396 replies to this topic

[Harmsway]

It goes without saying that one of the most-talked about things regarding QoS has been the choice of director Marc Forster, who is the first director to take on the Bond films that carried with him a certain artistic pedigree and a level of critical acclaim. In some ways, he's a director's director, with films like MONSTER'S BALL, FINDING NEVERLAND, STRANGER THAN FICTION, and THE KITE RUNNER under his belt. Upon his announcement, one news article rather snobbishly declared, "This guy's too good for Bond."

Many of us noted the pretty dramatic change in directors this signalled for the franchise. Now that EON has established that they're in the market for directors who are artists, not the typical workhorse directors of the franchise. Now they can't really go back to hiring John Glens or Roger Spottiswoodes, now can they? So who does EON go for next?

Obviously someone with some clout and critical acclaim, but I doubt EON will be looking at the huge names. I don't think we'll see Steven Spielberg or Ridley Scott doing an EON Bond film... they have busy schedules, plenty of projects of their own, and probably would want complete control, rather than having to collaborate with EON. So we're looking for directors with artistic credibility but still below the top tier.

The one suggestion that comes off the top of my head is Stephen Frears (THE QUEEN). He was already on board with JINX, and that's enough to get his hat into the ring for a future Bond film.

[DamnCoffee]

I must say I wouldn't mind to see Frears directing a Bond Movie. I also wouldn't mind seeing Christopher Nolan either!

[Orion]

id love Christopher Nolan to direct a Bond film

[Vauxhall]

I wonder if Roger Michell would be asked again having turned down BOND 22 (as it was then known). I would still love to see Steven Spielberg have a crack - he's made known in the past that he would jump at the opportunity, but I think that the problems listed by Harmsway are likely to count against him.

[Harmsway]

I know fans are hot on Christopher Nolan, but honestly, I think he's not one of the more viable choices. He's very unlikely to do it. He is a Bond fan, but given that he's already wrapped up in the Batman franchise, I can't see him taking on another one.

As far as Michell? I don't know... given that things fell through once, I don't know that either party would naturally come back to the other. Michell actually said he was only really doing it as a favor to Craig, but I suppose it is possible.

[00Twelve]

I think EON will be aiming much higher, in terms of directors who have proven themselves capable of handling character pieces-- provided QOS comes off as well as it's looking like it's going to. I'd start thinking about directors that Craig would like to work with, as well as ones that have done great films lately, but don't have a huge cult following (Coens, Spielberg, Scott). I'm pretty anxious myself to see where the trail leads after Forster.

[DamnCoffee]

What about Matthew Vaughn? L4YER CAKE was a fantastic movie. This was actually the first Craig film I saw after he got the role of Bond. I'll always have a soft spot for it. Matthew Vaughn too. He managed to get the humour and grittiness just perfect in L4YER CAKE. I'd love to see him have a crack at Bond.

[Orion]

What about Matthew Vaughn? L4YER CAKE was a fantastic movie. This was actually the first Craig film I saw after he got the role of Bond. I'll always have a soft spot for it. Matthew Vaughn too. He managed to get the humour and grittiness just perfect in L4YER CAKE. I'd love to see him have a crack at Bond.

wasn't he rumored to be in contention for Casino Royale?

[Qwerty]

What about Matthew Vaughn? L4YER CAKE was a fantastic movie. This was actually the first Craig film I saw after he got the role of Bond. I'll always have a soft spot for it. Matthew Vaughn too. He managed to get the humour and grittiness just perfect in L4YER CAKE. I'd love to see him have a crack at Bond.

I'd be interested in him as a contender.

[plankattack]

What about Matthew Vaughn? L4YER CAKE was a fantastic movie. This was actually the first Craig film I saw after he got the role of Bond. I'll always have a soft spot for it. Matthew Vaughn too. He managed to get the humour and grittiness just perfect in L4YER CAKE. I'd love to see him have a crack at Bond.

