As someone who has followed the James Bond franchise closely for decades, I can’t help but be fascinated by the behind-the-scenes stories of how each new installment comes to life. And one such tale that stands out is the experience of director Lee Tamahori during the making of “Die Another Day.”
Change has kept the James Bond films engaging and new for more than half a century. From a broader viewpoint, swapping out the actors portraying the lead character in the movie versions of Ian Fleming’s iconic novels is an occurrence that happens occasionally.
On a more personal note, each filmmaker’s approach to a specific entry, such as Lee Tamahori’s “Die Another Day,” can undergo significant transformations. An interview with him revealed these extensive modifications, including major script revisions, an almost-materialized large cameo, and the motivations behind these adjustments during filming.
Michelle Yeoh’s Die Another Day Cameo Was Confirmed, But Didn’t Happen For One Big Reason
During my interview with Mr. Tamahori at the press event for his new film “The Convert” in 2024, I couldn’t help but bring up his past involvement in the James Bond franchise. This particular Bond movie, which marked Pierce Brosnan’s last appearance as the iconic character, has been noted for its plans to reintroduce Michelle Yeoh’s Wai Lin to the series.
Through my conversation with New Zealand director Lee Tamahori, I learned that this event was intended to occur. However, according to what he shared with TopMob, there was a significant explanation as to why it didn’t go through.
Michelle Yeoh was initially planned for a minor role in the Hong Kong sequence of the film following numerous modifications. We traveled to Hong Kong to discuss this opportunity with her personally, but she declined as she no longer wished to take on small parts after achieving greater success with “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.”
Back in 1997’s “Tomorrow Never Dies,” Colonel Wai Lin and Commander James Bond joined forces to thwart media magnate Elliot Carver (Jonathan Pryce) from igniting global conflict. In classic Bond style, they both made it through unscathed, solidifying their bond with a romantic kiss as the movie came to a close.
In the revised “Die Another Day” scenario, Pierce Brosnan and Michelle Yeoh would have collaborated once more for an altered rendition of the scene where James Bond acts against the rules to stop the evil plan. This scene is featured towards the end of the film, during which Bond prevents a Chinese spy ring from recording him in an incriminating situation with a masseuse named Rachel Grant.
Several sources, including MI6.co.uk Bond fan site, have suggested for years that Yeoh was initially planned to appear in “Die Another Day,” with Region 2 DVD extras providing additional proof. I wanted to confirm this information from a reliable source. Luckily, director Lee Tamahori was able to provide the confirmation I was looking for.
As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled to share that recent rumors about a nearly returned James Bond side character have been validated. In an exclusive update, “The Convert” director, Tamahori, shed light on why this potential comeback didn’t materialize. Following our previous conversation on TopMob, he generously provided more insight into the situation:
Based on my experience as a filmmaker, I believe that at one point, we considered casting Michelle for a smaller role in our production, but it wasn’t the right fit at that time. We were still working on developing the Jinx character and hadn’t yet cast Halle. If we had brought Michelle in earlier, it would have added depth to the project. However, I was careful not to overload the film with too many strong female characters, as I didn’t want to overshadow the central narrative. The casting process is a delicate balance of finding the right fit for each role and maintaining a cohesive vision for the project. Through this experience, I learned the importance of timing and careful consideration when making decisions about casting.
As a longtime fan of James Bond films, I’ve seen Michelle Yeoh’s captivating performance as Wai Lin in “Die Another Day” leave a lasting impression on me. Based on my knowledge gleaned from previous reports, it seems that 007 turned to Wai Lin for help in locating Zao, the henchman of Gustav Graves and the man who had orchestrated Bond’s imprisonment.
At an elite Hong Kong hotel, Bond was scheduled to connect with Wai Lin. However, their reunion was disrupted by North Korean attackers who intended to eliminate them. This scenario is plausible since Yeoh’s action background played a role in her selection for the James Bond series. At that time, Halle Berry’s character, Giacinta “Jinx” Johnson, had not been cast yet. Consequently, there was an opportunity to expand Wai Lin’s brief appearance in “Tomorrow Never Dies” into a more significant role as a Bond Girl.
Lee Tamahori confessed to making additional adjustments to the “Die Another Day” script, collaborating with the Bond writing duo Neal Purvis and Robert Wade. These modifications led to new insights into the storyline, unveiling several more plot twists; unfortunately, some of these changes resulted in less desirable outcomes.
How 9/11 Led To Some Of Die Another Day’s Massive Script Changes
The film “Die Another Day” faced a challenge as the first Bond movie to be released following the September 11th terrorist attacks. With Hollywood undergoing significant changes, films were being revised, edited or postponed in response. Director Lee Tamahori spoke with TopMob about his memories of that day:
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at EON Productions’ remarkable ability to adapt. The script I initially read bore little resemblance to the final product we eventually brought to life on set. Originally, there was a devastating “death ray from space” that leveled cities, but watching the 9/11 attacks unfold in real life at EON’s studios compelled us to make significant changes. We were still crafting the screenplay when this tragic event occurred, leaving us no choice but to abandon the ending that felt too similar to the destruction of the Twin Towers.
Instead of depicting cities being destroyed only a year after the 9/11 attacks in “Die Another Day,” the movie relocated its major destruction scenes to the border between North and South Korea for an explosive ending. It’s worth noting that the “death ray from space” is none other than the Icarus, a controversial gadget defended by Tamahori during production.
As a film enthusiast and someone who appreciates the intricacies of movie-making, I can’t help but be fascinated by the unique approach taken by EON Productions when it comes to creating the gadgets and weapons in their James Bond films. Michael G. Wilson, one of the producers at EON, has a knack for incorporating real Mil-Spec technologies into their productions, giving us fans just the right amount of suspension of disbelief.
In simpler terms, they are open to new ideas, no matter how outlandish they may seem. Just like in the Bond films, you’re free to propose any concept that could enhance the storyline. These ideas might be turned down or approved. If an idea is accepted, we then refine it, making it as streamlined and essential as possible. This collaborative process between Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, myself, and the producers involves brainstorming sessions in which we discuss and narrow down our choices.
Although there have been instances where “creative differences” resulted in unexpected changes, such as Danny Boyle leaving “Bond 25,” these departures generally appear to be amicable. Not every director may mesh perfectly with EON Productions like Lee Tamahori did, but the collaborative spirit of the company producing the James Bond films has not seemed to wane.
I personally would have been thrilled if Michelle Yeoh’s character Wai Lin had appeared in “Die Another Day” instead of being replaced. Her reasons for declining the role are understandable, though. Additionally, Halle Berry’s portrayal of Jinx is among the best Bond women in film history. Unfortunately, this led to a missed opportunity with the abandoned Jinx spinoff.
In simpler terms, when a movie franchise like James Bond has been around for over 60 years and continues to thrive, it’s normal for alternative histories or retellings of older films to emerge. So if you’re eagerly anticipating the release of Bond 26 but find yourself with time to spare, revisiting Die Another Day could be an enjoyable experience. This less-serious Bond adventure, which initially caused controversy upon its release, is now gaining a new fanbase.
Absolutely, don’t miss out on watching “The Convert,” directed by Lee Tamahori and featuring Guy Pearce in the lead role. This film is now showing in cinemas and available on demand.
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2024-07-26 20:07