zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

The "official word" via producers' interviews is, indeed, the age thing. But the driving factor behind this was brand expansion, especially into gaming. So, altho James Bond films enjoy the strongest popularity among an older male demographic (a good thing, in terms of untapped audience and spending power -- also, by the way, important to product placement interests), the games were expanding that to a youth audience.

So, as the thinking went, why not leverage that to bring them into theatres?

Can't say that I entirely buy this. First, again w/ the product tie-ins, I doubt gamers are buying Austin Martins. Second, Sean Connery has successfully returned to Bond 3 times now ("Diamonds Are Forever," after a one film absense; "Never Say Never Again," an alternative film that ran against the "offical" EON "Octopussy"; and in the very recent "From Russia With Love" game).

"True Lies" was, in my opinion, just as reasonable a model to follow as "The Bourne Identity" (producers' stated reason for going younger). The third "Austin Powers" blockbuster involved, um, what? Oh, yeah: An older Mike Myers AND a father figure, Michael Caine, ie, Roger Moore's classmate in school.