781 replies to this topic

[killkenny kid]

Well, that would be outstanding news. Really like the idea of a Mendes return.

[thecasinoroyale]

"I do hope so!"

[Matt_13]

That's interesting. Thanks Vauxhall!

[seawolfnyy]

2014 seems like a much better environment for success. In 2015 they'll have way more competition. 

Skyfall has proven that it doesn't matter. Bond had some pretty stiff competition in 2012 with The Avengers, TDKR, The Hobbit, Twilight and it outshone them all (even if it won't catch The Avengers). With The Hobbit expected to reach $1 billion shortly, 2012 will have had 4 films go over $1 billion. I'd call that pretty stiff competition. I don't think the projected 2015 line up will matter. Especially since, Bond 24 would likely release in November well after the rest of the films that are expected in 2015.

[Walecs]

2014 seems like a much better environment for success. In 2015 they'll have way more competition. 

Skyfall has proven that it doesn't matter. Bond had some pretty stiff competition in 2012 with The Avengers, TDKR, The Hobbit, Twilight and it outshone them all (even if it won't catch The Avengers). With The Hobbit expected to reach $1 billion shortly, 2012 will have had 4 films go over $1 billion. I'd call that pretty stiff competition. I don't think the projected 2015 line up will matter. Especially since, Bond 24 would likely release in November well after the rest of the films that are expected in 2015.

 

That was just because The Avengers was in 3D. Tickets-wise Skyfall is probably the most successfull 2012 movie.

[thecasinoroyale]

It'd be interesting to see just the 2D ticket sales from these big films...

[Shrublands]

Sam Mendes, speaking at the Baftas this evening: "I've had a great time, it's been a huge learning curve and we would want to make a better movie next time around, and if we thought we do that they might let me have another go again."

 

Interesting changed in tone with some of the things he's previously said. It seems that now he's shifted the emphasis onto the producers to give him the gig if they think he could do a good job again. Reading between the lines, as others have also suggested, I think he's probably already a done deal for BOND 24.

 

Here is a video of Mendes actually saying the above. When I watch it, it seems even more of an interesting change of tone. And the extra "No presser then..." bit speaks volumes.

 

 

EDIT

 

And a more accurate quote is - “We all want to make a movie…umm…
we want to believe that we can make a better movie next time round.”

 

Now isn’t that a fascinating way to put it?

 

[Vauxhall]

Nice find on the video. It's also very interesting to watch Barbara Broccoli while Mendes is talking, and as you said, the "no pressure" bit is indeed telling. I'll now be surprised if he's not the director for BOND 24.

[Shrublands]

And the "it's all about story for me..." is going to lead beautiful into a forthcoming, "when I read John Logan's brilliant script." etc. in the coming months. 

[L4YRCAKE]

I'd be just utterly shocked if he's not the director for Bond 24 as well as 25, Skyfall was terrific, but it seemed as if it ultimately served to be a setup, a hand off of the baton; it begs that they've got something up their sleeve and Mendes seem the perfect architect to keep that momentum.  

 

I'd like to think that Mendes, Craig, and Logan locked themselves away in a room during a party and said to eachother, 'look, we've got this thing now, let's map out how to drive it so it doesn't end up driving us and by the way I've got a great hook...'  I think they do.

[Hockey Mask]

At first thought Mendes getting 24 AND 25 seems to be getting way ahead of ourselves but I could see Mendes really wanting a 2-film deal to tell the story and make the impact he would want to make and nothing would make EON happier than a two-time deal.  I think if Mendes comes back we're looking at a 50/50 chance that it is a 2-film deal.  You heard it from me...it must be fact.

[007jamesbond]

I am guessing we will know in a few months later like early summer if he will do it or not.......we should know it ahead of the press conference! Lot of patience now until we hear something about Bond 24 

[PPK_19]

But if Mendes comes back for Bond 24 (and it sounds like he is, and perhaps 25 too?) , will people be happy with that?

 

Yes Skyfall was immensely successful. But that doesn't make it a good film (though it was). 

