Where does Bond go after Craig?

1253254256258259681

Comments

  • Junglist_1985Junglist_1985 Los Angeles
    Posts: 1,033
    Agreed that Batman Begins is his best, for the same reasons as stated above ^.
  • Jordo007Jordo007 Merseyside
    Posts: 2,641
    Tenet desperately needed Nolan's brother Jonathan to polish that script. I'd doubt EON would agree to Bond 26 written solely by Christopher Nolan.
  • sandbagger1sandbagger1 Sussex
    Posts: 942
    The Prestige is my favourite of his films, though I appreciate Inception , and I even liked Tenet on my second watch.
  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    Posts: 8,188
    peter wrote: »
    mtm wrote: »
    Yes Tenet was arguably his Bond film, and equally arguably his most boring film to date.

    Someone should have had the balls to tell him Tenet was half baked and to continue rewriting it until it made actual narrative sense.

    That was, without a doubt, the most annoying film I’ve ever sat through. I was gritting my teeth, and it was my own stubbornness to see how it ended (or I would have (and should have), walked out).

    I actually walked out. Funny thing is that Nolan actually paid a visit to that very theater that day. I didn’t get to catch him in person.



    He would have undoubtedly known that the IMAX theater at the time only had like maybe a few people. I like Nolan, but 2020 was undoubtedly the most out of touch year for him. Trying to push one of his lesser efforts during a pandemic.

    I get his reasons for wanting to support theaters, but jeez.
  • Posts: 12,473
    It’s a bit off topic, but Batman Begins - The Prestige - The Dark Knight was definitely Nolan’s peak me for me. Didn’t wander too far into his Nolan-ish-ness yet.
  • VenutiusVenutius Yorkshire
    edited March 2023 Posts: 3,152
    Again, I honestly don't see the worth in hiring Nolan if it's on the condition that he doesn't make a film like a Nolan film. Vot is point, as the kids said 20 years ago?
  • Mendes4LyfeMendes4Lyfe The long road ahead
    Posts: 8,399
    Interesting to see how a lot of people are against the idea of nolan directing Bond. I always thought he was a popular choice among fans. I think its safe to say that EON will need a safe steady hand on the next film, since it's the start of a new era, and their usual option of Martin Campbell is probably too old by now (but who knows?). The question is, do they want the maintain the kind of massive scale grandiose stories they've been telling since Craig started, or are they looking to downscale and go back to basics. If they are prepared the slash the budgets in half, then there's endless choices of directors to choose from and stories to tell, however if they DO want to continue with the model of releasing a prestige 300 million dollar film every 4 - 5 years, then theres an extremely small pool of names to pick from. When you think about it, doing things this way has been frought with peril in recent years. Besides Campbell, who appears to have been purpose built to handle such productions, a lot of the directors they have worked with have been more liabilities than anything. I know the script for Quantum was always dodgy owing to it being unfinished, but Forster vision about based the film around the elements was more than a little kooky, and I can't imagine such a strange prerequistie would've helped the scripting process. Mendes appears to done a spiffing job with skyfall, but he was foremost responsible for axing david arnold from the series which cannot easily be forgiven. And with his follow up SP he seemed completely out of his depth, and lost as to where to take the story, its like his ego got the better of him and he seemed for more interested in filming his largest explosion on camera than any other aspect of production. Then there was the Boyle fiasco, which probably ended up costing them millions over the course of the following years of struggles. Whatever happens, EON cannot allow these mistakes to happen again, they need a sure hand to guide them, and we don't know how involved micheal will be this time either. I love the man, and I hope he is still involved in some capacity for years to come, but I think its fair to acknowledge that he's in his 80's and filming bond movies is very unforgiving. Whatever happens I think there's gonna be a massive shakeup, things won't look the same once they return, just like between 1989 - 1995 and 2002 - 2006. But I can't see them going with some whizkid with a couple films to his name and just rolling the dice with the future of their baby. I think they need that experience that safe boxoffice appeal, and even though I don't personally have him as my first choice, I can't think of someone that fits the bill other than Nolan. Add to the fact that he's stated he'd love to do it, if they needed him, and it starts to feel inevitable.
  • VenutiusVenutius Yorkshire
    edited March 2023 Posts: 3,152
    I wonder to what extent prestige directors will be interested in directing a Bond film now that Craig's gone? After all, Forster and Mendes both said that they only did it because of what Dan had done with the role. I wonder if their current equivalents will wait to see what direction EON take and how the new guy plays it before deciding if they want to put their names to it? However, if that were the case, Nolan would be the exception as he's already said that he'd love to direct a new, reinvented Bond. Thing is, if Nolan didn't do Bond 26, the new actor's set for a 10-year run - so Nolan wouldn't get the chance to do any reinventing for a long time. Which means it could pretty much be this time or never. This could well be the moment.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    edited March 2023 Posts: 16,413
    like his ego got the better of him and he seemed for more interested in filming his largest explosion on camera than any other aspect of production.

