James Bond

When 007 Dabbles in Archaeology: The Bizarre 80s Bond Script!

Ever wondered what an Indiana Jones-style James Bond film would look like? The unreleased 1980s scripts are here to tickle your imagination!

As fans eagerly awaited a revitalization of the legendary 007 franchise following Roger Moore's departure, a fascinating script emerged in the 1980s that veered astonishingly close to the realm of Indiana Jones. With adventure, treasure, and archaeological intrigue at its core, this unmade film promised a world where Bond would ditch his usual smooth-talking espionage antics for ancient relic-hunting escapades. Imagine our suave spy swinging from ropes, dodging booby traps, and deciphering ancient scripts—definitely a departure from the usual high-tech gadgets and tuxedo-clad charm!

The plot was reportedly centered around Bond searching for a lost artifact steeped in mystique and danger. Far removed from his typical world of government-powered covert operations and glamorous casinos, Bond was akin to an action-hero archaeologist. With fantasy elements that played directly into the wild, treasure-hunting spirit of Indiana Jones, one could almost picture Harrison Ford trading in his fedora for a 007 badge! It’s fascinating to imagine how different the Bond franchise could have looked had they embraced this more adventurous narrative.

Interestingly, this script isn’t the only time the iconic character has hinted at straying from the spy genre. Throughout the years, the Bond series has experimented with different tones, introducing comedic elements, science fiction themes, and even supernatural undertones. However, none strayed as close to adventure-quest storytelling as this proposed 1980s gem. In an era when action films were becoming bigger and bolder, the Bond franchise appeared ready to flip the script and ride that wave of archaeologically themed excitement.

Ultimately, the project went the way of many unmade films, left to collect dust in a vault. The reasons? Creative differences, changing times, and maybe a pinch of disbelief from producers who weren’t ready to embrace a ‘treasure-hunting’ Bond. That said, it's a delightful rabbit hole to dive into—what if Bond had teamed up with the likes of Marion Ravenwood? How many adventurers would have flocked to watch Bond exchange witticisms over globetrotting thrills?

Fun Fact: Paul McCartneys legendary song “Live and Let Die” was also a groundbreaking foray into the Bond music domain, transitioning into the 70s and jazzing things up right before this era began!

Another interesting tidbit is that while multiple scripts were penned for 007’s adventures, it was the unique blend of high-stakes spy thrillers and innovative storytelling that kept audiences captivated—from Sean Connery to Daniel Craig. Take that, Indiana Jones!