There is still a good deal of mystery surrounding the newest installment in the James Bond series, Skyfall, despite the basic plot line having already been revealed. However, actor Ralph Fiennes’ role remains perhaps the most intriguing puzzle piece that has yet to fall into place.
Rumors have long been circulating that Fiennes could be up to play iconic Bond antagonist Blofeld – or, rather, someone who is that character in all but name (for legal reasons). Similarly, there’s been speculation that Fiennes may be playing a figure from M’s (Judi Dench) past who is responsible for the MI6 being “under attack” and is somehow connected to the enigmatic villain being portrayed by Javier Bardem.
Fiennes has revealed a concrete detail about his Skyfall persona; not so surprisingly, additional information began circulating widely thereafter from a (supposed) trustworthy insider at EON productions. So, keeping all that in mind, only read ahead if you don’t mind being potentially spoiled for the reveal of Fiennes’ character – and remember, take all of this with a customary grain of salt.
POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD!
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Fiennes informed Daily Record that he’s playing a “government agent” in Skyfall, but refrained from saying anything else. However, Movieweb is reporting that the aforementioned EON insider told them that Fiennes is slated to become the new M when the current M (Dench) is forced out as head of the MI6, because of the deadly threat from her past; thereafter, Dench’s character is forced to train Fiennes’ newcomer to become the espionage organization’s new boss.
So, here’s the million dollar question: How likely is it that this rumor is true?
Well, we already know that Skyfall will mix things up in the Bond universe by featuring a youthful Q (Ben Whishaw) and incorporating a new agent named Eve (Naomie Harris) who is also rumored to become the new Moneypenny. Seeing how Daniel Craig has been approached to play 007 at least five more times after the 23rd James Bond flick, it makes all the more sense that the franchise’s producers would try and keeps things fresh by adding some new (acting) blood elsewhere; hence, the idea of bringing on a new M would fit with that approach.
Dench has been portraying M since Goldeneye in 1995 and has become (for many people) the definitive incarnation of the character. All the same, the 77-year-old Oscar-winner’s managed to lead an excellent run as the refined, but strong-willed and crafty MI6 head honcho; so, if this is indeed her last outing as the character (and remember, it’s still just a RUMOR right now) then at least she’ll have someone of Fiennes’ high-caliber serving as her replacement.
All will be revealed for certain when Skyfall hits U.S. theaters (no pun intended) on November 9th, 2012.