Agreed. How about Danny Boyle? "Sunshine" showed that he can direct a large-scale film (with an albeit "small" budget compared to standard blockbusters). He's directed films from original screenplays and screenplays based on novels, and his resume has a nice variety to it. Earlier work - "Shallow Grave" and "Trainspotting" show that he is adept at marrying plot with pacing. And, unlike say Nolan, he's not been near a franchise.

[Single-O-Seven]

Vaughan was also rumoured for Bond 22. He'd be good, so I could see him being approached one day. Isn't he doing the Man From UNCLE film?
Maybe Nolan won't do Bond, but I'd love it if he did.

[HH007]

I could see Vaughn doing it. David Fincher actually expressed interest in doing a Bond film when Brosnan came on board, but that EON wanted too much control. Tarantino wanted to do "his version" of CR, but they said no so he's all pissy. John Woo could make a kick Bond film... but I don't know... why don't we play it by ear and let them surprise us... just so long as they don't surprise us with Uwe Boll!

[Royal Dalton]

The one suggestion that comes off the top of my head is Stephen Frears (THE QUEEN). He was already on board with JINX, and that's enough to get his hat into the ring for a future Bond film.

Frears is just another Michael Apted.

[Harmsway]

What about Matthew Vaughn? L4YER CAKE was a fantastic movie. This was actually the first Craig film I saw after he got the role of Bond. I'll always have a soft spot for it. Matthew Vaughn too. He managed to get the humour and grittiness just perfect in L4YER CAKE. I'd love to see him have a crack at Bond.

I'd love him to do Bond (he has a good sense of style), but I don't know that he really has the resume yet that EON would be confident to hand it over him.

Broccoli, when asked why they hired Forster, answered, "Because he's one of the best directors around today." I think they'll be looking someone they can claim the same thing about for BOND 23, and I don't think Vaughn quite fits that mold. He's not really a director with "art cred," at least, not yet.

[dinovelvet]

What about Paul Haggis? He indicated he'd been asked by EON to direct QoS a while back, but turned it down. Maybe next time he'd be up for it.

Otherwise, Sam Mendes? British, has a connection to Daniel Craig via Road to Perdition, is an Oscar-quality "name" director, has a good visual eye, I think he'd be perfect.

[Single-O-Seven]

If Spielberg doesn't want it they could always ask his non-unionised Mexican equivalent, Senor Spielbergo.

[Harmsway]

I think EON will be aiming much higher, in terms of directors who have proven themselves capable of handling character pieces-- provided QOS comes off as well as it's looking like it's going to. I'd start thinking about directors that Craig would like to work with, as well as ones that have done great films lately, but don't have a huge cult following (Coens, Spielberg, Scott). I'm pretty anxious myself to see where the trail leads after Forster.

Interesting theory. One does really wonder whether they could get the Coens, or Spielberg, or Scott. All of the above has an insane amount of projects lined up at any one moment, and it would probably take some real incentive for them to drop what they're doing and work on Bond.

What does play in Spielberg's and Scott's favor is the fact that both are very big Bond fans. Between the two, I'd rather see Scott. He's got a more "British" edge to his filmmaking, and his films are always so elegant.

The one suggestion that comes off the top of my head is Stephen Frears (THE QUEEN). He was already on board with JINX, and that's enough to get his hat into the ring for a future Bond film.

Frears is just another Michael Apted.

I actually agree, but I was simply suggesting that he's a possibility.

[00Twelve]

I think EON will be aiming much higher, in terms of directors who have proven themselves capable of handling character pieces-- provided QOS comes off as well as it's looking like it's going to. I'd start thinking about directors that Craig would like to work with, as well as ones that have done great films lately, but don't have a huge cult following (Coens, Spielberg, Scott). I'm pretty anxious myself to see where the trail leads after Forster.

Interesting theory. One does really wonder whether they could get the Coens, or Spielberg, or Scott. All of the above has an insane amount of projects lined up at any one moment, and it would probably take some real incentive for them to drop what they're doing and work on Bond.

