40 replies to this topic

[Vauxhall]

Now on the CBn main page...

Roger Michell Discusses Why He Turned Down 'Bond 22'

'The film was due to start shooting in January...'

There was an interview with Roger Michell in the Metro newspaper in the UK yesterday discussing the movie VENUS which he is directing. He also discussed why he didn't end up being the director of BOND 22. Here are the relevant quotes:

"I got into a bit of a panic at the prospect. At that time, the film was due to start shooting in January, and I just felt this terrible pressure of scrambling to get a script together with the clock ticking. To go into a film like James Bond when you don't really know what's happening would be a recipe for hell."

[Judo chop]

...recipe for hell."

Could this be a dropped hint for the title of Bond 22?!!

Edited by Judo chop, 24 January 2007 - 07:48 PM.

[zencat]

There was an interview with Roger Michell in the Metro newspaper in the UK yesterday discussing the movie VENUS which he is directing. He also discussed why he didn't end up being the director of BOND 22. Here are the relevant quotes:

"I got into a bit of a panic at the prospect. At that time, the film was due to start shooting in January, and I just felt this terrible pressure of scrambling to get a script together with the clock ticking. To go into a film like James Bond when you don't really know what's happening would be a recipe for hell."

Oh! So there really WAS a plan to release Bond 22 in 2007?

[Odd Jobbies]

Sounds like Eon are back to the old routine of going into production without a decent, or even finished script.
Guess now they've got Craig contracted and commited they don't have to do anything crazy like writing a good script before they prep, cast and hire!

Is it me, or does Eon sometimes seem more like Pizza Express than a the outfit with the greatest movie legacy of all time in their hands... Anything to turn a fast buck!!!

Mr Mitchell, good decision.

[darkpath]

Is it me, or does Eon sometimes seem more like Pizza Express than a the outfit with the greatest movie legacy of all time in their hands... Anything to turn a fast buck!!!

It seems to me like the Pizza Express analogy is all too appropriate, as I was remarking in the discussion on Non-recurring actors.

[K1Bond007]

There was an interview with Roger Michell in the Metro newspaper in the UK yesterday discussing the movie VENUS which he is directing. He also discussed why he didn't end up being the director of BOND 22. Here are the relevant quotes:

"I got into a bit of a panic at the prospect. At that time, the film was due to start shooting in January, and I just felt this terrible pressure of scrambling to get a script together with the clock ticking. To go into a film like James Bond when you don't really know what's happening would be a recipe for hell."

Oh! So there really WAS a plan to release Bond 22 in 2007?

Yeah. He said the same thing in another interview earlier, but he elaborated more. It's probably around here somewhere.

[Qwerty]

Now on the CBn main page...

Roger Michell Discusses Why He Turned Down 'Bond 22'

'The film was due to start shooting in January...'

[mario007]

I think what Roger means is a finalized script ... I don't think Bond films ever have a completed script (written in stone) before going into production. Unless, there is a few years break between the films (over two years).

I am sure Purvis and Wade already have a story outline. I hope they get somebody as good as Tom Stoppard (if Haggis is unavailable) to give the script a good polish!

Edited by mario007, 24 January 2007 - 10:08 PM.

[Loomis]

Y'know, I wonder whether Eon may be courting Stephen Frears to direct BOND 22. Currently in the Oscar limelight with THE QUEEN, he has all the prestige Broccoli and Wilson could possibly wish for in a director to follow the presitigious CASINO ROYALE, and let's not forget that he was also lined up to direct the scrapped Jinx spinoff.

No insider knowledge, but just a thought.

[dinovelvet]

Y'know, I wonder whether Eon may be courting Stephen Frears to direct BOND 22. Currently in the Oscar limelight with THE QUEEN, he has all the prestige Broccoli and Wilson could possibly wish for in a director to follow the presitigious CASINO ROYALE, and let's not forget that he was also lined up to direct the scrapped Jinx spinoff.

No insider knowledge, but just a thought.

He does seem like EON's kind of man - prolific British director who has dipped his toes into Hollywood waters (Dangerous Liaisons, Hero, High Fidelity). No particular style of his own, but his name brings some prestige to the table, and of course he recently worked with Judi Dench in Mrs. Henderson Presents, and obviously with the Jinx thing (anyone know exactly how far along that got?) he's definitely on their radar.

