Last month, there was a Bond podcast, got to speak to the EON Productions family for a fascinating look into the inner workings of the company behind the legendary Bond franchise. Cork opened fascinating anecdotes about his career and role in the Bond universe and discussed working with the creative team behind the series. Here are some highlights from the interview:
Who is John Cork?
John Cork started his career in the film industry at the University of Southern California, studying screenwriting. His early strength included the feature film The Long Walk Home. But Cork’s career went askew when the filmmaker went on to make DVD special features, such as the making of Goldfinger and the Thunderball Phenomenon.
This was the start of his close relationship with the Bond franchise and the fact that he could take his love of telling stories and dovetail with the 007 legacy.
Getting into the Bond Universe
It was serendipitous that Cork began his journey with EON Productions. When he saw Timothy Dalton in a screening of The Long Walk Home, Barbara Broccoli’s last name in his alter ego, T. Dalton, whom he subsequently met and who put him in touch with Barbara Broccoli.
While later working in London on archival projects for the Ian Fleming Foundation, Cork had an invitation to be one of several developers of ideas for a future Bond film post Licence to Kill.
Cork remembered pitching two ideas. First, we got the rights to Casino Royale and began again at the top, in its initiality.” Everyone had pitched that idea, and their eyes glazed over.
In the 90s, he was tasked to write a character bible, ‘James Bond’ Docs, while the first pictures did not inspire a screenplay. EON would eventually make a cottage industry out of this detailed exploration of Bond’s evolving persona, which proved invaluable to cement Cork’s role as a trusted collaborator.
Pitching to EON, the Challenges
EON’s leadership, especially Michael G. Wilson and then Cork, wanted to be meticulous, Cork said.
Cork explained that Michael is an engineer and lawyer and is incredibly detail-oriented. “We are big fans, of questioning ideas, with pointed questions that take the mechanicals and feasibility of a thought to the bone.”
Life After Bond Pitches
But Cork, who did not end up with a screenwriting gig, was a central Bond player, helping with DVD special features, official books, and other projects. Cork said they trusted him; that was an incredible honor.
The Future of Bond
When asked about his hopes for the future of the franchise, Cork expressed a desire for innovation:
“I just want it to be good. It does not matter whether you are a period piece, written with a modern day sensibility, deeply serious, or even a comedy, it does not matter. I just want to see that gun barrel and feel that magic when Bond opens his mouth.”
Cork also stressed the value of new voices. “EON understands that Bond needs new voices to keep it relevant.” Otherwise, you risk making the same movie over and over again.”
Legacy and Impact
There is a lot of care involved there, says John Cork of the Bond films and the commitment of the family that runs the show, ‘and doesn’t make a big splash. His work as a historian and collaborator has made Bond’s legacy as timeless as 007.
Whether you are an old hand wanting a more robust take on the Bond world or just tuning in, Cork’s stories provide a richer sense of Bond and the fun of why we bother with the man who never quits.
Noah Lewis is a health and nutrition writer dedicated to promoting wholesome eating habits, sharing delicious recipes and tips for a balanced lifestyle.