    Do you genuinely think that's how it was though.

    There's quite a few people making big blockbusters and most of them aren't Nolan.
  • Mendes4LyfeMendes4Lyfe The long road ahead
    Posts: 8,399
    Venutius wrote: »
    I wonder to what extent prestige directors will be interested in directing a Bond film now that Craig's gone? After all, Forster and Mendes both said that they only did it because of what Dan had done with the role. I wonder if their current equivalents will wait to see what direction EON take and how the new guy plays it before deciding if they want to put their names to it? If that were the case, Nolan would be the exception, as he's already said that he'd love to direct a new, reinvented Bond. If the new actor's set for a 10-year run, Nolan's not going to get another chance for a long time. This could well be the moment.

    Exactly, I feel like its now or never for a Nolan Bond.
  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    Posts: 8,188
    Interesting to see how a lot of people are against the idea of nolan directing Bond. I always thought he was a popular choice among fans.

    Sure, but that was 10 years ago when he was high off of Batman. Fans started seeing what he did after and became less enthusiastic about a Nolan Bond film.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    It's clear that many critics and audiences weren't in love with Tenet.

    If Oppenheimer is a well-shot bore and continues along the trajectory that most of Nolan films have been travelling down for the past decade, then this isn't the wisest decision.

    Also, starting a new actor in the role with a $300 million pricetag on his untested shoulders, seems wonky at best (after all, where do the budgets go after this $300 million debut film?).

    I think the budget will be healthy, but conservative. When it's clear they have a genuine hit, a little more will be added to the next film.

    I wouldn't be surprised if they went after Mark Mylod who has a witty bite to him, and pair him up with a great second unit team....
  • edited March 2023 Posts: 12,837
    Interesting to see how a lot of people are against the idea of nolan directing Bond. I always thought he was a popular choice among fans.

    Sure, but that was 10 years ago when he was high off of Batman. Fans started seeing what he did after and became less enthusiastic about a Nolan Bond film.

    Yeah I’m one of those fans, used to love the idea of him doing one but now I’ve gone off the idea. I’ve always thought his action scenes could feel a bit limp and the overall vibe of his films a bit cold/sterile, but I still wanted to see what he could do with Bond because he was an amazingly consistent blockbuster director who always delivered on spectacle. But his flaws have gotten harder and harder for me to ignore over the last decade or so.

    I did like Dunkirk and I agree we could do worse @Mendes4Lyfe. Bond isn’t sci-fi so I doubt he’d disappear up his own arse like he did with Tenet. But I also think we could do a lot better. Like Edgar Wright, who I saw you suggest recently. I’d love someone like him or Gareth Evans, someone who could bring a pacey, adrenaline fueled energy back to it. Nolan would be fine but he wouldn’t get me excited in the same way.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,976
    peter wrote: »
    mtm wrote: »
    Yes Tenet was arguably his Bond film, and equally arguably his most boring film to date.

    Someone should have had the balls to tell him Tenet was half baked and to continue rewriting it until it made actual narrative sense.

    That was, without a doubt, the most annoying film I’ve ever sat through. I was gritting my teeth, and it was my own stubbornness to see how it ended (or I would have (and should have), walked out).

    I actually walked out. Funny thing is that Nolan actually paid a visit to that very theater that day. I didn’t get to catch him in person.



    He would have undoubtedly known that the IMAX theater at the time only had like maybe a few people. I like Nolan, but 2020 was undoubtedly the most out of touch year for him. Trying to push one of his lesser efforts during a pandemic.

    I get his reasons for wanting to support theaters, but jeez.

    You missed a fine and convenient opportunity to let him know how mediocre it was!
  • Mendes4LyfeMendes4Lyfe The long road ahead
    edited March 2023 Posts: 8,399
    Interesting to see how a lot of people are against the idea of nolan directing Bond. I always thought he was a popular choice among fans.

    Sure, but that was 10 years ago when he was high off of Batman. Fans started seeing what he did after and became less enthusiastic about a Nolan Bond film.

    Yeah I’m one of those fans, used to love the idea of him doing one but now I’ve gone off the idea. I’ve always thought his action scenes could feel a bit limp and the overall vibe of his films a bit cold/sterile, but I still wanted to see what he could do with Bond because he was an amazingly consistent blockbuster director who always delivered on spectacle. But his flaws have gotten harder and harder for me to ignore over the last decade or so.

