Page 31 - Phil JamesBond program DIGITAL_Neat

new wave with Duran Duran and A-ha desperate to know who the next singer
… to the kind of low-fi, stripped-down is, which is kind of bizarre when you
star like Billie Eilish. And yet somehow, think about how it doesn’t happen in
within that, there is a continuity. any other films.

They are kind of all James Bond, and Q. Anything you want to add?
when it strays too far — you know, A. I think we all know that music is
sometimes when it’s controversial — important to film, but it’s uniquely
people don’t like it. It starts to mess important to Bond. It really is 50
around with the template too much, so percent of the equation. That’s what
it’s a very difficult balancing act. makes it so interesting in cinematic

Q. Daniel Craig sat down with you. history.
What was he like to interview? Hans Zimmer can play “We Have

A. Daniel Craig was great. It’s funny All the Time in the World” at crucial
because he is unbelievably smart and moments in “No Time to Die.” It’s not
eloquent about music, but in common only a classic song by Louis Armstrong
with a lot of actors, he doesn’t think and John Barry, but it also evokes the
he is. He had brilliant answers to all tragedy at the end of “On Her Majesty’s
my questions, but then he would stop Secret Service” when Bond’s wife is
in the middle of the sentence and go, murdered.
“Well listen, what the hell do I know? It’s a shorthand to tragedy. If you know,
I’m an actor. I don’t know, you should you know. You’re like, something
be talking to the musicians.” terrible is going to happen. Is it going

It was more just reassuring him that to happen to Bond? His girlfriend?
what he was saying was interesting. Q. It’s interesting you say that,
From his point of view, he was like, because when I heard the song in
“Look, I don’t get involved in the music,” “No Time to Die,” I just went, “uh-
even though he’s kind of a producer oh.”
in the last couple of films, that’s more A. Exactly! Which is great. And then
Barbara’s area. But in reality, he’s a you might go and see it with somebody
massive music fan. who’s never seen a Bond film before,
Q. Were you able to find out who and they’ll be like, “OK, it’s a great
the next James Bond will be? tune.” But for you, it’s doing more.
A. [Laughing] Yeah. They told me. I’ll So yeah, I love that side of things.
mouth the name. And I think that’s what made this so
It’s funny, isn’t it, because it’s one of enjoyable to make.
those things, in talking about the music, Interview was edited and condensed.
everyone is desperate to know who Follow Andrew Mahoney on
the next Bond is. But also, everyone is Twitter @GlobeMahoney.

2022/23 Season Oh, the Places We’ll Go! PAGE 29