20 Things You Didn't Know About SPECTRE (2015)

13. Dangerously Close To The Truth

Spectre Drill Torture
MGM/Sony Pictures

Becoming unwittingly entangled with James Bond in the Austrian Alps, psychiatrist Dr. Madeleine Swann accompanies him to L’Américain, a hotel in Tangier that her parents used to visit. However, Madeleine does not trust Double-0 Seven; becoming increasingly despondent, she gets drunk and compares Bond to her assassin father, Mr White, describing him as a liar and a killer.

This scene mimicked Léa Seydoux’s initial screen test: the French actress drank some alcohol to quell her nerves, but forgot some of her lines. Understandably embarrassed, she asked for an opportunity to come back another day to complete her screen test, which was granted.

The reason for this was that, having cast Bérénice Lim Marlohe - a relatively inexperienced actress - as Sévérine in SkyFall, director Sir Sam Mendes wanted an experienced actress for the important role of Madeleine and had his heart set on casting Léa Seydoux.

She will return as Madeleine Swann in No Time To Die.

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I started writing for WhatCulture in July 2020. I have always enjoyed reading and writing. I have contributed to several short story competitions and I have occasionally been fortunate enough to have my work published. During the COVID-19 lockdown, I also started reviewing films on my Facebook page. Numerous friends and contacts suggested that I should start my own website for reviewing films, but I wanted something a bit more diverse - and so here I am! My interests focus on film and television mainly, but I also occasionally produce articles that venture into other areas as well. In particular, I am a fan of the under appreciated sequel (of which there are many), but I also like the classics and the mainstream too.