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BOND 19 will be "Q's" last stand
In a move that 'depending on casting' could be a very smart move, the folks associated with BOND 19 are going to retire Q this year. If we are to buy this, hopefully we'll see someone play the role a bit more serious and not as... familiar with Bond as Q. Then over.... the next 40 years... well he can grow old while Bond stays in his prime. I like it like that...
2 of the national reported today that The World is not Enough will be Q's
last stand.
I briefly go over the article:
Desmond Llewelyn 84 the only actor to appear with all Bonds will make a
short cameo in the next film alonside his replacement "R"!!!He will be a
youthful weapons expert who will take Bonds technology into the new
millennium. Hollywood execs demanded a script rewrite after the 1st draft
had a large role for Q. The part was scaled down and "R" was created. The
scriptwriters had to introduce the character because by the time the Bond
film after this is shot Desmond will be 90 and may not want to do it
anymore - No one has been cast as R yet!
The plot of Bond 19 focuses on a battle for control of the oil fields in
the Caspian Sea. Pre title sequences will see a chase on the Thames that
finishes in a fight on top of the Millenium Dome. Shooting starts in
January and the female villan is called Electra King.
I know we already know some of this but "R" - I'm not so sure, after all
there is only one Q!
Call me Quest..
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The replacement of dear old Desmond Llwellyn has to be a good idea. Sure, anyone who has ever enjoyed a Bond movie must love Q, but as you state, he is 84!!! As the age of retirement in the UK is 65, it makes Q still being employed by MI6 highly improbable. (I know improbability is the key to most Bond films.)
It's a good idea to have Q introduce his replacement, R, and not just have R turn up in a movie with some lame excuse as to why Q is not there.
Well done Desmond, you've done yourself and all the Bonds proud. You may retire a very happy man.
Until next time:
Dunna, dunna, dunna, dunna, dunna, dunna, dunna, dunna BATMAN -
Leave the old bugger alone you swine, he's my Grandad...
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MGM should simply hire John Delancie to replace Llewelyn.Sound the claxon! BAD GEEK JOKE ALERT! *frrp* *frrp* *frrp*
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I just read a report on the Bond Pointcast page that EON is *not* replacing Q. And even if they did, they would not rename him to R. It's simply not the tradition. There have been numerus Felix Leiters, Bonds, M's and even Q's, so this report is bogus.
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naming Q's replacement with the next letter in the alphabet is absurd. i do think it's high time they appointed a new Q. the WRITING for the role has deteriorated from endering techno-curmudgeon to dottering old joke. Desmond has done a fine job with what the writers have given him, which, of late, hasn't been much. i belive this is true of the entire francise. the cold war is over; let's get away from "the great game." my question is, why aren't writers mining the previous movies and making TRUE sequels? a sequel to "diamonds are forever" would be perfect. have the diamond-filled satellite fall from the sky, introduce several secret agents from previously unrepresented governments and the return of SPECTRE, and Jimmy Dean's triumphant return to the big screen. SOMEONE STEAL THIS IDEA, PLEASE! i've been yearning for a good new bond yarn. until that time, i'll stick with Flemming's books and the S.Connery movies.
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"R" is not the character's name, but a bad joke made by Bond in the Dana Stevens rewrite. It's actually quite funny if done right. Here's how it goes: Q:
007, my Deputy Assistant. I -
I also read that the moniker "R" is a bad joke by 007. "Q"'s replacement has to be named "Q" also, since he is the head of Q-branch. I just hope the bad jokes and witty repartee continue with whom ever they choose to cast...might I suggest Tony-award winner and Bond alum Alan Cummings ("I am invincible!") for this role in the upcoming films?
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It has been a matter of known fact for years that the moniker "Q" is short for "Quartermaster." Q's purpose is to supply the mission-bound Bond with the munitions he needs for his next adventure, just as a medieval quartermaster armed the crusade-bound knight for an impending quest.
If they do replace Q with somebody called R (as in "Research & Development"?), it will be a real step off of the continuity line. Everybody loves Desmond ("Oh behave, 007."), and as long as they make a sufficiently graceful and impressive handing over of the gadget torch to the new guy (or girl), and call them Q as well, I will be happy. -
Q was NOT in all of the Bond movies. He did not appear in Dr. No. The character was introduced in From Russia With Love (remember the briefcase with the gold coins and the dagger?).
I'll be sorry to see him go but old Desmond has had a good run and some good things just can't last forever. I look forward to seeing him one more time. -
Quest said that Desmond Lewllyn/Q was the only character to have appeared with all the "Bonds" meaning the actors, and so is the only link back to the days of connery, Bernard Lee, et al. He never said "Q" was "in" all the Bonds... ...wasn't there a whisper a while ago that John Cleese was going to get the replacement role or is this a defunct rumour?
