PIERCE BROSNAN STEPS DOWN AS BOND!

[00Kevin]

http://www.commanderbond.net/Public/Stories/2264-1.shtml

After Reviving the Bond Franchaise in 1995, after 4 BIG Bond flicks, after helping put bond on the map in films, games and books yet again, Pierce Brosnan has Steped Down as 007.

The Hunt for the 6th Bond is on. #1 was Sean Connery, who did 6 between 62 and 71, plus the Unnoficial 'Never Say never again' in 1981. Then George Lazenby had 1 in 69, Roger Moore did 7 between 73 and 85. Timothy Dalton was Bond from 87-94 but only made 2 bond films in the late 80's and non in the 90's. Pierce Brosnan, The 5th Bond, Revised the Series in 95 With Goldeneye, he bounced back with Tomorrow Never Dies in 97 and The World is not enough in 1999 and The huge bond hit Die Another Day in 2002.

You can see Pierce Brosnan in his Last James Bond Adventure, a video game, 'Everything or Nothing', in which he will give the services of his likeness and voice.

A new Chapter in the Bond Saga is about to be Written

[Pale Horse]

Please don't tell me Jude Law will be stepping in :rolleyes:

[vaxer]

Maybe it's time to end the series. I like some of these films a lot but how many times can you renew the genre without taking out the original spirit. Are they planning to go on forever?

[Strider]

End the series?! Never! BOND WILL RETURN!!! It will be sad to see Brosnan go. I think he has been the best Bond since Sean Connery. Myself I think Hugh Jackman could take the role, he's not going to though.

[Strider]

but how many times can you renew the genre without taking out the original spirit.- vaxer

You'd be suprised to see how easily they could come up with an original idea, Bond movies tend to look to the present for ideas, like Die Another Day with the whole North Korean thing. Personly I would like to see the return of Blofeld. Athough it seemed like he came to a pretty obvious death in the begining of For Your Eyes Only, Blofeld has a way of coming back. Besides, in that scene you dont really know if it is actually Blofeld, you never even see his face.
Athough the idea of Blofeld coming back is cool it is about as likly as Jackman playing Bond. When the unofficial bond film, Never Say Never Again came out, the rights to using Blofeld and Spector were bought away from MGM, the currant distributors of the 007 films.

[Attila the Professor]

I nominate Kevin as the next Bond...he used to be British, you know. ;)

[Rumpled Fedora]

And I thought Pierce said he was going to do another one.

I wonder who the next one will be...

[bob]

Hmmmm is it certain that this news is official.....

I personally don't care who is cast as the next Bond as long as:
1. He is an actor from the British isles
2. Is not a flavour of the month
3. Is over 35

[Strider]

He did, but I guess thats changed now.

[Tennessee R]

Wow, I liked Pierce Brosnan. Wish he didn't quit. Maybe they'll let Sean Connery come as Bond again ;)

[Strider]

Now that would be AWSOME!!! :D

[00Kevin]

Originally posted by Attila the Professor
I nominate Kevin as the next Bond...he used to be British, you know. ;)

This never hapened to the other fella.....













bob-yeah, that's cool, being a brit is a must, 35 is cool, I'ld like to see a younger bond then the most recent ones, Pierce was ganna be it in the late 80's (when he was around 35) but couldn't do it because of remington steel, dalton was in consideration to do it in 69! but he was too young and didn't want it.....connery was around 32 or something in his first ones, and those are the best, lazenby was a little short of 30....and his 1 shot is considered one of the best (by die hards). 30-35 for me. And yes, good way to put it, no flavor of the months. However, Bond has had some success with picking no-bodies in the 60's (connery hadn't even had a starring role), if they find someone good, I'ld prefer to see that happen

[Joe Brody]

From Comingsoon.net

"Brosnan Back in James Bond 21 & Crown Affair 2 Source: Variety Friday, February 13, 2004

MGM has reupped its first-look deal with Irish DreamTime, the production company run by Pierce Brosnan and Beau St. Clair, reports Variety. The company is developing several Brosnan vehicles at the studio, including The Thomas Crown Affair 2 and the actioner Mexicali.

