James Bond Producer Speaks On ‘Skyfall,’ Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem & More

Seeing as this year both marks the 50th anniversary of the James Bond film series and the release of the 23rd Bond adventure ‘Skyfall,’ the Evening Standard caught up with 007 film producer Barbara Broccoli to talk on a number of subjects related to Britain’s best-loved spy. The daughter of veteran Bond producer Albert R “Cubby” Broccoli and actress Dana Wilson, Broccoli and her half-brother Michael G Wilson took over the 007 franchise when her father died in 1996. On the topic of how ‘Skyfall’ and Ian Fleming’s books have a lot to say about contemporary evil, Broccoli said, “It’s extraordinary Ian Fleming wrote the books 60 years ago. It feels like we’re in the right groove now for what he had to say about how real villainy is coming from individuals — not just political states, but individuals who are wielding all sorts of treacherous plans on the earth.” While ‘Skyfall’ is not based on any Fleming story – there aren’t any left – Broccoli says that they’ve tried to bring some of the feelings of older Bond movies into the film. “What distinguishes Bond from other action heroes is the tongue-in-cheek Britishness.”

Speaking about what Daniel Craig brings to the role of James Bond – a casting Barbara Broccoli was instrumental in – the film producer shared, “One of the things about Daniel is he’s let us into Bond’s inner life, we see and feel him from a much more intimate place. In the books you get a look into his inner conflicts and fears and anxieties, but it’s very hard to put that on the screen without making him look neurotic as a leading man. A lot of the books focus on accidie — this revulsion he had for his profession; it’s not easy killing people. He fell completely in love with Vesper and she betrayed him, so he realises, from that point, he can never be susceptible to a relationship again.” That loneliness fuels Bond’s hedonism. “He has this voracious appetite for life; he’s going to drink and eat and have sex because he doesn’t know in the next moment if he’s going to be killed. The black humour is his way of dealing with death, he laughs in its face.”

While Daniel Craig’s casting for ‘Casino Royale’ was initally met with critism, Barbara Broccoli spoke on those early reactions, “It’s absurd,” she shudders slightly. “I think that’s the trouble with the internet now. Everyone has an equal voice so people read something — supposedly written with great authority — and it’s by a 12-year-old in a little town some place in the United States who’s never seen Daniel Craig, doesn’t know what he’s capable of, and starts this fire. And then it’s given prominence, which is bizarre. Of course we were making the film and we knew what we had, so we just ignored it.”

For me, one of the aspects I’m most excited about seeing in ‘Skyfall’ is Javier Bardem’s Silva, the films leering and sinisterly creepy lead villain. Speaking about Bardem’s addition to the film, the producer said, “Javier is really extraordinary in this film and the blonde wig he wears is part of his story. He spends a lot of time creating a character, and it’s something he devised with Sam. It’s very much his mystique — it gives an unnatural element. Javier is a true chameleon. You imagine an actor like that would be very intense all the time, but off duty he’s a delight. Getting up in the morning to go to work to spend the day with Daniel Craig and Javier Bardem is pretty fun,” she teases.

Head on over to the Evening Standard website for the full interview- it’s good’n! ‘Skyfall’ sees Daniel Craig and Judi Dench continue their roles as James Bond and M. The cast also includes Naomie Harris as a field agent named Eve, Javier Bardem as Silva, Albert Finney, Ben Whishaw as Q; MI5′s resident gadgets man, Tonia Sotiropoulou, Rory Kinnear as Bill Tanner; the MI6 Chief of Staff, Ola Rapace, Bérénice Marlohe as the “glamorous and enigmatic” Sévérine, and Ralph Fiennes as Gareth Mallory - who’s been described as “darkly complex.” I’ve got high hopes for ‘Skyfall,’ I loved the trailers and I’m a huge fan of Daniel Craig’s more gritty and intense incarnation of James Bond. Besides London, this latest 007 chapter was also shot at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, Scotland, Shanghai and Istanbul. The screenplay is written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan. ‘Skyfall’ will begin its worldwide roll-out in the UK and Ireland on October 26th, with a North American release following on November 9th. The Director of Photography is Roger Deakins, a nine-time Oscar nominee who previously shot the films ‘Jarhead’ and ‘Revolutionary Road’ for Mendes. Composer Thomas Newman will score the film. Check out the synopsis and production notes for ‘Skyfall’ below. Source: Digital Spy.

In SKYFALL, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost. SKYFALL marks the return of Daniel Craig as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007, as well as Judi Dench reprising her role as M. The film also stars franchise newcomers Ralph Fiennes, Javier Bardem and Naomie Harris. The film is directed by Sam Mendes from a screenplay written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and John Logan. Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli are producers.

‘Skyfall’ will begin its worldwide roll-out in the UK and Ireland on October 26th, with a North American release following on November 9th. The Director of Photography is Roger Deakins, a nine-time Oscar nominee who previously shot the films ‘Jarhead’ and ‘Revolutionary Road’ for Mendes. Composer Thomas Newman will score the film. The Production Designer is Dennis Gassner, who previously designed ‘Quantum of Solace’ and collaborated with Mendes on the films ‘Road to Perdition’ and ‘Jarhead.’ The Editor is Stuart Baird, A.C.E., whose many credits include ‘Casino Royale.’ Jany Temime, whose many credits include the Harry Potter series, ‘In Bruges,’ and ‘Children of Men,’ is the Costume Designer. Action specialist Alexander Witt is the 2nd Unit Director. Gary Powell is Stunt Co-ordinator, Chris Corbould is SFX Supervisor and Steve Begg is Visual Effects Supervisor, all of whom have worked on previous Bond films.

The IMAX release of SKYFALL will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images coupled with IMAX’s customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.