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Des missed only two Bond films, Dr. No and Live and Let Die. Good record, considering. The Cleese thing was just that, a rumor. I would prefer a very dry wit indeed, perhaps a Steven Fry? Too tall, maybe. Cummings is not a bad choice, considering. He was unfortunately bound by some appalling lines like "Borscht for Brains" in his last Bond appearance, but he made up for any of that balls-up nonsense by doing a swimming job in Cabaret. Or any of the gang in the Fast Show, I would think. Someone dry, fast, for a quick laugh so they can move on past the comic relief.
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Just a suggestion, but wouldn't unpredictable Brit Richard E. Grant be a terrific replacement for the wry old Q? Imagine his eyes bugging out, excitement tumbling out in his voice as he introduces the latest in technology to Bond. He's young enough to last 40 years, as long as the public doesn't hold "Spiceworld" against him.
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Desmond Llewelyn has always be a highlight of the Bond films, and I'd rather see him "pass the torch" to his replacement onscreen than have them toss off an explanation for where he is. I think new blood will be good; Judy Dench has worked well as the new "M", admonishing 007 for his womanizing ways, as well as the new "Ms. Moneypenny", who seems a little more receptive to Bond's come on's. Whoever mentioned John Cleese as the new "Q" had a good idea, tho it might be interesting just to see the rest of the Monty Python group as other "Q" weapons testers in the background (blowing up mannequins with all sorts of deadly office equipment or something). Another choice would be to go youger than Bond and have the generation gap turned around by having someone like the comedian Eddie Izzard play "Q".
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The Swaz? I'd thought about that for a moment, then turned it down in my head. Grantie's best when he's all-go-out crazy and zippy, and Q's at his best when he's dry and controlled. I even liked Algernon from Never Say Never, because it's clear what formula works: Q is a gov't functionary and technerd who has to deal with a cowboy globehopper who has no respect for his equipment. LTK has a really nice Q appearance just 'cause he gets to play field agent for once in his life. Very funny bit with the broom.
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How can the producers ignore the obvious choice -- and not pick John Cleese to succeed Desmond. Just the right guy for the part. If you don't think so, close your eyes and imagine Cleese, snatching away some tinkered-with toy, and saying, "Really, 007. DO pay attention."
I dosagree wih those who say the Q role should be a serious one. It never has been in the films -- it's always been a bit of comic relief. And while I enjoy the Brosnan Bonds, I think they suffer by comparison with the Connery Bonds by lacking that little light touch (as opposed to the Roger Moore-hit-you-over-the-head-with lame-sight-gags style) of cheeky insouciance which, among other things, makes the character more than just an action-adventure guy. -
Am I alone in thinking the Bond films have pretty much sucked the last four times anyway? Pierce Brosnan's Bond is nothing more than a stale reincarnation of Roger Moore. Dalton was just sad. I'm glad to see Desmond bailing. Sean Connery's early Bond films were the best, Moore's were adequate, but they've pretty much sucked since A View To A Kill. This whole "R" mess represents everything that has sucked about them. Desmond is much better than these films allow him to be.
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Yes. The Dalton Bonds were just fine, The Living Daylights having a solid script and good location work. Licence to Kill was a bit of a departure, with a few bungles as far as set design and that R rating, but a nice attempt to inject a little life into the formula. Dalton may not have had the inhuman charisma of Connery, but he did the Bond of the books, and it generally worked. Brosnan's been fine. He hasn't quite hit his stride yet, but he has an intrinsic understanding for the character. I predict this one's going to be his best.
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Isn't the scene reprimands Bond for not using a PPK in Dr No? If it is, then that is Q nthat gives Bond his gun although he is not refered to by name. I could be wrong though.
On another note in some of the new bond books (can't remember the author) Q has been replaced by a female counterpart called Qute.
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This is another movie that Desmond was not in. According to imdb.com, Alec McCowen played Q.
(imdb says "Q" Algy - not sure what that means) -
Well it's a sad day when a Hollywood exec decrees that Q must go just because he's a little long in the tooth. That is just absolute bullshit. As for replacing him with a character named "R" that's just painfully obvious. I think it would be awesome to see John Cleese get a role like this, but I have a feeling that they're looking for someone younger. I'd suggest Rupert Everett but they'd probably say that he'd compete with Bond for the woman. Anyway, I think that any of the Monty Python guys would be cool in the role. Michael Palin deserves a chance after being completely cut out of You've Got Mail (the reason I will not be seeing that movie now). But I think that Q will always live forever, one way or another.
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As much as I've enjoyed Llewellyn's performances over the years, I felt the nadir was reached in the last film (Avis jacket and all). He even seemed to be reading his lines off his prop notebook. The idea they have here is to give him one last outing, with a chance to ease his replacement into the series gracefully. I think that's better than the alternatives!
