The art of flattering sincerely
Updated on 11 July 2007
Sebastian Faulks is writing a new Bond book in homage to Ian Fleming - and he's not the only artist to pick up where someone else left off.
Between 1953 and 1966 Fleming wrote 14 Bond books - the inspiration for 21 Bond films. And now Birdsong author Sebastian Faulks is poised to resurrect Bond after being commissioned by Fleming's family.
The new book, entitled Devil May Care, will be set in the Cold War and is due to be published on 28 May 2008 - to mark the centenary of Fleming's birth.
Faulks, who like Fleming was originally a journalist, hasn't tried to innovate, or put his own stamp on the Bond brand, but rather develop "a prose that is about 80 per cent Fleming". He says he hopes Fleming would consider his efforts to have the same "cavalier spirit of his own novel."
Faulks, who like Fleming was originally a journalist, hasn't tried to innovate, or put his own stamp on the Bond brand.
100 million Bond books have been sold since Casino Royale was first published in 1953. Whether Faulks can imitate the same level of popularity remains to be seen.
Faulks isn't alone in paying homage to Bond. Official Bond novelists include Kingsley Amis in the 1960s, John Gardner in the 1980s and Raymond Benson in the 1990s. Most recently Fast Show comedian Charlie Higson wrote the Young Bond books, imagining the action hero's early years.
Here are five other homages to keep you on your toes:
1. Frank Herbert's Dune
The scientific novel published in 1965 spawned five sequels written by Herbert, and inspired a 1984 film adaptation by David Lynch.
Following Herbert's death, his son and Kevin J Anderson took on the mantle, co-writing a series of prequels and sequels. Like many things sci-fi, there's a considerable online community in constant debate over these latter-day efforts. For more click here.
In a different vein, the year the film Dune was released, a parody - National Lampoon's Doon - written by Ellis Weiner, came out.
2. The Smiths
Many bands have played in homage to this iconic Manchester band. But Gene take the prize for following them to the letter in all but their name.
Gene's singer, Martin Rossiter, appeared to model himself on Morrissey - famed for his quiff, his miserably amusing lyrics and his unique style of singing. Formed in 1993, the quartet gathered a following of their own, but never quite escaped their Smiths connotations.
3. Alien
The 1979 horror film directed by Ridley Scott was a box office smash. A Hollywood franchise followed with three official sequels and a host of literature, video games and merchandise into the bargain.
Ellen Ripley, played by Sigourney Weaver, and her relationship with the aliens, became the central character in the films. But this was about the only constant - each film had a different director.
The sequel, Aliens, which came out in 1986, was directed by James Cameron; Aliens3, 1992, was directed by David Fincher; and Alien: Resurrection was directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet.
4. Edward Hopper
The American printmaker and painter (1882 - 1967) has been the inspiration for many artists, film makers, writers and pop culture in general.
His evocative paintings - like Nighthawks, painted in 1942 - highlighted a sense of isolation in inner city areas, and his landscapes portrayed Hopper's belief that man was only at one with himself in nature.
But one painter has created his own oeuvre seemingly based on the work of the New York born artist: Scottish painter Jack Vettriano.
Critics have often panned Vettriano - born in 1951, when Hopper was producing some of his most celebrated works - for being a "poor man's Hopper".
His paintings, like The Singing Butler, are filled with a romantic sentiment devoid of much substance. But his bank will not be complaining; according to The Guardian, he earns £500,000 a year in print royalties.
5. Of mash-ups and spin-offs
And finally, some homages cross genre. Many film makers have paid homage to writers by basing films on the plots of books, often placing the plots in different settings.
In this vein 1964's musical hit My Fair Lady - which started life as a Broadway show - starring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison, was based on George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion.
And 1995's comedy hit Clueless, set in a modern day American high school (where air head Alicia Silverstone haplessly attempts to organise the lovelife of new protégé Brittany Murphy) is based on Jane Austen's Emma, published in 1815.
This film in turn created its own spin-off series and books - though some might call this 'cashing in' rather than homage.
And, in spin-off vein, Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys pays homage to Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. It imagines the life of Rochester and his first wife (the one who goes mad and is held in the tower) in the Caribbean.
But, in the end, as neo-classical borrower-composer Stravinsky famously said: "Lesser artists borrow, great artists steal" and despite some noses being put out of joint, the world is often a richer place for it.
