If you believe the 007 rumour-mill, Ralph Fiennes is being courted for a role in next year’s Bond film.
According to the Mail, Fiennes is currently discussing a ‘complex dark role’ in Bond 23, which stars Daniel Craig. Are we looking at the 23rd movie Bond villain? Or is that going to be Javier Bardem, the star of No Country For Old Men, who is also apparently in talks with director Sam Mendes?
The Mail reports that Bond 23 is “the first of a new generation of Bond films, and the ideas Mendes has push the film into darker territory where the characters are modern, mature and challenging.”
“The first of a new generation of Bond films”? Hang on, didn’t we have that two movies ago?
I love the lead-up to a new Bond, the rumours and red-herrings. If Fiennes and Bardem are in the running to take roles in the film, then it possibly shows that Bond 23 will continue along the grittier road of Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace – and quite right too. All I hope is that some of the recognisable aspects of a 007 picture return. I would like to see the gun-barrel back at the beginning where it belongs, that familiar fanfare reminding you that you’re about to witness the return of Her Majesty’s greatest secret agent. Also, let’s see a new Q. The gadgets needn’t be outlandish or camp, but a few scenes with the Quartermaster could inject some warmth to the proceedings, allowing Craig to add another dimension to his Bond. After all, a little light every now and then can really emphasise how dark the darkness actually is. Yes, make the characters modern, mature and challenging but don’t sacrifice the legacy of 007 on the way.
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