328 replies to this topic

[zencat]

Thanks to crashdive and Loomis for some of these choices.

[crashdrive]

I voted for Roger Donaldson. A perfect Bond director who doesn't have a specific style, but nevertheless is a real pro. 'Thirteen Days' was an excellent film with both briljant acting and excellent scenes of suspense. He also knowns how to incorporate special effects into a film and knows the difference between good CGI ('Thirteen Days' & "Dante's Peak') and bad CGI ('Die Another Day'). He already worked with Brosnan (in his first Non-Bond film since 'GoldenEye': 'Dante's Peak') and with 'The Recruit' he proved he can direct an intelligent and entertaining spy flick.

Based on past precedent; EON tend to go for Commonwealth (British/Scottish/Welsh/Australian/New Zealander) seasoned professionals (preferably between the ages of 40 till 60), who can be trusted to put a great Bond film together, but don't have a tendency to put their stamp on it. Directors whose "personal vision" won't collide with EON's workethics.

With this in mind, I think there are a couple of directors we can scratch off the list
John McTiernan and Mimi Leder are both born and raised in America. Since EON prefers Commonwealth directors, I doubt they would get an offer. McTiernan is also known for wanting more creative control than EON could give him.

Before voting, bear in mind also the following facts:
Michael Caton-Jones was both offered 'GoldenEye' and 'Laws of Attraction' produced by and starring Pierce Brosnan (now to be directed by Peter Howitt).
Stephen Hopkins & Stuart Baird were already offered 'Die Another Day'. Click here for the report.
Phillip Noyce may not want to direct a Bond film anymore after the succes of his two very personal films 'Rabbit Proof Fence' & 'The Quiet American'.
Martin Campbell's schedule is free. Since he's directing television series, I think his career could use another Bond film. Spottiswoode was difficult to work with so he will definately not return and Apted is too old.
Lee Tamahori could return, but bear in mind EON hasn't hired a second time Bond director for twenty years (John Glenn - 1983 - 'Octopussy'). Also, there have been reports of problems on the set. This could damage his chances.

Thanks Zencat for making the poll.

[zencat]

I just added Vic Armstrong to the list. If anyone who has already voted wants me to chance their vote to Vic, let me know.

[Loomis]

Thanks for creating the poll, zencat. You didn't forget.

It's a great list, and I found it very tough to make up my mind, but I ended up voting for Phillip Noyce. I'd be quite happy with just about any of the others doing BOND 21, though, including Martin Campbell and Lee Tamahori.

Did you omit John McTiernan deliberately? He'd probably have run away with it. While we're on the subject of McT, I just downloaded the trailer for BASIC (which I don't advise anyone to do, since it's one of those trailers for a twists-and-turns thriller that for some unfathomable reason seems to give away far too much), and noticed that he no longer has his usual "A JOHN McTIERNAN FILM" credit preceding the actors' names. Strange. Does this mean he's gone down in the world, that, post-ROLLERBALL, he's seen as a mere director-for-hire? Only a few years ago, McTiernan's name would have been splashed and shouted all over the trailers for a new flick he'd done ("From the director of PREDATOR and DIE HARD....", etc.). I mention this because no Bond movie has ever been "A SO-AND-SO FILM" or "A FILM BY SO-AND-SO", and so if McTiernan no longer cares about such ego-massaging, then maybe....

I'm curious as to why Mimi Leder's on the list. Very talented filmmaker, but hardly an obvious candidate. Maybe that's why you decided to include her, rather than someone like Brett Ratner.

Anyway, thanks again, zencat.

[zencat]

Actually, I forgot about McTiernan. But I don't see him working with MGM again after Rollerball. I think Mimi Leder is an interesting choice. A woman who has proven she can direct large scale actions movies... Besides, she's my bud.

And as for Sommers -- why not let him write and direct? I know Eon will never do this, but maybe this is exactly the kind of bold move they should make.

[Bryce (003)]

Will we ever get rid of this thread?(no offense Zencat)

Again, as posted elsewhere:

Donaldson
Campbell
Tamahori
Noyce

These guys can deliver.

