199 replies to this topic

[SecretAgentFan]

He certainly won´t stay on as a producer like Nolan does on MAN OF STEEL.

[EyesOnly]

I assume Sam (director of his caliber) will direct and not just contribute story ideas.

[Shrublands]

What sort of director would they end up with if that director was going to have someone like Sam Mendes there as ‘consultant’?
And Mendes’ power would be magnified to the point of the intolerable for any credible director, as it’s coming off the back of a mega commercial and critical hit like Skyfall.
I think Sam Mendes will be directing at least the next film and quite possibly Bond 25 too. I imagine this has actually been the case for some time – but contracts are being fine-tuned.

Logan being signed to write two scripts (and he and Mendes having come up with the idea of at least one of them together).
Craig committing to two more films – all suggests this to me.

Also, Mendes’ talk about needing to be as excited as he was about Skyfall again if he was to do another, seems to me as the perfect way to promote the quality of the current film – but prepare a very positive foundation to start talking about the next, once he’s announced as the director.

He's talked a fair bit about Greengrass and Noland’s work on big, preexisting franchises with some admiration. I have a feeling he’s intending something similar for himself - staying involved with Bond very closely and shaping it over a number of films. But I think that all concerned needed to see exactly what would happen with Skyfall before moving forward with this. Phase one has worked beyond expectations, so...

I’m expecting him to be announced early in the New Year.

[AgenttiNollaNollaSeitsemän]

That would be tremendous, especially when Mendes is in my opinion a hundred times the director than Nolan.

[Bucky]

That would be tremendous, especially when Mendes is in my opinion a hundred times the director than Nolan.

Agreed. Nolan is not a bad director but I just felt that Mendes made a better balanced movie that could be serious but also had a great sense of humor and awesome action. In Nolan's Batman films the attempts at humor usually falls flat with me and the action ranges from good to erratic.

[PPK_19]

What sort of director would they end up with if that director was going to have someone like Sam Mendes there as ‘consultant’?
And Mendes’ power would be magnified to the point of the intolerable for any credible director, as it’s coming off the back of a mega commercial and critical hit like Skyfall.
I think Sam Mendes will be directing at least the next film and quite possibly Bond 25 too. I imagine this has actually been the case for some time – but contracts are being fine-tuned.

Logan being signed to write two scripts (and he and Mendes having come up with the idea of at least one of them together).
Craig committing to two more films – all suggests this to me.

Also, Mendes’ talk about needing to be as excited as he was about Skyfall again if he was to do another, seems to me as the perfect way to promote the quality of the current film – but prepare a very positive foundation to start talking about the next, once he’s announced as the director.

He's talked a fair bit about Greengrass and Noland’s work on big, preexisting franchises with some admiration. I have a feeling he’s intending something similar for himself - staying involved with Bond very closely and shaping it over a number of films. But I think that all concerned needed to see exactly what would happen with Skyfall before moving forward with this. Phase one has worked beyond expectations, so...

I’m expecting him to be announced early in the New Year.

This.

I really hope Mendes does another one too. And since Skyfall was a huge hit and with this news of Logan finally unseating those hacks Purvis and Wade to wirte 24+25, it would make sense for Mendes to return. He gets Bond.

It helps that he is good friends with Daniel Craig so i'm sure it wouldn't be hard for Craig to convince him to do the next couple. If he hasn't already signed on the dotted line.

I really am excited about this. We haven't had any consistency in terms of directors since the age of John Glen. IMO it was Martin Campbell's decision not to do QOS that caused the jarring change in tone between CR and QOS. I strongly believe if he had stayed on QOS would have been a lot better than it actually turned out.

So if Mendes decides to stick with Bond and do three or four in a row then: "i'm all ears..."

[Hockey Mask]

We'll see. Purvis and Wade have been wrong before. I've seen Die Another Day.

How cool would it be to have a Mendes trilogy?

[FOX MULDER]

I think we're going to get a Mendes trilogy of Bond films, with the cast of Skyfall.

And then we'll get a new Bond.

[Bucky]

I think we're going to get a Mendes trilogy of Bond films, with the cast of Skyfall.

And then we'll get a new Bond.

I would be ok with this.

[YOLT]

I think we're going to get a Mendes trilogy of Bond films, with the cast of Skyfall.

And then we'll get a new Bond.

I really want to see this. But with original stories for 24 and 25.
And bring on Bond #7 with using adaptations of MR, YOLT, DF and use Gala Brand.

[x007AceOfSpades]

That would be tremendous, especially when Mendes is in my opinion a hundred times the director than Nolan.

