Sam Mendes to direct Bond 24?

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  • Posts: 9,843
    http://www.latinospost.com/articles/15975/20130405/james-bond-24-news-update-christopher-nolan-joe-wright-alfonso.htm

    posting it on both bond 24 director boards

    So the list rumored by the site is
    Ryan Wyatt
    Chris Nolan
    Alfonso Cuaron
    David Yates
    Joe Wright

    thoughts about the list?
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,959
    At least Mendes is doing what he wants to do, and didn't force him to return to a series he didn't want to tackle immediately after finishing SF and press runs. Granted, doing these two huge pieces of work back to back - SF and the Chocolate Factory - may seem just as insane, but it's good that, with the latter, he's doing what he really wanted to do, whether he brings in a larger audience or not. Can't wait to see who they pick for 'Bond 24.'
  • Samuel001Samuel001 Moderator
    Posts: 13,355
    Much respect to him and it's nice to see him open up a bit more about not doing Bond 24.

    Here's the Bond part:

    He was offered another Bond film almost immediately after this one, but wasn't tempted. "Was I willing to go straight back into a room with a writer and start work on the same set of characters and the same scenarios as I've been working on for the last three years? No. The idea made me feel physically ill." He laughs. "The movie world does not acknowledge the theatre world as a serious entity, on the whole. So you get a lot of, 'Why would you do another play?' "

    You also get, "What do you say to all the Bond fans you've disappointed?", which makes Mendes laugh. "I say to them, my life is not a democracy. It's not up for discussion. What? Maybe I should go on to one of the [Bond] chat threads and change my mind? I don't think that's going to happen."
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,959
    That's another thing that makes me not blame him whatsoever for not returning to do 'Bond 24': being with the same characters in the same universe for another three years. I remember, even before SF's release, he spoke of not being sure because all of his grandiose ideas were used in SF, and he was, in a way, out of things to try.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    Samuel001 wrote:
    Much respect to him and it's nice to see him open up a bit more about not doing Bond 24.

    Here's the Bond part:

    He was offered another Bond film almost immediately after this one, but wasn't tempted. "Was I willing to go straight back into a room with a writer and start work on the same set of characters and the same scenarios as I've been working on for the last three years? No. The idea made me feel physically ill." He laughs. "The movie world does not acknowledge the theatre world as a serious entity, on the whole. So you get a lot of, 'Why would you do another play?' "

    You also get, "What do you say to all the Bond fans you've disappointed?", which makes Mendes laugh. "I say to them, my life is not a democracy. It's not up for discussion. What? Maybe I should go on to one of the [Bond] chat threads and change my mind? I don't think that's going to happen."
    Are you among us, Mr. Mendes? ;)
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,959
    @0BradyM0Bondfanatic7, I became giddy and immediately curious when I read that line in the article. Now who could it be...
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    edited April 2013 Posts: 28,694
    Creasy47 wrote:
    @0BradyM0Bondfanatic7, I became giddy and immediately curious when I read that line in the article. Now who could it be...

    I wait with great relish for the day when we get a new member called @I_Am_Not_SamMendes. It might be a tad obvious at that point... :P
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,959
    @0BradyM0Bondfanatic7, haha, only slightly obvious.

    "Could that...could it be...no, no, it couldn't."
  • MrBondMrBond Station S
    Posts: 2,044
    A interview with MGW which i think hasn't been up yet.
    The last part about the directors is interesting!

    Michael G. Wilson, co-producer of the James Bond movies, spoke to the BBC recently in London about the nature of his job and the particular challenges that arise from being a producer on a highly successful global franchise. In a short piece for the BBC news service, Wilson was interviewed at the Jameson Empire Awards, where Skyfall and its director Sam Mendes had just picked up more well-deserved awards, voted for by readers of the popular Empire magazine, which is currently the UK’s biggest-selling movie magazine. The veteran 007 producer made it very clear that he still thoroughly enjoys his role as producer. He said his job is ‘thrilling, it’s a great job’ and ‘wonderful’. He also praised the crews, writers, cast and everyone involved with the production of the James Bond films, and said that everyone who works on the series ‘is a joy to work with’.

    Future of the Franchise

    When the BBC interviewer asked Wilson whether he thought Bond will ‘continue forever’, he responded: ‘Well, it’ll continue in some form, maybe not with us, but it’ll always be around’. Quizzed about the current 007 Daniel Craig, the Bond producer was asked whether he could imagine anyone else in the role of James Bond, and he responded: ‘I can’t imagine anyone else right now, that’s for sure – he’s just fantastic’. At another point in the interview, Wilson was asked about the difficulties of maintaining the franchise’s appeal to a younger audience. The EON producer said it had always been ‘a challenge’ and, ‘for 50 years’, they had been trying to keep the series ‘current and exciting’.

    Search for New Director Continues

    Meanwhile, as many Bond fans know, the EON producers still have the major challenge of finding a new director for Bond 24, which is being scripted by John Logan, after the surprise decision of Sam Mendes not to take up their recent offer to direct Craig’s fourth 007 instalment. Interestingly, when Michael Wilson and his EON co-producer Barbara Broccoli attended the special press evening for John Logan’s new play Peter and Alice in London, the journalist Richard Brooks, who writes for the ‘Culture’ section of the Sunday Times, was able to briefly ask Wilson about this situation. According to Brooks, Wilson said that half a dozen directors have already turned him down: ‘I think we’ll end up with a comparative unknown’, said Wilson. As Brooks noted in the Sunday Times, perhaps one of the reasons why some big names have turned down the opportunity to direct the next instalment of the world’s most successful movie franchise is precisely because Skyfall has been such a critical and commercial success – and Bond 24 is very likely to be compared unfavourably to its predecessor. Some reports have claimed recently that John Logan, who is single-handedly writing the stories for both Bonds 24 and 25, has already shown the EON producers a very basic outline treatment for Bond 24, indicating some of the key likely themes.
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,480
    Well, that is interesting. When was this interview?
    I think if more well known directors are turning down the next Bond movie simply because they know it will not likely top, or even match, Skyfall's popularity/box office - well, they need to get a spine, in my honest opinion.

