James Bond will return…although he’s had a few stumbling blocks along the way.
Originally planned for a 2019 release, the latest James Bond film has faced some stumbling blocks. Problems with the director, Danny Boyle leaving, and getting replaced with Cory Fukijama, and even after filming has begun, reports of Daniel Craig suffering injury, other accidents on the set, arguments etc.
Still, it could be worst. Between Quantum of Solace and Skyfall, there were worries about Bond’s future too (Such as this 2010 cover of EW) due to MGM’s seemingly eternal money woes. The production of Casino Royale also had reports of Craig suffering injuries and the 007 stage burnt down during production. On top of that, people were unsure about Craig himself, in part because he was somewhat physically distinct from
Recently-in perhaps a way to counter some of the bad press, some filming videos have been released. The first shows Prince Charles visiting the set. With Craig himself, showing off two of the film’s Aston Martins-the DB5 and-surprisingly-The Volante V8.
(Not his first visit, either)
This “Winterized” Aston Martin made a big impact in the first half of the Living Daylights (The film Charles previously visited), with a huge number of gadgets, such as winter specific skis and tire spikes, missiles, lasers, bulletproof glass and a rocket booster. However, in order to keep it from falling into KGB hands, once the car became damaged and stuck Bond had to destroy it.
It’s unclear if this new one has the same features, or the same fate. It’s also assumed a third Aston Martin will be in the film, the Valhalla. Although it looks cool of course, it seems a bit almost *too* advanced for Bond to drive.
While the rest of Charles’s visit was touring the MI6 sets we’re mostly already familiar with, Moneypenny’s reception desk has a nice surprise, a painting of Judi Dench’s M….
Lashanna Lynch is also seen in Moneypenny’s office, although it’s a bit unclear whether she’ll be working for MI6 in the film. There’s a fan theory that she is in fact, a 00, and not just any 00, but the new 007 as Bond is retired. (Female 00s have been glimpsed briefly in other films so it’s not a men’s only club).
The next video shows the Jamaica filming. While a lot of it is mainly shots of the club in the film, and probably not involved with the rest of the story, there’s some cool shots.
First is Bond outside some building, holding a harpoon gun.
The weapon is seen in two other Bond films set in the Caribbean. The first is Thunderball, used to shoot Vargas, with Bond saying “I think he got the point!”
Second is in License to Kill, where Bond grabs one after learning that another one of his friends, Sharkey, has been killed by Sanchez/Krest’s men, the ticked off Bond bolts a frogman, saying “Compliments of sharkey!”
Also the windows make me wonder if they’re using the Goldeneye estate, where Bond was “born” from the typewriter of Ian Fleming-and of course is the namesake of the movie.
And of course we have the return of Felix, after he skipped Skyfall and Spectre (Although he did get a namedrop in Spectre)! This also seems to be a cool callback of sorts, as in the original films, Bond and Felix first formally met in a Jamaican nightclub.
While the original film of course had plenty of product placement for Red Stripe,Felix is also drinking pretty much the official product placement beer of the series, Heineken.
The nightclub itself seems to be a pretty cool setting, as we’re accustomed to in James Bond films. The Craig films have always had pretty cool cinematography.
Here’s Bond taking a jeep around town. Possibly his personal vehicle.
Lashanna’s character, in probably the same house Bond was seen outside earlier.
Finally, before an explosion, a cool slow-motion walk of a grinning Craig/Bond?
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