Subject: Jeffrey Wright Not Likely Returning for Bond 23 Sat Sep 10, 2011 10:27 pm
Quote :
Source: Edward Douglas September 10, 2011
The Ides of March co-star Jeffrey Wright has played CIA agent Felix Leiter in the last two James Bond movies--Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace--opposite Daniel Craig, but it is not looking likely that the character will be back for Sam Mendes' James Bond 23.
Wright told ComingSoon.net at the Toronto International Film Festival today that he hasn't gotten the call to return. With filming starting soon for a November 9, 2012 release, we assume the production would have been in touch with him already.
While the character may not appear on screen in the new 007 movie, Wright did tell us that there's a possibility that Felix Leiter may be on the periphery and mentioned in the film.
That's the current status, but with still over a year to go before the movie comes out, things could always change.
Posts : 3372 Member Since : 2011-03-28 Location : I know........I know
Subject: Re: Jeffrey Wright Not Likely Returning for Bond 23 Sat Sep 10, 2011 10:31 pm
Jeffrey needs to shut his piehole. It's not as though his role as Felix is a major one which requires notice weeks in advance. If they can start shooting a Bond film without having cast a Bond girl (as with Casino Royale), clearly they don't have to send a memo to Jeffrey months before the damn thing even starts.
Fucking idiot.
dalton Cipher Clerk
Posts : 101 Member Since : 2011-08-20
Subject: Re: Jeffrey Wright Not Likely Returning for Bond 23 Sat Sep 10, 2011 10:33 pm
Makes sense. If Felix was promoted to the head of the task South American task force (or whatever they called it in QOS), then it wouldn't really make much sense for him to appear in a film that is said to feature locations such as Istanbul and India. If this is true, I'd have to applaud the filmmakers who, for once, appear not to be willing to shoe-horn a character into the film regardless of how much or how little sense it makes to do so.
GeneralGogol Q Branch
Posts : 878 Member Since : 2011-03-17 Location : Kremlin
Subject: Re: Jeffrey Wright Not Likely Returning for Bond 23 Sat Sep 10, 2011 11:28 pm
dalton wrote:
Makes sense. If Felix was promoted to the head of the task South American task force (or whatever they called it in QOS), then it wouldn't really make much sense for him to appear in a film that is said to feature locations such as Istanbul and India. If this is true, I'd have to applaud the filmmakers who, for once, appear not to be willing to shoe-horn a character into the film regardless of how much or how little sense it makes to do so.
Well, it will have been four years since the events of QOS. Leiter could easily have been transferred to another region by then. In any case, while it would be nice to see a role for Felix in the 50th anniversary film, his absence wouldn't be a huge loss. He'd better make a comeback in Bond 24 though.
dalton Cipher Clerk
Posts : 101 Member Since : 2011-08-20
Subject: Re: Jeffrey Wright Not Likely Returning for Bond 23 Sat Sep 10, 2011 11:33 pm
GeneralGogol wrote:
dalton wrote:
Makes sense. If Felix was promoted to the head of the task South American task force (or whatever they called it in QOS), then it wouldn't really make much sense for him to appear in a film that is said to feature locations such as Istanbul and India. If this is true, I'd have to applaud the filmmakers who, for once, appear not to be willing to shoe-horn a character into the film regardless of how much or how little sense it makes to do so.
Well, it will have been four years since the events of QOS. Leiter could easily have been transferred to another region by then. In any case, while it would be nice to see a role for Felix in the 50th anniversary film, his absence wouldn't be a huge loss. He'd better make a comeback in Bond 24 though.
That's true, but they went so far out of the way to mention it at the end of QOS (when it really wasn't necessary) that they should at least keep that in place for at least one film.
Either way, though, I'm more than okay with Felix not appearing in BOND 23. They didn't give him anything interesting to do in CR or QOS, so why would there be an expectation for that to change with the next installment?
Control 00 Agent
Posts : 5206 Member Since : 2010-05-13 Location : Slumber, Inc.
Subject: Re: Jeffrey Wright Not Likely Returning for Bond 23 Sat Sep 10, 2011 11:48 pm
Good news.
Louis Armstrong Q Branch
Posts : 853 Member Since : 2010-05-25
Subject: Re: Jeffrey Wright Not Likely Returning for Bond 23 Sun Sep 11, 2011 2:00 am
dalton wrote:
Makes sense. If Felix was promoted to the head of the task South American task force (or whatever they called it in QOS), then it wouldn't really make much sense for him to appear in a film that is said to feature locations such as Istanbul and India. If this is true, I'd have to applaud the filmmakers who, for once, appear not to be willing to shoe-horn a character into the film regardless of how much or how little sense it makes to do so.
