007,
Bond writers Neil Purvis and Robert Wade confirm their departure from the James Bond franchise

Granted Die Another Day and The World Is Not Enough may be more about spectacle than story, they have certainly brought Bond back to relevancy and where he belongs with their most recent works. So as mentioned in the official release below bowing out on an all time high with Skyfall smashing the box office and becoming the most successful Bond film in history may be a good time.
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DTFF 2012 - Neil Purvis (L) and Robert Wade (R) at 'Masterclass with Neil Purvis and Robert Wade' panel - Getty (ZOOM) |
BOND WRITERS CONFIRM THEIR DEPARTURE FROM THE FRANCHISE
Life before Bond. Screenwriting duo reveal past projects before writing 007: Elton John steals 11 world class footballer and plays them against a team of robots on another planet
As Skyfall becomes the most successful Bond film in its 23 film history, British screenwriting duo Neal Purvis and Robert Wade took part in a master class at the fourth Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF) to lift the lid on writing for one of the iconic film franchises of all time.
“When we were originally asked to come in to meet the Bond people, we weren’t expecting to be walking straight into a meeting with Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson” said Neal Purvis, describing the moment they first started collaborating with franchise’s producers. “Usually there are many other layers of people that stop you getting to the head honchos and we certainly were not expecting to be kept around for 15 years”
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DTFF 2012 - Robert Wade (L) and Neil Purvis (R) at 'Masterclass with Neil Purvis and Robert Wade' panel - Getty (ZOOM) |
Meeting at 22, the pair who has been writing together for 28 years wrote their first script during the Los Angeles Olympic Games.
“The British Film industry in 1984 was not in a great shape. We’d write pop video’s to make extra money,” said Purvis. ”The tragedy is we were getting paid in the 80’s what screenwriters are still being paid today”
We were going to stop with Quantum of Solace, but it’s good to go out on a high with Skyfall ”
- Neal Purvis
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DTFF 2012 - Neil Purvis at 'Masterclass with Neil Purvis and Robert Wade' panel - Getty (ZOOM) |
“Now were on our 41st script and have have ten films made. You wouldn’t write each day if you didn’t believer that your scripts were going to be made,” added Purvis.
The third act wasn’t right. We gave ourselves a few weeks to come up with a new concept, which ultimately became a metaphor for our journey working on these movies – our own Skyfall”
- Neal Purvis
“The third act wasn’t right. We gave ourselves a few weeks to come up with a new concept, which ultimately became a metaphor for our journey working on these movies – our own Skyfall” added Purvis.
We’re very happy to have done five Bond movies, I think we’ve gotten it to a good place. I know that John Logan and Sam Mendes have come up with a plot for another one”
- Robert Wade
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DTFF 2012 - Robert Wade at 'Masterclass with Neil Purvis and Robert Wade' panel - Getty (ZOOM) |
Asked about other projects outside of Bond, Wade divulged “We did get hired to write a script about Elton John stealing 11 of the best footballers in the world, to play against a team of robots on another planet. “That was our second paid job,” explained Purvis.
And what’s the only thing as a bond writer you can’t do? “Time Travel” says Purvis. “And killing him off” said Wade, before adding “although we have been tempted”
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DTFF 2012 - Robert Wade (L), Neil Purvis (C), and Studio Canal's Jenny Borgas speak at 'Masterclass' Panel - Getty (ZOOM) |
About the Doha Film Institute:
Doha Film Institute (DFI) is an independent cultural organisation established in 2010 to incorporate Qatar’s film initiatives under one banner; organically supporting the growth of the local film community by enhancing industry knowledge, cultivating film appreciation and contributing to the development of sustainable creative industries in Qatar. DFI’s year-round platforms include funding and production of local, regional and international films, educational programmes, film screenings, and the annual Doha TribecaFilm Festival (DTFF).
With culture, community, education and entertainment at its foundation, DFI serves as an all-encompassing film hub in Doha, as well as a resource for the region and the rest of the world. DFI is committed to supporting Qatar’s 2030 vision for the development of a knowledge-based economy. DFI has established a number of strategic cultural partnerships with leading local and international organisations including Tribeca Enterprises, World Cinema Foundation, Maisha Film Lab, Katara Cultural Village and Giffoni Film Festival.
Doha Film Institute (DFI) is an independent cultural organisation established in 2010 to incorporate Qatar’s film initiatives under one banner; organically supporting the growth of the local film community by enhancing industry knowledge, cultivating film appreciation and contributing to the development of sustainable creative industries in Qatar. DFI’s year-round platforms include funding and production of local, regional and international films, educational programmes, film screenings, and the annual Doha TribecaFilm Festival (DTFF).
With culture, community, education and entertainment at its foundation, DFI serves as an all-encompassing film hub in Doha, as well as a resource for the region and the rest of the world. DFI is committed to supporting Qatar’s 2030 vision for the development of a knowledge-based economy. DFI has established a number of strategic cultural partnerships with leading local and international organisations including Tribeca Enterprises, World Cinema Foundation, Maisha Film Lab, Katara Cultural Village and Giffoni Film Festival.
Slideshow: Doha Tribeca Film Festival 2012
For more information on the Doha Film Institute or the Doha TribecaFilm Festival (DTFF) head to:
Craig is a retired superhero, an obsessive hobbyist, comics fan, gadget lover & flâneur who knows an unhealthy amount about Ian Fleming's James Bond. When not watching or making films he takes pictures, eats, drinks, dives, tries to connect to nature whilst mentally storyboarding the greatest film ever made. He also & sometimes utilises owl-themed gadgets to fight crime. A list of his 133 favourite films can be found here! If you would still like to contact Craig please use any of the buttons below: |
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