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Paul Haggis On 'Quantum of Solace': 'It's not my title.'

Bond screenwriter briefly discusses the forthcoming film

Some four weeks after it was announced, you’re probably still wondering what the title of the next James Bond movie, “Quantum of Solace,” actually means. Star Daniel Craig insisted that the oddly-phrased moniker “ties into the plot,” but don’t tell that to the Oscar-winning writer of the script…because he’s just as confused as the rest of us.

“I have no idea,” Paul Haggis admitted when I asked him for the meaning on the Oscar red carpet Sunday. “It’s not my title.”

Following his stellar work on “Casino Royale,” Haggis passed in his second and final draft of the then-untitled 22nd Bond script just hours before the Writers Strike began. Casting, filming, and an official title have all made major headlines in the months since, all while the high-profile “Crash” writer/director has moved on to other projects.

Sometimes, a star’s lack of words says everything you need to know. So, believe me when I say that Haggis was less-than-enthusiastic about the three-word title that has been attached to his script. When I asked what he thought of it, he just sighed and said: “No comment.”

With the exception of what will be appearing on theater marquees next November, Haggis said he’s encouraged by the reports he’s been getting from “Finding Neverland” director Marc Forster’s set. “I’m not supposed to say anything [about the plot],” he shrugged. “I finished it before the strike, and now they’re off shooting it. I haven’t actually heard from them, other than the fact that it’s going very, very well. And Marc’s doing a great job. That’s what I hear.”

Does it worry you that the main writer of “Quantum of Solace” has no idea what the title means? Or are you willing to give the Bond team the benefit of the doubt after “Royale”?

Forget the title comment, this is the important part of this article, IMO.

..."I haven’t actually heard from them, other than the fact that it’s going very, very well. And Marc’s doing a great job. That’s what I hear.”

Hmmm...in the grand scheme of things, I don't really think it matters. Surely countless great films have had confusing titles just as thousands of confusing films have had great titles.

I'm reminded of a scene from "The Simpsons," in an episode where Jay Sherman, the Critic, comes to Springfield to judge a film fair. When Jay and the committee of judges are sitting around debating which film to crown the best in show, Jay makes a comment about Barney Gumble's film, a tragic, black and white short narrative depicting an alcoholic at the end of his life:

"I vote for Barney Gumble's sensitive yet unfortunately titled film, Pukahantas."



This post has been edited by coco1997: 26 February 2008 - 00:27

Hmmm, well he didn't deal with the title while writing the script, it was decided long after he'd finished on it.

Whatever it ties into in the plot could have been written later on.

Yeah, it seems a bit strange that Haggis doesn't know how the title fits into the plot, unless that was something added later by the producers. However, zencat is right - the most important part of this article is that Forster is said to be doing a great job. Good news for us!

The title doesn't matter that much when it comes to Bond movies. But it's interesting that Haggis didn't have this title even in the back of his head when working on the script.

I wonder what he did, though...

I think this is important, too... but maybe not for the same reason. I guess I'm a little surprised that Haggis hasn't been in more direct contact with the production. Has he already done his script "polish"? I got the impression the script was handed in "under the wire"; I would have thought (hoped) that once the strike was over, Haggis would be available to work on last-minute script and dialogue changes.

Maybe I'm being too pessimistic; perhaps the script really was "complete" when he handed it in and no further refinement is necessary.

Gah!! Do we really need more of those "I don't know what Quantum of Solace means" articles??

See what I mean!

ing Hollywood primadonnas!

I knew that these tabloid-types would try to steal the thunder from James Bond.

Haggis was lucky to grab on to an Ian Fleming story and we'll see how he does without Ian Fleming.

Haggis isn't even first writing credit on Q0S! Purvis and Wade are! So him and his kind!

The writing credits for QoS have not yet been established, I believe. In any case, how exactly is Paul Haggis a "tabloid-type"...? I don't remember seeing any TMZ footage of him vomiting outside a nightclub or anything, though perhaps I missed it.

He's industry rag tabloid. Hollywood Reporter/Variety...that sort of thing.

And...check the official press release at the start-of-production news conference. He's got second writing credit on Quantum Of Solace BEHIND P+W!

He gets involved in one blockbuster (Casino Royale...which was mainly written by Ian Fleming and then P+W) and now he's the be-all-and-end-all of the James Bond franchise where the balance hangs on his every word?

that! James Bond is bigger than Connery or Brosnan or any one individual in the real world, let alone a hired gun of a writer!

Talk about biting the hand that feeds you...He's coming across like an ungrateful little prick!

And of course "it's not (your) title", Paul. It's an Ian Fleming title, you prick...You know? Ian Fleming? The guy who actually created the character? Or have you now taken ownership of James Bond after 2nd and 3rd writing credit on 2 of 22 movies?

Well, somebody's bitter...