The Man From U.N.C.L.E.: Film Adaptation

[Blowfeld]

The Pilot

Filmed in color from late November to early December 1963 with locations at a Lever Brothers soap factory in California, the show was originally titled Ian Fleming's Solo and later just Solo. However, in February 1964 a law firm representing James Bond movie producers Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli sent a cease-and-desist letter demanding an immediate end to the use of Fleming’s name in connection with the planned Solo series, and an end to all use of the name and character "Solo", "Napoleon Solo" and "Mr. Solo". At that time filming was underway for the Bond movie Goldfinger, where Martin Benson was playing a supporting character named "Mr. Solo". The claim was the name "Solo" had already been sold to them by Fleming, and Fleming could not again use it. Within five days Fleming had signed an affidavit that nothing in the Solo pilot infringed on any of his Bond characters, but the threat of continued legal action resulted in a settlement where the character name of Napoleon Solo could be kept, but the title of the show had to change.

Exactly, Napoleon Solo was being created as a small-screen version of James Bond, by Fleming himself, who also helped some people to create the main protagonist of Avengers, yes, Fleming created John Steed, as well. But, due to conflicts with the EON Producers and the TV show producers, he sold the rights to the latter for only One Buck. And what BJMDDS said was very true. By the way, why is the new Bond novel entitled Solo? It looks like William Boyd knows nothing about the history let alone Bond.

William Boyd's new 007 novel to be titled, ironically, Solo:

http://hmssweblog.wordpress.com/2013/04 ... ally-solo/

Open Channel D: William Boyd's Fleming research gap

http://hmssweblog.wordpress.com/2013/04 ... earch-gap/

What if Fleming hadn't exited U.N.C.L.E.?
(answer: it would have been like Eric Ambler's Checkmate)

http://hmssweblog.wordpress.com/2013/04 ... u-n-c-l-e/

Good stuff as always I enjoy the HMSS Weblog, thoughtful commentary instead the of the fanboy circular firing squad, 'OMG S0L0 is using 007 in da title!!!' bloody muppets
So far Mr Boyd has not impressed me as someone who knows anything about Bond beyond one or two movies he saw over a bank holiday.

[John P. Drake]

Well said, Blowfeld.

[John P. Drake]

Tom Cruise's Female Lead Has Been Cast for an UNCLE role

[Kristatos]

Anna Karenina is in my Lovefilm queue, so I will be able to see her in action fairly soon.

[John P. Drake]

It's almost confirmed that Armie Hammer and Tom Cruise will be replacing David McCallum and Robert Vaughn instead of coming up with something new. But, I'm alright with any actress cast as the leading lady. But, as they ballsed it up with the 2002 film adaptation of I-Spy, the upcoming project UNCLE will go the same way I suspect. Nice choice with the actress, though. Let's see what's the plot going to be about.

[John P. Drake]

Today, it's been reported that Tom Cruise will no longer be involved with an UNCLE movie, he just stepped aside, meanwhile, Armie Hammer is still attached to the project. He might be getting the role of Solo instead of Ilya.

[bjmdds]

The Lone Ranger and Napolean Solo? Good luck to those busts.

[John P. Drake]

The Lone Ranger and Napolean Solo? Good luck to those busts.

Enough Said.

[Omega]

Today, it's been reported that Tom Cruise will no longer be involved with an UNCLE movie, he just stepped aside, meanwhile, Armie Hammer is still attached to the project. He might be getting the role of Solo instead of Ilya.

I'm actually kind of encouraged Cruise is out.


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[Kristatos]

Today, it's been reported that Tom Cruise will no longer be involved with an UNCLE movie, he just stepped aside, meanwhile, Armie Hammer is still attached to the project. He might be getting the role of Solo instead of Ilya.

I'm actually kind of encouraged Cruise is out.


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Read this comment before the comment it was replying to, and therefore misunderstood its meaning completely

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[Napoleon Solo]

Henry Cavill now in early negotiations to play Solo, according to Variety, The Wrap, Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter.

[bjmdds]

Cavill as Solo? Say farewell to Bond..........done

[Napoleon Solo]

Cavill as Solo? Say farewell to Bond..........done

Talks described as being in the early stages. But, Warners apparently wants to start filming in the fall. Studio needs to move fast.

[Omega]

He could be good as solo


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[FormerBondFan]

Cavill as Solo? Say farewell to Bond..........done

James Bond is not worth being tall and handsome (with dark hair) likes of first 5 Bond actors (from Sean to Pierce) anymore. Save the Bond role to Sheamus and Freaks & Weirdos.

[bjmdds]

If Cavill is Solo, Ale can kiss Henry farewell and Vince McMahon can take over EON

[Omega]

Cavill as Solo? Say farewell to Bond..........done

Talks described as being in the early stages. But, Warners apparently wants to start filming in the fall. Studio needs to move fast.

They don't have a director and/ or a story form bond 24. Babs and MGW are pursing other projects, so is mendes and Nolan. I'm not so sure bond 24 is a 2015 movie.

Far as cavill I don't know what going to happen with superman or justice league. DC is eager to replicate the marvel success without doing all the ground work for their series.

I have the feeling man from uncle will be a one off instead of a series. Only if superman and uncle are successful series do I think cavill is off the table. Less likely even now , but So much is influx. MGM is the only one trying to get bond going after 3 or 4 years I'm not sure what the situation will be.

If Nolan come on to do a trilogy all bets are off, but he is slammed until 2015


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[John P. Drake]

In my opinion, castin Henry Cavill as Solo is a very bad idea. He can't be Solo, too pretty face. Solo should look rough and YET neat if you ask me, that's how a real man (real men rarely exist nowadays) would look like. Was Robert Vaughn, Sean Connery or Richard Johnson pretty? Absolutely not. They were rough. BUT they were neat gentlemen, unbeatable heroes that decent people want. I heard people were bashing Clooney when he was rumoured to be cast as Solo. Why is that? He DOES look like the rough-and-yet-neat man I mentioned above. If you ask me, no one other than Clooney can do it.

[Napoleon Solo]

Since the last update here, Henry Cavill has confirmed his participation (in multiple interviews) as has Armie Hammer (in an interview on Australian television). And it would appear to be a period piece:

http://hmssweblog.wordpress.com/2013/06 ... iod-piece/

[John P. Drake]

Not happy with the news, but it's still better to have Magic Mike and Ignorant Mental Cruise in the lead roles. LOL!