[Loomis]

the Jinx thing (anyone know exactly how far along that got?

Well, no sources to cite off the top of my head, but a search of the CBn archives for "Frears" should throw some details up, and I believe JINX (as I imagine it would have been titled) did get pretty far down the pre-production road. It was definitely a lot more than just a (wicked) gleam in someone's eye. I gather that Frears had been formally hired by Broccoli and Wilson, and that he spent a few weeks with Purvis and Wade talking about their completed script (a screenplay that must surely be one of the holy grails of Bond fandom).

So, they hired him once, and heaven knows he's a prestigious name right now....

[dinovelvet]

the Jinx thing (anyone know exactly how far along that got?

Well, no sources to cite off the top of my head, but a search of the CBn archives for "Frears" should throw some details up, and I believe JINX (as I imagine it would have been titled) did get pretty far down the pre-production road. It was definitely a lot more than just a (wicked) gleam in someone's eye. I gather that Frears had been formally hired by Broccoli and Wilson, and that he spent a few weeks with Purvis and Wade talking about their completed script (a screenplay that must surely be one of the holy grails of Bond fandom).

So, they hired him once, and heaven knows he's a prestigious name right now....

Yeah it would certainly be interesting to see that script. Although, I wonder if some of the plot and/or action from it will eventually make its way into a Bond film? Who knows, maybe some of it was used for Casino Royale?

[Harmsway]

Stephen Frears is certainly looking like a feasible and respectable candidate for BOND 22.

[Turn]

Based on his past films, I'm relieved Roger Michell won't be directing Bond 22 as he reminds me of Michael Apted. We all know how that one turned out.

On the other hand, Stephen Frears would be perfect. The man has range and would be the highest profile director they've used.

If true, EON will be due some credit for getting some serious talent by involving people like Frears and Haggis on the production side.

[ambrosia]

Why aren't they interested in Martin Campbell?

[Harmsway]

They undoubtedly are interested in Campbell, but he's not so interested in returning.

[dinovelvet]

They undoubtedly are interested in Campbell, but he's not so interested in returning.

Well, that was prior to the release of CR. After its immense success, and perhaps a bigger paycheck offer, he might change his mind. He doesn't appear to have anything else on his schedule (though I'm sure he's getting offers after CR).

[B5Erik]

Roger Mitchell???

WTF is EON thinking? Yeah, let's follow up a really good Bond movie that balances great action with real characters with something from a guy with no real experience with big time action sequences. Great idea.

So, they're rushing Bond 22 into production and they wanted to hire a crap director (from a Bondian action perspective)? What the hell are Wilson & Broccoli thinking?

Come on Michael - do this thing right! Get a legit Bond worthy director, not just someone that you can push around!

We've gone over the lists of worthy directors, and Roger Mitchell NEVER even got slight consideration from ANY of the fans - and if he had a track record that showed the capability to do anything even remotely Bondian someone would have brought his name up.

I'm just glad that he turned it down.

The priority should be getting the script together - one that improves on CR - if the script is really good then getting a good director won't be as hard.

[ambrosia]

I recall reading an interview with Campbell just prior to the film's release and he sounded a little apprehensive about how CR would be received. The interviewer asked him if he'd be directing Bond 22 and he responded that he hadn't been asked.

Unfortunately, I don't have the link.

[Zorin Industries]

Sounds like Eon are back to the old routine of going into production without a decent, or even finished script.
Guess now they've got Craig contracted and commited they don't have to do anything crazy like writing a good script before they prep, cast and hire!

Is it me, or does Eon sometimes seem more like Pizza Express than a the outfit with the greatest movie legacy of all time in their hands... Anything to turn a fast buck!!!

Mr Mitchell, good decision.

"Sounds like Eon are into the old routine"...? The early development work on BOND 22 was in the pipeline long before CASINO ROYALE came out. There was a thought to utilize the number 2007 as a release date (when Roger Michell was approached to direct). But Eon quickly realised that not making a rushed film was more important than four numbers on a teaser poster.

Michell, whilst a competent, very literate director, would have been a weak choice in my opinion. His films are always very solid, but he has very little track record in mainstream action cinema (CHANGING PLACES aside....and that was a sleeper hit with the critics...). Eon have also got stung before with directors they could not work with and - at the time Michell bailed - "creative differences" were cited.