Brosnan will also return for a fifth outing as British secret agent James Bond. The 21st film in MGM's spy series is being readied for a November 2005 release.

Outside of MGM, Irish DreamTime is producing thriller The Matador with Stratus Films. The film, in which Brosnan will star, is gearing up to start lensing in Mexico.

Bond, James Bond can next be seen in the New Line romantic comedy Laws of Attraction with Julianne Moore."

<<<End of Article>>>

I don't know which article is right, but I've heard the rumors that Brosnan is out for some time. Comingsoon is usually pretty reliable.

[Edited by Joe Brody on 02-14-2004 at 08:48 pm]

[Strider]

Cool. :D
I wish I was British. It would be great to play Bond, athough you don't want to be typecast. That almost happened to Connery, notice how he didn't do alot of big movies until he became much older.

[Luke_indyWalker]

Apparently these rumors about MGM firing Brosnan came from an unrel;iable source. Theres been a lot of questions asked and MGM are denying firing Brosnan for starters.

Until theres an official statement from MGM about Brosnan leaving, i'm gonna say that he's stiil employed.

Besides, he did bring the series back to life in '95.

BTW, one of the reasons Brosnan has allegedly been fired is because he wanted something like $25 mil for Bond 21 or something like that.

[Indy1936]

If Brosnon steps down they should end the series, they already made a movie for every one of Ian Flemming's books, and the last couple of movies weren't even based on the books. It's just capitalism I guess ;).

[Attila the Professor]

Perhaps...perhaps to end the series on a strong note they should make one more with Connery - and a woman closer to his own age. What about M?

[Tennessee R]

Originally posted by Attila the Professor
Perhaps...perhaps to end the series on a strong note they should make one more with Connery - and a woman closer to his own age. What about M?

That's a great idea Atilla!

Hopefully they will keep Brosnan for at least one more time.

[00Kevin]

One of the Many reasons why I'm glad that Attila isn't writing the Bond/Indy Movies :D

Connery, even if asked, most likely doesn't want to do it

and besides, who wants to see a 70 year old man running about having sex with 80 year old women? I rest my case








anywho, We've got some UBER NEWS:

http://www.mi6.co.uk/sections/articles/bond_21_brosnan_rumours_timeline.php3?t=bond21&s=bond21

Now MI6.co.uk say that it was a hoax. Again, the window was open to the fact that it was just a rumor.

It seems that Brosnan has been Official confirmed as Bond in bond 21, which will be released November 18th 2005, the same time of year that the past 2 bond films have been released

[Strider]

The company that own's Never say Never Agian wanted Connery to do another film recently, but he turned them down of course.

[Joe Brody]

Originally posted by Attila the Professor
What about M?

I'll say one thing about 'M' and that's that the arc of the M/Bond relationship is the most interesting thing to happen to the franchise in a quarter of a century. Watching their relationship evolve has been the best thing about the Brosnan era films . . . well, aside from Halle Berry.

[00Kevin]

Originally posted by Indy1936
If Brosnon steps down they should end the series, they already made a movie for every one of Ian Flemming's books, and the last couple of movies weren't even based on the books. It's just capitalism I guess ;).

Well, They didn't do one for the Best one 'Casino Royale' nor have they done all of his short stories...'Quantum of Solace', 'Risico', 'The Hildebrand Rarity', 'Property of a Lady' or '007 in New Tork' :D

Plus, many Bond fans have shown intestest in making films based on these, used characters from fleming's Books as films, and even use some non-fleming books..exspecially Kingsley Amis's 'Colonel Sun'

Originally posted by Strider
The company that own's Never say Never Agian wanted Connery to do another film recently, but he turned them down of course.