Agreed. Nolan is not a bad director but I just felt that Mendes made a better balanced movie that could be serious but also had a great sense of humor and awesome action. In Nolan's Batman films the attempts at humor usually falls flat with me and the action ranges from good to erratic.

Agreed

[thecasinoroyale]

Excited to hear that Mendes is on for story ideas for Bond 24 - he's established an almost solid new line up for the Bond films ahead it'd be a shame to lose him or his input so soon after 'Skyfall'.

[Double-0-Seven]

I really hope this means Mendes will be on board to direct. If Craig is signed for two more movies, then with the cast Mendes has established it would make sense to sign him for the next two as well. Obviously he as a great working relationship with Craig and EON has had nothing but praise for him. Add that to Skyfall's success and it would seem crazy to not at least ask him to come back. If not for the next two films, I hope he at least does Bond 24. It'll be nice to have a director do more than one again.

[Judo chop]

I would be thrilled to hear that Mendes+Logan+Craig+Crew are all in for 2 more films.

It seems like a strong possibility.

I’m so afraid I’m setting myself up for a major disappointment.

[Hockey Mask]

I’m so afraid I’m setting myself up for a major disappointment.

I am guessing it is too good to be true but I remain hopeful.

[MajorB]

Of course, the extent of Mendes's contribution could be the germ of the basic plot and nothing else--something equivalent to "SPECTRE steals two atomic bombs and demands a gigantic ransom." Wade didn't say Mendes was involved in developing a script, just that he and Logan had come up with a story idea. So yes, it's best to be cautious. In fact, I'm half expecting a report in the next couple days in which Wade says he was misquoted and that he doesn't know anything about Mendes being involved in Bond 24.

[plankattack]

Considering that Mendes worked on SF for at least three (first listed as a consultant back in '09, if my memory is correct), it's definitely plausible that he's ready to commit to the series for a big chunk of time. And the fact that he brought in Logan, and Logan has been attributed with successfully pitching 24 & 25 to EON, would, in a join-the-dots way, indicate that Mendes is interested in sticking around.

I would then offer, by just throwing my dots in the air and seeing where they land, that 24 and 25 will be connected. Maybe not as Pts 1 and 2, but definitely in a sense that there is some themes etc to run through them both. Otherwise it would seem unlikely that Mendes would be committing to both. I'm not sure a director with his body of work is ready to just start doing Bond films and give up on the other types of work that have shaped his career. He, like everyone involved, is always honest about how time-consuming/committing the Bonds are, and merely becoming the in-house director would really put the blocks on other career goals he might have.

[Judo chop]

I'm not sure a director with his body of work is ready to just start doing Bond films and give up on the other types of work that have shaped his career.

He'll give up on all the other types of work if he knows what's good for him. Or if he knows what's good for me, at least.

[Hockey Mask]

If Mendes is involved with both 24 and 25 I think it is certain that they will feel intimately connected.

[SolidWaffle]

If Mendes stays around, that means Roger Deakins could stay around too! I loved Skyfall's direction and I agree with whoever said it was more balanced than Nolan's Batman films (which i still enjoyed). Mendes is obviously very ttalanted and fits right in with the Bond series. But I can't get over the cinematography in Skyfall. Can't get over it. If that returns I will be unbelievably happy.

[The Gunner]

Sad to see Purvis and Wade go just as things are getting interesting.

[Hockey Mask]

Sad to see Purvis and Wade go just as things are getting interesting.

I think things are getting interesting BECAUSE they are going.

[plankattack]

Sad to see Purvis and Wade go just as things are getting interesting.

I think things are getting interesting BECAUSE they are going.

It's funny that you say that - I've been guilty over the years (and in this thread alone) of putting the boot into P&W, but now that they're gone, I think it's only fair to give them credit where credit is due. They got re-written by who knows how many on TWINE, and for CR and SF they laid down a solid foundation.

I've always said that when they were left on their own (DAD), well, the end-result speaks for itself, but as for CR, I do think that Haggis has got an undue amount of credit. Everyone says that he polished the dialogue of some key scenes, but P&W did a good job of updating and adding to the structure of the novel.

It's good that the series is giving a new writer a shot from the start, but rather than be too revisionist on P&W, I do want to give them some kudos for being ideal set-up men for the polishing writer (Logan, and Mendes, are on the record, either sincerely or just being polite, that the SF script that came to them was in good shape).

The Empire podcast with the two of them is fascinating.

[tdalton]

Sad to see Purvis and Wade go just as things are getting interesting.

I think things are getting interesting BECAUSE they are going.