What does play in Spielberg's and Scott's favor is the fact that both are very big Bond fans. Between the two, I'd rather see Scott. He's got a more "British" edge to his filmmaking, and his films are always so elegant.

Oh, no, sorry, Harms...I meant those guys as the ones who do have their own cult following, and so wouldn't be pursued.

[Harmsway]

What about Paul Haggis? He indicated he'd been asked by EON to direct QoS a while back, but turned it down. Maybe next time he'd be up for it.

Otherwise, Sam Mendes? British, has a connection to Daniel Craig via Road to Perdition, is an Oscar-quality "name" director, has a good visual eye, I think he'd be perfect.

That's what I'm talking about, dino. Those are exactly the kind of choices that I think are the market for BOND 23 and onwards, and I'm surprised I didn't think of them off the top of my head (seriously, how did I forget that Haggis was offered QoS?).

Sam Mendes in particular is a rather promising suggestion, one that I really, really like. A very capable director (ROAD TO PERDITION is fantastic, after all), and he's definitely in the Marc Forster category of an artist director who isn't a huge name.

Oh, no, sorry, Harms...I meant those guys as the ones who do have their own cult following, and so wouldn't be pursued.

My fault. I speed-read your post. But now that I read it, your thoughts exactly echo my own. Who has done great films in the past.

Dino's suggestion of Sam Mendes really is a great one (Mendes was even a producer on Forster's latest film, THE KITE RUNNER).

[Loomis]

Where's crashdrive on this thread?

Fernando Meirelles (CITY OF GOD, THE CONSTANT GARDENER) is exactly the sort of name I'd suggest for the post-Forster franchise (and it may well be that he was considered for QUANTUM OF SOLACE), but he may (or may not) be directing the new Jack Ryan flick (which shows Paramount is thinking along the same lines as Eon when it comes to choosing directors who'll add a bit of prestige to well-worn franchises). I doubt he'd do Bond after Ryan.

Phillip Noyce seems a strong possibility. The CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER director was apparently in the frame for DIE ANOTHER DAY. Funnily enough, it's only after the double critics' darling whammy of RABBIT-PROOF FENCE and THE QUIET AMERICAN that he has the artistic kudos appropriate for the "post-Forster franchise".

Sofia Coppola might be in the running. Yes, you're laughing now, but, remember, there was a time not so long ago when we'd have laughed if someone had claimed Paul Haggis had been offered the Bond director's chair. "First female director of a Bond movie" would be a strong selling point for the film (not that Bond needs selling-point directors, exactly, but the series will always need things to keep it fresh and interesting), and a distinction for the director in question (maybe Kathryn Bigelow is another name to consider). And I imagine that Barbara Broccoli and Coppola might have a lot in common and get on well.

Since Eon seems to be looking beyond Britain and the Commonwealth, people like the South Koreans Je-gyu Kang (the very Bond-on-a-budget SWIRI) and Chan-wook Park (the DMZ-set thriller J.S.A.: JOINT SECURITY AREA and the amazingly stylish OLDBOY) might be seen as the Forsters of the Far East.

Time was when you could accurately predict future Bond directors, and people on this forum did just that. Nowadays, well, to quote Tony Blair, the rules of the game have changed. And it's an exciting time.

[Royal Dalton]

I actually agree, but I was simply suggesting that he's a possibility.

Fair enough.

I wouldn't mind Frears doing a Bond film. But if we're really thinking outside the box:

Albert R. Broccoli's Eon Productions
Present

Daniel Craig
as
James Bond OO7
in
Ian Fleming's

"RISICO"

Directed by Peter Greenaway

[Harmsway]

Fernando Meirelles (CITY OF GOD, THE CONSTANT GARDENER) is exactly the sort of name I'd suggest for the post-Forster franchise (and it may well be that he was considered for QUANTUM OF SOLACE), but he may (or may not) be directing the new Jack Ryan flick (which shows Paramount is thinking along the same lines as Eon when it comes to choosing directors who'll add a bit of prestige to well-worn franchises). I doubt he'd do Bond after Ryan.