If you mean Kevin McClory's Idea for yet another Thunderball Remake 'Warhead 2000', which is the only thing I can think you mean, then you may have 1 or 2 facts wrong. Timothy Dalton was rumored to be in line for the part, Connery was rumored to be a bad guy. It was Sony who tried to do this, in fact, they tried to start their own series of bond films! But MGM stoped them via the court room, and luckly Kevin McClory failed failed to ruin the bond series once again

*invisions Kevin McClory petting Blofeld's Cat* "Next time Mr. Bond!

and for the record, MGM now owns the record to 'Never Say never again', SPECTRE and Earnst Stavlo Blofeld. (AND THE CAT :D)

[00Kevin]

Originally posted by Joe Brody
Originally posted by Attila the Professor
What about M?

I'll say one thing about 'M' and that's that the arc of the M/Bond relationship is the most interesting thing to happen to the franchise in a quarter of a century. Watching their relationship evolve has been the best thing about the Brosnan era films . . . well, aside from Halle Berry.

well, I've enjoyed Dame Judi Dench's Portayal of M, had I been a bond fan befor goldeneye, I'ld have been against the Idea of it from the get go. But I would have learned how well she plays the part.

it has been cool seeing it evolve.

But still, It's fun to go back to how that character was Written to be, in goldeneye and also in the book "Zero Minus 10". M and Bond don't always see eye to eye....and I kinda like it that way

[Strider]

Who wrote Zero Minus Ten? That isn't a Fleming.

[Tennessee R]

I enjoy the Brosnan Bond films also.
Renderking Fisk, you said Secondhand Lions has Brosnan in it? I was thinking about going to see it. Is it real good?

[westford]

I've seen bits of Secondhand Lions - looks really good, but I'll have to wait for the DVD release now to see it in full. It's got a cool end credits sequence!

[Strider]

Brosnon made me a Bond fan again, He goes… I go.-Renderking Fisk

Sounds like your giving up hope that there may be another good Bond. I agree that Bronsnon has been the greatest Bond since Connery but that dosen't mean there wont be another great actor playing 007.

[MP3]

Originally posted by Renderking Fisk
Admit it… you know you want to be able to look that good in a tux while being able to kill someone who pisses you off with a ball point pen as you sip your vodka martini.

The pen is mightier than the sword, eh? :D

[Pale Horse]

I will like it when I can go see films like <small>the remake of</small>The Thomas Crown Affair without seeing Brosnan as Bond. He is a talented actor and needs to shed some of his sterotype. Perhaps he needs to play a villian as soon as he is done with all this Bond stuff.

I know maybe Hugh Grant can play Bond ;)

Bwahahahaha!

[Indypunk10]

I heard Ewan Mcgregor was going to take on the role of Bond. Just a rumor though..and I couldn't see him as Bond anyway...

[Joe Brody]

Originally posted by Indypunk10
...and I couldn't see him as Bond anyway...

I agree with you there. I was ready to write him off for dead and then he goes and does a good job in 'Big Fish'. Go figure --- but he'll never be Bond.

[Strider]

I'd like to see Hugh Jackman (wolverine) as Bond, I think he could do the role well, but he has a good career going now with X-men and eventuly Van Helsing so he wouldn't do it.

[Joe Brody]

Originally posted by Strider I'd like to see Hugh Jackman (wolverine) as Bond, I think he could do the role well, but he has a good career going now with X-men and eventuly Van Helsing so he wouldn't do it.

At first blush I would have said that I don't think there's any established actor even remotely capable of playing Bond today other than Brosnan, but I think you got something worth kicking around when you suggest Jackman.

