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  1. SPOILERS: Paul Haggis Weighs In On The Next Bond Villain

    By Matt Weston on 2007-08-29

    As Paul Haggis continues his press junket for In The Valley Of Elah, James Bond fans are being treated to more and more snippets about his work on Bond 22.

    The first comes courtesy of IGN‘s intrepid reporter, Stax, who quizzed the Oscar-winning screenwriter on-camera about the identity of the next Bond baddie.

    Last November, Casino Royale star Eva Green revealed to Entertainment Weekly that Vesper Lynd’s boyfriend would ultimately be revealed to be Bond 22‘s villain. Green said at the time, “They’re going to do a second [movie] where you’ll understand what’s going on in [Vesper’s] mind […] the plan is, the Algerian boyfriend is going to be the baddie in the second Bond, and we’ll understand [better].” James Bond candidate Goran Visnjic was rumoured for the part in March.

    Stax raised this quote with Haggis, who coyly replied, “Ohhhh… that’d be cool, wouldn’t it?” When questioned if it was a denial, Haggis said, “It’s not a denial and it’s not a statement… I’m not going to tell you anything!”

    Bond 22 co-writer Robert Wade similarly refused to comment on the claim in January.

    Stax also brought up the rumours that Bond 22 would see the traditional 007 humour and gags “inverted”, to which Haggis answered, “Well, I’m writing the script; I’m on page twenty- I have no idea! I’ll tell you when I’m on page 100!”

    Check out the video below.

    Meanwhile, in another interview with MTV, the screenwriter discussed his inspiration for the new script. “I really loved [Ian Fleming’s] books, and I really loved those movies; the ones that were really true to his books. [The new script] is an odd mix between his stuff and [John] le Carré’s stuff that I’m channeling; I’m mixing them both up.”

    Paul Haggis

    Paul Haggis

    Haggis also expressed his desire to bring back Jeffrey Wright’s Felix Leiter (“Wasn’t he great? Yeah. I would really hope that he’d be in this one.”), while he refused to say whether Q would return after his absence in Casino Royale.

    The screenwriter also spoke about his relationship with the movie’s director, Marc Forster. “He got my vote when they were looking for a director,” Haggis said. “He’s been terrific to work with, and he’s a great visualist. He’s leaving me alone to do the story, and I think he’s gonna shoot a hell of a movie.”

    Click over to MTV for the full article.

    The 22nd James Bond film remains untitled, despite a recent suggestion by Haggis (“I said, ‘I think this is going to be a good title,’ and they said, ‘Um-hmm.'”), and is due for release in November 2008. Don’t forget to keep watching CBn for the latest James Bond news.

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