He's a good name. I hope the Ryan thing falls through so he could do a Bond film in the future.

Phillip Noyce seems a strong possibility. The CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER director was apparently in the frame for DIE ANOTHER DAY. Funnily enough, it's only after the double critics' darling whammy of RABBIT-PROOF FENCE and THE QUIET AMERICAN that he has the artistic kudos appropriate for the "post-Forster franchise".

Also agreed. So he's definitely a potential, and has been for a while.

Sofia Coppola might be in the running.

Lord, I hope not. I wouldn't want her near the Bond franchise, well, ever. I haven't liked a single one of her films, and nothing about her style makes me think she's right for James Bond... unless we want Bond to become a slow-moving film with lots of dead time.

Since Eon seems to be looking beyond Britain and the Commonwealth, people like the South Koreans Je-gyu Kang (the very Bond-on-a-budget SWIRI) and Chan-wook Park (the DMZ-set thriller J.S.A.: JOINT SECURITY AREA and the amazingly stylish OLDBOY) might be seen as the Forsters of the Far East.

Time was when you could accurately predict future Bond directors, and people on this forum did just that. Nowadays, well, to quote Tony Blair, the rules of the game have changed. And it's an exciting time.

Potential choices, though I do wonder whether EON will go to an Asian director just yet. Maybe, though. As you say, there doesn't seem to be rules for this kind of thing anymore.

Some more suggestions?

Alexander Payne (ELECTION, ABOUT SCHMIDT, and SIDEWAYS) has the cred down, and he doesn't seem to be adverse to popular entertainment, either (he did very early script work on JURASSIC PARK III and I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRY). Seems like he's in the general area.

Now, here's another very interesting possibility: Peter Weir (WITNESS, DEAD POET'S SOCIETY, MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD). Another director with a phenomenal reputation. I'd be interested in seeing him tackle a Bond film.

[Loomis]

Fernando Meirelles (CITY OF GOD, THE CONSTANT GARDENER) is exactly the sort of name I'd suggest for the post-Forster franchise (and it may well be that he was considered for QUANTUM OF SOLACE), but he may (or may not) be directing the new Jack Ryan flick (which shows Paramount is thinking along the same lines as Eon when it comes to choosing directors who'll add a bit of prestige to well-worn franchises). I doubt he'd do Bond after Ryan.

He's a good name. I hope the Ryan thing falls through so he could do a Bond film in the future.

I actually hope he does Ryan - I'd like a reason to see BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY.

Sofia Coppola might be in the running.

Lord, I hope not. I wouldn't want her near the Bond franchise, well, ever. I haven't liked a single one of her films, and nothing about her style makes me think she's right for James Bond... unless we want Bond to become a slow-moving film with lots of dead time.

One thing's for sure: bye bye David Arnold and hello strange soundtrack featuring lots of trendy new bands mixed with old faves from "alternative" acts like The Cure, My Bloody Valentine and New Order.

I'd welcome the Coppola of LOST IN TRANSLATION (one of my favourite films), but not the Coppola of MARIE ANTOINETTE (which I happen to find pretty awful). THE VIRGIN SUICIDES I haven't seen. As you say of Payne, Harmsway, I think she's in the general area, which is my main point. I'm not trying to say she'd be the best person for the job, necessarily.

Of female directors, who might be more likely choices than Coppola?

ETA: Weir had crossed my mind, but he seems to me the rich man's Phillip Noyce and thus just slightly out of Bond's league, even the post-Forster Bond's league. I feel the same way about Mendes. Perhaps with truly brilliant scripts.... but I doubt that those guys would be tempted by Bond.

[coco1997]

If Spielberg doesn't want it they could always ask his non-unionised Mexican equivalent, Senor Spielbergo.

LOL, I seriously hope I'm not the only one who got that joke.

[Harmsway]

ETA: Weir had crossed my mind, but he seems to me the rich man's Phillip Noyce and thus just slightly out of Bond's league, even the post-Forster Bond's league. I feel the same way about Mendes. Perhaps with truly brilliant scripts.... but I doubt that those guys would be tempted by Bond.

