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Bond Bombshell
Posted on Monday August 10, 2009, 13:49 by Nev Pierce in Off The Wire
 Ten directors have hollered “Action” on a James Bond picture.
And in 47 years and 22 movies, they’ve all been blokes. In the equal opportunity 21st century, this begs a question: isn’t it time Bond was directed by a bird?*
Bond 23 is two years away. Regular writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade have been hired alongside Frost/Nixon scribe Peter Morgan to craft a suitably incendiary, continent-hopping action adventure.
No director is attached. Used to be, they’d return for repeat business, but in the last two decades only Martin Campbell has sat in the Big Chair twice.
John Glen holds the record, with five, and it’s 20 years to the week since his last outing, Licence To Kill, opened – nearly slaying Britain’s best-loved filmmaking series.
The film itself is somewhat underrated: it’s a tense enough thriller and, hair aside, Dalton wasn’t a bad Bond. He was just a terribly grave one... all frowns and angst and inner turmoil. Daniel Craig take note: Bond needs to have fun.
So, discount the rumours which suggest Bond 23 will have a drug-themed plot, with 007 returning to Afghanistan for the first time since Dalton’s debut, The Living Daylights. It would be spectacularly ill-advised, given the real-world carnage over there, and Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson are not idiots.
Taste aside, they should also remember the lesson of 007’s screen history: don’t take Bond too seriously for too long.
Quantum Of Solace came close to navel-gazing on occasion and the iconic spy needs to become full-blooded again and not just through the odd one-liner – actions speak louder than words. The true Bond is professional, pathological and hedonistic: he adores his work.
So, if he’s to be brash, rash and go ballistic once again, why give the megaphone to a woman? Because the woman is Kathryn Bigelow and with The Hurt Locker she shows she knows what Bond is all about: adrenaline.
Yes, her eighth feature is set in Iraq, but it’s not an Iraq War movie – another of those worthy, sombre lectures masquerading as entertainment. Instead, it’s about a man – Jeremy Renner’s bomb disposal expert – obsessed by his job, addicted to his job.
The opening caption – quoting war reporter Chris Hedges, reads: “War is a drug”. And The Hurt Locker is a one long high: set-piece after set-piece, bomb by bomb, always explosive. This is what Bond is supposed to be.
And while Bigelow doesn’t endorse being hooked to an endorphin-rush, she understands it. Any political or moral comment in The Hurt Locker is implied, not preached. This is what Bond needs.
He also needs a great villain. The best baddies have often been reflections of 007’s brutal self – Red Grant (Robert Shaw) in From Russia With Love, Scaramanga (Sir Christopher Lee) in The Man With The Golden Gun, Alec Trevelyan (Sean Bean) in GoldenEye – so when they hire Bigelow, they should also hire Ralph Fiennes.
Cast The English Patient – who is quite brilliant in The Hurt Locker – as Bond’s older half-brother, born out of wedlock to his Swiss mother, brought up a well-bred bastard by her grandparents, who made their money from banking Nazi gold in World War Two. He is also addicted to adrenaline, but while James will do anything for his country, Elias (a popular name in Switzerland, apparently) will do anything for cash – or revenge.
Imagine the bickering, the banter and the peculiarly British cruelty of Craig vs Fiennes – and Bigelow’s fiery feminine touch. Bring on Bigelow, bring back the kiss kiss, bang bang...
What do you think?
--
* Ironic use of diminutive slang for female designed purely to irritate certain members of EMPIRE staff. And you.
PS. We know Bigelow has just signed to shoot Triple Frontier with The Hurt Locker scribe Mark Boal, but we reckon she could do Bond too...
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Comments
| 1 |
XenonXylophone
Posted on Monday August 10, 2009, 14:53
Well, I'm convinced. |
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| 2 |
MB2
Posted on Monday August 10, 2009, 15:09
When can she start? |
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| 3 |
The Tingler
Posted on Monday August 10, 2009, 15:12
There's absolutely no reason why Bond shouldn't be directed by a woman, but saying they should do it because the 21st Century's all equal opportunities is wrong and almost undermined your entire argument right at the start. You get the best person for the job, irrespective of gender.
