I think it is important to not assume that this is just a lazy rehash of old ideas. One of the things that has kept Bond as the most successful movie franchise of all time ( given some very dodgy offerings in the late 70's and 80's) is the respect it continues to show to its legacy, and the Daniel Craig era did do a reboot of the series with Casino. Spectre was a creation of Ian Fleming and I, for one, am prepared to see where they take this ( as long as we get a super villains secret base :) )

I think none of us what to return to hollowed out volcanos and space stations which were ridiculous but of their time. There is still a global recession on after all. The modern global crime syndicate would be based on the pattern we are persuaded to adopt when we think about Al Qaeda and be inter connected crime families across the globe, all part of a crime collective with a titular head, the CEO of evil (Blofeld). As the whole point of this would be to amass fabulous wealth and power, this would suggest some acquisition of property across the globe, at one of which, the CEO would reside. This would be the nearest you would get to the evil HQ unless there was separation of home life and Mrs Blofeld and the kids, to the work place, which would suggest an evil office base. Not unlike the Mafia in a way. Perhaps something more along the lines of Piz Gloria in OHMSS.
This is beginning to sound like the Royal family (without the evil of course - well, except Prince Charles ! )

I'm all for keeping the legacy back to Ian Flemings Bond. It what keeps Bond from becoming another Jason Bourne lookie likey in that it has this rich history to fall back on. I am trying to not read too much of the probable story line in that it spoils the anticipation and half of it is speculative crap from journos at the moment anyhow. From what I have read, Bond receives a message that takes him back to his past which does open the doors to something like Spectre, now that Smersh has gone along with the Iron Curtain. Bond cannot be pitched against anything too real, such as Al Queda, as you have to allow the film makers to bend reality a bit otherwise it is too much like watching the news at the moment.
How about worst Bond moments? For me, Roger Moore dressed as a clown defusing a nuclear warhead inside a circus cannon in Octopussy. I watch it and cringe.

I remember seeing somewhere that they had approached the Bond team for Casino Royale, but they wanted something "more butch" at the time, which then turned into the Chris Cornell song. I do hope Alison and Will aren't discouraged and perhaps will try for Spectre. Considering how dark the film could potentially be, and given the dark stories behind Tales of Us... I don't know, it just makes perfect sense.

Woohooo!  That's exciting!  Someone is listening!  I would take Gemma's word on anything.

Been listening to a bit of Bert Kaempheart recently ( I know I can't spell it). Nice nostalgia trip...got me thinking....something a bit Lovely Headish/ Uncle Bertish with a bit of sexy trombone and cafe Latino-swing to it from the Frapp....mm mm. Could work I reckon!

Yes, can see what mean having reread that post. It comes across as a bit giddy! Fortunately, I did not clap my hands together furiously in a stereotypical manner.
I could tell you a story about the reaction from some of the audience near us when John Grant appeared on stage as a surprise at the Royal Albert Hall with GF but I had better not. :))

Well, unless your name is Shirley Bassey, who has done three; Goldfinger, Diamonds are Forever and Moonraker. Doubt it will be Adele though as her star has faded a bit. Probably still spending the proceeds of 19 & 21.
Sam Smith a possibility although this sickens me as I find him colossally overrated. (Just saying) #dontshootthemessenger ) Kate would be a fab move if GF are not asked but I doubt she would do it.