Bardem, Fiennes, Harris reportedly confirmed for 'Bond 23'

Naomie Harris will play Moneypenny in "Bond 23" and Ray Fiennes and Javier Bardem are also confirmed for the film, according to The Daily Mail.

Kind of skeptical about The Daily Mail, but apparently the author of the article has been reliable on Bond stories.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2012464/Bond-23-Naomie-Harriss-licence-thrill.html

Quote :

Miss Moneypenny, 007’s tart-tongued, flirtatious foil, is returning to the James Bond movies in the shape of Naomie Harris.

The actress met with Sam Mendes, director of Bond 23, earlier this year and is now in the final stages of negotiations to play the long-running Bond girl — although, strictly speaking, Moneypenny isn’t a Bond girl at all; she’s the assistant to Bond’s boss, M.

Naomie made her name in Danny Boyle’s film 28 Days Later. Many will also know her from the Pirates Of The Caribbean movies, but I think she did her best work in Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, The First Grader (an enjoyable low-budget recent release) and Danny Boyle’s National Theatre production of Frankenstein, in which she played the leading lady opposite Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller.

The actress is poised to appear alongside Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes and Judi Dench when filming begins later this year.

The Moneypenny character, who holds the rank of Lieutenant RN, hasn’t been seen in a Bond picture since Samantha Bond played her in Die Another Day back in 2002, when she appeared with Pierce Brosnan.

Samantha appeared in four 007 thrillers, starting with GoldenEye. It’s widely thought she threw the best retort ever at James Bond. Having bedded his Scandinavian tutor, he tells Moneypenny: ‘I always enjoyed learning a new tongue.’ Moneypenny responds dryly: ‘You always were a cunning linguist, James.’

It’s too early to know whether Mendes will want Naomie to play Moneypenny in the same drier-than-a-shaken-martini vein, but she’s an astute actress who will be able to deliver her character any way he desires.

Lois Maxwell was the original (and still the most famous) Moneypenny, appearing in the first Bond picture Dr No in 1962. She retired following A View To A Kill in 1985.

Caroline Bliss played the part in The Living Daylights and Licence To Kill before making way for Ms Bond.

Barbara Bouchet played her in the 1967 Casino Royale, and Pamela Salem had a go in 1983’s Never Say Never Again.

Both of those movies were made outside of the Eon organisation, which controls the screen rights to Bond creator Ian Fleming’s works.

A spokeswoman for Eon said that Naomie had met with producers but stressed it had not been confirmed she would be in the film.

Very interesting... If people can't have a black James Bond, at leas they can get a black Felix and now a black Moneypenny.

How do we know this is a Moneypenny role and not a Bond girl role, though? Has it been confirmed that Moneypenny will return? I'm kind of out of the loop....

The only good news here is Bardem's confirmation.

Ed Tom Kowalsky wrote:

The only good news here is Bardem's confirmation.

Agreed. I'm happy about Fiennes as long he is utilised properly.

I like the idea of Bardem and Fiennes. Not happy about Harris begin Moneypenny. Babs is going nuts. What does a picture gain if it begins to cast colored people? I'm not trying to be racist, but really, there has been almost 50 years of the cinematic Bond. FFS obviously they had did something right - no need to create major reform.

FieldsMan wrote:

I like the idea of Bardem and Fiennes. Not happy about Harris begin Moneypenny. Babs is going nuts. What does a picture gain if it begins to cast colored people?

Rather a racist statement. What is the problem casting coloured actors in James Bond films?

Quote :

I'm not trying to be racist, but really, there has been almost 50 years of the cinematic Bond.

Well it sounds racist to me. I personally find comments like these offensive

Quote :

FFS obviously they had did something right - no need to create major reform.

Bond isn't some Aryan race style character as you seem to think. You should be ashamed of yourself.

I'm not being racist. I like characters such as Quarrel and Dr Kananga, but there are some characters who are supposed to be white. Just because the world is now more (rightfully) accepting of coloured people, it doesn't mean characters who are white can be suddenly black.

Nice to know Moneypenny will be in the film. Explains why such a dull-looking actress was being auditioned. Don't know why two of Bond's allies need to be black, though. Did they forget they made Felix black? Guess that's reverse discrimination in casting. =P Bardem is fantastic news. Fiennes? If we're going by the P&W playbook, he'll be a boring British higher-up who turns out to be a traitor. You can quote me on that.

FieldsMan wrote:

What does a picture gain if it begins to cast colored people? I'm not trying to be racist, but really, there has been almost 50 years of the cinematic Bond. FFS obviously they had did something right - no need to create major reform.

Chang wrote:

Rather a racist statement. What is the problem casting coloured actors in James Bond films?

On the one hand, I don't have a problem with coloured actors being cast, but it does become a bit odd being cast in roles which were traditionally white characters, either in the books or films.

Characters like Robinson were prominently played by Colin Salmon, a black man, and no one had a problem with him. Robinson wasn't a cleaner at MI6...he had a key job, Chief of Staff, way up there in the hierarchy giving Bond his instructions. I'd feel the same way if his role suddenly went to a white actor.

What next, Samuel Jackson being cast as Chang, Bond's Chinese contact?

Are you guys actually using the phrase "coloured"? I feel like I just walked through a time machine.

FieldsMan is just using thesaurus.com too much.

Fairbairn-Sykes wrote:

Are you guys actually using the phrase "coloured"? I feel like I just walked through a time machine.

Seriously.

Anyway, I'm fine with Harris in the Moneypenny role. Moneypenny isn't that big of a part so as long as a decent actress is in a role all is well.

If Fields is saying Moneypenny should be white, then I agree.

Though I don't think I've ever seen someone your age (or my age) use the term "coloured" before, at least not in Australia.