However, you make a damn fine point even though I haven't seen The Hurt Locker. On the other hand, I'm sure they'll make a good choice anyway. I loved Quantum of Solace... but okay, yes, they need to ease up on the everybody-dying thing. |
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| 4 |
nevpierce
Posted on Monday August 10, 2009, 15:29
Hey, The Tingler...It would definitely undermine my argument, if I believed it. I thought the 'bird' comment might tip the wink that the gender of the director is not my primary concern - still, it got you interested... And thanks for your kind words. |
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| 5 |
Old_Pyrate
Posted on Monday August 10, 2009, 15:29
Mr Pierce, think you'll find Bond went to Afghanistan in Dalton's first outing (i.e. The Living Daylights) not his last. |
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| 6 |
Bruce Vain
Posted on Monday August 10, 2009, 15:35
Although I haven't seen the Hurt Locker since it does not even have a release date in the Netherlands, I'm open to the idea. But what really excites me is the idea of Craig vs. Fiennes, a match up we'd all like to see and would up the pedigree of Bond 23 considerably. |
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| 7 |
nevpierce
Posted on Monday August 10, 2009, 15:37
Old_Pyrate, you are quite right: my (fairly stupid) mistake. I am now, of course, going to go into the file and correct it, then pretend I never made the mistake in the first place. What a pro. |
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| 8 |
Manfrendshensindshen
Posted on Monday August 10, 2009, 15:55
I actually wouldn't mind Martin Campbell returning for a third stab, just simply on the grounds that he made the two best Bonds of the past two decades.
But Kathryn Bigelow would be an exciting alternative, especially as I believe a good Bond director must be a good action director first and foremost. That isn't to say I don't care about the "character stuff", but history has taught us that (comparatively) high brow directors seem to be a bit overwhelmed coming to grips with the action (see Michael Apted, Marc Forster), leading to sub-par entries into the Bond canon. Bigelow certainly knows how to make the blood rush to the head, but she also isn't Michael Bay-inapt at directing layered performances and emotion. So yes, she'd get my vote.
And now for the really geeky stuff: who should be production designer? I didn't like Dennis Gassner's Apple store/vodka lounge MI6 HQ at all. And I want Daniel Kleinman to return... alright I'll stop it. |
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| 9 |
lisamoorish
Posted on Monday August 10, 2009, 15:57
Apart from the whole "Bond's brother" idea (sucks) it's a great suggestion!
Fiennes foe Blofeld!
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| 10 |
PitchBlue
Posted on Monday August 10, 2009, 16:01
Not seen the Hurt Locker as yet so can't speak from a point of view from Bigelow's latest. But to say Bond is supposed to be set-piece after set-piece is going against what Casino Royale did by spectacularly wiping that away. That went back to the books. Bond isn't set-piece after set-piece (although QOS felt a bit like that and while a good film wasn't a patch on CR), just look at the first 3 Bond movie's, plus Casino Royale and you have Bond. I don't want another Moonraker or License To Kill or worst of all Die Another Day (how unbelievably shit was that???). Bigelow could still be a good choice but please make it a good narrative story with SOME good set pieces.
Like the idea of Fiennes though! |
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| 11 |
sowasred2012
Posted on Monday August 10, 2009, 16:39
Arrrrrrgh! I'm dying to see The Hurt Locker, annoyingly I'll be taking a surfing holiday when the Movie Con screening is on. If I wanted to I would tie that comment to Point Break being awesome somehow, but I lack motivation this close to clocking off time. Anyway, if she can make a Bond as good as Point Break, and as incredible as The Hurt Locker looks, I'm fully in her corner. |
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| 12 |
JimmyThe Saint
Posted on Monday August 10, 2009, 16:45
Great idea. They should hire Kathryn Bigelow for the next Bond.
Point Break has shown that she can direct action.
Not to mention she is a total babe. She has the beauty to be a Bond girl. So the producers should go ahead.
I also think getting Ralph Fiennes. to be the bad guy is a brilliant idea. But never mind being Bonds brother.
Michael Sheen is a great actor, but they should cast Fiennes as the young Blofeld. That would be awesome! |
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| 13 |
Blunderbuss
Posted on Monday August 10, 2009, 16:58
I think Bigelow could pull it off. Not only can she do action and do it well, she's also got a great ear for proper masculine attitudes and dialogue (see Point Break, K19 & the Hurt Locker). Whatever else Bond is (and you can have eternal arguments over what constitutes the 'real' Bond) he should always be a man's man. Its what Connery was, Moore was to an extent in his early 007 films and both Dalton and Craig were/are (but not Brosnan, who was too effete and smooth IMO). Based on her track record Bigelow could deliver a great, muscular, adrenaline filled Bond adventure.