How Mathis and Felix got involved in QoS was actually kind of hilarious, if you think about it. Mathis was previously stationed in South America for several years and Felix is doing some CIA work directly involving Greene. They just made it up as they went along, just so they could do a Casino Royale reunion.
dalton Cipher Clerk
Posts : 101 Member Since : 2011-08-20
Subject: Re: Jeffrey Wright Not Likely Returning for Bond 23 Sun Sep 11, 2011 2:12 am
Louis Armstrong wrote:
dalton wrote:
Makes sense. If Felix was promoted to the head of the task South American task force (or whatever they called it in QOS), then it wouldn't really make much sense for him to appear in a film that is said to feature locations such as Istanbul and India. If this is true, I'd have to applaud the filmmakers who, for once, appear not to be willing to shoe-horn a character into the film regardless of how much or how little sense it makes to do so.
How Mathis and Felix got involved in QoS was actually kind of hilarious, if you think about it. Mathis was previously stationed in South America for several years and Felix is doing some CIA work directly involving Greene. They just made it up as they went along, just so they could do a Casino Royale reunion.
Agreed. While I'm very much aware that I'm in the minority of those that actually thought QOS was a very good film, that was something that should have been addressed. Mathis wasn't really relevant to the story in any way (nor was Felix), but they seemed to shoehorn him in for the sole purpose of having the shocking death scene towards the middle of the film. I have no problem with that scene as it exists, as a matter of fact I thought it was a very strong moment in the film, but it deserved a better setup than the convenience that Mathis was all of a sudden an expert on South America.
Harmsway Potential 00 Agent
Posts : 2801 Member Since : 2011-08-22
Subject: Re: Jeffrey Wright Not Likely Returning for Bond 23 Sun Sep 11, 2011 2:49 am
I really dig Wright's Felix and his dynamic with Craig's Bond. I'm not necessarily disappointed he isn't coming back--he was kinda extraneous in QUANTUM OF SOLACE, and it's not as though Felix needs to be in every film--but I'd be pleased if, by some chance, they did find a good way to work him into BOND 23.
Gravity's Silhouette Potential 00 Agent
Posts : 3994 Member Since : 2011-04-15 Location : Inside my safe space
Subject: Re: Jeffrey Wright Not Likely Returning for Bond 23 Sun Sep 11, 2011 3:22 am
Sharky wrote:
Jeffrey Wright has played CIA agent Felix Leiter in the last two James Bond movies--Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace--opposite Daniel Craig, but it is not looking likely that the character will be back for Sam Mendes' James Bond 23.
Wright told ComingSoon.net at the Toronto International Film Festival today that he hasn't gotten the call to return. With filming starting soon for a November 9, 2012 release, we assume the production would have been in touch with him already.
Loomis Head of Station
Posts : 1413 Member Since : 2011-04-11
Subject: Re: Jeffrey Wright Not Likely Returning for Bond 23 Sun Sep 11, 2011 4:22 am
Harmsway wrote:
I really dig Wright's Felix and his dynamic with Craig's Bond. I'm not necessarily disappointed he isn't coming back--he was kinda extraneous in QUANTUM OF SOLACE, and it's not as though Felix needs to be in every film--but I'd be pleased if, by some chance, they did find a good way to work him into BOND 23.
Eh, I don't care if we've seen the last of him. I don't see much of a dynamic between Craig's Bond and Wright's Leiter, to be honest - and, as you say, he was extraneous in QUANTUM OF SOLACE (indeed, I'm not sure he was even all that necessary in CASINO ROYALE - he's memorable only for the "Keep the fruit" quip).
dalton Cipher Clerk
Posts : 101 Member Since : 2011-08-20
Subject: Re: Jeffrey Wright Not Likely Returning for Bond 23 Sun Sep 11, 2011 4:25 am
Loomis wrote:
Harmsway wrote:
I really dig Wright's Felix and his dynamic with Craig's Bond. I'm not necessarily disappointed he isn't coming back--he was kinda extraneous in QUANTUM OF SOLACE, and it's not as though Felix needs to be in every film--but I'd be pleased if, by some chance, they did find a good way to work him into BOND 23.
Eh, I don't care if we've seen the last of him. I don't see much of a dynamic between Craig's Bond and Wright's Leiter, to be honest - and, as you say, he was extraneous in QUANTUM OF SOLACE (indeed, I'm not sure he was even all that necessary in CASINO ROYALE - he's memorable only for the "Keep the fruit" quip).