 

So what do people on here think, do we WANT Mendes back (I do!) ?

[Shrublands]

But if Mendes comes back for Bond 24 (and it sounds like he is, and perhaps 25 too?) , will people be happy with that?

 

Yes Skyfall was immensely successful. But that doesn't make it a good film (though it was). 

 

So what do people on here think, do we WANT Mendes back (I do!) ?

 

YES

[Hockey Mask]

yes

[Shrublands]

I think a key issue in securing Mendes was a 2014 start for principal photography, a delay from the previously stated late 2013. Time to develop a quality script and time for him to work on his theatre projects. He wouldn't even be ready to film in early 2014, with King Lear opening at the National in January 2014.

The thing that shows that this is all a lot more developed than the official line, is that Craig has apparently now entered into negotiations to appear on Broadway in Pinter’s Betrayal, which would start its run this Autumn. 

 

With Craig planning to do this, it shows that there is already no intention of putting Bond 24 before the cameras this year.

 

[PPK_19]

 

With Craig planning to do this, it shows that there is already no intention of putting Bond 24 before the cameras this year.

 

 

This is definitely a good thing. The extra time to develop Skyfall certainly paid dividends. Even though it isn't confirmed that Mendes is back, i think it's obvious that the Skyfall 'holy trinity' of Mendes, Deakins and Newman will return. 

 

And with Logan penning Bond 24, I can't wait for the excitement to build around here in the run up to principal photography! 

[Iceskater101]

I mean if we wait longer for a Bond movie this Bond movie better be really really good..

[Leon]

I mean if we wait longer for a Bond movie this Bond movie better be really really good..

 

I think it's safe to say that whatever their ideas are at the moment, it's a good thing that they take some extra time and effort to plan it all out and think it over in more detail. If you just want Bond movies cranked out as fast as possible then you have to also accept that the quality won't be as good. Quality over quantity for me.

[S K Y F A L L]

A film every 3 years is a safe bet but I would still love to see Craig do 8 films in total and doing one every two years until the 60th Anniversary but I know that is a lot to ask for.

[Shrublands]

More details from Mr Bamigboye

 

 

Director Sam Mendes has James Bond back in his sights after Skyfall's phenomenal box office success

 

Bond has never been bigger, thanks to the phenomenal box-office success of Skyfall, directed by Oscar-winner Sam Mendes.

And people have been asking whether he will return to direct the next one, known for now as Bond 24. 

He had initially been reluctant because screenwriter John Logan was planning to write a two-part story that would have been shot back-to-back, which would have taken four years out of the  director’s life.

It would have meant long stretches for the cast, too - led by Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes as the new M, Naomie Harris as Miss Moneypenny and Ben Whishaw playing Q.

That plan has been jettisoned, and Bond 24 and 25 will be stand-alone pictures.

Mendes hasn’t firmly made up his mind about directing another Bond, but I’m reliably told he’s ‘75 per cent’ of the way towards doing it.

At present, Logan’s thoughts for Bond 24 are in the form of two treatment papers outlining a rough idea of the plot. 

So, in  theory, Mendes is on board, but wants to see the finished script before he fully commits.

The only people who have seen the Bond 24 blueprint are Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson (the extraordinary producing duo behind the 007 franchise), Mendes, Craig and a handful of key executives at Sony and MGM.

Once everything falls into place, pre-production on Bond 24 could start late this year or early 2014, though Mendes couldn’t work full-time until he has finished directing Simon Russell Beale in King Lear, which opens at the National Theatre next January.

Meanwhile, the director is putting together the musical  version of Roald Dahl’s Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, which begins performances at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on May 18.

Skyfall triumphed at the EE British Film Academy Awards by taking best British film, while composer Thomas Newman won best original score. 

In Los Angeles, cinematographer Roger Deakins collected the top honour at the American Society of Cinematographers for his work on the movie.