These choices strike me as more plausible than Sofia Coppola, and if EON is really going to aim higher than Forster from now on, they're the kind of directors EON would be looking at.

But I do think Weir and, to a lesser extent, Mendes are unlikely. Their interest in the project would likely hinge on their love of James Bond. If they have any, and the script is good enough, they might be willing to come on board. If not, well nothing EON does will entice them. But I do think, say, Alexander Payne or Fernando Meirelles is closer to the kind of director likely to tackle a future Bond film.

But Mendes and Weir are certainly not any bigger than Ridley Scott, and I do think Ridley Scott could be convinced to do a Bond film (on a purely theoretical level, since I don't think EON would be willing to sacrifice the control necessary to get him on board), but given his love for the Bond character, if EON chose to pursue him and offer him the control he wanted, I think EON would be able to manage it.

[Loomis]

if EON is really going to aim higher than Forster from now on, they're the kind of directors EON would be looking at.

I doubt that Eon will aim higher. Forster and his ilk are high enough.

I don't see Payne as a likely choice. The director of SIDEWAYS may be happy to do on-the-side script work on JURASSIC PARK III, but when it comes to directing he strikes me as a little like Paul Haggis, who was willing to write a Bond film but not direct one.

This female directors question interests me, though. Anyone with any suggestions? Coppola still seems to me the most plausible of the bunch, although that may be due to the fact that female directors, as female directors will readily tell you, are under-represented in the industry.

[Harmsway]

if EON is really going to aim higher than Forster from now on, they're the kind of directors EON would be looking at.

I doubt that Eon will aim higher. Forster and his ilk are high enough.

Very true.

I don't see Payne as a likely choice. The director of SIDEWAYS may be happy to do on-the-side script work on JURASSIC PARK III, but when it comes to directing he strikes me as a little like Paul Haggis, who was willing to write a Bond film but not direct one.

I don't think the question of Haggis directing a Bond film is entirely resolved as far as the future is concerned, but fair enough. I do think with these "artist" directors, that's going to be the general feeling, though (would anyone have thought that Forster would have any desire to do Bond?). It all depends on the individual director's interest level in Bond is, and that's going to vary.

And for that matter, I don't really think Noyce would make a likely Forster follow-up, either. One of the defining things about Forster is that he's a very fresh, hot, and exciting choice. Despite Noyce's past few critically well-received films and decent resume, there's nothing particularly hot or exciting about him today. I could have seen him hired before Forster, but after? I don't know.

This female directors question interests me, though. Anyone with any suggestions?

I can't really think of any.

Coppola still seems to me the most plausible of the bunch, although that may be due to the fact that female directors, as female directors will readily tell you, are under-represented in the industry.

If Coppola's the most likely choice, I doubt any female director will touch Bond. I don't particularly think Coppola's likely at all. She's too "indie" for a Bond director, and I don't think she has demonstrated enough versatility that EON's going to gravitate towards her.

[Agent 76]

I always wonder what a Bond movie would be like, being directed by Phillip Noyce.

[Loomis]

One of the defining things about Forster is that he's a very fresh, hot, and exciting choice.

Good point. I mean, he's younger than Craig, isn't he? And agreed about Noyce being something of a - to put it impolitely - has-been. I mean, I do think he'd be good (and it would appear that Eon thought the same only recently), but if Eon is looking for "fresh and hot" then he'll probably be left on the shelf.

Perhaps Forster will stay on for BOND 23, or Haggis will finally be persuaded to direct.

[tdalton]

I'd love to see Sydney Pollack get a chance at a Bond film. The Interpreter was, IMO, a fantastic thriller and a Bond film in that style certainly wouldn't be a bad thing. Other directors I wouldn't mind seeing at the helm of a Bond film would include Sean Penn (will never happen, but he is, IMO, a truly gifted director), Michael Mann, and Johnathan Demme.