Judi Dench Says Daniel Craig Pushed to Kill M After 8 Bond Films

Q: Why was the shocking decision to kill off M delivered without the star who suggested it even being present?

Because Daniel Craig appears to have been the originator of the idea, not the person formally charged with delivering cast decisions. Judi Dench’s memoir says she was told over lunch at London’s Wolseley by Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, along with director Sam Mendes, that M would be “bumped off” in *Skyfall*. Dench writes that Craig was “apparently” the one who suggested killing M, but adds, “I don’t think Daniel Craig was there.” That fits how major franchise decisions are typically handled. Even if a lead actor strongly influences creative direction, the official conversation with a longtime cast member would ordinarily be led by the producers and director, because they control the story, contracts and casting. In other words, Craig may have helped shape the idea, but Broccoli, Wilson and Mendes were the decision-makers responsible for explaining it to Dench. There is no evidence in the material provided of a special reason for Craig’s absence beyond that. Dench herself does not suggest a falling-out or secrecy problem. Her tone is dry and amused, and she dismisses reports that she cried. She even jokes that after years of asking to be let out from behind M’s desk, “they did finally let me out … and they shot me.” So the most credible answer is simple: Craig influenced the creative choice, but the producers and director delivered the news because it was their job, and his attendance was not necessary.

3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Nov 4

Judi Dench writes in her new memoir that Daniel Craig was "apparently" behind the decision to kill off M in Skyfall, ending her run after 20 years and 8 Bond films.
Dench says Barbara Broccoli, Michael G. Wilson and Sam Mendes told her the plot over lunch, and she rejects earlier reports that she cried when informed she would be replaced.
The claim adds to Craig's already known push to kill James Bond himself; he had said he asked producer Barbara Broccoli as early as 2006 if Bond could die at the end of his run.
The disclosure lands as the franchise nears the unveiling of its next 007, raising the bar for how a successor might reshape Bond after Craig killed both the spy and his boss.