The Flickering Myth team react…
Announced earlier this morning, Sony and MGM have revealed the new title for Sam Mendes’ Bond 24 – Spectre. We also have new cast members including Dave Bautista, Lea Seydoux, Monica Bellucci and Christoph Waltz. But what did our writing staff make of the title, cast and new car?
Martin Deer: Good title. Love the possibilities and the classic elements of the franchise being reintroduced. That DB10 is beautiful I must add also.
Ozzy Armstrong: Really not looking forward to this. After the disaster that was Skyfall, I can see this being even more insipid and unoriginal – “Yaaaayyy, Blofeld is back, I hope there’s more gadgets in this one”. Snore.
Martin Deer: “Disaster that was Skyfall?” What the…
Chris Cooper: How was Skyfall a disaster? People reserve that for Quantum of Solace, and even that wasn’t bad.
Ozzy Armstrong: I’m going to write a feature about it rather than argue it here. Can’t stand where Bond’s heading (spoiler: back to the dated campy films of yesteryear).
Luke Owen: Might be alone here, but am I the only one who prefers the Moore campy and wacky James Bond?
Chris Cooper: You might be. Moore was terrible.
Matthew Skeen: Sounds exciting, love the Bond re-imagination anyway and the casting of Bautista, Waltz and Scott all appear spot on for the franchise.
Rob Kojder: Starting with the name, Spectre is pretty slick. The new Aston Martin looked awesome. What’s really exciting me though is the cast. Obviously Daniel Craig makes an amazing James Bond, but we’ve got a pair of actors that have unlimited potential for making good villains.
Christoph Waltz as a Bond villain is just something that feels like it was meant to be, while Bautista should make an intimidating henchmen. I also don’t care what anyone says, he is a better actor and has had way more of a successful career than The Rock. I’m a bit bummed out that Roger Deakins isn’t returning for cinematography, but the fact that most of the team that made Skyfall is returning tells me that this should be something exciting to mark on my calendar already.
Chris Cooper: I’m fully behind Craig, and the girls and the car look great. All the pieces from Skyfall I liked are back. It’s all good for me
Rob Kojder: Another thing that has me excited is that Rome will be a location. I’m hoping for a big action sequence there
J-P Wooding: Good title. If it can match Skyfall (which had all of the best of previous Bonds and was clearly fuelled by Fleming’s spirit) then it’ll be fine by me. As far as I’m concerned what was good about Connery, Moore et.c , cinematography and soundtrack of Bond movies was all included in Skyfall. If Spectre at least carries on in a subtle manner with those themes, then a good story will only enhance it.
Martin Deer: I like the potential for the SPECTRE organization in this era of the franchise. M said it herself, our enemies aren’t more clearer to us now, they aren’t nations and don’t represent a flag, they’re in the shadows. Carrying on that theme given the current state of the world has great potential. I don’t expect to see a Blofeld who is demanding a $100 billion but one based more one driven by his own personal world ideology.
Tom Jolliffe: I quite like the title. I love the cast. Obviously Christoph Waltz will be great, as will Dave Bautista and Andrew Scott. Monica Bellucci and the twins will make for a very good, and long overdue addition to the Bond girl collection. This should be a good’un. I loved Skyfall, even for it’s faults.
Kris Wall: Yep, very happy with all of this. I couldn’t anticipate this film much more after how good Skyfall was but Christoph Waltz’s confirmed inclusion has put this near the top of my most anticipated films of 2015.
Villordsutch: I smiled to myself when I read the title, quite excellent.
Chris Cooper: I do hope they don’t completely drop Quantum. It’s a loose end that will really bug me. That film really isn’t as bad as people make out and if Spectre and Quantum were linked that would be ideal.
Tom Powter: I’m very happy with the title. It really does give it the feel of them harking back to the past. Love the inclusion of Christoph Waltz (hopefully as Blofeld, it’s looking likely) and Andrew Scott.
J-P Wooding: It looks likely that Waltz is Blofeld but may be a good twist if Scott actually is, yet throughout the film Waltz appears to be him.
Chris Cooper: You’re suggesting a Ducard/Ra’s Neeson/Watanabe situation J-P?
J-P Wooding: Would be hard not to list Waltz as Blofeld though before film released, but would be a great twist. Especially if they want to go down the “Spectre is everywhere” route. Waltz could certainly fool us all…unless he’s the Master. Oops, sorry.
Martin Deer: Yeah I hope they don’t drop Quantum, the Craig Era has had a good thread to it so far, and I’d hate for Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace to be separate from the Skyfall and SPECTRE continuity. What if SPECTRE began life as Quantum Chris? Just as SPECTRE began as SMERSH in the books?
Chris Cooper: I’d be completely cool with that. Just something to explain it away would do.
Helen Murdoch: Really happy with it. Is this a return to old school proper Bond? The cast is fantastic. Very excited.
Alice Rush: Surprisingly excited about this one. Title is a bit dull, but to the point. The poster was just awesome. Hopefully they’ll be able to bring the best bits of newer/”gritty” Bond (hate to use that word) to a classic Bond storyline. If it’s true and Waltz is playing Blofeldt – SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY – but I’m really looking forward to seeing Andrew Scott in it as well. Lea Seydoux was an excellent addition but I’m hoping they actually give her a well rounded character not just waste her on a random squeeze. All in all pretty pleased with this announcement.
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So, mostly positive! Spectre will be directed by Sam Mendes and will be released in the UK on October 23rd 2015 in the UK and November 6th 2015 in the States with a cast that sees the returning Daniel Craig as James Bond, Rory Kinnear as Tanner, Ben Whishaw as Q, Naomie Harris as Eve Moneypenny and Ralph Fiennes as M alongside newcomers Andrew Scott (Pride) as Denbigh, Lea Seydoux (Blue is the Warmest Colour) as Madeleine Swann, Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy) as Mr. Hinx, Monica Bellucci (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice) as Lucia Sciarra and Christoph Waltz in an unnamed role.