He's definitely not a necessary character in CR. Had they not beefed up his role by actually putting him in the poker game, his sole purpose would have been to be there simply to give Bond the money to keep going when Vesper would not. For the purposes of the film, they really could have assigned that to another character already in the story.
bitchcraft Potential 00 Agent
Posts : 3372 Member Since : 2011-03-28 Location : I know........I know
Subject: Re: Jeffrey Wright Not Likely Returning for Bond 23 Sun Sep 11, 2011 4:48 am
dalton wrote:
For the purposes of the film, they really could have assigned that to another character already in the story.
But why would another card-player at the table want to front Bond the way Leiter did? With the exception of Bond and Leiter, everyone else there was there to make money.
dalton Cipher Clerk
Posts : 101 Member Since : 2011-08-20
Subject: Re: Jeffrey Wright Not Likely Returning for Bond 23 Sun Sep 11, 2011 4:56 am
Mrs Aural Sects wrote:
dalton wrote:
For the purposes of the film, they really could have assigned that to another character already in the story.
But why would another card-player at the table want to front Bond the way Leiter did? With the exception of Bond and Leiter, everyone else there was there to make money.
I didn't say that it had to be another player in the game. They could have assigned that duty to a character like Mathis, which would have also been good for other aspects of the story as it would have cut down on some of the trust issues they tried to cram into the story in the third act.
tiffanywint Potential 00 Agent
Posts : 3692 Member Since : 2011-03-16 Location : making mudpies
Subject: Re: Jeffrey Wright Not Likely Returning for Bond 23 Sun Sep 11, 2011 8:50 am
I say get rid of Wright all together and stay with the tradition of surprising us with different Leiter actors as the character is needed or desired.
Nice knowing you Jeff, but if Eon can dump Jack Lord, they can dump you too.
Harmsway Potential 00 Agent
Posts : 2801 Member Since : 2011-08-22
Subject: Re: Jeffrey Wright Not Likely Returning for Bond 23 Sun Sep 11, 2011 11:51 am
tiffanywint wrote:
I say get rid of Wright all together and stay with the tradition of surprising us with different Leiter actors as the character is needed or desired.
That "tradition" didn't work out so well.
Gravity's Silhouette Potential 00 Agent
Posts : 3994 Member Since : 2011-04-15 Location : Inside my safe space
Subject: Re: Jeffrey Wright Not Likely Returning for Bond 23 Sun Sep 11, 2011 12:50 pm
tiffanywint wrote:
I say get rid of Wright all together and stay with the tradition of surprising us with different Leiter actors as the character is needed or desired.
Nice knowing you Jeff, but if Eon can dump Jack Lord, they can dump you too.
That's one tradition I think we should ignore. Jeffrey Wright may be better than a rotisserie of different actors. There needs to be continuity between the actors and actresses there to support each 007's timeline. Have Wright or have no one until Craig is gone.
Perilagu Khan 00 Agent
Posts : 5831 Member Since : 2011-03-21 Location : The high plains
Subject: Re: Jeffrey Wright Not Likely Returning for Bond 23 Sun Sep 11, 2011 3:43 pm
Wright's absence would explain the casting of Naomie Harris as Moneypenny--gotta represent the blacks, dammit.
PS--I consider Wright quite possibly the best Leiter besides Jack Lord. Thought he did a pretty dam' good job.
PPS--I believe I said in another thread that I'd love to see a Bond film where a "genuine Felix Leiter" is cast (voluble, slim, sandy-haired, hatchet-faced Texan), and he is almost the co-star alongside Bond. Fleming himself did this with LALD, DAF and TB.
Guest Guest
Subject: Re: Jeffrey Wright Not Likely Returning for Bond 23 Sun Sep 11, 2011 3:53 pm
Although he certainly exhibted some charm and wit in the role, particularly in QOS I would say, I never really got the tide of enthusiasm for Wright's fanatically inert Leiter that developed in fandom at the height of CR-mania, which seems to have been caused chiefly by one very minor pithy comment. For me he would be quite welcome in Bond 23, but by the same token he wont be missed.
Gravity's Silhouette Potential 00 Agent
Posts : 3994 Member Since : 2011-04-15 Location : Inside my safe space
Subject: Re: Jeffrey Wright Not Likely Returning for Bond 23 Sun Sep 11, 2011 4:05 pm
Ed Tom Kowalsky wrote:
Wright's absence would explain the casting of Naomie Harris as Moneypenny--gotta represent the blacks, dammit.
PS--I consider Wright quite possibly the best Leiter besides Jack Lord. Thought he did a pretty dam' good job.
PPS--I believe I said in another thread that I'd love to see a Bond film where a "genuine Felix Leiter" is cast (voluble, slim, sandy-haired, hatchet-faced Texan), and he is almost the co-star alongside Bond. Fleming himself did this with LALD, DAF and TB.