As long as whoever get's the gig next doesn't do such a poor job as Marc Forster I'll be a happy man. I'm all for trying new things when it comes to the 007 franchise, but some elements of Bond have to be sacrosanct and that includes humour and style, both of which QoS was almost devoid of. Here I'm less sure about Bigelow's credentials. Her movies to date aren't known for their lightness of touch or tone or for their glamour. Her action sequences would undoubtedly be more effective than the poorly edited mismashes that peppered QoS (couldn't we have one cut longer than three seconds!?) but could she restore Bond's wit and the sense of the exotically glamorous that is such a key part of the movies success?
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| 14 |
britesparc
Posted on Monday August 10, 2009, 17:00
Bigalow would be a very good choice. Also good choices (staying away from the usual Spielberg or Tarantino fan-wank): Neil Bloomkamp, if District 9 is as good as they say; Edgar Wright; David Yates; Tomas "Let the Right One In" Alfredson; Mark "Crank" Neveldine. |
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| 15 |
nevpierce
Posted on Monday August 10, 2009, 17:11
Tony Scott... Danny Boyle... |
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| 16 |
David Somerset
Posted on Monday August 10, 2009, 18:05
Really, really interesting idea Mr Pierce. I do like it when someone comes up with something Bond-y I'd never even thought of. Haven't seen Hurt Locker so will defer judgement on that but it sounds like a shove in another direction for 007 which is always good.
Would have to argue with one point though - you compare Bond to Hurt Locker's lead character, saying he's obsessed with and addicted to his job. I agree with that, but you also say the 'true' Bond adores his job. It always seems to me that Bond hates his job and hates himself for doing it, but it's the only thing he's ever been good at.
Take Dalton(the closest to a 'true' Bond we've seen)'s line in The Living Daylights: "Stuff my orders! ... Tell M what you want. If he fires me I'll thank him for it." Is that a man who adores his job? Let's not forget he's resigned (or tried to) three times in the course of the series, but the man and the job are nothing without each other. He'll be doing it forever.
I hope ;-) |
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| 17 |
MadMatt
Posted on Monday August 10, 2009, 18:30
Spot on. She'd be perfect. |
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| 18 |
Manfrendshensindshen
Posted on Monday August 10, 2009, 18:31
John McTiernan. Maybe he's lost his mojo, but boy did he know how to direct brillant action! I'll just pretend to have never seen the dreadful Rollerball remake and say that he deserves a comeback and would be a great choice for Bond - as The Thomas Crown affair proved he isn't completely averse to a bit of glitz, while his capability of handling action as well as suspense is beyond question. As long as he doesn't shoot any random nightvision sequences, that is. |
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| 19 |
mighty mick
Posted on Monday August 10, 2009, 19:11
As usual Empire has managed to convince me : )
As for Ralph Fiennes I can see what everyone means but I think he´s sort of become the Rent-a-villain actor in the business. Don´t get me wrong, he does it perfectly every time he has to but I´d rather see a more original choice. Mathieu Almaric was an inspired choice even though the character turned out to be dissapointing.
I´d personally love to see Michael Sheen getting his bad on, even though i realise he was rumoured as the next villain simply ´cause Peter Morgan was confirmed as screenwriter. |
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| 20 |
Great_Segun
Posted on Monday August 10, 2009, 20:01
Kathryn Bigelow is a great director indeed.
But the reason for her to be a great choice to direct a Bond movie is because... she DOES NOT direct movies like a woman, from my point of view.
So the first idea of this entry (i.e. Bond-movie should be made by a woman) will not be executed in this case: Kathryn is a woman, but Kathryn's Bond wouldn't be "Bond-made-by-a-woman" - it will be "Bond-made-by-Kathryn-Bigelow" :)
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| 21 |
Blyman
Posted on Monday August 10, 2009, 22:22
Craig vs Fiennes, I can see it, and it excites me! Should we not be launching a campaign because if doesn't happen now whoever gets the nemesis role in Bond 23 will seem tame in comparison. Alec Trevelyan has been my favourite adversary to date and he hasn't been matched since.