    In other words, I would say to them: Come on, have fun and do your best and make it be YOUR Bond film and not worry about coming up with a 7 Gold medal Bond film. I would hope if well known directors are turning down the next Bond film it would be for more than just that reason only (Oh my, it cannot possibly top Skyfall, it won't be able to produce that amazing kind of box office, no way ... I'll just pass...).

    And what about Shane Black as director, anyone? He just did Iron Man 3, no? Just a thought ...
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    I agree, @4EverBonded. The directors I look up to, like Hitch, Coppola, Welles and more would enjoy the challenge of a project such as Bond 24 where expectations are big and the scale of the film is massive and globally reaching. Besides, if directing a Bond film was easy everyone would be doing it. Directors like Young, Gilbert, Hunt, Glen, Hamilton, Mendes and more are a part of a very lucky and exclusive club, an honor in the purest form considering these films have been around for half a century. Those that turned the offer down will assuredly regret their decision, and I think they had better risk it all and make the film the way they want to and not aim to create Skyfall 2 on a success scale. As we have seen in the past, a Bond film is successful no matter who is directing, and at times they have still made massive box office numbers though a film or two have been of less than average quality.
  • Posts: 9,843
    I know Boyle turned them down as per the interviews I wonder who else I can't imagine someone like Gilroy would turn them down

    With Key themes in place shouldn't they have figured out locations or start looking at them
  • Posts: 5,745
    I think the producers aren't helping the situation though. If you need to replace someone, but don't stop talking about how much you miss them, it will make your replacements wary.

    Stop the 'we want Mendes back' rhetoric, and start the 'we want something new' and I guarantee you'll have a queue.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    edited May 2013 Posts: 28,694
    JWESTBROOK wrote:
    I think the producers aren't helping the situation though. If you need to replace someone, but don't stop talking about how much you miss them, it will make your replacements wary.

    Stop the 'we want Mendes back' rhetoric, and start the 'we want something new' and I guarantee you'll have a queue.

    That is quite a good point. You are correct.
  • Posts: 9,843
    this is also true

    this news is both interesting and worrysome
  • JWESTBROOK wrote:
    I think the producers aren't helping the situation though. If you need to replace someone, but don't stop talking about how much you miss them, it will make your replacements wary.

    Stop the 'we want Mendes back' rhetoric, and start the 'we want something new' and I guarantee you'll have a queue.

    You're probably right but I suppose he did such a good job for them that it's hard not to be publicly appreciative. Especially at something like an awards ceremony where they're probably still wearing their Skyfall hat, so to speak.

    I wonder if it really will be an unknown or if MGW is just being coy?
  • Posts: 1,220
    JWESTBROOK wrote:
    I think the producers aren't helping the situation though. If you need to replace someone, but don't stop talking about how much you miss them, it will make your replacements wary.

    Stop the 'we want Mendes back' rhetoric, and start the 'we want something new' and I guarantee you'll have a queue.
    Couldn't agree more. I also feel that this idea that Skyfall will be so difficult to top isn't helping either. Skyfall is great, probably my #2 after Casino Royale, but it is nowhere near a perfect film and it is quite possible to improve upon it. Painting this doom and gloom over Bond 24 isn't going to make the film better. That said, I'm a little surprised they've been passed over by 6 directors, but then again, it's hard to say when you don't know who they were (albeit we do know Danny Boyle was one of them).
  • Posts: 9,843
    At least its kinda something new... I dunno We will see.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    Nolan would be beyond perfect but he is already involved in Interstellar.
  • Posts: 1,220
    Normally I would disregard this, but Baz has been on a hitting streak as of late... and I've been getting the sense that Bond 24 would be delayed anyways.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    Normally I would disregard this, but Baz has been on a hitting streak as of late... and I've been getting the sense that Bond 24 would be delayed anyways.
    I hope he is right. This is a dream Bond film of mine.

  • Normally I would disregard this, but Baz has been on a hitting streak as of late...
    He's also writing that Bond 24 will take quite some time, but that Bond 25 will be done just after - it's as close as possible as what the opposite of "Bond 24 as fast as possible + Bond 24/25 being a two parter is total nonsense" can be. And yet that's what was the most popular opinion here I'd say. We'll know the credibility of Baz here soon, even though he's a journalist ! :)



  • Posts: 300
    I just posted about this in the "Nolan wants to direct a Bond movie" thread. Hadn't noticed somebody else posted about it here already. Sorry guys.

    Btw, I hope it's true also. The thought of Nolan doing a Bond film makes me very excited. And Nolan + Craig?! So awesome!
  • Posts: 6,601
    Unbfortunately there is not really MORE here, just the same in repetition. To me all this talk is no more then they MIGHT have done the inevitable. They talked to him about it. Like its hinted here to get his view on it. The odds are very much against it.
  • Posts: 12,837
    I really hope they don't push back the release date just for the sake of Nolan directing.
  • Posts: 6,601
    I really hope they don't push back the release date just for the sake of Nolan directing.


    I do believe, they first and foremost want to get going. As soon as possible with the best director they can get within the time frame.
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