I like your idea. However, I don't think we're going to see a large-sized role for Leiter as you described unless there is a plan in place for a spin-off series, or Craig's stature sinks so low that EON needs to hire a name-actor to essentially turn the film into a buddy-picture. And I don't think Craig is going to want to share equal billing with another guy who may be better looking than him. Once these actors and actresses get above a certain age their insecurities really start to manifest themselves.
Perilagu Khan 00 Agent
Posts : 5831 Member Since : 2011-03-21 Location : The high plains
Subject: Re: Jeffrey Wright Not Likely Returning for Bond 23 Sun Sep 11, 2011 4:11 pm
I also doubt it'll happen, GS. Just like myriad other chunks of Flemingian goodness.
jaguar007
Posts : 27 Member Since : 2011-08-24 Location : Portland, OR
Subject: Re: Jeffrey Wright Not Likely Returning for Bond 23 Sun Sep 11, 2011 5:55 pm
tiffanywint wrote:
Nice knowing you Jeff, but if Eon can dump Jack Lord, they can dump you too.
Except I don't think Wright is asking for pay and billing equal to that of Daniel Craig.
Gravity's Silhouette Potential 00 Agent
Posts : 3994 Member Since : 2011-04-15 Location : Inside my safe space
Subject: Re: Jeffrey Wright Not Likely Returning for Bond 23 Mon Sep 12, 2011 1:18 am
Ed Tom Kowalsky wrote:
Wright's absence would explain the casting of Naomie Harris as Moneypenny--gotta represent the blacks, dammit.
Unless Naomie is playing Cedar Leiter.
Loomis Head of Station
Posts : 1413 Member Since : 2011-04-11
Subject: Re: Jeffrey Wright Not Likely Returning for Bond 23 Mon Sep 12, 2011 2:29 am
Gravity's Silhouette wrote:
Ed Tom Kowalsky wrote:
Wright's absence would explain the casting of Naomie Harris as Moneypenny--gotta represent the blacks, dammit.
PS--I consider Wright quite possibly the best Leiter besides Jack Lord. Thought he did a pretty dam' good job.
PPS--I believe I said in another thread that I'd love to see a Bond film where a "genuine Felix Leiter" is cast (voluble, slim, sandy-haired, hatchet-faced Texan), and he is almost the co-star alongside Bond. Fleming himself did this with LALD, DAF and TB.
I like your idea. However, I don't think we're going to see a large-sized role for Leiter as you described unless there is a plan in place for a spin-off series, or Craig's stature sinks so low that EON needs to hire a name-actor to essentially turn the film into a buddy-picture. And I don't think Craig is going to want to share equal billing with another guy who may be better looking than him. Once these actors and actresses get above a certain age their insecurities really start to manifest themselves.
Hey, don't blame the Bond actors like Craig for keeping Felix down - blame the producers, the studio execs and the assorted moneymen (and, erm, moneywomen). They're the ones with the vested interest in keeping audiences focused on Bond at all times and not allowing Leiter or any other supporting cast member to overshadow him and thus destabilise the series. Isn't that why Jack Lord never returned as Leiter, and indeed why Leiter has always been strictly rationed in screentime (not to mention mostly played by actors who were, to put it as kindly as possible, not particularly likely to upstage Bond in looks and style)?
Speaking of which, the following "conspiracy theory" has just occurred to me: was David Hedison rather than John Terry cast as Leiter in LICENCE TO KILL, the film in which Leiter probably has the most screentime and certainly has the greatest amount of plot significance, because the filmmakers feared that the 62-year-old Hedison was less likely to take female attention away from Dalton than the 39-year-old Terry in an enlarged role? Safer to have an avuncular old Felix than a young American version of Bond who might just steal too much of the limelight?
IIRC, the "official" explanation for casting Hedison was that, as he'd played Leiter in LIVE AND LET DIE, the audience already had "history" with him in the part and thus the tragic events befalling the character in LICENCE TO KILL would hit home harder than if they recast the role.... but the logic of this strikes me as highly questionable, since it seems to assume that that minority of the LICENCE TO KILL audience who had reasonably fresh memories of LIVE AND LET DIE would even remember that Leiter had been in that movie, let alone that he'd been played by Hedison, and also that even if that small percentage of cinemagoers in 1989 did remember those details they'd give a flying one.
CJB 00 Agent
Posts : 5538 Member Since : 2011-03-14 Location : 'Straya
Subject: Re: Jeffrey Wright Not Likely Returning for Bond 23 Mon Sep 12, 2011 2:37 am
No loss. I found him unmemorable and charisma free. Give us a cheery Texan dammit!
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Subject: Re: Jeffrey Wright Not Likely Returning for Bond 23