I respect Roger Michell for having the courage to say he cannot do it. I am not so sure though what film he would have turned out had he done it. Having a working relationship with Daniel Craig is not enough.

By the way, you may want to re-phrase your notion that Eon will do anything for a "fast buck". Eon are the least money-led movie set up going with a generosity and loyalty that is completely rare in the industry (and that comes from personal experience). They are the filmic equivalent of a successful corner shop paving a successful path through the multi-stores. What they earn, they deserve. You don't make 21 successfully received films without some semblance of industry loyalty and financial panache.

Edited by Zorin Industries, 25 January 2007 - 01:39 PM.

[SecretAgentFan]

Sounds like Eon are back to the old routine of going into production without a decent, or even finished script.
Guess now they've got Craig contracted and commited they don't have to do anything crazy like writing a good script before they prep, cast and hire!

Is it me, or does Eon sometimes seem more like Pizza Express than a the outfit with the greatest movie legacy of all time in their hands... Anything to turn a fast buck!!!

Mr Mitchell, good decision.

"Sounds like Eon are into the old routine"...? The early development work on BOND 22 was in the pipeline long before CASINO ROYALE came out. There was a thought to utilize the number 2007 as a release date (when Roger Michell was approached to direct). But Eon quickly realised that not making a rushed film was more important than four numbers on a teaser poster.

Michell, whilst a competent, very literate director, would have been a weak choice in my opinion. His films are always very solid, but he has very little track record in mainstream action cinema (CHANGING PLACES aside....and that was a sleeper hit with the critics...). Eon have also got stung before with directors they could not work with and - at the time Michell bailed - "creative differences" were cited.

I respect Roger Michell for having the courage to say he cannot do it. I am not so sure though what film he would have turned out had he done it. Having a working relationship with Daniel Craig is not enough.

By the way, you may want to re-phrase your notion that Eon will do anything for a "fast buck". Eon are the least money-led movie set up going with a generosity and loyalty that is completely rare in the industry (and that comes from personal experience). They are the filmic equivalent of a successful corner shop paving a successful path through the multi-stores. What they earn, they deserve. You don't make 21 successfully received films without some semblance of industry loyalty and financial panache.

Well put and absolutely true. And I

[Qwerty]

Yeah it would certainly be interesting to see that script. Although, I wonder if some of the plot and/or action from it will eventually make its way into a Bond film? Who knows, maybe some of it was used for Casino Royale?

I'd definitely love to someday see it.

[Loomis]

On the other hand, Stephen Frears would be perfect. The man has range and would be the highest profile director they've used.

Indeed. Which is why (even before THE QUEEN) he was an absolutely astonishing choice for JINX.

Post-QUEEN, though, would he be interested in Bond any more? Maybe, maybe not. I think the main problem in persuading a director of Frears' stature to tackle BOND 22 would lie not so much in any snobbery towards the 007 series, but in the perception that he'd be simply "following Campbell" (and his masterpiece CASINO ROYALE). After what Campbell has achieved, it would take a very brave director to step up to the plate at this point. And I suspect that it was more than just the release date that pushed Michell away from the project.

[Zorin Industries]

On the other hand, Stephen Frears would be perfect. The man has range and would be the highest profile director they've used.

Indeed. Which is why (even before THE QUEEN) he was an absolutely astonishing choice for JINX.

Post-QUEEN, though, would he be interested in Bond any more? Maybe, maybe not. I think the main problem in persuading a director of Frears' stature to tackle BOND 22 would lie not so much in any snobbery towards the 007 series, but in the perception that he'd be simply "following Campbell" (and his masterpiece CASINO ROYALE). After what Campbell has achieved, it would take a very brave director to step up to the plate at this point. And I suspect that it was more than just the release date that pushed Michell away from the project.

I don't think Stephen Frears has much to worry about when it comes to Martin Campbell's shadow...

Frears has proved himself adept at a range of genres ranging from THE QUEEN, THE GRIFTERS, DANGEROUS LIAISONS, MARY REILLY, LIAM, THE DEAL, HIGH FIDELITY, MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDERETTE, THE HIT and DIRTY PRETTY THINGS.