True, the X-Men movies and 'Van Helsing' show that the guy can do action -- but can he be sufficiently Bond-ish? I say that he is at least in the ballpark. I think there are two Jackman performances that are relevant here - but unfortunately I don't remember much about his acting. In 'Kate & Leopold' he had to be an English smoothie but I think he was a little plasticky. I know the women like him though. . . . And in 'Swordfish' I think he had something of an edge. . . . Taking these performances together, I don't know if he could pull off a bankable Bond. My fear would be that he'd be the next Timothy Dalton. In other words, an actor "good" enough to get the part but lacking that Bondish quality needed to excite the fans.

Another problem would be that he might not want the role and pull another Russell Crowe by scaling back on convential action roles. I think a lot of Jackman fans buy too much into his Wolverine performances and forget that his Wolverine is just a character. In real life Hugh Jackman is a bit of a pretty boy who likes to sing on Broadway ('Boy from Oz') and he may not want to be shouldered with the Bond mantle -- especially after having done at least three X-men movies. I'm not being critical of Jackman the performer, I'm just saying that he may have no interests in the role.



[Edited by Joe Brody on 02-20-2004 at 07:37 am]

[Pale Horse]

Originally posted by Joe Brody
At first blush I would have said that I don't think there's any established actor even remotely capable of playing Bond today other than Brosnan, but I think you got something worth kicking around when you suggest Jackman.


His displays some charm in the movie with Ashley Judd, Someone Like You

[Joe Brody]

I haven't seen that movie -- and since I love Judd, I'll have to check it out. What do you think apalehorse, could Jackman be a good Bond?

[Pale Horse]

Probably not, IMHO. He lacks the tongue in cheek, twinkle in the eye that Bond so desparately needs. I haven't seen the boyish charm in Jackman, but who knows, I didn't think Bronsnan could pull it off either.

There is a swagger to bond that hasn't been around for quite some time. Find me an actor with a swagger, and that could very well be your next Bond.

[Strider]

I havn't seen him be that smooth, but he sure can be tough.

[Tennessee R]

Say, I know this has nothing to do with Indy, but since this is a Bond thread anyway,
I got James Bond: Everything or Nothing yesterday. So far, it's pretty good.

[00Kevin]

I got it on thursday, when it came out, the 1 player is one of EA's better bond 1Ps (but not their best...nor anywhere NEAR Goldeneye) Also let me point out that the controls can be difficult and confusing if you are new to the game or that kind of game. The co-op is kinda cool, but it doesn't do much more then add to the game and things to do.

But the multiplayer Arena is terrible! Imagine 'Super Smash Brothers' in 3D, only you can play as people you've never heard of! (however, baron samed, oddjob, some gaurds and a few charcters from the 1P can be unlocks.....BUT NO JAMES BOND :(). basically you have a medium sized room and you caqn run around and either punch people or pick up a gun from the ground. It is not split screen, there is 1 fixed camera angle from the corner of the room.

It's too bad, from the James Bond Series, Where people EXPECT an AWESOME multiplayer and great game overall. EA did a great job on TWINE 64, a great 1P and an awesome multiplayer....nightfire was the kind of game EA should make...as long as it doesn't suck :D

[Tennessee R]

Originally posted by 00Kevin
I got it on thursday, when it came out, the 1 player is one of EA's better bond 1Ps (but not their best...nor anywhere NEAR Goldeneye) Also let me point out that the controls can be difficult and confusing if you are new to the game or that kind of game. The co-op is kinda cool, but it doesn't do much more then add to the game and things to do.

But the multiplayer Arena is terrible! Imagine 'Super Smash Brothers' in 3D, only you can play as people you've never heard of! (however, baron samed, oddjob, some gaurds and a few charcters from the 1P can be unlocks.....BUT NO JAMES BOND :(). basically you have a medium sized room and you caqn run around and either punch people or pick up a gun from the ground. It is not split screen, there is 1 fixed camera angle from the corner of the room.


