328 replies to this topic

[kevrichardson]

Originally posted by crashdrive

I really hope we'll learn soon who will direct Bond 21. Not just to find out whether or not our predicitions have been correct, but also, so that we can finally put the spotlight on one director and predict what the tone of the film will be based on the directors previous work (or do you feel this isn't an issue for EON?). Of course we could do that now. What do you say?

There is nothing wrong with discussing some of the side issues a director of Bond 21 will face . For many the CGI issues was rather up-seting . I understand that there are other threads for these things . Still many of the decision about there use will fall on the director and producers . It would be nice to at least know who the leading candidates are . But that will not happen until the production starts .

[kevrichardson]

I just read on the internet . That John McTiernan is to direct "Die Hard 4 : Die Hardest" in 2004 . Does this remove him from the poll ? Does anyone else have more information.

[crashdrive]

It was reported last year McTiernan would direct 'Booster' starring Morgan Freeman. Based on the novel of the same name, written by Eugene Izzi, it tells the story of a pair of legendary thieves reunite during a winter storm to rob the top floor of the Sears Tower accessing it from the outside. Mimi Leder was attached to direct. But since September 2002, I haven't heard anything new about it. So far Die Hard 4 does not have a director attached.

[kevrichardson]

Hello CrashDrive. I read that John McTiernan was to direct "Die Hard 4:Die Hardest" on www.ambidextrouspics.com . Something called "Gods Of Filmmaking" webpage. it was "just announced" . Also it list his most recent film "Basic" .

[crashdrive]

Originally posted by kevrichardson
it was "just announced".

The movie, but not that McTiernan will direct. This is only speculation: "...and all we know is that John McTiernan is directing." My source is a little more reliable. I'm not saying it won't happen, but so far no dotted lines were signed.

[Loomis]

I'm not even sure that DIE HARD 4 will happen. I know it was announced recently, but movie mags and sites have been announcing it regularly for years without it ever actually being made (same goes for RAMBO IV).

As far as I'm aware, there's been no "official" announcement that DIE HARD 4 will go ahead, and no details of a start date, release date, or the involvement of anyone apart from Bruce Willis (and it's not even clear that he's onboard or even interested). The project still seems to be stuck in development hell. I know that there's an IMDB page on DIE HARD 4, but that site tends to jump the gun IMO (McTiernan's IMDB filmography included DIE HARD 4 until recently).

I wouldn't be surprised if DIE HARD 4 ended up never getting made, for reasons that have little to do with the post-9/11 sensitivities that many assumed (wrongly, as things seem to have turned out) would bring about the end of the Hollywood action movie. DIE HARD 4 would cost an absolute fortune, quite apart from the staggeringly enormous fee they'd have to pay Willis. Willis might well insist on McTiernan directing as a condition of playing John McClane again (as well as a truly amazing script, this late in the day), and luring McTiernan back to the series wouldn't come cheap, either.

Obviously, a fourth DIE HARD would seem to be a surefire blockbuster (albeit not as surefire as another Indiana Jones, James Bond or STAR WARS film), but I can imagine it being one of those projects that, among other problems, would turn out to be just too expensive to get off the ground (as was very nearly the case with DIE HARD WITH A VENGEANCE). Like the ROCKY, RAMBO and LETHAL WEAPON franchises, the DIE HARD franchise is basically dead and has been for quite a while. I'm not sure that reviving it would be all that easy.

[Roebuck]

Originally posted by Loomis
As far as I'm aware, there's been no "official" announcement that DIE HARD 4 will go ahead, and no details of a start date, release date, or the involvement of anyone apart from Bruce Willis (and it's not even clear that he's onboard or even interested).

On Corona I read Willis had agreed his production company would make Die Hard 4 in exchange for the use of the title 'Tears of the Sun' (which was at one point the Die Hard 4 working title). However, since the contract doesn't bind him to a start or completion date, Willis could effectively sit on the project till doomsday (or until Fox loose interest in the concept of John McLean as a have-a-go pensioner hero).

[kevrichardson]

Originally posted by Loomis

Obviously, a fourth DIE HARD would seem to be a surefire blockbuster (albeit not as surefire as another Indiana Jones, James Bond or STAR WARS film), but I can imagine it being one of those projects that, among other problems, would turn out to be just too expensive to get off the ground (as was very nearly the case with DIE HARD WITH A VENGEANCE). Like the ROCKY, RAMBO and LETHAL WEAPON franchises, the DIE HARD franchise is basically dead and has been for quite a while. I'm not sure that reviving it would be all that easy.