    I did like Dunkirk and I agree we could do worse @Mendes4Lyfe. Bond isn’t sci-fi so I doubt he’d disappear up his own arse like he did with Tenet. But I also think we could do a lot better. Like Edgar Wright, who I saw you suggest recently. I’d love someone like him or Gareth Evans, someone who could bring a pacey, adrenaline fueled energy back to it. Nolan would be fine but he wouldn’t get me excited in the same way.

    I think Edgar Wright is PERFECT to direct a Bond film with a bit more flair, and dare I say less bloat, but I doubt EON would trust him (or evans) with navigating their baby through some rough waters at such a crucial juncture.

    The problem is they have made a rod for their own back, because they've gradually been hiring more and more A list level talent both behind and in front of the camera. Either they keep this up, in which case they pretty much have to hire someone of Nolans level of prestige, or they completely clean the decks and start afresh. The issue then becomes, now that the audience is used to oscar winning directors, cinematographers, composers and cast members, how do you sell a film with a bunch of lesser known, more workmanlike equivalents without it feeling like a gaint downgrade?
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    @Mendes4Lyfe … it’s James Bond with a new actor.

    The worldwide audience won’t care about Oscar winning cinematographers or directors or costumes or make up.

    I’m pretty sure this IP sells itself.
  • Mendes4LyfeMendes4Lyfe The long road ahead
    edited March 2023 Posts: 8,399
    peter wrote: »
    @Mendes4Lyfe … it’s James Bond with a new actor.

    The worldwide audience won’t care about Oscar winning cinematographers or directors or costumes or make up.

    I’m pretty sure this IP sells itself.

    that's kinda what I'm worried about, that EON will be overconfident and not take it seriously enough. the reality is that bond matters to US because we grew up with it, but for Gen Z and for people under 20, bond has barely been a part of their lives. Remember, for that demographic 2012 was CHILDHOOD and there's only been 2 bond films since then. EON has to put in a lot of work into getting the new generation invested, they can't expect to coast on their reputation anymore.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    I think you’re overthinking this @Mendes4Lyfe … as the Stoics say: we do more damage in our imagination than what is happening in real life.

    EoN knows what they have to do and that’s why I think there’s been a lot of radio silence coming out of EoN HQ…

    There’s a hell of a lot going on behind closed doors; I haven’t been privy to details, but work is seriously afoot and problems and obstacles are being worked on.

    EoN isn’t about to launch a new actor without developing this properly. There’s way too much at stake. They know this. It’s their job to know and this is what they’ve been doing since Cubby was their leader.

    There’s a process … Let it run its course…
  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    Posts: 8,188
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    peter wrote: »
    mtm wrote: »
    Yes Tenet was arguably his Bond film, and equally arguably his most boring film to date.

    Someone should have had the balls to tell him Tenet was half baked and to continue rewriting it until it made actual narrative sense.

    That was, without a doubt, the most annoying film I’ve ever sat through. I was gritting my teeth, and it was my own stubbornness to see how it ended (or I would have (and should have), walked out).

    I actually walked out. Funny thing is that Nolan actually paid a visit to that very theater that day. I didn’t get to catch him in person.



    He would have undoubtedly known that the IMAX theater at the time only had like maybe a few people. I like Nolan, but 2020 was undoubtedly the most out of touch year for him. Trying to push one of his lesser efforts during a pandemic.

    I get his reasons for wanting to support theaters, but jeez.

    You missed a fine and convenient opportunity to let him know how mediocre it was!

    If I bumped into him and he asked my opinion, I’d probably have said “I think what you tried to go for was interesting, but halfway I lost interest in the characters and plot because of the aggressive pacing and sound mixing, and couldn’t finish it. Sorry.”
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 16,413
    Gareth Evans could work possibly. I like Edgar Wright's energy but I worry that, for me, he hasn't made a truly good film since his first one.
  • Mendes4LyfeMendes4Lyfe The long road ahead
    Posts: 8,399
    mtm wrote: »
    Gareth Evans could work possibly. I like Edgar Wright's energy but I worry that, for me, he hasn't made a truly good film since his first one.

    you don't like Hot Fuzz, or Baby Driver? :(
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    I like Wright a lot. Just not sure he has the creative depth. Much of his work is surface level amusement (and quality amusement at that); but scratch the surface and there’s just not a lot there.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    edited March 2023 Posts: 16,413
    mtm wrote: »
    Gareth Evans could work possibly. I like Edgar Wright's energy but I worry that, for me, he hasn't made a truly good film since his first one.

