Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright)
Stats
Felix Leiter played by Jeffrey Wright
Born in Washington, USA on 7th December 1965
Starred in Casino Royale (2006) and Quantum of Solace (2006)
Profile
Entered into the high stakes poker game in Montenegro along with Bond, Leiter initially doesn't reveal who he is until he watches Bond for a while. It's not until Vesper Lynd refuses to provide Bond with the funds needed to buy back in, that Leiter introduces himself. Whilst Bond grabs a knife and plans to kill Le Chiffre, Leiter grabs him on a stairwell and introduces himself as a 'brother from Langley'. With him losing chips fast, Leiter suggests to Bond that the CIA will provide Bond with the money needed, on the condition that they have Le Chiffre. Bond agrees, and returns to the poker table.
When Later when Bond leaves the table in hurry after Valenka poisons his drink, Leiter is clearly worried that their plan will fall apart. Regrettably throwing in his last chips, Leiter is relieved when Bond returns to the table. After Le Chiffre is defeated, Leiter expresses his appreciation for his 'brothers' co-operation. Whilst Bond and Vesper enjoy a celebratory meal, she gets a text informing them that Leiter has made contact with Le Chiffre and the CIA will extract him by dawn.
Felix Leiter reappears in Quantum of Solace when Dominic Greene boards the private jet to discuss a deal with CIA South America chief Gregg Beam. When Greene shows Beam a picture of someone who is causing him some trouble, he asks Leiter if he knows who it is. Leiter tells him he doesn't know, to which Beam is surprised since he knew it was Bond all along and is concerned that Leiter didn't recognise him after their previous dealings.
Later Leiter and Beam attend Greene's fund raising party, but he just observes what is going on when he sees Bond leave with Camille Montes. It is not until Bond actually contacts him at the CIA Bolivian office that the pair meet up once again. Leiter tells him that they have only moments before some of Beams agents burst in, but it's enough time to tell Bond what he needs to know. M later tells Bond that Leiter has been promoted and takes Beams job.
About
It's great to see the appearance of Felix Leiter once again in the Bond series. After a 17 year gap Jeffrey Wright steps in the role played by many actors over the years. Forgetting the fact that Leiter introduces himself to Bond in Dr No, Casino Royale is the first time Bond meets him in this the 'reboot' of the series.
Seemingly quiet, with a dry sense of humour, Leiter admits not being the poker player that Bond is. While previous films have shown that Bond and Leiter become good friends, little is learnt about the relationship during Casino Royale.
In Quantum of Solace Leiter covers for Bond allowing him to get to the heart of Greene's operation. Knowing who Greene is, Leiter seems uncomfortable with his bosses eagerness do business with him. While throughout the whole film he is cool, calm and laid back, he clearly is annoyed and irritated by Beam, who later criticises him at Greene's party for cramping his style. Clearly able to handle assisting and covering for Bond where he can, he proves to be a useful ally and friend. §
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