Quantum of Solace Continues Bond Legacy
Twenty-Second 007 Film Concludes Story That Began in Casino Royale
Nov 3, 2008
Daniel Craig's first 007 film, Casino Royale, created a James Bond the likes of which moviegoers had never seen before; one that was vulnerable, both physically and emotionally. Critics praised the movie as the best Bond film in several decades, and when Craig consented to star in this year's Quantum of Solace, fans of the series were understandably excited.
When asked about the amount of baggage that comes with playing the world's most well-known spy, Craig told the BBC that "it's a big machine and it makes a lot of money," while adding that he wanted to bring more "emotional depth to the character". Given that Casino Royale became the second highest-grossing Bond film of all-time, it would seem to be mission accomplished for the British actor.
The Plot Thickens
While Casino Royale was lauded by critics and fans of the series alike, its conclusion was rather open-ended, allowing for rampant speculation and second-guessing. As a result, the producers of the Bond series set their sights on a follow-up film that would act as a sequel and appropriate conclusion to Craig's first 007 title. Thus, Quantum of Solace was born.
The action picks up just minutes after Casino Royale concludes, with Bond and the villainous Mr. White on an island estate in Italy. After a series of interrogations, it is discovered that White is working for a massive, world-wide organization intent on throwing the world's economy into chaos. Throughout the film, 007 continues to work his way closer to the head of the organization, as well as closer to uncovering the mystery surrounding Vesper Lynd's death in Casino.
Deja 007?
Daniel Craig is not the only actor returning in the latest Bond film; in fact, three key characters are reprised by the same actor or actress who portrayed them in Casino Royale. Judi Dench returns in the familiar role of "M," James Bond's superior at MI6, while Jesper Christensen is the devilish Mr. White. CIA agent Felix Leiter, a character that has appeared in several Bond films over the years, is back and once again played by award-winning actor Jeffrey Wright.
Dinner and a Video Game?
Coinciding with the debut of Quantum of Solace in the United States is the release of the next-generation video game of the same name on both the Playstation 3 and XBox 360 gaming consoles. The characters and storyline of the game are straight out of the movie, and players will step into the shoes of Daniel Craig as 007. The title releases just over a week before the movie, on November 4th, and developers are hoping that interest in the game will help boost the film's income as well.
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