007 new questions about Skyfall

It’s a new year and there new questions about the 23rd James Bond film, Skyfall.

001. So will Skyfall follow the same path as Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace? Michael G. Wilson, co-boss of Eon Productions, said it would during a November news conference.

002. But didn’t Wilson also say there was a “magical Goldfinger feel surrounding” Skyfall? He sure did, in a Dec. 18 story by the U.K. media outlet The People.

What? More questions?

003. Isn’t that inconsistent? Wilson’s main priority isn’t being consistent when he does interviews or makes public appearances. His main priority is selling a movie.

004. Isn’t that a cynical way of looking at it? Well, you could try to fact check P.T. Barnum, but by the the time you showed how his sales pitches were inconsistent, he’s moved on to the next sales pitch. (For those unfamiliar with P.T. Barnum, CLICK HERE.)

005. Isn’t that harsh? Well, Quantum of Solace is known as “grim, gritty, not your father’s James Bond” and fans of the movie accuse detractors of simply not getting it. Goldfinger is primarily known as a larger than life, escapist film. Michael G. Wilson has evoked both in a short amount of time. Anyway, Skyfall is going to cost a lot of money and is being made during uncertain economic times. The producers have business responsibilities. They, in effect, want to make a sale, i.e. entice movie goers to buy tickets. It’s part of the job.

006. Do you really think Skyfall will be lighter than Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace? That’s not a terribly high bar, particularly Quantum. There’s a story on the ShowbizSpy Web site saying a bit more humor is part of the plan. It’s attributed only to a “Bond insider.” That makes it hard to tell how accurate the story is. Still, it’s consistent with the December Michael G. Wilson interview (if not the November news conference remarks).

007. Aren’t you looking forward to seeing Skyfall? Absolutely. But we’re not going to be swayed by hype. After seeing some message boards, there are some fans who are ready to proclaim it a masterpiece because of director Sam Mendes and a cast that includes the likes of Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes and Albert Finney. We prefer to wait until there’s a movie to judge.