Ralph Fiennes' Secret New James Bond Role Is... M

[Goldeneye]

Ralph Fiennes' Secret New James Bond Role Is...

January 3rd, 2012 1:59pm EST | By: NextMovie Add to My News
The shroud of secrecy surrounding the upcoming James Bond film "Skyfall" has been so dense, you'd almost think Christopher Nolan or Ridley Scott were directing it, but now the first real spoiler has just hit the internet... and this one is about as big as they come.

Forget spoiler warnings; you're going to need a bomb shield for this one, because your head is about to explode.

First, let's set the stage by going over what we already know about "Skyfall." The third installment in the current Daniel Craig iteration of the venerable spy franchise, "Skyfall" was delayed — and nearly cancelled outright — due to legal wrangling by the studio. Now it's finally in full swing, with director Sam Mendes ("Revolutionary Road," "American Beauty") preparing the film for a Nov. 9, 2012, release.

Until now, though, all we really knew about the plot is that it heavily involves M, James Bond's boss, who has been played by Judi Dench since 1995's "Goldeneye." Or should we say, had been played?

Yes, it's a shocker: According to MovieWeb, "Skyfall" will be the last film for Dench as the movie will detail M's retirement as well as the training for her replacement -- and the new M will be none other than Ralph Fiennes.

"Ralph Fiennes plays a government agent, which we never get a name on, because he is set to play the new M," the bombshell from MovieWeb reads. Dench's "past forces her to leave as head of MI6, and find a new M. The board of MI6 then turns to a government agent (Ralph Fiennes) to take over. M (Dame Judi) is now forced to train the new head of MI6."

There's no question that the franchise just won't be the same without Dench. But will fans warm to Fiennes in the role the way they have embraced John Cleese as Q? Or will the thought of the world's freedom being in the hands of Lord Voldemort be too much? Either way, it looks like this time, Chicken Little was right, because the sky really is falling in the 007 universe.

We'll miss you, Judi.

[Goldeneye]

MovieWeb

Early today, Ralph Fiennes revealed some meager character details about his role in the upcoming James Bond adventure Skyfall, offering this small hint.

"I'm allowed to say that I'm a government agent."


Now, an insider at EON Productions has slipped a few more story details our way, and, look out, this is a MAJOR SPOILER!

It seems as though Ralph Fiennes is actually going to replace Judi Dench as the new M. This will be Dame Judi's final 007 appearance, with Fiennes set to carry on the character into the unforeseeable future.

This is what we were told.

"Ralph Fiennes play's a government agent, which we never get a name on, because he is set to play the new M.

Skyfall centers around M (Judi Dench) where her past forces her to leave as head of MI6, and find a new M. The board of MI6 then turns to a government agent (Ralph Fiennes) to take over. M (Dame Judi) is now forced to train the new head of MI6."


While this news has yet to be confirmed, it does come from a quite reliable source inside the studio.

Skyfall comes to theaters November 9th, 2012 and stars Ralph Fiennes, Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Naomie Harris, Judi Dench, Simon Russell Beale, Rhys Ifans, Helen McCrory. The film is directed by Sam Mendes.

[Dr. No]

I think I smell a new M and MP, unless a new Bond follows I don't think it will work.

[Kristatos]

More unsourced rumours. Until it's confirmed by someone involved with the film, I'm going to treat this as speculation. All Feinnes said was that he was playing a government agent, and somehow, MovieWeb turned this into "Feinnes is playing the new M and the film is all about Dame Judi training her replacement".