It does not matter to me one way or the other . Since i was concerned with the idea of removing John Mctiernan from a directors list for Bond 21. I am of the opinion that he is all wrong for Bond . Still Loomis i agree that the Die Hard Franchise is dead . And would be hard to jump-start . yet this series of post confirms how much time has been spent discussing Him(McTiernan) .

[crashdrive]

Pinewood have now confirmed this in a statement: "The Bond offices have been penciled in, and the stages where all the filming takes place have been booked by Eon Productions."

I guess we'll find out soon enough who will direct Bond 21. We should better keep our eyes on the trades, because any director who will sign on to another project we can scratch off the list.

[kevrichardson]

Originally posted by crashdrive
Pinewood have now confirmed this in a statement: "The Bond offices have been penciled in, and the stages where all the filming takes place have been booked by Eon Productions."
I guess we'll find out soon enough who will direct Bond 21. We should better keep our eyes on the trades, because any director who will sign on to another project we can scratch off the list.

Well just who among the news listed here and else where as possible Bond 21 Directors are free . Michael Caton-Jones is not working on the brosnan/ Julianne Moore project . Any information on the others listed.

[Loomis]

Originally posted by crashdrive
Pinewood have now confirmed this in a statement: "The Bond offices have been penciled in, and the stages where all the filming takes place have been booked by Eon Productions."

I guess we'll find out soon enough who will direct Bond 21.  

Great news. Thanks for the info, crashdrive. I've pointed this out already, but I would imagine that the name of the director will be announced round about July. Of course, in this internet age there may well be a leak ahead of schedule (here's hoping).

It's quite possible that a director has already been signed in secret, and that (s)he is perusing this thread and having quite a chuckle.

[kevrichardson]

Originally posted by Loomis

Great news. Thanks for the info, crashdrive. I've pointed this out already, but I would imagine that the name of the director will be announced round about July. Of course, in this internet age there may well be a leak ahead of schedule (here's hoping).
It's quite possible that a director has already been signed in secret, and that (s)he is perusing this thread and having quite a chuckle.

What if it is someone not even listed here !! It would show that we Bond fan don't know everything . But i am glad that we do not have to wait until 2005 . I guess that this also means the return of the Aston Martin Vanquish .

[crashdrive]

Originally posted by kevrichardson
Any information on the others listed.

Lee Tamahori
The Hollywood Reporter says Lee Tamahori has come aboard to direct Halle Berry in Paramount Pictures' action-thriller The Guide. An early-2003 start date was being eyed, says the trade, yet so far shooting has not started.
Martin Campbell
According to Variety, BBC Films will turn acclaimed six-hour BBC miniseries 'Edge of Darkness' into a feature that will be written by Andrew Bovell and directed by Martin Campbell. 'Darkness' becomes a candidate for Campbell's next slot. He's overseeing development of 'Zorro 2', with plans to reunite Antonio Banderas, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Anthony Hopkins. Campbell has been tapped to direct ABC's drama pilot '10-8', from Spelling Television and Touchstone Television, says The Hollywood Reporter and has come aboard a remake of El Cid. Looks like Campbell's schedule is fully booked.
Roger Donaldson
Variety reports that Roger Donaldson has come aboard to develop 'Abyssinia' with the intent of directing the epic love story framed by Mussolini's World War II invasion of Ethiopia. This was reported August 2002 and so far he has not signed on to direct. His schedule is still free.
Phillip Noyce
Phillip Noyce is planning an adaptation of the Australian novel 'Dirt Music' starring Nicole Kidman. Noyce also has a major adventure flick in development, the dramatization of Thor Heyerdahl's true-life Peru-to-Tahiti raft journey, 'Kon-Tiki', has come aboard to develop with an eye to direct Columbia Pictures and producer Mace Neufeld's project revolving around a real-life U.S. takeover of an Afghanistan city that was accomplished with a cavalry. He won't do the projects back-to-back, however, so we'll have to see when "Music" will start up. No time for Bond I guess.
Mimi Leder
After 'Smoke and Mirrors', Leders schedule is free.
Stuart Baird
Bairds schedule is also free.
Michael Caton-Jones
Caton-Jones dropped-out of Brosnans 'Laws of Attraction' due to creative differences and as of yet has not signed on to any other projects.
Stephen Hopkins
Hopkins is currently finishing 'The Life and Death of Peter Sellers' starring Geoffrey Rush, Charlize Theron and Emily Watson and does not have any new projects lined up.
Vic Armstrong
Armstrong's schedule is free for 'Bond 21'.
Jon Amiel
Amiel signed on to direct the psychological thriller Seconds, Remake of the 1966 film directed by John Frankenheimer starring Rock Hudson. Though no start date has been confirmed, the film was expected to start shooting early 2003. So far however, no start date has been confirmed so I guess Amiel is still ready to go.
John McTiernan
John McTiernan is in negotiations to direct The Booster for Intermedia Films and Mark Johnson Prods, says Variety. According to Entertainment Weekly, Vin is being courted to take the lead with Morgan Freeman. But again, no start date has been set.

