9. John Logan
Alongside its immaculate direction, Skyfall is also one of the most intelligently-written Bond films to date, and that's largely thanks to the addition of playwright John Logan to the team. Logan has previously been nominated for Academy Awards for his work on Gladiator, The Aviator and Hugo; he's therefore clearly an Academy darling, and though getting Skyfall an Adapted Screenplay nomination would be a tall order - and it's a pretty crowded field this year anyway - Logan nevertheless deserves to be distinguished for delivering a smart script that does a huge service to both the series and to Hollywood blockbusters everywhere. Thematically potent and surprisingly emotionally resonant, Logan elevates the Bond series to new heights, ensuring the super-spy bounces back after the murky characterisation of the last film.