As for the director I am not very familiar with her work, apart from Point Break obviously but I am eagerly awaiting The Hurt Locker so I would be at least excited to see her name attached. With the exception of the excellent Campbell I have always been disappointed at the directors picked for Bond (Lee Tamahori really?) and I have no problem with a woman directing. In fact another director who I have been sad to see disappear into Mandyville is Mimi Leder who I thought did a great job of bringing some emotional depth to what, on paper, should have been thrillers filled with more balls then brains (The Peacemaker and Deep Impact vs Armageddon and Enemy of The State anyone).
Anyway nice blog Nev. |
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| 22 |
Helen OHara
Posted on Tuesday August 11, 2009, 07:16
I can't imagine which member of staff you're aiming for there, Nev. |
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| 23 |
the ageless stranger
Posted on Tuesday August 11, 2009, 09:36
Bigelow yes, Fiennes yes, evil half brother, no.
Come on, the last two films have been great at building up this whole shadowy organisation thing, without going over-the-top into cackling supervillains. If it turns out that they just happen to have Bond's brother working for them (or worse, he's the boss) then it just gets too silly. |
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| 24 |
nevpierce
Posted on Tuesday August 11, 2009, 10:12
Helen, it's not you sweetheart, don't worry...
Oh, no, hang on... |
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| 25 |
nevpierce
Posted on Tuesday August 11, 2009, 10:17
Re: Comment 16, Mr David Somerset... I take your point, but would say it’s possible to ‘adore’ one’s job and yet also hate it... Just ask anyone on the Empire staff.
Re: Comment 23, Mr The Ageless Stranger... It would definitely be good to see the whole ‘Quantum’ storyline brought to a satisfactory conclusion and Mr White get his comeuppance and it may well be a bit daft to introduce a half-brother to that... But Craig has said he’d like to go in a different direction with Bond 23 and leave the CR and QoS stories behind. We’ll see...
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| 26 |
robbiescarfe
Posted on Tuesday August 11, 2009, 11:26
"The Hurt Locker is a one long high: set-piece after set-piece, bomb by bomb, always explosive. This is what Bond is supposed to be."
Er, no it isn't. I think you have actually spectacularly missed what Bond at its best is. The crackling card playing sequences in Casino Royale demonstrate that Martin Campbell understands what Bond is all about - a man under intense pressure pushing through on wits and guile.
That's what Daltons Bond didn't get - Bond pushes his luck, taunts his enemies, and admittedly is tough and enjoys an explosive set piece, but should never be reduced to a dumb sub-arnie action hero-archetype.
I'm not suggesting Bigelow wouldn't be capable of doing a decent Bond - I just think the case you put forward lacks validity.
My suggestion for the directors chair on bond 23 would have to be Ole Christian Madsen. A Feinnes villain is an excellent shout.
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| 27 |
freemantle_uk
Posted on Tuesday August 11, 2009, 11:29
For me the dream choice would for the director's chair is Christopher Nolan, who shows he can do action, psychology and a thriller really well, but I know that it's unlikely he would do Bond in the near future.
Some more realistic choices for Bond would be Alfonso Cuaron (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Children of Men) or Oliver Hirschbiegel (Das Experiment, Downfall). Both are excellent filmmakers who I think could make an great Bond film.
Finally I personally like the new, gritty realist Bond. I like it when Bond is down to Earth and I want to see more of that. But I do agree that Bond is a man who is patriot and see it's as his duty to serve his country, the opposite to Jason Bourne. |
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| 28 |
Hugh Todd
Posted on Tuesday August 11, 2009, 11:44
I think KB will make a fine Director to the Bond series. Her previous accolades including the much underated Blue Steel shows her talent for unearthing the vulnerabilities of the characters as well as Directing.
KB is not afraid to explore the raw, harsh reality of movie making and her Point Break action flick demonstrates her ability for the Bond genre.
I think we need a good nemesis for Bond - perhaps a woman should be considered for this also? It may bring a fresh approach to help keep the popular franchise breathing for years to come........ |
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| 29 |
Luggen
Posted on Tuesday August 11, 2009, 11:57
QoS was not a Bond film. It was Bourne 4. (It looked like it wanted to be). If they want Bond 23 to be a Bond film they have to look back at the old Bond films. Goldeneye and backwards, but some could maybe be skipped. A Bond villain should be something between Dr. Evil and Alec Trevelyan rather than that french guy in QoS. And they have to bring back Q, played by John Cleese, for it to be a REAL Bond film.
