Welcome to another addition of Jammin’ with Geoff! Big news happened out of Pinewood Studios this morning as you may have already heard. Sam Mendes, director of such incredible films as American Beauty, Road to Perdition and the most recent addition to the James Bond franchise, Skyfall was on the scene at 6am EST to unveil with great anticipation the title of the 24th feature and the follow up to the worldwide phenomenon that was Skyfall.
The whole video is below, but if you can’t wait like I did, just skip to 2:00. If you’re a huge Bond fan like I am, you’ll be glad you did.
Epic, right? Did you see that car? If I could sell my future romantic life for that car, I would! Because let’s face it, I ain’t getting lucky any time soon!
The first thing that caught my eye was the impeccable choice of name, also viewable below.
Fans of the franchise will know that SPECTRE – which stands for Special Executive for Counter-Intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion – was an old-school terrorist organization that Agent 007 frequently came into contact with in the earlier years. Sadly, the memorable organization or it’s head hasn’t been featured on screen in over 30 years. Well luckily, after settling a dispute over ownership of the famed group of foes, SPECTRE will be making a big return in terms of plot and is also getting the great honour of being the title of the freaking film!
Another thing that has me as excited as a kid at Christmas is the amazing cast. Returning of course are Mr. Daniel Craig as James Bond 007, Rory Kinnear as Tanner, Chief of Staff, Ben Wishaw as the youngest Q ever, Naomi Harris as the gorgeous Eve Moneypenny, and taking over after Judi Dench’s unfortunate departure, Ralph Fiennes as M. They added so much to Skyfall and can’t wait to see them again for Spectre. A new inclusion to the MI6 family is Sherlock’s Andrew Scott as a fellow named Denbigh (It’s pronounced “Den-bee”. I had issues too). Joining him as new inductees to the film are Dave Bautista playing a henchman known as Mr. Hinx, Monica Belluci as Lucia Sciarra, Lea Seydoux as Madeleine Swann, and two-time Oscar winner Christoph Waltz as the main villain Bond will go up against.
Now many people figured that given Mr. Waltz’s status in the film, and then the reveal of the title, he’d be playing old school Bond baddie Ernst Stavro Blofeld. But on the IMDb page, he’s listed as Oberhauser. So from appearances sake, Blofeld will be waiting to return to the Bond franchise.
HOWEVER!!! I am of the belief that Waltz could still be Blofeld and here’s why. Recently, a ton of movies have been doing the ol’ bait n’ switch with characters. Star Trek Into Darkness revealed Benedict Cumberbatch’s villain John Harrison to be a classic Star Trek villain by the name of Khan. Skyfall made a pair of big reveals when Naomi Harris’ Eve was unveiled to be the iconic Moneypenny. Even Ralph Fiennes went from being Gareth Mallory to the new M. So who knows how many people will be knocked unconscious by Christoph Waltz simply for teasing him about his “real identity”. Only time will tell.
I do know one thing, I’m gonna be counting the days until November 6, 2015 when Spectre makes its big unveiling. Wouldn’t blame you if you did too.
radio humber life 