What If PB Were Offered .......Highest Calibre

[Commander 0077]

I had lunch at Blades with Sir Miles yesterday. He put forth an interesting mission. It was rather roundabout, but the flesh and bones went as follows....

M: I'm not much on the playing up 007's cult status -- you know, the novels, the films. And while he's a womanizer, he's not a bad sort. I strongly disagree -- and I'm polite, Commander 0077 -- with the recent film by our friends (he made a face) at Eon. Enough said.

My question to you: IF a great amount of money were available, along with the proper talent (writers, director, etc.), would it be within the realm of reality for Mr Brosnan to be involved in an alternate mission?

Because of the Official Secrets Act, not to mention legalities, the mission would of course make no mention of 007. But I daresay there isn't anything to prevent a mission featuring a gentleman killer, visiting beautiful locations and beautiful women (he made another face). Myself, this would be a welcome change to those who, ah, disagreed with the recent Operation Bedlam involving a very non-gentleman, etc. It would of course be of the highest calibre. In fact, let us codename it Highest Calibre.

The mission profile :
1. They would get it right this time.
2. By right, I mean a hero facing earth's greatest danger and the greatest villain(s) of all.
3. No computer graphics, or very very little.
4. Nothing that is physically impossible.
5. A great composer, who understands the epic scope. Regretably, John Barry has retired.

And what do you think, personally, Commander?

I replied, Let's say that a financier is found that can cough up $150 million. If the availability can be proven, I think it is within the odds that Mr Brosnan would be interested. I don't think he's completely buried 007. He was never given a completely satisfying mission. Now, with that hindsight, the focus could be on the essential elements. The money angle would be secondary to him, I think.

He's in good shape, and could get in top shape. He's in better shape now than Sir Sean was in 1971. He's in no way over the hill. I would stay away from the usual Spider-man super looking into his navel thing. Bring back the Number One Guy.

It would be the mission to end all missions. And he's the only one to pull it off. Sort of like Magic 44.

So there you have it, sir. PB would be interested, I assume. And the fans would be very interested to see something of the Highest Calibre.

[Mazer Rackham]

I guess Pierce could do a none Bond spy role with wink and a nod at the camera. Not literally a wink and Moore nod, I mean sure why not if seriously done.
I think it hasn't been done before because the other bonds besides Connery did not have much of a career after Bond.

[Commander 0077]

Getting nearer to the point of this post:

What if a Bond fan had access to real funds?
1/ He would want the input of other Bond fans / Brosnan fans

What if this is not a pipe dream, but something very tangible?
2/ Would it be worth the time of Bond fans to be involved? Ie, are there 'serious' fans who would devote a couple of years of their lives to this operation?

[The Sweeney]

Getting nearer to the point of this post:

What if a Bond fan had access to real funds?
1/ He would want the input of other Bond fans / Brosnan fans

What if this is not a pipe dream, but something very tangible?
2/ Would it be worth the time of Bond fans to be involved? Ie, are there 'serious' fans who would devote a couple of years of their lives to this operation?

I guess we would all enjoy old man Brozza hobbling along with his walking stick, grey hair and holding a special pensioners license to kill.
Perhaps his walking stick could be a secret gadget? It could fire off poisonous darts? Maybe for this one-off they could also bring back Lois Maxwell as Moneypenney. That would be funny, seeing two grannies flirting with each other.

And as for Brozza getting his kit off on a beach, Daniel Craig style. I'm sure we'd all appreciate grandad strolling through the waves, flabby chest covered in billy goat white hair.

Who would be a good old villain for Brozza to face before he retires? Kirk Douglas perhaps? And the villain could be called Oldfinger, with his not-so-able henchman Gums. What could be the title? For Your Eye Test Only?

[Capt. Sir Dominic Flandry]

Craig looked older than Pierce Brosnan in Casino Royale.


I'd imagine that Craig in his later Bond movies with his craggy, weathered old looks, fake tan and hair dye, and Stallone type bodybuilding will look similar to Arnie in Terminator 3. Just as Fleming described Bond in one of his later novels - not.

[Captain Nash]

Getting nearer to the point of this post:

What if a Bond fan had access to real funds?
1/ He would want the input of other Bond fans / Brosnan fans

What if this is not a pipe dream, but something very tangible?
2/ Would it be worth the time of Bond fans to be involved? Ie, are there 'serious' fans who would devote a couple of years of their lives to this operation?

To answer question 1. If a Bond fan had the funds and means to make a Bond film, would they want an over the hill Bond in the role? Or a younger actor that could actually play the role?
And then onto question 2, it is a pipe dream. By 'serious' fans I suppose you refer to the small band of fans who still dream that Pierce Brosnan will return to James Bond.
Not gonna happen people.

[Kristatos]

This is basically a retread of the "would you like to see a non-EON Bond" thread. And my answer remains the same: A Bond film without the little EON flourishes (the gunbarrel sequence etc.) would be as jarring to me as a Bond film with an actor that doesn't look like Bond. And I agree that Pierce's time has gone. I know I said he had one more Bond film left in him, but that Bond film should have been made in 2004.

[Commander 0077]

Craig looked older than Pierce Brosnan in Casino Royale.


I'd imagine that Craig in his later Bond movies with his craggy, weathered old looks, fake tan and hair dye, and Stallone type bodybuilding will look similar to Arnie in Terminator 3. Just as Fleming described Bond in one of his later novels - not.

At 55 or so, Brosnan looks a young 45, which is a good age for Bond.
Craig at 37 or so looks like an old 45.

When Connery was doing YOLT he was somewhat out of shape at 36; and Brosnan looks fitter than that. In "Matador" he's playing a flabby guy, but even then he doesn't look 'over the hill.'

But to my mind, I think there would be more than enuff Brosnan/Bond fans for such a film to be a hit.
It could have Bondian elements such as pre-credits, then credits. Of course the gunbarrel will be missed, but something could e worked out. Note the two Zorro films with Antonio Banderas. The film begins with Zorro cracking his whip. Maybe Bond could turn from his side and say, "You were expecting someone else?"

How old was Roger Moore in FYEO? He was around 54 when it was released. He did a very good job. Brosnan in his mid-fifties vs. Moore. It's a toss, with the nod going to PB. Remember, Moore dyed his hair completely. Brosnan lets a few grey ones show.