I liked the plot Empire suggested thou. |
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| 30 |
Manfrendshensindshen
Posted on Tuesday August 11, 2009, 13:20
John Cleese was dreadful as Q. I consider myself a fan, but seeing him play the comic relief sidekick was as awful an experience as watching Steve Martin in anything he's made recently. Two great men selling out.
QoS was like a (not very good) wannabe-Bourne, agreed. My guess would be that Marc Forster lacked the kind of respect Bond - being a pulp character and all - deserves. During QoS' promotion it always appeared as if Bond was somewhat below him, which explains the half-arsed attempts at continuing CR's humanisation of Bond.
CR still remains the Bond to beat in my book, and stands there with FRWL and OHMSS as the best of the more serious ones. Terence Young, Peter Hunt, Martin Campbell - none of them exactly heavyweight directs, and yet they truly "got" Bond. (Honourable mention to Guy Hamilton and Lewis Gilbert for the best silly-but-great entries). |
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| 31 |
leroythemasochist
Posted on Tuesday August 11, 2009, 14:33
Brilliant idea. Very tight, fast-paced piece too - well done journo!
She's a top director of action and anyone who can break up an action pic with a 10 minute foot chase with no music and end it with ejaculatory gun firing and semi-orgasmic 'ahhhh!' from Keanu Reeves gets my vote.
On the other bits:
Don't want Blofeld (or need him - this is a different world) as he belongs now (sadly) to AustinPowersland and do we want a brother??? Dunno, but Fiennes is a remarkable actor. To go from the screen's most evil Nazi to films like English Patient and fluffy crap like that J-Lo thing takes some doing!
Have to disagree with the Sean Bean bit though - he's bloody awful in everything I've ever seen him in (mind you, hated Brosnan as Bond, he was about as dreadful as it gets)
So, yeah, Kath can do it if she wants. Someone should start a Facebook page... |
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| 32 |
VijayUK
Posted on Tuesday August 11, 2009, 14:57
@ freemantle_uk: Christopher Nolan is too political (see 'The Dark Knight'), and it would be nice to have a Bond film that is a little more relaxed than that, I think Nolan is likely to take further advantage of celuloid to preach even more. I like your thinking when you state 'Both are excellent filmmakers...' (ref. to Alfonso Cuaron/Oliver Hirschbiegel) - this is likely to produce a different director to someone who would simply attempt to make 'another Bond movie'. |
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| 33 |
filmburner30
Posted on Tuesday August 11, 2009, 15:09
What a great Idea Point Break proves she can do action and Strange Days showed she could do thriller too.
The campaign starts now as its a very very good choice.
Other ideas for directors
Kevin Macdonald
Neveldine and Taylor
Louis Lettier
Neil Marshall
but Bigelow should get that call from the Bond production company NOW |
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| 34 |
JurgenKlinsmann
Posted on Tuesday August 11, 2009, 16:01
Just Imagine a shane meadows bond film......ha
Bigelow for bond, yeah why not, as long as bond doesn't surf again.
I thought license to Kill was a great Bond, and was a big fan of Dalton (and john Glen for that matter, for your eyes only and the living daylights were corkers). |
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| 35 |
jobin
Posted on Tuesday August 11, 2009, 16:12
Bond 23?
Simple
Tarrentino.
Job. Done |
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| 36 |
mighty mick
Posted on Tuesday August 11, 2009, 17:41
age old mantra: never hire a director whose name is bigger than Bond´s.
therefore Tarantino, Spielberg, Boyle, etc... you´re all out. ´Cause at that point it wouldn´t be Bond 23 (or 24 or 39, whatever) but Steven Spielberg´s Bond, or Tarantino´s Bond... It would upset the balance. |
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| 37 |
Barry
Posted on Tuesday August 11, 2009, 22:18
David Fincher!
Actually, I'd love to see what Duncan Jones would do with a bond... |
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| 38 |
SeanValen
Posted on Wednesday August 12, 2009, 00:11
The Bond producers don't always let their directors direct though:) The problem is the producers, remember, these are the same producers who stole Tarantino's idea to film Casino Royale with Pierce Brosnan as the next Bond film. What did they do? Hire a new Bond, steal Tarantino's idea and fire Brosnan. Their ego just does not allow too many creative people telling them what to do. Barbara Brocolli is the problem. |
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| 39 |
Garth_Marenghi
Posted on Wednesday August 12, 2009, 00:50
Kathryn Bigelow would be terrific, so long as she doesn't use the shaky-cam I've seen in clips from The Hurt Locker (is the whole film shot that way?) and goes back to the elegant, muscular sheen displayed in Blue Steel, Point Break, Strange Days and Near Dark. Now THAT'S how you shoot action. Glad she seems to be back on form, nausea-inducing camerawork or not.