So far the only directors we can scratch of the list due to schedule problems are Martin Campbell & Phillip Noyce. I'll keep you up-to-date.

[M_Balje]

Where Crash dive you heard that Martin Campbell go make The Mask of Zorro 2 ?
On imdb.com i see that Beyond Borders (with Clive Owen) Martin's last movie he have made as directer.

Catherine Zeta-Jones is free after Smoke & Mirrors and Monkeyface (2004).
There must the camera's role for this to movie's yet. (Dutch: ze moeten nog opnames maken voor deze films)
She can't make in the same time The Mask of zorro 2.

[kevrichardson]

Michael Caton-Jones left the Laws of Attraction project . Because of "creative differences with who ? Brosnan , since his IrishDreamTime is the producers ? if so who that leave him out of Directing Bond 21 ? Second Vic Armstrong schedule is not free . Since he will be in changed of 2nd unit duties for Bond 21 . That i will bet the farm on . So it's safe to remove him altogether from the first unit .

[crashdrive]

Variety reported that Campbell was developing 'Zorro 2', but no word on a startdate. My guess is that he'll first finish post on 'Beyond Borders'. After that he'll direct the ABC pilot '10-8' and then he's free to direct either the remake of 'El Cid', 'Edge of Darkness' or 'Zorro 2'. But maybe he is still in the race. A pilot does not take too long to shoot and he has not signed a dotted line to direct one of the previous films. I'll only count him out after I hear about a start date. Same with Phillip Noyce. But I'll definately keep you up-to-date.

As for Caton-Jones, I don't know with whom Michael differed creatively. The article does not say. But I do think the fact he even has creative differences means he'll probably be too independent to direct a Bond film. He's not one of the safe bets I think. So far, the schedules of my four most likely candidates; Stephen Hopkins, Jon Amiel, Stuart Baird and Roger Donaldson are still free and clear.

[Loomis]

Hopefully The Powers That Be will be/are wooing John McTiernan, and he'll pass on THE BOOSTER to do BOND 21. Advance word on BASIC suggests that it's only marginally better than ROLLERBALL, and it looks like it won't be much of a success at the box office, either, in which case McT would be in dire need of a hit.

Come on, EON, drop your no-Americans rule. Come on, McT, you know you want to do a Bond film with your old pal Pierce.

McTiernan! McTiernan! McTiernan!

Leaving aside my number one choice, I'm glad to know that Amiel, Baird, Donaldson and Hopkins will be free for BOND 21. I'd be happy if any of those guys landed the job, although my preferred candidate would be Donaldson.

[kevrichardson]

Originally posted by Loomis
Hopefully The Powers That Be will be/are wooing John McTiernan, and he'll pass on THE BOOSTER to do BOND 21. Advance word on BASIC suggests that it's only marginally better than ROLLERBALL, and it looks like it won't be much of a success at the box office, either, in which case McT would be in dire need of a hit.  
Come on, EON, drop your no-Americans rule. Come on, McT, you know you want to do a Bond film with your old pal Pierce.  
McTiernan! McTiernan! McTiernan!
Leaving aside my number one choice, I'm glad to know that Amiel, Baird, Donaldson and Hopkins will be free for BOND 21. I'd be happy if any of those guys landed the job, although my preferred candidate would be Donaldson.

Loomis , I respect your preferance for John McTiernan . Also i admire your belief that he may not get the "gig" . Based on some silly unwritten rule . Yet Bond's are British Productions . So i doubt it will happen . The poll to some degree was unfair since it include names (Mimi Leder) of people simply out of the question . Who ever get's the job of directing Bond 21 will be fine with me . I like most have a favorite and then a fantasy candidate . Still if EON has a list , that similiar to what is here . Then Bond 21 will be in very fine hands in deed.

[Blue Eyes]

It'll be interesting to see if any of these predictions prove real.

With Bond 21 moving into pre-production a director, if Lee Tamahori wasn't resigned, will be currently being sought.