Mimi - I'm open to...Especially since Zencat has her ear these days...and her check;)

[M_Balje]

1. Martin Campbell

2. Vic Armstrong is the second directer and he can made an Bond movie. ( look to wijlen Peter Hunt) But i don't think Eon take him as first directer.
It's an good idea he work with the Directer together for Bond 21.
But as i must rank him as first directer i say after Campbell and why,he is the Bond Family,he know evering about the Bond years.

3. Jon Amiel (Where is he in the poll ?)
4. Phillip Noyce
5. Steven Sommers
6. Roger Donaldson
7. Stuart Baird
8. Mimi Leder
9. Michael Caton-Jones
10. Lee Tama Hori
11. Stephen Hopkins

His "24" is to dificult for me.
First the same with Tamahori for A long game A Spider,but with Dad he proof it than he can make an Bond movie.
But i wil one stap back for Tamahori. (He Change some thing's to much)

And i have that feeling with number 8 and 9 to.

For Steven Sommers,Donaldson and Stuart Baird i have the feeling that there can made an Movie with action but lesser than The world is not enough from Apted. (look like Tomorrow never dies)
But there is one danger point.
Mabey there give Bond a litle more emotion than The world is not enough.
But i prefer that before an to dificult story.

[crashdrive]

I think people should definately not underestimate Jon Amiel. he directed one of the most Bondian films for MGM which wasn't a Bond film starring an ex Bond actor: 'Entrapment'. He also directed the terrific Bond spoof 'The Man Who Knew Too Little' starring Bill Murray. Amiel is between 40 and 60, born in England and is a director for hire! I think he's in the top three most likely candidates. This summer his latest film 'The Core' will be released. It looks like a big budget crowdpleaser. Amiel was born to direct Bond.

[zencat]

I had to restart the poll.

Got rid of Sommers. Added Amiel and McTiernan. And Mimi stays!

Now leave me alone.

[zencat]

Originally posted by Bryce (003)
Will we ever get rid of this thread?(no offense Zencat)

I hear ya, Bryce.

And nobody better ask me to start a poll on who will do the next theme song!

[crashdrive]

Michael Caton-Jones ('Rob Roy', 'The Jackal' & 'City By The Sea')
Probably one of the most likely candidates at this stage. This Scottish director is only 45, but has an impressive list of credits. He directed 'The Jackal', which was an intelligent and suspensefull spy thriller. He was offered 'GoldenEye', but declined, because he probably he felt he did not want to direct a Bond film at that point in his career. He was offered 'Laws of Attraction', starring and produced by none other than Pierce Brosnan, but dropped out due to creative differences. This could have been his foot in EON's door. The fact that Brosnan picked Caton-jones and the fact that he fits EON's criteria could mean he's almost a shoe-in. Let's just hope he's not too strong minded to direct a Bond film. One thing is for sure, no that he has dropped out of 'Laws', he has enough time in his schedule to start with pre-production on 'Bond 21'. Time will tell.

[Loomis]

Sorry, zen, but would you mind doing yet more tinkering? I re-voted for Phillip Noyce again before you added McTiernan, and I'd like to change my vote to McTiernan.

Not a "realistic" choice (but then neither is Noyce, really), but I've been down-to-earth enough in other threads, discussing potential BOND 21 directors with crashdrive and others, and, after all, this poll does ask us who SHOULD direct BOND 21.

crashdrive, I know where you're coming from, and initially I thought zencat had left McTiernan off the list deliberately, but to be honest I think that, without or without the option to pick McT, a lot of members would have abstained with "None of the above/I don't care just as long as they don't use/ CGI/This poll is irrelevant. Eon will choose someone completely unexpected as they always do." Most people are only interested in playing "what if?" with famous names.

[crashdrive]

Stephen Hopkins ('The Ghost and the Darkness', 'Lost in Space' & '24')
Hopkins is also one of the more likely candidates. This Australian director was also offered to direct 'Die Another Day'. He was responsible for the hit television show '24' starring Kiever Sutherland and with films like 'The Ghost and the Darkness', 'Blown Away', 'Predator 2' & 'Lost in Space' he proved he can direct quality big budget films with flair. A terrific choice to direct Bond.