Basically, as long as it has a better script than QoS, I don't really have a preference for who directs it or how. (But please, not David Yates, as one person suggested - his Potter movies are so dreary...)
The main problem I had with QoS was not so much the tone (although a little more warmth/humour sprinkled in amongst the mayhem wouldn't go amiss) more the disjointed editing and shoddy storytelling. I honestly couldn't tell you what the hell the plot was for that movie - when my family watched it we all felt like big chunks had been hacked out of it seemingly at random. Great action choreography was also bludgeoned into meaninglessness by cack-handed editing.
Rule number one for Eon: Let Bourne be Bourne, and do your own thing. Don't worry about mimicking 'the competition,' just be true to the character you have and don't be ashamed of him. Hiring Peter Morgan seems like a very positive move to my mind, at least.
P.S. On a side note, is mentioning Bigelow's attractiveness somehow offensive? Just wondering, as saying so usually provokes grumbles, as if that diminishes the appreciation of her talent somehow. I for one would have no problem if a female journalist mentioned during a news item that, say, either Zack Snyder or Richard Kelly is a bit of all right... |
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| 40 |
davelogan
Posted on Wednesday August 12, 2009, 07:06
One of the problems with 'the Quantum of Solace' is that it seemed intent on not slowing down and scenes with little or no dialogue were poorly directed, in comparison to 'Casino Royale'. The story didn't allow for character scenes. It wanted to be a non-stop action film but as it showed tension relief is needed and a five minute dialogue scene on plot does not substitute for this.
Therefore what is needed in the next Bond film is scenes which focus on the characters, their relationships and so on. Everything in 'Quantum of Solace' seemed forced. 'Casino Royale' flowed naturally from scene to scene and the character scenes were what made it better than sequel.
Take the time to make a movie that'll satisfy. |
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| 41 |
dk_stevens
Posted on Wednesday August 12, 2009, 07:15
I've been thinking about the next Bond film a lot.
To abandon the Quantum storyline would be a punch in the stomach to the fans - especially as it would make QoS redundant, and the whole film felt like a bridging film to a much bigger film.
But the gloom does need to be lifted next time round, and the story far more epic than the underwhelming QoS.
Here's my idea: I think the idea of exploring Bond's back story is excellent, but please no evil half brothers. My idea is inspired by the short story Octopussy, where Bond avenges the death of his mentor; who was killed by a Nazi war criminal.
Pre-Credit Sequence: A young Bond undergoes a harsh Navy SEALs training course, observed by M and his mentor, played by Timothy Dalton. Dalton advises Dench to keep an eye on Bond, and Dench promises to, though not without a lack of enthusiasm. After successfully undergoing coming in first on the course, Dalton takes the young Bond for his first Vodka Martini, Shaken Not Stirred. Cue Music. (ok this idea is ripped off The Last Crusade, but i think it would be cracking)
The plot: Dalton is disgraced; missing and presumed dead. He has taken part in an unsuccessful coup d'etat in an oil rich African nation against a military juncta which is supported by the US and Britain.
Bond suspects that Dalton had uncovered Quantum links in the British government, and the oil rich African nation; but as Dalton is persona non grata, he can not investigate. he persuades M to let him go in unofficially, and M supports him due to her old friendship with Dalton.
Villain: a Quantum agent/ British Government insider; plus a sadistic African military dicatator (think Idi Admin)
What do you reckon? |
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| 42 |
Lord Midas
Posted on Wednesday August 12, 2009, 08:20
What, no Uwe Boll?