It's too bad, from the James Bond Series, Where people EXPECT an AWESOME multiplayer and great game overall. EA did a great job on TWINE 64, a great 1P and an awesome multiplayer....nightfire was the kind of game EA should make...as long as it doesn't suck :D

So, let me add, I got an Xbox just for that game. I have never had a console, only Windows PC, but, they didn't come out with Everything or Nothing for PC, so, I got a Xbox for that reason.

I had gotten Nightfire for PC, and, it was fairly well done, and the multiplayer was, in my opinion, pretty good on Nightfire.

But, you say Goldeneye is good? Do they have that for Xbox?
You, 00Kevin, as a Bond enthusiast, what other Bond games do they have for Xbox, and what is your order of best to worst?

[Caliber]

Goldeneye is only on the N64. It was in my opinion the best Bond game and probably the best N64 game. It also definitely ranks in my top ten favorite games of all time.

Also what about Elijah Wood playing Bond? Not now of course but perhaps when he is a little older, I really like Elijah Wood.

[vaxer]

I heard the next James Bond was going to be Brosnan's last, and that Britney Spears was gonna be the James Bond girl :eek:

[Tennessee R]

Ah, thank you Caliber.

[00Kevin]

after a few months of no for sure news, Pierce Brosnan has announced that he has officially stepped down as bond and Die Another Day was his final bond


http://www.commanderbond.net/Public/Stories/2465-1.shtml


I have heard speculation that he is taking 1 film off in order to get a big payrole for bond 22 (ala connery) but I don't think it's so

what do you guys say?

[Pale Horse]

I would say he is done. I also think that with the rumor of Tarentino considering a chance at directing Bond, (Casino Royale) perhaps we will see a deviation in the Bond legacy. A quirky movie in a few years, another short break, and than a fresh Bond in about 7 years. Just a hunch.

[Finn]

Originally posted by Renderking Fisk
Recast Bond with an unknown with tallent. Maybe even Speical K. If he can act. Yeah, and when we're on it, let's hand over the control codes of all the nukes in the US to Saddam Hussein...

[intergamer]

I think EA is going down two different paths here. It's hard to have great singleplayer and great multiplayer in the same game. EoN has the ultimate multiplayer bond experience, and the upcoming Goldeneye 2 seems to be geared more toward multiplayer (it will be first-person).

[Pale Horse]

where did that come from IG?! :D

[00Kevin]

Originally posted by Renderking Fisk
You guys need to check out other Spy movies and see what else is out there.

There's the new one that I haven't seen yet: "The Bourne Supremacy". Folks are telling me that this reminds them of why they loved Bond in the first place, and this is the spy thriller to beat all others... better then any Bond movie since Golden-Eye.

Recast Bond with an unknown with tallent. Maybe even Speical K. If he can act.

100% of all bond fans agree that James bond should never be played by an american

[00Kevin]

Originally posted by Pale Horse
where did that come from IG?! :D

yeah inter, that was pretty random.

I think I have a new respect for EoN as Pierce Brosnan's Last Bond Adventure, sure it's not a film, but it is the next best thing. The 1P was good (story was good, cool to see actual people, but I prefer 'IJ and the ET' if I wanted 3rd person controls

the co-op was ok, but EoN's multiplayer deatmatch was terrible, the only good thing you can say about it is that there is something else to do on this game (but you probubly won't do it much)



anyways, EoN is the last adventure with PB as bond . ROgue agent sounds like a very cool game (sounds, I don't have hands on experience) the multiplayer sounds very cool, check out the classic bond multiplayer maps:

Multi-Player Maps

Atlantis - Karl Stromberg's underwater lair from "The Spy Who Loved Me" returns from a brief and somewhat disappointing appearance in "Agent Under Fire", this time it's in all it's Ken Adam glory.

Severnaya - Xenia Onatopp made her reputation here by shooting all the Russian Space Division employees in "GoldenEye", let's hope for more "climatic" action.

Scaramanga's Funhouse - The testing ground for the million-dollar-a-shot hitman in "The Man With The Golden Gun" is remade as a perfect hunting ground in deathmatch mode.