That's a relief (that Naomie won't be the main Bond girl)! I still find it strange that they'd cast such an experienced actress for such a minor, albeit iconic, role. I think she'll pull it off (the role, that is).

I figured there would be backlash about the "PC-ness" of having a black Moneypenny. I don't really care that much if she can do it well. Take Jeffrey Wright, for example. He's about as opposite of Fleming's Leiter as they come but he does his thing so well that I'm OK with all that.

FieldsMan wrote:

I'm not being racist. I like characters such as Quarrel and Dr Kananga, but there are some characters who are supposed to be white. Just because the world is now more (rightfully) accepting of coloured people, it doesn't mean characters who are white can be suddenly black.

Why does Moneypenny have to be white? Why can't a black actor play the role. After all she's just a minor character within the world of James Bond. Your antiquated views on who should and shouldn't be cast in certain roles is pathetic. You claim not to be a racist, yet have a major problem with such a minor role going to a black actress. Even before it has been confirmed.

The only things that matter when it comes to Moneypenny is that she should be a nice looking secretary and has chemistry with the Bond actor. That's all that's essential to a character who's really nothing more than a cameo in each Bond film.

Jack Wade wrote:

I figured there would be backlash about the "PC-ness" of having a black Moneypenny. I don't really care that much if she can do it well. Take Jeffrey Wright, for example. He's about as opposite of Fleming's Leiter as they come but he does his thing so well that I'm OK with all that.

At least there are members here who can look past skin color, and accept the talents of an actor/actress for a role. Although I strongly disagree with the 'reboot' of the series, I can see no problem with the casting of Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter. He's well cast, playing an ally to Craig's blond haired, blue eyed Bond. No wonder some enjoy this style of portrayal of an iconic character.

The character of Moneypenny is white in the novels and in all the films. Is it unreasonable to expect that to remain the case?

CJB wrote:

The character of Moneypenny is white in the novels and in all the films. Is it unreasonable to expect that to remain the case?

Not unreasonable, I just don't see any issues with it given how minor the character is.

Mrs Aural Sects wrote:

Chang wrote:

Rather a racist statement. What is the problem casting coloured actors in James Bond films?

On the one hand, I don't have a problem with coloured actors being cast, but it does become a bit odd being cast in roles which were traditionally white characters, either in the books or films.

Characters like Robinson were prominently played by Colin Salmon, a black man, and no one had a problem with him. Robinson wasn't a cleaner at MI6...he had a key job, Chief of Staff, way up there in the hierarchy giving Bond his instructions. I'd feel the same way if his role suddenly went to a white actor.

Exactly. I have no problem with dark actors, but when they replace traditionally white roles, it examples the frustrating world of political correctness. And likewise, I'd be just as annoyed if a white person replaced a black person's role.

Quote :

At least there are members here who can look past skin color, and accept the talents of an actor/actress for a role. Although I strongly disagree with the 'reboot' of the series, I can see no problem with the casting of Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter. He's well cast, playing an ally to Craig's blond haired, blue eyed Bond. No wonder some enjoy this style of portrayal of an iconic character.

I don't like Wright's Leiter. I prefer Hedison's and Lord's. And I'm finding this highly ironic and contradictory, given that you don't like Daniel Craig as Bond. Didn't you come from CraignotBond? Further, I don't think much of Naomie Harris as an actress. I think her range is limited, especially given how many other actresses are out there who could do a better job than she can at the role of Moneypenny, such as Rachel Stirling, who is an excellent actress and maintains that sexy secretary look.

And Louis, I'm sorry to disappoint, but I'm not employing the services of a thesaurus.

Chang wrote:

FieldsMan wrote:

I'm not being racist. I like characters such as Quarrel and Dr Kananga, but there are some characters who are supposed to be white. Just because the world is now more (rightfully) accepting of coloured people, it doesn't mean characters who are white can be suddenly black.

Why does Moneypenny have to be white? Why can't a black actor play the role. After all she's just a minor character within the world of James Bond. Your antiquated views on who should and shouldn't be cast in certain roles is pathetic. You claim not to be a racist, yet have a major problem with such a minor role going to a black actress. Even before it has been confirmed.

Lay off, Chang.

It's crystal clear that Babs has a radical PC agenda and ethnically cleansing Bond films of iconic white characters is part of it. Felix has been made black, now Moneypenny; I expect if Q returns he will be Pakistani and then M will be cast as a black woman. All preparing the way for a black Bond, no doubt. And with Babs putting Bond in a dress, there's no telling where the madness will stop.

This obviously doesn't bother you, but I'm damned sick of Babs inserting her shitty identity politics into Fleming's creation. She seems to think cinematic Bond exists for her to warp into her own weird image. How selfish.

I'm sorry who are you? Your views are your own, yet you have no right to tell me what to do. Whilst Bond has taken a clear wrong turn, this race issue so many appear to have is worrying. It sickens me that the color of another's skin could have such an effect. This is far more than just a problem over the characters played by an actors. Why does a black moneypenny disgust some of you?

I think Harris as Moneypenny is a great choice! I'm not sure all this talk about race is quite called for or even needs to be dwelled upon...it's a movie, and the character of Moneypenny is a small one. I think Harris would be a great choice for the role, what does skin color even matter? And I love Bond, but do you all really think that a black Moneypenny will be the demise of the James Bond films????? Come on now, guys!

Anyway, I think the casting is great news...now they just have to successfully utilize Fiennes and Bardem...no cliched roles and no more traitors.

My my my, aren't we a little hotbed of activity this afternoon. I don't know if you can tell, but i'm doing my best not to fart. I wouldn't want to offend anyone by doing so.

Bond #24 will feature a one legged, homosexual, asian, one-eyed M... with a strong lisp. EON, ticking every box since 1995.