

    With 'realistic' I mean the actual popularity of space-based 'realistic, scientifically sound' sci-fi films like "Gravity", "Interstellar" and "The Martian".

    I don't know if you know it, but....within 15 years the first humans will land on Mars. That's not bloody fake or cheesy. It's realism. It's the same kind of realism that we experience now with the International Space Station. It's not a cheesy idea only Drax could think of. This space station does EXIST right now.

    If treated properly, if you re-imagine space in such a more realistic way, then I would most certainly welcome it as a part/location for a future Bond film.
  • DariusDarius UK
    edited October 2015 Posts: 354
    @Gustav_Graves

    My view is that if space is to be a viable venue for a Bond adventure, then it's got to be way ahead in the future -- and we're looking at least a century here -- when space flight will be possibly more routine than it is now. As the moment, it costs about 20 million US dollars to put one man into space, and that's without additional payload. Each space shuttle mission costs about half a billion US dollars and each Soyuz flight to the ISS costs at least that, depending on the purpose of the mission. Not only this, but there's years of selection and training involved -- it's not just a question of Bond hopping into a shuttle and immediately knowing how to pilot it (because they teach you that in British schools -- really they do. Dream on!) and having undergone no vetting or training for the mission.

    Maybe in a century or so, things will be different, but not now please. At the moment, it will just stretch credibility too far, just like MR did for many, including myself.
Sign In or Register to comment.