It makes sense in the context of Craig's two films. Recall that in QoS Felix was promoted to head of the South American division (or whatever they called it). Now unless Bond is in South America in the next film, it seems unlikely he'd run into Felix again.
Leiter's appearance in QoS was already pretty contrived. Bond got there because he followed leads from Le Chiffre, Vesper and Mr. White. What the hell did Leiter randomly do there?
I liked Wright as Felix, but I don't see why the film needs Felix every time. It'd be nice if he comes back in the one after next, or even the one after that, rather than is recast, but I don't have a problem with him not being in it. Be a bigger thing if Dench wasn't back!
Seems Bond will not be going to India after all. http://www.darkhorizons.com/news/21890/bond-23-cancels-plans-to-film-in-india
Why would recasting Leiter be an issue? Has no one seen any Bond movies prior to Casino Royale? It was in fact breaking the rules to have the same actor twice in a row. By rights the Leiter in QoS should have been played by someone completely different from Jeffrey Wright. Sort of reminds me how there were some people who couldn't imagine how Doctor Who was going to survive when Christopher Eccleston left, forgetting it had happened many times before. In any event, not a big loss. One of my few actual complaints about QoS was they made Leiter a stereotypical "shady agent who may or may not be a good guy" which frankly has been done so much in spy series and movies over the last decade or so it's become a cliche. Time for Leiter to be given a rest and come back in a couple films played by a different actor (nothing against Jeffrey Wright, but them's the rules; Wright is welcome to come back in 17 years like David Hedison did! ). Not overly concerned about them not filming in India. They'd been there already with Octopussy. I'd rather they pick a location they haven't used before. I don't think they've ever done anything in China proper, or Australia, and they're long overdue to come to Canada. Alex
^ As has already been pointed out, there's nothing to suggest Wright is being replaced, he's merely sitting this one out by the looks of it. And I don't agree that just because there was no continuity or consistency with the character in the past, it means they can do the same this time around. Sure, it's not a deal-breaker but some of us like a bit of continuity in our movies. As for the location, yeah, I'm not bothered either way. But I wouldn't rule out a country just because they've gone there before. I mean, after 22 globe-trotting movies, they're going to start running out of places soon. And somehow I can't imagine that even had this movie been filmed in India, it would have been mistaken for Octopussy.
I seem to recall that their backup plan if India fell through was South America. Now whether that means the film could potentially take place in South America, or if it'd merely be standing in for another country, I don't know. However if they do have Bond end up going to South America, that is the way they could work Leiter into the story, since as pointed out above, he's now the head of the South American Branch.
To be honest after I posted I went back and checked because I suddenly had a paranoid thought that I'd got it wrong!
Well, he's not going to India or South America, but he is going somewhere he's been before, in the opening credits anyway http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=82692
That's interesting. Istanbul is true for sure, I've known about that for a while. Still too early to know if it will be used for the teaser.
New Bond girl may have been cast...along with some speculation as to the roll she might be playing. http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/09/29/bond-girl-found-bernice-marlohe-to-join-bond-23/
Indeed but until we DO know what the film is called or what the plot is, all we have at this point is speculation.
The plot will have Bond travel the world to stop a megalomaniac from acting on a evil scheme. During his adventure, Bond will get a briefing from M, preform some spectacular stunts, and will team-up with a woman who he will romance in addition to others. In the end, Bond will return.