    you don't like Hot Fuzz, or Baby Driver? :(

    Not hugely. I found Baby Driver fine but pretty much instantly forgettable. Hot Fuzz was fun but annoyed me a little by claiming to be an action film but having really under-directed action in it. I know the point was to be a comedy film foremost, but the way it built itself around action tropes so heavily just to move to a final act filled with stuff like a car chase in a straight line filmed with a shaky camera... I felt it had cheated to some extent. Baby Driver at least finally showed he could direct an action scene.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,976
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    peter wrote: »
    mtm wrote: »
    Yes Tenet was arguably his Bond film, and equally arguably his most boring film to date.

    Someone should have had the balls to tell him Tenet was half baked and to continue rewriting it until it made actual narrative sense.

    That was, without a doubt, the most annoying film I’ve ever sat through. I was gritting my teeth, and it was my own stubbornness to see how it ended (or I would have (and should have), walked out).

    I actually walked out. Funny thing is that Nolan actually paid a visit to that very theater that day. I didn’t get to catch him in person.



    He would have undoubtedly known that the IMAX theater at the time only had like maybe a few people. I like Nolan, but 2020 was undoubtedly the most out of touch year for him. Trying to push one of his lesser efforts during a pandemic.

    I get his reasons for wanting to support theaters, but jeez.

    You missed a fine and convenient opportunity to let him know how mediocre it was!

    If I bumped into him and he asked my opinion, I’d probably have said “I think what you tried to go for was interesting, but halfway I lost interest in the characters and plot because of the aggressive pacing and sound mixing, and couldn’t finish it. Sorry.”

    "Now break out that fat wallet and refund me my ticket and concession purchases."
  • Mendes4LyfeMendes4Lyfe The long road ahead
    edited March 2023 Posts: 8,399
    peter wrote: »
    I like Wright a lot. Just not sure he has the creative depth. Much of his work is surface level amusement (and quality amusement at that); but scratch the surface and there’s just not a lot there.

    @peter I think its fine for a Bond film to be surface level amusement (many of them are), especially after an era filled with the kind of depth you're talking about.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    @Mendes4Lyfe i wasn’t talking about the depth in any Bond film, but the lack of depth I find in Wright’s films. I enjoy his films as live action cartoons.

    James Bond is a British agent with a licence to kill. With that comes a certain gravitas that Wright has yet to show in his work.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,634
    Jordo007 wrote: »
    Tenet desperately needed Nolan's brother Jonathan to polish that script. I'd doubt EON would agree to Bond 26 written solely by Christopher Nolan.

    Yep, EON will keep using Purvis and Wade, just for the sake of it, it seems.
  • Mendes4LyfeMendes4Lyfe The long road ahead
    edited March 2023 Posts: 8,399
    peter wrote: »
    @Mendes4Lyfe i wasn’t talking about the depth in any Bond film, but the lack of depth I find in Wright’s films. I enjoy his films as live action cartoons.

    James Bond is a British agent with a licence to kill. With that comes a certain gravitas that Wright has yet to show in his work.

    @peter I think that Wright could bring a level of gravitas comparable to LALD, TMWTGG, or TND. Obviously he would be on the lighter side of things, that goes without saying, but I don't think his films are so silly as to be beneath bonds stature. The series is hardly a stranger to a little silliness, after all. ;)
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    I respectfully disagree @Mendes4Lyfe ... Wright is a man-child and sees things throught that lense-- and he's good at it.

    But Bond needs a little more weight behind him, whether it's a silly adventure or not.
  • Posts: 4,162
    Celebrity 'auteur' directors can be a bit hit or miss for Bond, or indeed any big franchise. Even with examples like Christopher Nolan directing his Batman trilogy (heck, even with Tim Burton doing his own Batman films) it was a case where they were at a much earlier point in their career, probably having done a couple of well reviewed or semi-successful films. The fact is when you bring in directors like Wright or Nolan - both of whom are well established, have specific styles, and have enjoyed an immense amount of creative freedom in their recent careers - you're bringing them into a different environment with a Bond film. Just with how collaborative these films can be there might not even be much point in hiring a big name like that. The fact is it's not the director's name that will immediately draw people into the film but the fact that it's a James Bond movie. Such a director will also be more expensive to hire than a less established one, and again may not thrive in that sort of environment. I mean, look at what happened with Danny Boyle, the amount of developmental freedom he had, and indeed the problems which stemmed from just the idea of him having to bring on other writers. I'm sure EON want to avoid that again.
Sign In or Register to comment.