James Bond(The Colin Salmon Films): 2002-2008
Die Another Day(2002)
An idea tossing around since the 1990's was making Bond a person of color. While a Black or female Bond would have not made sense in universe beforehand, the leaning into the Codename Idea meant that the Black Bond idea could be acknowledged in universe. The "New Era, New Beginnings" feelings. in the early 2000s convinced them that it was now time to try it. Colin Salmon was not the first choice, but most of the choices were occupied with Superhero franchises. Daniel Craig, he was Thor. Henry Cavill he saw himself as too young looking, which worked fine for playing a young Superman growing into the hero he would become but stretched the line of plausibility for such a young agent being sent into the field as Bond. Christian Bale was already playing a gadget equipped world saver but also didn't really want to play Bond, famously quipping "I've already played a Serial Killer " . The choice of Salmon actually came when they asked the candidates who they wanted to see in the Bond role. Both Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig independently suggested Colin Salmon.
Salmon would be the first black 007, however even in universe it was decided that the codename James Bond wouldn't make sense as previous Bond actors would at least match the description. So instead the film became about "007" making it clear that Salmon was taking the role of "007" not the role of James Bond. McGann's Bond had resigned. To enforce the choice of Salmon, Connery cameos as the original Bond and symbolically gives Salmon his approval, though he does display a small bit of racism by commenting looking at his credentials and commenting "and you're black, huh." which causes Salmon to frown and call him out on it, which Connery brushes off calmly.
The film also called for the role of Jinx, who was revealed to be a traitor(hence the name Jinx), played by Whitney Huston. Gala Brand from Moonraker returned not as a love interest but as a mentor figure. Another returning character was Wai Lin. Like Goldeneye the film had a video game adaptation. The film included a gravity defying matrix style fight scene. The film became about introducing the new 007, who is rescued by and teams up with Paul McGann's James Bond before being given his codename at the film's conclusion.
Salmon would be the first black 007, however even in universe it was decided that the codename James Bond wouldn't make sense as previous Bond actors would at least match the description. So instead the film became about "007" making it clear that Salmon was taking the role of "007" not the role of James Bond. McGann's Bond had resigned. To enforce the choice of Salmon, Connery cameos as the original Bond and symbolically gives Salmon his approval, though he does display a small bit of racism by commenting looking at his credentials and commenting "and you're black, huh." which causes Salmon to frown and call him out on it, which Connery brushes off calmly.
The film also called for the role of Jinx, who was revealed to be a traitor(hence the name Jinx), played by Whitney Huston. Gala Brand from Moonraker returned not as a love interest but as a mentor figure. Another returning character was Wai Lin. Like Goldeneye the film had a video game adaptation. The film included a gravity defying matrix style fight scene. The film became about introducing the new 007, who is rescued by and teams up with Paul McGann's James Bond before being given his codename at the film's conclusion.
007(2007)
Quentin Tarantino was brought in as Director. He had expressed interest in making the film and it would coincidentally by his 7th film. He radically changed the script and it was no longer a continuation but an alternate story. As Tarantino later stated "I'm not bringing Tarantino to James Bond's world. I'm bringing James Bond to Tarantino's World. It was now set in the 1960's and was in Black and White and was a hard reimagining, taking elements from many books and films but at its core was a remake of Casino Royale with Uma Thurman in the role of Vesper Lynd as Tarantinos' relationship with her was as strong as ever following the conclusion of Kill Bill. Martin Campbell played Le Chiffre. Samuel L.Jackson even appeared as Baron Samedi. As for Bond, Tarantino had freedom of choice for this non canonical adventure and he insisted he would only do the film with Pierce Brosnan as Bond. Tarantino met with Brosnan(over Martinis no less) and Brosnan agreed as he'd been a contender for the role since the 80's. This being a Tarantino film, the R rating was on full display with spurts of blood suddenly becoming more common as well as Bond smoking Red Apple Cigarettes. It also leans into hard Alternate History with Bond assassinating Fidel Castro. Tarantino of course cameos in a role of a henchman killed by Bond.
The Film was a huge hit. Many consider Brosnan to be the unofficial "7th Bond Actor"
The Film was a huge hit. Many consider Brosnan to be the unofficial "7th Bond Actor"
Quantum of Solace(2008)
Colin Salmon's first solo film. The film depicts a villain named Mr.White(which was the name in the original story and script, regardless of what certain critics of the film would claim). Mr.White is handed to the CIA for questioning but escapes with 007 following. White goes to the Palio in Siera but is killed by his own organization known as Quantum. 007 charges after the killer and kills in the hitman in rope fight, getting reprimanded by M for this due to losing a lead. Mr.White's money is stolen by the film's villain Dante, who is working with Yusuf Kabira. 007 impersonates the assassin he killed and infiltrates the organization, capturing and torturing Yusuf. 007 tracks the conspiracy to the Bregenz Opera where Quantum uses earpieces to hold their meeting. 007 catches Dante and finds Quantum has killed him, ending with 007 facing a giant eye and its only a silhouette again.
Roger Michell was brought on to direct. The title theme was the song "No Good About Goodbye" by Bond Series composer David Arnold and singer Shirley Bassey, who also sang Goldfinger, Moonraker and Diamonds Are Forever. Jessica Biel was cast as Strawberry Fields. Al Pacino was cast as General Medrano, Gal Gadot was cast as Camille
Sadly, this would be the last time Colin Salmon played 007. As the discontinuity from the James Bond name, Tarantino's Bond film, as well as the plot being seen as lackluster greatly harmed the film. This led to a shift in actors when the workload of one of the original Studio choices became available. Man have blamed EON of Racism due to the choice to shift focus, though the studio promised to compensate Salmon by continuing to include him as a character in the series, effectively as Bond's partner and equal.
Roger Michell was brought on to direct. The title theme was the song "No Good About Goodbye" by Bond Series composer David Arnold and singer Shirley Bassey, who also sang Goldfinger, Moonraker and Diamonds Are Forever. Jessica Biel was cast as Strawberry Fields. Al Pacino was cast as General Medrano, Gal Gadot was cast as Camille
Sadly, this would be the last time Colin Salmon played 007. As the discontinuity from the James Bond name, Tarantino's Bond film, as well as the plot being seen as lackluster greatly harmed the film. This led to a shift in actors when the workload of one of the original Studio choices became available. Man have blamed EON of Racism due to the choice to shift focus, though the studio promised to compensate Salmon by continuing to include him as a character in the series, effectively as Bond's partner and equal.