Apart from Bond, Campbell has done two ZORROS, VERTICAL LIMIT and NO ESCAPE.

A great deal of CASINO ROYALE's success is certainly placed at the feet of Martin Campbell (without a doubt it's his most effective film to date). However, Paul Haggis work on the screenplay was a little factor too.

If anything, the likes of Frears would shine in a collaboration with Haggis. Campbell still feels like a director for hire rather than a film maker with real cinematic presence and creative verve.

Edited by Zorin Industries, 25 January 2007 - 03:08 PM.

[Harmsway]

Campbell still feels like a director for hire rather than a film maker with real cinematic presence and creative verve.

I disagree - if anything, Campbell's outstanding direction on CASINO ROYALE proved that an old "workhorse" director can sometimes turn out work that's as good as the "respected" director types (and I would argue he did a far better job than many of the "respected" director types would have done with CASINO ROYALE).

[Loomis]

On the other hand, Stephen Frears would be perfect. The man has range and would be the highest profile director they've used.

Indeed. Which is why (even before THE QUEEN) he was an absolutely astonishing choice for JINX.

Post-QUEEN, though, would he be interested in Bond any more? Maybe, maybe not. I think the main problem in persuading a director of Frears' stature to tackle BOND 22 would lie not so much in any snobbery towards the 007 series, but in the perception that he'd be simply "following Campbell" (and his masterpiece CASINO ROYALE). After what Campbell has achieved, it would take a very brave director to step up to the plate at this point. And I suspect that it was more than just the release date that pushed Michell away from the project.

I don't think Stephen Frears has much to worry about when it comes to Martin Campbell's shadow...

Frears has proved himself adept at a range of genres ranging from THE QUEEN, THE GRIFTERS, DANGEROUS LIAISONS, MARY REILLY, LIAM, THE DEAL, HIGH FIDELITY, MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDERETTE, THE HIT and DIRTY PRETTY THINGS.

Apart from Bond, Campbell has done two ZORROS, VERTICAL LIMIT and NO ESCAPE.

Yes, but he has a magical reputation when it comes to Bond. Rightly or wrongly, he's getting the lion's share of behind-the-camera credit for CASINO ROYALE (because he was the director, natch), even though there were others (Haggis for one, whom you mention) who were crucial to the film's success. That's just the way it is with directors and the limelight.

In other words, outside Bond Campbell is a nobody, but when it comes to 007 he's a superstar. Which is why I think even the "best" directors would have second thoughts about following him.

[crheath]

If the quick shooting schedule and the 2007 release date was the problem, didn't Mitchell and Eon try to renew talks once Bond 22 got pushed back to 2008? Or was he on to another movie by then?

[Zorin Industries]

If the quick shooting schedule and the 2007 release date was the problem, didn't Mitchell and Eon try to renew talks once Bond 22 got pushed back to 2008? Or was he on to another movie by then?

I wouldn't know. But you don't hang about for "maybes" in the industry - even when it comes to BOND. We all have to pay the bills.

Besides, I don't think Michell's availibility was quite the problem here (nor is it really anyone's business). It was no secret though that Michell had to pull out of CAPTAIN CORRELLI'S MANDOLIN due to a major heart attack and the need for subsequent surgery. I don't suppose the stress of a year working on a Bond film does much to alleviate heart problems, however streamlined Eon have got the operation now...

Edited by Zorin Industries, 25 January 2007 - 04:15 PM.

[FlemingBond]

Fast buck? Three years for DAD to follow TWINE, Four years for CR to follow that. Certainly no rush lately.

[Russ]

It's been said around these parts before that any Bond director needs to be involved with the action sequences, as well as the drama. In my view Campbell is very suited to this, and all of the extras on the UE edition of Goldeneye show him very much in the thick of planning the action sequences.

Someone like Frears isn't this type of director. He's excellent in his field, but if he's hired surely he would be Apted Mark II. Michell did excellent work with Changing Lanes, but it's action is very low key. I'm not saying Bond films are action epics, I loved the character driven nature of Casino Royale, but to ignore the action side of things would be a mistake.

I still say someone like Stephen Hopkins, from his input into the first series of 24 alone, shows him to be a director who could easily sink his creative teeth into Bond 22.