It's funny that you say that - I've been guilty over the years (and in this thread alone) of putting the boot into P&W, but now that they're gone, I think it's only fair to give them credit where credit is due. They got re-written by who knows how many on TWINE, and for CR and SF they laid down a solid foundation.

I've always said that when they were left on their own (DAD), well, the end-result speaks for itself, but as for CR, I do think that Haggis has got an undue amount of credit. Everyone says that he polished the dialogue of some key scenes, but P&W did a good job of updating and adding to the structure of the novel.

It's good that the series is giving a new writer a shot from the start, but rather than be too revisionist on P&W, I do want to give them some kudos for being ideal set-up men for the polishing writer (Logan, and Mendes, are on the record, either sincerely or just being polite, that the SF script that came to them was in good shape).

The Empire podcast with the two of them is fascinating.

Very much agreed.

While I'm glad that we're getting a new screenwriter for the next film (it's always a good idea to shake things up now and then), I'm going to miss the ideas that P&W bring to the franchise. Hopefully they'll be brought back at some point down the line to at least help lay the foundation for the story of a future Bond film.

[plankattack]

While I'm glad that we're getting a new screenwriter for the next film (it's always a good idea to shake things up now and then), I'm going to miss the ideas that P&W bring to the franchise. Hopefully they'll be brought back at some point down the line to at least help lay the foundation for the story of a future Bond film.

Whenever they next change actor, I actually think that P&W would be good writers to bring in at some stage. From their work they do appear to have a good understanding and appreciation for the both the literary and cinematic Bond - and that's not something I would venture to say about Mankeiwicz, Wood, and Fierstein. At least not if I had to put my money on it...!

[Hockey Mask]

Sad to see Purvis and Wade go just as things are getting interesting.

I think things are getting interesting BECAUSE they are going.

It's funny that you say that - I've been guilty over the years (and in this thread alone) of putting the boot into P&W, but now that they're gone, I think it's only fair to give them credit where credit is due. They got re-written by who knows how many on TWINE, and for CR and SF they laid down a solid foundation.

I've always said that when they were left on their own (DAD), well, the end-result speaks for itself, but as for CR, I do think that Haggis has got an undue amount of credit. Everyone says that he polished the dialogue of some key scenes, but P&W did a good job of updating and adding to the structure of the novel.

It's good that the series is giving a new writer a shot from the start, but rather than be too revisionist on P&W, I do want to give them some kudos for being ideal set-up men for the polishing writer (Logan, and Mendes, are on the record, either sincerely or just being polite, that the SF script that came to them was in good shape).

The Empire podcast with the two of them is fascinating.

Well said. They have been a part of the Bond family for a long time and have helped contribute some great things as of late. But it will be nice have a fresher influence to our Bond universe.

[seawolfnyy]

Should Skyfall reach $1 billion, I think Wilson and Broccoli will do whatever it takes to bring Mendes back, even if it means a significant pay raise.

[rubixcub]

It would be nice to have some consistency.  Going with a new director (practically) every time has been a real mixed bag.  Some directors couldn't hack action films despite directing Oscar-winning performances (Apted, Forster), while Tamahori's film was dated when it opened.  I thought Spottiswoode did a fine job with TND but apparently he was difficult to work with.  Campbell's return for CR was welcome (if only he would've done QOS).

 

I think the producers are gunning to have Mendes return, based on critical and box-office reception.  Plus, trilogies are in right now (not to say SF is the start of one, mind you).  I think it's going to happen.  At least, I hope it will.  If it doesn't, I'll at least hope for Danny Boyle.

 

Dave

[plankattack]

I thought Spottiswoode did a fine job with TND but apparently he was difficult to work with.  

 

Rubix - I think Spottiswoode did an effective job with TND but to be fair on him, his side of the story has always been that shooting started without a finished script, and then too much was then sorted on the fly. He has said it was the most tortured shoot he'd ever done, and while he may have been difficult to work with, I do have some sympathy for his position. The same for Forster and QoS.

 

It has to be real pressure knowing that you're expected to deliver the studio's cash cow when no-one has the most important thing of all, a finished working script.

 

I don't have a lot of time for TND, and it seems most everyone else has no time for QoS (I liked the film then and I still do now) but one thing both directors did was deliver a film that made a ton of money - which when the push comes to the shove, is what the studios are in business for. Good reviews with no ticket sales don't pay the bills, and both Spottiswoode and Forster get my credit for delivering pictures in trying circumstances, that may not be to everyone's or critics tastes, but still put bums on seats.

[Mallory]

Mendes should come back simply because he had respect for everyone involved. With Logan, Craig, Mendes and Deakins we will have another solid Bond film. I would love to see Stuart Baird come back, I don't think he gets the praise he deserves.