p.s. That was a jest. |
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| 43 |
RJNeb2
Posted on Wednesday August 12, 2009, 10:16
Kathryn Bigelow doing Bond? Best idea I've heard in ages. She did a brilliant job on Point Break and the criminally underrated Strange Days. She'd be a fantastic choice. |
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| 44 |
AquaDragon2K
Posted on Wednesday August 12, 2009, 12:11
Can someone call Barbara to arrange a contract to be couriered over to Kathryn?! |
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| 45 |
mighty mick
Posted on Wednesday August 12, 2009, 12:34
Paul W.S. Anderson
Slip death threats in appropriate letter box. |
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| 46 |
MusicLovesYou
Posted on Wednesday August 12, 2009, 14:33
Love it! Great suggestion, desperately wanting to see The Hurt Locker, the trailers look genius, and as for Point Break? Certainly a career high point for Reeves and Swayze and one of my favourite 80's excess films so Kathryn Bigalow gets my vote. Also think Fiennes as a bad guy could be brilliant, he'd need to do some bulking up like he did for Red Dragon but this could be very, very good. Casion Royale was excellent, Quantum of Solace very good but perhaps a little too much action (can't believe i'm saying this of a Bond film), now that the story arc involving Vespa and Bond's revenge mission has been pretty much sown up, time to look at Daniel Craig's one-liner delivery. At no stage did did I think Le Chiffre or Dominic Green could give Bond a decent fist fight, so it's going to be important for the third effort to find some absolute nails bastard who looks like he could literally paddle-slap your head clean off. Not Vin Diesel though. I wouldn't let that guy hold a pair of scissors. |
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| 47 |
CGoodwin
Posted on Wednesday August 12, 2009, 14:43
dk_stevens - I certainly like the idea of Dalton reappearing in some form or another - he was a great Bond - and there are some good ideas in general in your post.
As for other folks' comments, I also don't think that the problem with QoS was that there was too much action, just that there was too little of everything else. Casino Royale got the balance between character, story, romance and action spot on. With Quantum we just got a lot of action and a bit of clumsy, incomprehensible story.
For example, my mum has always liked Bond films, but she said Casino Royale was the first one in a long time that she really wanted to see again as soon as it had finished. I think a lot of people felt that way. That's the quality they need to recapture. Plus, maybe Daniel could arch an eyebrow and smirk, just once, in the next one! :) |
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| 48 |
MaxRenn
Posted on Wednesday August 12, 2009, 17:16
Kathryn Bigelow is a great choice...Strange Days is a cracking movie, but personally i think that Alphonso Cuaron should be handed the next Bond movie. He handled the action and the humour so well in Children of Men...and should the next Bond baddie happen to be a wand weilding wizzard, then it should be no problem really.
Mmm...Finnes...Cuaron...could there be a Bond Vs Potter thread starting here. |
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| 49 |
drewbert_1700
Posted on Wednesday August 12, 2009, 20:30
DO IT NOW! |
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| 50 |
rob_devitt
Posted on Thursday August 13, 2009, 05:56
I know Speilberg was well on for doing one for a long time. wonder if he's still interested? |
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| 51 |
UTB
Posted on Thursday August 13, 2009, 14:11
She's a female Tony Scott. Great popcorn fodder, nothing more.
But not a Bond director.
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| 52 |
Garth_Marenghi
Posted on Thursday August 13, 2009, 14:51
Near Dark and Blue Steel are hardly popcorn fodder. Neither is Hurt Locker, from the sound of it (can't say for sure yet, I'm only going by Empire's review). |
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| 53 |
UTB
Posted on Thursday August 13, 2009, 15:25
Point Break was pretty deep when I actually think about it. |
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| 54 |
Andybee76
Posted on Friday August 14, 2009, 13:00
This is the best idea I've heard for Blond Bond!!! The casting of Ralph Fiennes is inspired!!! Schindlers List and In Bruges prove he is capable of playing a good baddie!!! And Bigelow is one of the best action directors around with a number of classics under her belt (Point Break, Near Dark and now The Hurt Locker!) It is time JB had a bit of fun again instead of moping around crying about that silly girl from Casino Royale and chasing some weird French dude who wants to steal Bolivia's water (who cares? Fucking let him have it!)
It's time we had a decent Bond girl as well, Vesper Lynd was okay but the last film had Gemma Arterton who is hot and not a bad actress but was underused and Olga Kurylenko who is stunning and Bond didn't bed her, which doesn't make sense!! I think the casting of someone like Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica) would work quite well!!
We need to see more of the classic bond too that means The Bond Tune playing when he does an heroic deed and a decent theme song (what was that atrocious Jack White/Alicia Keys thing all about) Keep the titles classic and don't have all those fancy font's tellling the audience where they are!!!
