Born in London, Jeffrey Caine was educated at the Universities of Sussex and Leeds. He taught English in schools and colleges for three years before becoming a professional writer. After writing mainly for television between 1986 and 1992, during which period his own series "The Chief" was successfully produced, he concentrated on screenplays. His Hollywood breakthrough came in 1995 when he worked on the script for Pierce Brosnan's debut outing as James Bond in 1995's "GoldenEye". Following his success with 007, Caine wrote the award-winning film "Inside I'm Dancing" (2004) and was nominated for an Academy Award for his adaptation of "The Constant Gardener" (2005). MI6 recently caught up with Jeffrey Caine to talk about his work on bringing Bond back to the big screen after a six year hiatus.

How did you get started in the industry? Did you always aspire to work in the film industry?
I started on a soap opera, and lucky to get it. Don’t ask which one. I did quite a bit of television before moving over to film.

How did you get offered the "GoldenEye" job and what specifically about James Bond attracted you to the project?
I’d previously written two scripts for Barbara Broccoli: an original and an adaptation. She liked my work. What attracted me to the project was that it was not only a “go” movie but also a chance to become involved with an iconic franchise and so become a small part of film history.

Is it correct that you took over an early draft from Michael France for "GoldenEye"?
Yes. I was given France’s script and asked to keep the premise but rewrite the rest substantially.

Was Pierce Brosnan officially onboard as 007 when you took on the job?
The producers were considering Pierce among others but had no Bond firmly in mind when I was hired. Before writing the screenplay I pitched the story to Pierce (among others). He was attached by the time I started to write.

What key aspects of your Goldeneye screenplay can we see on screen?
The screenplay speaks largely with my “voice”, though one or two things I was fond of disappeared during filming. Martin Campbell removed, without consulting me, one scene that I think would have been an archetypal Bondian moment.

How long did you work on the project?
Three weeks’ story preparation in L.A., a further two or three in London; then a couple of months on the two drafts before I was replaced.

Did you collaborate with anyone on the "GoldenEye" project? Did Kevin Wade come on after you had completed your work?
Writers don’t collaborate on films unless they’re a writing partnership. You write, you’re replaced at the studio’s whim like last year’s shoes, you have no contact with whoever succeeds you. Yes, I think Kevin was the shoe they tried on next.

What is your fondest memory from working on the James Bond series?
The story meetings, which my late wife attended and to which she contributed.

Once films are in production, how much involvement do you have with the execution of your work?
Usually very little. Directors don’t generally welcome screenwriters on the set. We’re an inhibiting presence. Goldeneye was a special case: I didn’t even visit that set. My wife was ill and I couldn’t leave her.

How did you come to work on the Constant Gardner, how long and difficult a story was it to adapt?
I had the good luck of knowing someone involved. In this case, the producer’s script editor, whom I’d worked with years before. She put me on the short list. It wasn’t an easy adaptation, but they’re the best kind: a professional challenge, room to add my own voice.

As a screenwriter do you sometimes feel apprehension when handing over a particular script to a director?
Almost always. Some directors are more respectful than others, some know more than others. I recently wrote a screenplay for Lord Attenborough, who is demanding but worth the trouble. He knows what he’s doing and he respects the writer. Ditto Mike Newell.