Before i begin, i just want to mention that some of the character descriptions don't describe the original characters, but rather a new, reimagined version of them to fit with the post-Casino Royale era.
PLOT
When Quantum schedules a violent takeover of numerous criminal organizations within europe, a turf war so violent and bloody begins, that MI6 has to intervene. James Bond tries to track the new head of Quantum operations, Emilio Largo, but fails and is treated by the French mob, who makes a deal with Bond in light of the consequences. Bond travels through Europe, hot on Largo and Quantum's trail, and learns that with every war comes the consequences...
THE CAST
James Bond 007 - Tom Hardy
The legendary Agent 007, now out to finally stop Quantum after their long ongoing struggle.
Why: Hardy is a great actor and is slowly becoming more and more of a bad-ass, i really hope maybe in a couple of years he'd really cement his status as an action star because he has a lot of potential in that department. I really think Hardy is the right man to take the reigns from Craig though, not just in generating the current Bond just as well but also bringing something new to the table.
Others i Considered: Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Idris Elba
M - Ralph Fiennes
The head of MI6 and Bond's "Boss", so to speak.
Why: There have been rumors running around that Fiennes will replace Judi Dench's character as the new M, and i don't see why not. He is a very prolific actor and would be a fantastic M (plus, the banter between him and Hardy could be priceless).
Others i Considered: None
Emilio Largo - Edgar Ramirez
Quantum's new head of operations, and Mr. White's replacement. A rather hot-tempered man who thinks that Quantum should become more aggressive and upfront, leading the takeover of the European underworld.
Why: Edgar was fantastic in Carlos and can bring both the motivation and the intensity to the role to make Largo really stand out from all the other Bond villains.
Others i Considered: Christopher Meloni, Benicio Del-Toro.
Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo - Melanie Laurent
The daughter of the french crime family's leader and an Italian Woman (hence her last name), Teresa has experienced the pain of being associated with men in her father's position after losing her husband and baby in a car bomb.
She takes care of Bond when he is brought in to their headquarters and after her father is murdered himself, considers killing herself, losing everything in the world that mattered to her. Bond takes her under his wing and trains her, with vengeance being her only motivation to live untill she and Bond deeply fall for each other.
Why: Laurent can play both a very emotional role and as Inglorious Basterds shown, could also be a bad-ass. Bringing the fight into French territory brings the opportunity to cast a lot of promising and veteran French actors, and Laurent seems to be catching on
Others i Considered: Cote De Pablo and Clemence Posey
Q - Ben Whishaw
Bond's armourer and part-time comic relief.
Why: I am pretty stoked to see how Whishaw pulls off Q, his performance seems pretty promising and i think he can really become a trademark of this version of Bond.
Miss Moneypenny - Kelly Reilly
M's personal assistant and secretary.
Why: Reilly is pretty high-profile in the UK, and except from having the acting chops for the role, she also has just the right look for Miss Moneypenny, very Official and tidy but still sexy.
Others i Considered: Anna Friel, Billie Piper, Karen Gillan and Jessica Chastain
Felix Leiter - Jeffrey Wright
A close friend of Bond and his
Why: Not really anything to explain, he's a fantastic actor and already was Leiter in the previous Craig-era Bond films.
Others i Considered: None
Marc-Ange Draco - Jean Reno
The leader of a french crime family, who helps Bond recuperate after his failure at the hands of Emilio Largo. Later on is killed by Largo, which almost causes his daughter to drown herself, having lost everything in the world.
Why: Do i even need to elaborate? It's Jean Reno-The Professional himself and a man who was thousands of imposing criminals and mob bosses both in english and french spoken releases-playing a mob boss.
Others i Considered: None
Mr. White - Jesper Christensen
A high-ranking representative of Quantum, who is killed early on because of his capture by Bond and MI6.
Why: Christensen is a great actor and his character was never really tied, so an end to his character thread would be nice (if that won't come already in Skyfall).
Others i Considered: None
Bill Tanner - Rory Kinnear
M's Chief of staff and a close friend of James within MI6.
Why: Another no-brainer choice, seeing how Kinnear already played him in Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace.
Others i Considered: None
Number 1# - Ernst S. Blofeld
The head of Quantum, a man shrouded in mystery who his known for his cold demeanor and disconcern for human life.
Choice 1# - Mark Strong
Why: Strong has been pretty typecast as villains in the last few years, but he's a good actor and looks like the original description of Blofeld in the books (raven-haired, muscular and very physically intimidating). And come on, if Mark Strong already gets yet another villain role, why not make it worth and give him one of the most iconic villains on cinema?
Choice 2# - Peter Stormare
Why: Stormare is a veteran when it comes to playing bad-guys, and can bring out a very intense streak that would contrast the calmer Donald Pleasance-Charles Gray performances.
Choice 3# - Michael Nyqvist
Why: A rather new name to american cinema, i think he can make Blofeld less of an outright villain and more of a businessman. Plus, he can generate the emotionless, calculating demeanor from the old Blofeld, but still maintain a very serious character.