The talented writing duo of Robert Wade and Neal Purvis has become a staple of the Bond franchise. After penning “Casino Royale,” perhaps the best Bond movie in recent memory, they have high expectations to fulfill with Bond’s latest adventure.

With “Quantum of Solace” making its U.S. release today, I had a chance to ask Wade about the storytelling approach employed in this new release. He stressed that “Quantum of Solace” is a continuation of “Casino Royale” especially in terms of exploring Bond’s raw emotional state.

“There was no way [Bond] could just emerge from ‘Casino Royale’ and be smooth and unruffled off the bat in the next picture,” Wade commented. “Also, the concept of the next film being ‘part 2′ of ‘Casino’ was implicit early on in our development of ‘Casino Royale’ – both continuing Bond’s emotional journey, and learning more of the enemies ranged against him behind the scenes in ‘Casino Royale’.” 

So, what was the ultimate goal from day one?  “The hope was always that plot and character would develop hand in hand,” Wade said.  “Ambitious, perhaps!”

Maybe, but with the likes of Robert Wade, Neal Purvis and Paul Haggis holding the storytelling reigns, ambition is likely to translate into success.