SPECTRE, The Script And The Sony Leak

Gossip site Defamer has done an in depth feature about the latest James Bond film "Spectre" following the Sony Pictures leak that seemingly includes an early draft of the script as well as the e-mail reactions by Sony suits to the early script drafts. A few disparate facts have been revealed which ultimately gives us a basic outline of the story.

The name "SPECTRE," (an acronym for Special Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion) refers to the criminal organization that served as the main antagonist during the Sean Connery-era. This would all but confirm rumors of the return of Bond's nemesis Ernst Stavro Blofeld here

This Blofeld will get a fresh start. The tone is said to be more sophisticated and along the lines of Telly Savalas' version in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" and less like Donald Pleasence (still my favorite incarnation) big screen reveal in 1967's "You Only Live Twice" or Charles Gray's turn in "Diamonds Are Forever". 

Daniel Craig is back as Bond--we will also see the return of Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw and Naomie Harris reprising their roles from "Skyfall" as M, Q, and Moneypenny.  Rory Kinnear is back as Tanner. "Casino Royale" and "Quantum of Solace" baddie actor Jesper Christensen is back as Mr. White.

New cast members include Christoph Waltz as the villain Oberhauser (Blofeld?), Dave Bautista as Mr. Hinx, Monica Bellucci plays Lucia Sciarra, Blue is the Warmest Colour star Léa Seydoux as Madeline Swan, and Andrew Scott appears as a new MI6/Home Office staffer Denbigh.

 "...a cryptic message from the past of 'James Bond' sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While 'M' battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind 'Spectre' a global crime organization, for 'Special Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion'..."

Sam Mendes is once again directing the film. Veteran James Bond screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade have returned to perform rewrites. The duo have been the early writers on the film series since 1999's "The World is Not Enough,"and  they would often do the initial script drafts while other writers like Paul Haggis and John Logan would  polish. The pair were set to retire from the series after handing in their early drafts of "Skyfall," with Logan subsequently taking over the later drafts. Logan was writing the latest adventure solo.

Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson will produce the new film.

The new Aston Martin DB10 will also be featured in the film.

 "Spectre" is shooting at Pinewood Studios as well as in London, Rome, Mexico City, Tangier, Erfoud and the Austrian Alps.

The sequel is targeting a November 6th 2015 release

POTENTIAL MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD

*Andrew Scott's character 'C' is the head of MI5 and battles with MI-6 chief 'M' (Fiennes) over the future of an intelligence sharing program which would see the two agencies merging.

*The merger, along with the results of an early operation in Mexico City, means Bond is facing potentially forced retirement. He then receives a mission posthumously assigned to him by the previous M  (Dame Judi Dench).

*Bellucci plays the wife of a target. Bond uses her to get information about a meeting of a group of terrorists in masks.

*Seydoux plays Madeiline Swann, the daughter of Mr. White. She becomes Bond's love interest and much of the stuff to be shot in Austria and Morocco will involve these two and the establishment of that relationship.

*E-Mail reactions from studio execs seem to indicate they love much of the film's first two acts. The third act, where Waltz' character takes center stage, is where the problems lie and where much of the film re-writes have hppened. However, MGM film division president Jonathan Glickman seems to indicate in e-mails he was very happy with a round of rewrites done last month.