Moonraker Launch Facility - Expect to see all the classic elements from the "Moonraker" set, including the conference room (which was cut from the original film script) - where players can activate the overhead thrusters to toast anyone in range.

St. Cyril's Monastery - Although one of the lesser known Bond locales, this mountain-top building from "For Your Eyes Only" makes for a superb multiplayer map.

Piz Gloria- A restaurant in real-life, Blofeld's lair from "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" not only offers great ski slopes and a bob sleigh run - but will now become a top capture the flag location.

Golden Gate Bridge - the famous San Fran suspension Bridge that was featured in the climatic...uhhhh, climax of 'A View to a Kill'

Pyramids - from 'the spy who loved me' not sure why they picked this one, the 'liparus' would have been better then pyramids, but hey, the more bond levels, the better


the 1P story also sounds good, but you don't play as bond :(

this game is full of classic bond villians. Oddjob, goldfinger, blofeld, Xenia, Pussy Galore, Dr. No.

Christopher Lee will provide the voice for his classic bond character 'Franscisco Scaramanga' aka 'The man with the goldene gun'. Judi Dench will again provice the voice of 'M'. This is good that they have some actual film actors reprise their roles (like in EoN). ALso sounds like they will have a Theme song at the begining by 'a well known artist' like Mya did in EoN

there are alot of really awesome extra's they're putting into it, I'm just hoping that these extra's don't take away from gameplay



awwww, thanks alot Inter! now look at what you made me do! :mad:

[Sir_Winston]

Originally posted by 00Kevin
100% of all bond fans agree that James bond should never be played by an american

Bond shouldn't be played by an American if it happens though I envision the next Bond film involving a secret mexican plot to take over the world and annex Texas, and in the end the American Bond will through some mexican down the grand canyon and say, "This will teach ya'll to mess with Texas".

Note: No offense to any Texans here.

[Finn]

But all of the Bonds have <i>not</i> been Brits, so can we follow the route and say that all Joneses don't have to be...?

[Raffey]

I don't really care who plays Bond as I never watch them until they hit DVD.

The movies have pretty much have been written/produced/filmed on automatic pilot for the last decade.

The only thing new Brosnan brought to the series was a new watch.

Omega instead of Rolex....

[Strider]

Originally posted by vaxer
I heard the next James Bond was going to be Brosnan's last, and that Britney Spears was gonna be the James Bond girl :eek:

Don't worry it ain't gonna happen.
True, It'll be Bronson's last but the Britney Spears thing was just a rumor.
-Thank god.

Maybe I'm just saying this becouse I would like to play Bond in the future, but If there's an american actor who can potray him well enough, why not? Of course he would have to have a convinceing British accent but that could be done. After all we have had a Scottish and an Irish 007.

[Finn]

...and Welsh and Australian.

No, but really. Think about it. Only one of the Bonds has been a Brit. Moore.

[Tennessee R]

Really? Wow. I didn't know that.
I sure wish Brosnan would do another one.

[Finn]

Yeah, just for tads, let's go through them once more:

Connery - Scottish
Lazenby - Australian
Moore - Brit
Dalton - Welsh
Brosnan - Irish

It appears that Bond does not have to be a Brit, as long as he's from the British Empire...

[Gobi-1]

I'm a huge Bond fan so Brosnan "departure" has really thrown the world of Bond into confusion and EON/MGM isn't helping the probelm by remaining quite.

I really want Brosnan to come back for one (or two) more films. He's my favorite Bond and while I love Roger Moore it just isn't fair that he'll have 7 films and Brosnan will only have 4.

I think Brosnan will come back for one last go around and a new Bond will debut in 2007.