I could see John Cleese doing the role *as* Llewellyn, but I'm certain someone of his caliber would prefer to improvise some. So he may not be the best choice. You also need someone who's not TOO busy so they will easily be available for all future films.
And for the last word on appearances, Llewellyn played "Q" in all official EON movies but Dr. No and Live and Let Die; the character was played by Peter Burton in Dr. No, but only called by his name (Major Boothroyd); and Alec McCowen played a different Q in the unofficial film Never Say Never Again. It's simple; just check the IMDb, guys .... -
Whoever said that "License to Kill" was rated "R" is WRONG!!!!!!! That movie was PG-13! Also, why would they choose to end Desmond's Bond career on an uneven numbered film in the series. Why not let 20 be his last???
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After reading the article, it occurs to me that maybe DESMOND does not want to do the role anymore, hence the reason they cut his part down and inserted another. How many other movies has he appeared in lately? *HE* may want to retire. If so, bravo. You've done your duty to England.
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John Cleese!!!
Imagine him saying the famous line, "Now, pay attention, 007!"
He already did a Bond spoofing Schweppes commercial on the video copy of License to Kill, so he already easily fits into the Bond mileau.
And that's my two cents
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C'mon! Look at that guy. Can't you just picture that guy saying, "Really, 007, stop making a fool of yourself. If you would start paying attention to me, you wouldn't be breaking my devices! DON'T TOUCH THAT, it's my lunch!" Sure, his acting probably sucks. But who cares? Some of this movie sounds pretty cheezy anyway. What kind of name is Christmas, anyway?
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I have never posted in the Talkback, but I am a frequenter in the forum. I usually find that the stuff in the Talkback was a bunch of mud-slinging and stupid teenagers trying to get attention. But I see that it is pretty nice now. So I will put in my two cents. Q has always been a nice piece of contunuity in the Bond films. But I have wondered about the day Dosmond would be no more. It has to come. Heck, he may live for another 25 years. But the day will come. We have seen multiple Ms, Money Pennys, and Bonds. So Q had to come too. I say get somebody in theur forties. Distinctly British and absoloutly must have a dry sense of humor. Personaly, I think they should phase this guy into the films as long as there is Desmond. And then that first film without him, that's when Bond and the new Q mention his retirement. But what bothers me about this article is that Desmond is 84. Bond 19 comes out when he is 85. They are making a Bond film every two years now. So when the next one is filmed, Desmond will be 86, not 90. (Agent 86, would you believe that makes me smile?) Unless I have missed something.
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I've grown up with Bond over the years, and I think all of the suggestions for Q's successor are legitimate.The Python gang including Terry Gilliam would leave me craving for more. In reality, I think Stephen Fry, Rupert(Francesco Dellamorte) Everett, or Alan Cumming would be excellent. I'd have to vote for Richard E. Grant. It'd be outrageous to see Bond get old Withnail drunk on a night on the town. And I still think Timothy Dalton was a great Bond. "The Living Daylights" is one of the most serious, romantic, and better filmed entries in the entire series.I still cannot forget Dalton in Dino's "Flash Gordon" though. "We appoint Vultan general of our armies!" "HAIL FLASH!"
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Major bummer!! Desmond you were fantastic and will be greatly missed. I wish they wouldn't try to replace him and just stop the Bond intro to the gadget segment. Desmond made those scenes magical and noone else can carry it as effectively as him. A big boo to the brass that decided to cut his screen time down. If this is to be his last Bond adventure then him go out in glory, kicking butt and picking up female spies along side 007.
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It's a good idea to retire Q, just in case something was to happen to him, or he was too sick to appear in any more films... but this R fella' better be DAMN good, or I'm gonna' be really pissed...and I don't mean drunk...although that may happen as a way to channel my anger... I don't think that sentence made any sense... maybe I'm drunk now... or just pissed... um...Q's the best! R better be good! ... I'm done.
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Considering how rapidly the state of the art is moving, and since we all know there WILL be virtual actors soon enough, this would be a perfect test case -- scan Des in every possible way and start working on placing him in the next movie, virtually.
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I agree that Alan Cummings could do a great Q (by the way, can anyone picture him as the good doctor in "Master and Commander?"), but how about another Bond alumni for the Q role - Rowan Atkinson (Never Say Never Again)?
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Q will NOT be retired until Desmond says so. Although the character of R may well make it into the final version it would be the largest mistake in the oldest movie series ever. Just as many people played Felix, M, Moneypenny, and everyone else at MI6, a new actor (an older gentelman) should portray Q. If anyone takes over Q Branch it should be Smithers who has been Q's assistant for ages. For more on this and all other Bond 19 needs check out http://www.UniversalExports.net
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desmond lewellyn is the man! As a big-time bond guy, i will probably have a harder time accepting a new q, than the different bonds. if anything, they should expand q's role for his last installation and kill him off in a humorous way. this will preserve his charm and dignity, without putting him out to stud.
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