[Loomis]

But is McTiernan really any more unrealistic a suggestion than Noyce? And if zencat can include an American with Mimi Leder, why not McT?

I think - and I think you'll agree - that McTiernan, while not exactly a frontrunner for BOND 21, is a CONSIDERABLY more realistic suggestion than Peter Jackson, James Cameron and Steven Spielberg. And I'd say he's also more realistic than Michael Mann, Brett Ratner, John Woo....

[crashdrive]

Originally posted by M_Balje
2. Vic Armstrong is the second directer and he can made an Bond movie. But i don't think Eon take him as first directer.

EON has a long tradition of promoting their 2nd unit directors to first unit (John Glenn, Peter Hunt). A lot of fans feel it's time for Vic Armstrong (2n Unit Director 'Die Another Day', 'Gangs of New York' & 'The World is Not Enough') to take charge. But what are his chances? Well, if you look over his resume, you can't help but thing he's ready for it. But EON hasn't hired a 2nd unit director to helm a Bond film since 1981. Also his directorial efforts as first unit director haven't been very impressive ('Joshua Tree' starring Dolph Lundgren). I wouldn't put money on him.

[zencat]

Originally posted by Loomis
Sorry, zen, but would you mind doing yet more tinkering? I re-voted for Phillip Noyce again before you added McTiernan, and I'd like to change my vote to McTiernan.

Will do.

[zencat]

Originally posted by crashdrive

Well, I'd prefer them voting on one of those options than someone who just isn't a very likely candidate. That way, we can at least look at how many votes the other guys got and see who the fans like out of the realistic options. If this turns it to a poll where members can vote for directors who are not realistic, what's the point of a poll like this?

I think these choices are equally realistic and at the same time equally unrealistic. (Frankly, the only realistic choice here is "Eon will choose someone completely unexpected as they always do.") And Loomis originally asked for this poll and McT was one of his candidates so... No more changes. This is the poll.

[crashdrive]

Originally posted by Loomis
But is McTiernan really any more unrealistic a suggestion than Noyce? And if zencat can include an American with Mimi Leder, why not McT?

A bit of an odd choice, since she's an American. In the 40 year history of EON, they have never hired an American director, so the numbers are not on her side. But apart from that, she also looks to be a promising candidate. 'The Peacemaker' was very Bond-esque and with 'Deep Impact' she proved she knows how to direct big budget action. At the age of 46, she definately is young enough. So far, however, I haven't seen proof EON is planning to get directors from America, so I don't think both Leder and McTiernan are as realistic as the others.

[Mr.KKBB]

I voted for Roger Donaldson.

[Loomis]

Originally posted by zencat

Frankly, the only realistic choice here is "Eon will choose someone completely unexpected as they always do."

Wise words.

Check out the credits for BASIC, which have no bearing whatsoever on whether the trailer I saw is a teaser and whether there'll be another trailer at some point with an announcer booming "From director John McTiernan, who brought you DIE HARD, THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER and THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR...." - go to http://www.apple.com...columbia/basic/

You'll find ---- PRESENTS A ---- PRODUCTION, and everything present and correct apart from one thing, namely the credit "A JOHN McTIERNAN FILM" or something similar. It's an unexpected ommission and, IMHO anyway, interesting, although I'm not saying that it means McT is in line to do a Bond film.

crashdrive, I know all about EON's formula and long-established hiring methods, since you and I have discussed them at length in the past. However, unlike yourself, I do not believe that the idea of an American being hired to do a Bond film is as ridiculously implausible as that of, say, Robbie Williams playing 007.

I believe that, sooner or later, an American director WILL be hired to do a Bond film.

[zencat]

Originally posted by Mr.KKBB

The only reason why so many people think the Bond directors are always people you don't expect, is because they are not aware of the very simple formula EON has used in the past for picking directors. If they were, Campbell, Spottiswoode, Apted and Tamahori would have been very logical choices. As are Caton-Jones, Baird, Donaldson, Noyce and Amiel.

I think all these names have already crossed Eon's desk in the past and have been rejected for one reason or another. And I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the director of Bond 21 turned out to be an American. Change is in the air.