All you Bond fans should check out my Bond website here, http://www.angelfire.com/hero/agent_007/James_Bond.html

[skywlkrinc]

Here's the latest news in the Bond saga.......
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/afplifestyle_britain

Luke

[Pale Horse]

Now that is what I am talking about. I say Rowland Atkinson in Tarentino's Casino Royale!

http://www.filmup.com/speciale/rowanatkinson/img/logo.gif

[00Kevin]

update!

Pierce Brosnan is indeed back in the running to return as bond in casino royale, directed by martin campbell. Pierce says he would like to do it if the producers allow. the official decicion will take place within this week

http://commanderbond.net/cw.cgi?action=Story&SID=2948


Another likely candidate and presumibly brosnan's top rival is Daniel Craig. there are supposidly 3 others in the running, but I can't find the link


we will know who is bond...soon enough

[IndyBuff]

There is supposed to be an announcement any time now. I would love to see Pierce get a shot at one more film but I think his mouth and his comments may have hurt his chances recently. Still, he's my favorite 007 and even if he does get replaced I hope the producers have the sense to pick someone good. I enjoyed the other five Bond actors and hopefully the sixth won't be a disappointment.



00Kevin, it's good to see you back.:)

[Webley]

It's official: Daniel Craig is the new James Bond!
http://commanderbond.net/Public/Stories/2949-1.shtml
http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/casinoroyale/pr/craig_bond.jpg

[00Kevin]

I usually stay optomistic, but in this case I'm getting the feeling that I'm not ganna like it as much:

-James Blond
-'darker' bond (can yo say...timothy dalton)
-no Q
-no Moneypenny

we'll see, but some of these things are just out of place


http://imdb.com/title/tt0275186/


interesting...hisfirst acting job was in an episode of young indy

[Jay R. Zay]

i think it's a great choice.

[Paden]

I think it will be interesting to see how he handles the role. I can't say that I've seen much of his work, save for the Road to Perdition, in which he was quite effective as Rooney's detestable son. I'm told Layer Cake was very good, but I haven't had the chance to see it. Interesting that the filmmakers are going back to Casino Royale, Fleming's first Bond novel, for the next installment. Is this meant to be a "reboot" for the Bond series, like Batman Begins was for that franchise?

[roundshort]

Layer cake was great, and i think he will do a great job. I hope they hip him up a bit, the last Bond, while being fun to watch I thought was one of the worst Bond preformances ever. PB had no personailty, and was well lame. I like Judi Dench and John Cleese adds a great touch. I look forward to this upcoming Bond as much as the first Bronsen, as i hated Tim Dalton (lame-0)

[IndyBuff]

I think it will be interesting to see how he handles the role. I can't say that I've seen much of his work, save for the Road to Perdition, in which he was quite effective as Rooney's detestable son. I'm told Layer Cake was very good, but I haven't had the chance to see it. Interesting that the filmmakers are going back to Casino Royale, Fleming's first Bond novel, for the next installment. Is this meant to be a "reboot" for the Bond series, like Batman Begins was for that franchise?

In a sense, yes. Casino Royale is a great book and the story will make for an interesting and tense movie. Personally, I can't really judge whether or not Craig will be good as Bond. I've only seen him in a couple movies and I don't remember much about his characters or his acting style. Still, I'm willing to give him a chance and I think he has the potential to be a great Bond.

Many Bond fans are split on the issue of Craig but most agree that a back-to-basics approach is the right direction for the series. The rumor of making a "Bond Begins" film has been floating around for some time now and personally I don't think a prequel is necessary. I like the way the films follow each other in chronological order and I don't see any reason to change it. Prequels work well for some film series (like Indy, for instance:) ) but for Bond it just doesn't seem right, if they decide to do it at all.

Only time will tell but this film is shaping up to be pretty good so far. It will be interesting to see what happens from here.

[Finn]

Just for req, but I think that this is continuation to the series like the previous flicks, all they're gonna do is to rip the name off from a Fleming book... They've done it before, think "Moonraker" for example. It had nothing to do with the novel of the same title - minus the name and some characters.