[B007GLE]

How about a director who has connections to MGM (I think he's on their Board among other things) and who has a=made a few good movies in his day:

Francis Ford Coppola.

[ChandlerBing]

Maybe they can make Coppola an offer he can't refuse.

[SeanValen00V]

McTiernan got a new film out with John Travolota called Basic, put John back on the map, a great director revels in what's he given, Rollerball was dum materical, can't work magic when some of its not provided from the start!

[kevrichardson]

Originally posted by SeanValen00V
McTiernan got a new film out with John Travolota called Basic, put John back on the map, a great director revels in what's he given, Rollerball was dum materical, can't work magic when some of its not provided from the start!

You can't make chicken salad out of chicken **** ! "RollerBall" was doomed from the start . The original 1975 film was good enough .

[crashdrive]

I finally got the chance to watch 'The Recruit' and I think Donaldson is perfect Bond material. Here's a director who doesn't adjust a film's tone and story to fit his visual style. He changes his visual style so that it fits the story. His direction is so unrecognizable and humble, yet so professional. I'd be really surprised if this guy is not in the top three of EON's wish list. He seems a more logical choice to me than the last four Bond directors. Has worked with both MGM ('Species', 'No Way Out', 'Marie') & Brosnan ('Dante's Peak') and has experience directing spy films ('The Recruit') and large scale action films. He has not directed a terrible film (although granted some of his films were not good) in the 25 years he has been a director and is one of the most capable directors working in Hollywood today, who is not an auteur. He's one of the few directors, who would agree to sign on, we should get excited about. Shame he's only got three votes.

[kevrichardson]

Originally posted by crashdrive
I'd be really surprised if this guy is not in the top three of EON's wish list. He seems a more logical choice to me than the last four Bond directors. Has worked with both MGM ('Species', 'No Way Out', 'Marie') & Brosnan ('Dante's Peak') and has experience directing spy films ('The Recruit') and large scale action films. He has not directed a terrible film (although granted some of his films were not good) in the 25 years he has been a director and is one of the most capable directors working in Hollywood today, who is not an auteur. He's one of the few directors, who would agree to sign on, we should get excited about. Shame he's only got three votes.

His career could use the boost from a Bond . I doubt that he will make the Top Ten . Please tell me what's the difference between a "terrible film" and a "not good one" . I was under the impression that they are the same .

[crashdrive]

Originally posted by kevrichardson
 His career could use the boost from a Bond .  Please tell me what's the difference between a "terrible film" and a "not good one" .

'The Recruit' has grossed $52 million in the States alone. I think that's a respectable amount. With a star like Pacino I'm sure the movie will at least double it's budget worldwide.

The difference between a terrible movie and a 'not good one' is easy. Terrible means a movie that does not have any pros, only cons. Not good means the movie has probably more cons than pros, but still is watchable. Donaldson has never made a film that isn't watchable. But granted, many of his films were not ground-breaking. And we don't expect that from a Bond director. Quite the opposite in fact.

I'd be very interested who you think would make the top ten, since you feel Donaldson would not be one of them.

[kevrichardson]

Originally posted by crashdrive


The difference between a terrible movie and a 'not good one' is easy. Terrible means a movie that does not have any pros, only cons. Not good means the movie has probably more cons than pros, but still is watchable. Donaldson has never made a film that isn't watchable. But granted, many of his films were not ground-breaking. And we don't expect that from a Bond director. Quite the opposite in fact.
I'd be very interested who you think would make the top ten, since you feel Donaldson would not be one of them.

Well i am a bit confused on the Not Good /Terrible film theory . Usually means Direct to video ! As usual CrashDrivew you have wore me down once again . I must wave the white flag and retreat to fight another day . As for your statement towards my Top Ten . I said not in the Top Five or Three . EON is cheap ( poor choice of words) when it comes to directors . Plus all the other factors involved . Makes chosing a director a difficult exercise. Just think what EON is going through . I will leave my list for you in the morning . Now i must go and watch World War 3 on the televlsion and then get some rest . Take care Buddy . You win this round !!!

[kevrichardson]

CrashDrive buddy what was wrong with Mick Jackson's last two films
First $20 million (2002)
Live From Baghdad (HBO Films 2003) .

[crashdrive]

You did say top ten. And I don't think Donaldson is out of EON's pricerange. Anyway, can't wait to read your list.

And did you actually see 'First $20 million' & 'Live From Baghdad'?

[Blue Eyes]

I can't find any mention of Phillip Noyce's 2004 plans.