Besides, listing American directors on this list will tell us if fans want an American director or not. Just be thankful I didn't put down Bret Ratner (who was considered for DAD, btw.)

[ChandlerBing]

Does this mean Scorcese will get to direct Bond like Pierce has always wanted? Wouldn't it be funny if Marty finally won an Oscar...and for directing a Bond movie?

[zencat]

Something tells me Bond 21 may very well see a "star" director. I know one of the Scotts (Ridley or Tony) was approched for DAD.

[Loomis]

It was Tony. The story goes (and this was from the mouth of Pierce Brosnan in a Premiere interview) that Scott was approached by MGM and/or EON (I forget which) but wanted Tarantino to script DAD, which the Bond people didn't like the idea of.

Personally, I don't agree that a "star" director is likely for BOND 21. I more or less share crashdrive's views on this matter, although I'm perhaps a little less "hardline" () and not quite as ready to rule people out. Still, I don't think McTiernan is a frontrunner, but he nonetheless tops my wish list.

[zencat]

I'm not sure I want a "star" director -- in fact, I'm sure I don't. But I'm saying it's not as impossible as it use to be. $200 million is the new blockbuster bar in the U.S. and MGM will what to try and cross it with Bond 21. They've already gone with the equal billing big name American actress route (and that brought them close), now I see them thinking a big name director could give them the final boost. I'm not saying this is good, or even correct, I'm just saying it

[M_Balje]

Originally posted by M_Balje
1. Martin Campbell

2. Vic Armstrong is the second directer and he can made an Bond movie. ( look to wijlen Peter Hunt) But i don't think Eon take him as first directer.
It's an good idea he work with the Directer together for Bond 21.
But as i must rank him as first directer i say after Campbell and why,he is the Bond Family,he know evering about the Bond years.

3. Jon Amiel (Where is he in the poll ?)
4. Phillip Noyce  
5. Steven Sommers
6. Roger Donaldson
7. Stuart Baird  
8. Mimi Leder
9. Michael Caton-Jones
10. Lee Tama Hori
11. Stephen Hopkins

His "24" is to dificult for me.
First the same with Tamahori for A long game A Spider,but with Dad he proof it than he can make an Bond movie.
But i wil one stap back for Tamahori. (He Change some thing's to much)

And i have that feeling with number 8 and 9 to.

For Steven Sommers,Donaldson and Stuart Baird i have the feeling that there can made an Movie with action but lesser than The world is not enough from Apted. (look like Tomorrow never dies)
But there is one danger point.
Mabey there give Bond a litle more emotion than The world is not enough.
But i prefer that before an to dificult story.

Zencat remove Steven Sommers from the list.
Now put i John McTiernan for him on that place (number 5).
I think that John Mc Tierman between Noyce and Amiel is.
But i vote again for Martin Campbell.

[Double-Oh-Zero]

How many bloody choices do you need, fer crissakes!? Jeez, people. You guys should be thanking zencat for doing the poll, not complaining. Rant over, I'll vote for Caton-Jones, cause I liked "The Jackal" and it seemed Bondish in a way.

[Loomis]

Originally posted by M_Balje

Zencat remove Steven Sommers from the list.

I don't think that was an order or request, zencat, merely M_Balje's attempt to state what you did (no past tense, so it's all a bit confusing).

Anyhow, I for one am loving this poll. I think zencat has done a great job. Please don't close it down.

[zencat]

Ah, yes, I see you're right about that, Loomis.

[crashdrive]

John McTiernan ('Die Hard', 'The Hunt for Red October' & 'The Thomas Crown Affair')
McTiernan is probably the fan favorite. Brosnan has stated repeatedly that he'd love McTiernan to direct a Bond. But why hasn't it happened yet? Well, two reasons. One; EON prefers Commonwealth filmmakers. Since John is American, this kinda puts him out of the race. Second; McTiernan is probably too strong-minded for EON to consider him. They prefer directors who are cheaper and easier to work with. I'm sure McTiernan would direct a terrific Bond film, but I doubt it will happen. But that's just my personal opinion