Young Bond

Kill Bond!

Writing in the Seattle Times, Mark Rahner says it's time for Bond to be killed off!

"It's kind of interesting to see how a Bond film can never be a Bond film anymore. You can't be derogatory toward women. You can't drink as much. You can kill, obviously. But he can't be this politically incorrect being that he was back in the '60s, as he was envisioned by Ian Fleming."

And as for Young Bond!  He says....

This spring, Charlie Higson released "SilverFin," the first in a "Young Bond" series; I found it unpalatable and liquidated my copy.

First Craig Bond Image

Here he is looking quite mean I think.  It's on the back of the relaunched magazine from the James Bond International Fan Club.  Apparently, Blood Fever artwork will be on the back. Does that mean we have two young Bonds?

Via Commander Bond

YB on Wikipedia

Check out the Young Bond entry at Wikipedia.  Very cool.  And the massive Old Bond version too.

Young Bond Catchphrase Anyone?

There's an interesting interview here with Charlie Higson.  He says he needs a new catchphrase for Young Bond because although YB does use, "Bond, James Bond' he can't use, "Vodka Martini, Shaken Not Stirred".  Anyone?

Silverfin Film

The battle to play Young Bond in the film of Silverfin is hotting up.  Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe and Billy Elliot actor Jamie Bell are ahead of the pack.  I think it would be better to have a new face but I suppose the producers are thinking it will add to the interest.  Surely Bond has enough pull on his own!

Bloodfever Begins

There's an article here about the launch of Bloodfever.  Apparently there is a big promotion planned, 'for fans to look forward to'.  Does that mean it's something special?  I can't imagine fans 'looking forward' to a normal advertising campaign!  Apparently, there is a phone game too...should be interesting.

Spy Games!

This game - Receda Cube - sounds like a real life spy mission.  It's part web, part real and based on treasure hunt called Masquerade.

Young Bond Casts Himself

This is a fascinating insight into the world of Bond describing the problems associated with casting Old Bond - post Brosnan.  Luckily, that situation never arises with Young Bond, we each cast him as we wish!

A New Old Bond book!

There's an article here saying we might have a new Bond book to look forward to -- but the Old Bond not the Young one.  The people who run the Bond estate feel so encouraged by the success of Charlie Higson's series they want to find a BIG NAME write a novel to celebrate the centenary of Ian Fleming's birth in 2008.  Frederick Forsyth, John le Carre and Lee 'Reacher' Childs are in the frame.  I think it would be good to have someone younger more in the style of Higson.

Gadgets, Spooks and Spies

Writing in The Times Janice Turner says...

My gadget-obsessed son, who has devoured the genius young Bond novel Silver Fin and the whole Alex Ryder series in one summer, is gripped by the Alpha Force books.

Must check them out.