|
Tuesday, 05 September 2006 18:04 |
| John North
Editor & Publisher |
At first, I laughed when I read that the new James Bond, Daniel Craig, is complaining that fans of the famous series of spy movies do not like him as Secret Agent 007.
Based on the actorës exploration of Bondës Internet fandom, Craig told Entertainment Weekly magazine recently, "They hate me. They donët think Iëm right for the role. Theyëre passionate about it, which I understand, but I do wish theyëd reserve judgment."
To
that end, some James Bond fans have started a Web site named
www.craignotbond.com, to protest the choice of Craig to replace Pierce
Brosnan in the 007 film franchise and to boycott "Casino Royale," which
is to be released on Nov. 17.
In defending his
version of Bond, Craig said he decided to take the secret agent in a
different direction after viewing every Bond film at least several
times. "Thereës no point in making this movie unless itës different.
Itëd be a waste of time unless we took Bond to a place heëd never been
before," he told EW.
Specifically, he plans to play a tougher, grittier and darker 007. Craig, 37, will be the sixth James Bond.
He told BBC News
that taking the role is a big responsibility and that Bond was "a huge
iconic figure in movie history and these things donët come along very
often."
Whatës more,
director Martin Campbell said the 21st Bond film ÇƒÓ an adaptation of Ian
Flemingës first James Bond novel ÇƒÓ would be "definitely darker ÇƒÓ more
character, less gadgets."
Indeed, Fleming
initially introduced the spy to the world as a more youthful and cold
character than he has been portrayed on film.
The more I
though about Craig and Campbellës plans, the more I sided with them.
The Bond movies have drifted increasingly toward special effects, with
the character development virtually ignored.
I especially
liked Craigës assertion that, while he is not looking to redefine the
role, "Itës a question of taking it somewhere maybe where itës never
gone before." Gosh, he almost sounds like something out of "Star Trek."
I can see how
others, particulary Bond fanatics, might feel betrayed that some
interloper is planning to make a radical change in their hero.
Still, how radical can Craig be? After all, he IS British.
In pondering the
situation further, I canët help wondering why the Bond franchise has
grown so popular with people around the world. Just what is it about
James Bond?
I suppose people
like his independence, his competency in handling every situation with
style ÇƒÓ and the action elements. Also, I know thereës sort of a comfort
in sameness, that nonetheless always is spiced with some new twists to
make it interesting.
Bond always has been a man of action, style and great capability in wooing beautiful women.
Men like to imagine they are Bond and women like to fantasize about having a lover like Bond.
Craig has big
shoes to fill, following in the footsteps of the previous Bond stars,
including Brosnan, Sir Sean Connery, Sir Roger Moore, George Lazenby
and Timothy Dalton.
I always have
enjoyed the Bond movies, but have lamented their ever-increasing
tendency to rely on special effects, so I see Craigës "dark" 007 as a
welcome change from the "shaken, not stirred" status quo.
|
