About half of the directors that have taken on a James Bond film have helmed more than one of them (with Jon Glen directing the most at 5, if I’m not mistaken), but turns out that is not to be the case for Sam Mendes, at least for the time being. The James Bond publicity folks have released this statement by way of the agent’s Facebook page:
“It has been a very difficult decision not to accept Michael and Barbara’s very generous offer to direct the next Bond movie. Directing SKYFALL was one of the best experiences of my professional life, but I have theatre and other commitments, including productions of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory and King Lear, that need my complete focus over the next year and beyond.”
So it’s back to the theatre for Mendes, leaving Bond 24 rudderless in the wake of its first billion dollar success. That’s a lot of pressure for whoever now follows Mendes. One also has to wonder if this has any correlation with the news that Daniel Craig has fucked off The Monuments Men (probably not).
If you were to ask me (and you did so tacitly by clicking on this article!) I’d say bring in Joel Schumacher. The franchise has reestablished a lot of its traditions, so amidst the return to status quo it might be fun to delve into the homoerotic subtext of Bond. Nobody could do that better than the man behind Batman & Robin.
This choice would come with two bonuses: one is that Schumacher’s camera is more slick than ever (he cuts a mean Fincher for his two House Of Cards episodes) so the film would look great. Additionally, when Shumacher is finished it will finally be time for Christopher Nolan to fulfill the promise and make his Bond film. Full circle, you guys.
We’ll keep you up on the search for a new director, so keep ’em peeled here.
12 comments
They should hire Schumacher just for the inevitable fan-boy meltdown that will result. Of course, I am making the assumption that the people who watch Bond movies are the same people who watch comic book movies.
I started to snark that any female director would provoke the same freakouts as Schumacher. But Kathryn Bigelow would actually be a great choice, depending on what she thinks of the franchise.
He needs to focus on a theatre production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Are you serious dude?
When is John McTiernan up for parole?
Obviously, Renn has been spending to much time thinking of his Incredible Hulk movie to think sensibiliy…Joel Schumacher is neither British nor very good…the two choices for this franchise are Danny Boyle or, in a good move, John Logan making his directorial debut. Either choice would be fantastic and a good step for this franchise.
Not sure about parole, but he will be out early next year regardless.
Schumacher’s underrated, but the guy takes chances that nobody else has the balls to and when he makes it work he makes it work. I wouldn’t be entirely opposed to this, he might bring back a little of the less-gritty fun that I feel the last few movies lacked a little bit.
Also, in Schumacher’s defense, even he admits the fact that his two Batflicks (particularly the second) were first and foremost toy promotions in WB’s eyes.
@Satorical, Fuck Yeah! to Bigelow. But I’ll see your Bigelow and raise you Verhoeven!
You’re kidding with Joel Schumacher, right? You might as well ask for Jan De Bont, John McTiernan, Wolfgang Petersen Peter Hyams or Walter Hill. Hmmm Walter Hill doing a James Bond movie? That would actually be aces.
Joel Schumacher, on a very strict leash (and in A Time To Kill mode) wouldn’t be half bad. Batman and Robin mode (which he has apologized for)? BALLS!!
You know Schumacher would bring Kiefer Sutherland along for it, too. As the villain. For their 6th movie together.
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