James Bond & Friends

Did this ever happen to the other fellas? This week we dive into a retrospective of 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service.' As it celebrates its 50th anniversary, we look back on the film that's often dubbed the 'odd-one-out' by the media and assess how it is seen now by fans and the general public. Along the way, we muse on how American television audiences were left confused, restoration mistakes, ch...

Have the recent Daniel Craig films regressed in their representation of women? This week we tackle the topic of diversity, representation of women and minority characters in Bond films, welcoming a new guest Associate Professor Lisa Funnell. We round out by discussing the curious appearance of an Aston Martin in Norway for Bond 25 and answering some listener questions. Along the way we muse on the...

Has public opinion of the older films changed during the Daniel Craig years? After we round up the latest Bond 25 news and tabloid bumblings, we dive into dissecting how public opinion of every film in the James Bond series has changed over the past 15 years - from 2004 to 2019. Using a semi-scientific method, the results were surprising! Along the way, we stumble upon the next Uncle Bond, psych o...

How much of a Bond film is recycled from unused scripts? In the first segment, we wrap up some loose ends and dive in to the latest Bond 25 media coverage including Daniel Craig's injury and how Twitter would cover the production of early films. We welcome Ajay Chowdhury to the crew and discuss the reality of screenwriting for big franchises and how unused elements of scripts have popped up years...

What's with all the media negativity over Bond 25? In the first segment, we cover the latest Bond 25 developments including the wrap in Jamaica. We reveal a few tidbits about the production (no plot spoilers) and then exclusively announce the end of an era for the James Bond universe. Along the way, we trip over a governor's dinner party, Station J, 7777, a homeless MI6, lack of mobile phones, ang...

Which two Bond films could blend into a new recipe? In the first segment, we experiment with throwing two less-loved Bond films in a blender to come up with something better. We then cover the latest Bond 25 developments and along the way we trip over Monty's millions, not the James Bond theme, counting clapperboards, vindictive tabloids, Pryce's ham, missing memoriams, sunset dining, 2% survival...

What can we read into the plot synopsis for Bond 25? With a little more time – and sleep – to reflect, we examine the plot synopsis that was released after the ‘Bond 25’ reveal event, asking questions about the significance and prominence of Jamaica, Italy and Norway, the mystery scientist, and how Malek’s ‘tech villain’ persona will break or conform to the mold of similar villains gone before. Al...

Dissecting the Bond 25 reveal event. In this special extended episode, we take apart the Bond 25 live reveal event. How did it all go down? What was expected and was surprising? Along the way we trip over a forgetful producer, the fate of an audio guy, fake tweets, a younger looking cast, why Naomie Harris was in Jamaica, the absence of Blofeld, Rami Malek's stare, Felix Leiter's precarious fate,...

What were Bond's drinking habits across the books and how do they differ in the films? We discuss aspects of James Bond's drinks and along the way we mull over the loss of local flavour, drinks missing from the films, Bond's salad dressing recipe, chaining carte blanche's, following 007's trail in NYC, substitutions for illusive Kina Lillet (and how they blew a big marketing opportunity), how to m...

What films are most indicative of each actor's run at Bond? This episode of 'James Bond & Friends' is hosted by Paul Atkinson with guests David Leigh, Bill Koenig and James Page. With all quiet on the Bond 25 front, we assemble a panel to discuss a few timeless topics. Along the way we stumble on baby powder blue romper suits, film franchise formulas, MGM's 40-year financial slump, more licenced c...

What's the deal with the 'traditional' Bond production press conference? This episode of 'James Bond & Friends' is hosted by Paul Atkinson with guests Mark O'Connell, David Leigh, Bill Koenig and James Page. We discuss the kind of Bond film we are hoping for from Craig and Fukunaga, and expectations of a kick-off press conference any day now. Along the way we spoil the plot to several classics, un...

What will happen to the series after Daniel Craig departs? This episode of 'James Bond & Friends' is hosted by James Page with guests Calvin Dyson, Mark O'Connell, and David Leigh. We chat about the possible options the series faces after Craig steps down after Bond 25, including the idea of rebooting the series and filming the books in order as period pieces, and the crunch timetable for the 60th...

All the latest Bond 25 news discussion. This episode of 'James Bond & Friends' is hosted by James Page with guests Calvin Dyson, Mark O'Connell, and David Leigh. We chat about the latest Bond 25 news including the new 'working title', Danny Boyle's reasons for departure, Norway, and electric cars. Calvin reports from the Q The Music concert and we also discuss the state of 007 merchandise and the...

Is Bond 25 a make or break film for Daniel Craig's legacy? This episode of 'James Bond & Friends' is hosted by James Page with guests Paul Atkinson, Calvin Dyson, and David Leigh. Originally recorded along with Episode 001, we found ourselves descending into general banter about the franchise and the over-arching aspects of how Daniel Craig’s tenure may end and whether Bond 25 is a make or break f...

Is this thing on? The debut episode of 'James Bond & Friends' is hosted by James Page with guests Paul Atkinson, Calvin Dyson, and David Leigh. We catch up on the latest Bond 25 news and chat about the delays, script rewrites and how Craig's fifth and final outing may be shaping up. Along the way, we stumble upon the 007 sausage machine, official denials, Shatterhand double-bluffs, a musical, how...