The Future of MI6 (MAJOR Skyfall Spoilers)
Producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli have spilled the beans on the future of MI6 in Bond 24 and beyond.
Major game changing spoilers ahead for SKYFALL so read at your own risk. We cannot stress this enough. If you want to stay completely spoiler free for ‘Skyfall’ do NOT click this link.
Speaking exclusively to ‘Den of Geek’, SKYFALL producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli have confirmed that Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw and Naomie Harris are all set to return in future Bond instalments as M, Q and Miss Moneypenny respectively…
Can you talk about casting Ben [Whishaw]?
Broccoli: It was tough to fill Desmond Llewelyn’s shoes after all these years, so it was a tough one to figure out. We thought of Ben – I think he was the only person we thought of, to be honest. And we approached him, and he said yes. He’s a real busy guy – it’s amazing that we could figure out a time when he could come and work on the film.
Is there a better young actor coming out of England? I don’t think so.
Do you have Ben and Ralph [Fiennes] signed up for multiple pictures?
Broccoli: Well, yes, they know they’re recurring roles.
Wilson: Ben and Ralph and Naomie [Harris].
Now we get on to the big stuff. You’ve had your chance. Turn back now if you do not wish to know how the roles of M and Moneypenny come to light.
Ralph Fiennes will take over the role of 007’s boss ‘M’, as previously played by Dame Judi Dench. Skyfall see’s M’s past catch up with her as Bond’s loyalty to her is tested. In an explosive showdown at Skyfall Lodge, the climax of the film will see Dench’s M leave the series, allowing Fiennes to become the fourth actor to officially play Bonds boss. This marks the first time in the history of the franchise, that a major main character has officially left a role, after appearing in more than 2 consecutive movies. Fiennes now officially joins the ranks of Bernard Lee, Robert Brown and of course, Dame Judi Dench. How will his relationship progress with Bond over the course of the next few films? What are his motives? Is he good or bad? Commanderbond.net simply cannot wait to find out.
Naomie Harris plays field agent Eve Moneypenny, a character taken off field duty after accidentally shooting Bond at the beginning of the film. After a brief sexual stint with Bond in Macau, Eve is put on manual office duty, a job which has turned out to suit her well. Discussing her role of Miss Moneypenny, Harris said “In the beginning, I was really cagey with everyone. I didn’t even let my agent know about the developments in the script. When they were casting, they didn’t let Debbie [McWilliams, the casting director]’s people know about all the developments of the character. So I was very cagey at the beginning, and then as time when on, and it was leaked, I got a bit braver, so I told one family member, then another, then some of my friends. And the next thing I knew, there was a big party happening! “
Harris now joins Lois Maxwell, Caroline Bliss and Samantha Bond on the walk of fame, being the 4th actress to officially take on the role of the alluring Miss Moneypenny.
The full article is available here. SKYFALL is released today in the United Kingdom.