 

http://www.dailymail...ce-success.html

[PeteNeon]

Personally, I would prefer a different director and for it to be out next year. I don't like the idea that comes across that Bond can only be successful with Sam Mendes or what have you, I think it would be bolder if they chose a new director.

[Vauxhall]

Ah, good old Baz to get the latest situation for us. Nice to hear where we currently stand. I was near Eon House earlier, and despite keeping an eye out for Mr Mendes leaving the offices with a large brown envelope, no joy.

[JimmyBond]

I'm all for Mendes returning, and if that means the entire Skyfall creative team so be it. Been a while since we've had the same team work on two films in a row, I'd love to see the results.

 

I do have one hope though...that the story line stands up to close scrutiny. I'm not asking for perfection by any means, but Silva's whole plan of getting caught and such sure did rely a lot on a lot of coincidences.

[S K Y F A L L]

"Play it again, Sam."

I'd just like for Bond 24 to be out in 2014.

[Zographos]

I'm all for Mendes returning, and if that means the entire Skyfall creative team so be it. Been a while since we've had the same team work on two films in a row, I'd love to see the results.

 

I do have one hope though...that the story line stands up to close scrutiny. I'm not asking for perfection by any means, but Silva's whole plan of getting caught and such sure did rely a lot on a lot of coincidences.

 

Rather than constructing plots that stand up to repeat viewing (a pointless exercise IMO), they should refine the art of papering over narrative atrocities, as Fleming was usually able to do.  Bond films have always been baffling, incoherent affairs when it comes to plot (the golden age especially); their stories work best when the flow and pacing compensate for this.  If you had a problem with Silva's plan, it was either because the London material wasn't strong enough to distract you from the inanities of his decade-long revenge scheme, or you've seen the film too many times.  The latter can never be helped, but they can always work on presentation.

 

Though it would be fun to see a cut of GoldenEye where Trevelyan blows up London from Severnaya and the movie ends after 30 minutes.

 

I knooooow you dreeeeeam a looooooot

[tdalton]

I do have one hope though...that the story line stands up to close scrutiny. I'm not asking for perfection by any means, but Silva's whole plan of getting caught and such sure did rely a lot on a lot of coincidences.

 

That would be my hope for BOND 24 as well.  Hopefully with a different writer helming the project, we'll see some of those issues ironed out.  There are quite a few things in SKYFALL to like (the cinematography, the score, some of the performances), but all of that is wasted on a story that, while containing some excellent scenes and sequences, hinges so much on coincidences and has several plot holes that it can be difficult to get lost in the story.

[the man with the BB gun]

http://www.digitalsp...-this-year.html

[SecretAgentFan]

The next three? 

 

Maybe he misspoke. Or he was misquoted.

 

If not, Craig has certainly extended his tenure beyond the originally planned "two more".

 

But to get the next film rolling at the end of the year would be wonderful.

[thecasinoroyale]

As I said before in other discussions, I want the Bond films to feel they've been made by a family, who love and care for the franchise. 'Skyfall' was done by just that, and if they or a good percentage return for Bond 24 I will be thrilled.

 

Connery, Lazenby, Moore and Dalton had directors, producers and crews that worked through the franchise with each actor, relative to who was there at the given time (Glen, Gilbert, Young etc) and the cast and crew were identical as much as time would allow.

 

From Brosnan to Craig with the exception of a few crew and Martin Campbell, each film has almost been a different take on James Bond with each director putting a different look and stamp to the feel of the film. From Spottiswood to Forster, each Bond has a different look and feel, some have worked and others haven't. 'CR' and 'QOS' being a good example of what totally different direction can make in a 2 year gap.

 

I want that Bond-family feel, of those who know how to handle Bond and continue with a clear identification of their film, so audiences know what to expect and I am comfortable with sitting in the cinema and know I'm in for a great adventure. I don't want another director as yet who will gamble the film on their unique take.

 

The films all do solid gross, that's granted, but for fans and critics looking for films to stand tall amongst others over the years, many of them are panned and not favoured, so if the 'Skyfall' team come back, I will welcome the Bond-family back with open arms for another round.