But hey I am sure Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson aren't reading this!!! But if they are cast me as Bond!!! He he!! |
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| 55 |
InvisibleDuncan
Posted on Friday August 14, 2009, 18:12
dk_stevens, why would Bond do a Navy SEALs course? You're aware he's not American, right? |
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| 56 |
Sheinen
Posted on Monday August 17, 2009, 15:23
But when we all know that Micheal Bay is the best director in the world, why even consider looking at some Lady type person? |
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| 57 |
dicenslice
Posted on Monday August 17, 2009, 18:11
at movie con bigelow said that she would be up for doing a bond film so who knows |
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| 58 |
Mopictures
Posted on Tuesday August 18, 2009, 12:57
I know! I asked that question!
I feel like maybe I should have put the microphone closer to my mouth and breathed "What's your answer?" in a deep voice, pushed the issue more or something. I was kinda starstruck, and she's really hot! Didn't see that one coming. |
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| 59 |
Nicky C
Posted on Wednesday August 19, 2009, 11:07
Good idea! Get's my vote too, especially as Bigelow is not Lexi Alexander. |
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| 60 |
dk_stevens
Posted on Wednesday August 19, 2009, 19:10
Invisible Duncan; sorry just getting confused. I remember Bond was in the Navy, just can't remember exact details, and got confused with the Americans. But you know what I mean.
But since we are poiting out flaws in each other comments: Jobin deserves criticism for being dull and boring, and knowing absotutely nothing about films but thinking he/ she does .
Mighty Mick though, good point. |
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| 61 |
acertree
Posted on Friday August 21, 2009, 23:46
You sold me at Ralph Fiennes. Best actor in the world. Shove wooden Craig out of the way and give Bond to Fiennes. THEN I'd be interested in watching a Bond film. |
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| 62 |
MadMikeOT
Posted on Saturday August 22, 2009, 02:38
My choices for the next Bond director- other than your inspired choice of Kathryn Bigelow- would be (in no particular order): Oliver Hirschbiegel, Joe Wright, Alfonso Cuaron, Walter Salles, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (the director of '28 Weeks Later') and Tony Gilroy.
Casting of Voldemort himself would be great as a villain- but consider other choices: 'Inglorious Basterds' alumini Christoph Platz and Michael Fassbender, to name the two that come fresh into my mind.
Give it a thought. I absolutley love the addition of Peter Morgan as well. |
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| 63 |
ross99
Posted on Saturday August 22, 2009, 07:08
why not. lets bring out Bond's sensitive side! No seriously, there's nothing that should stop a female director from shooting Bond 23. |
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| 64 |
Gmania
Posted on Saturday August 22, 2009, 12:58
Am i alone in thinking Fiennes is an absolutely shocking actor,he almost ruined the near perfect In Bruges & was acted off the screen by Colin Farrell of all people.Nothing could be as bad as the last Bond i suppose,a confusing,moody mess.. |
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| 65 |
k1016
Posted on Sunday August 23, 2009, 17:25
Empire - Big fan, Bond - Huge fan, Point Break - awesome film, but guys, Hurt Locker ???? Kathryn Bigelow ???? Are you f***ing joking ???? That film was probably one of the worst pieces of garbage in recent years. It didnt know if it was going to be a serious but entertaining war film (Black Hawk Down) or a straight to DVD bucket action turkey with a wildly absurd and ridiculous plot. If she does that to a Bond film, even though our hero is a ficticious spy as we all know, I fear another 'Die Another Day' shenanigans coming on which nearly killed the franchise. I'm all for a Lady taking up the reins but lets get a director who keeps JB cool and deadly, not action for actions sake. Bond and the legion of fans deserve more of CS and QoS. |
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| 66 |
phillip martain
Posted on Tuesday August 25, 2009, 16:28
Having seen Hurt Locker I would agree Bigelow is fantastic at action but from this, and previous films she's made, it appears she seems to make fairly two dimensional characters. Bond does need to lighten up and some more gallows humour would be much appreciated but by far the best thing about the last two bonds was the fact there was some character in there. I just don't think Bigaloe has it in her.
Disturbingly though I'm finding it hard to think of other Women directors who have made it in Hollywood. I think that's quite sad really. |
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| 67 |
Bloodnutt
Posted on Wednesday August 26, 2009, 21:10
Casino Royale was a great Bond movie. I remember walking out thinking they've nailed it. Thank heavens for no more invisible cars and Bond spending 14 months in jail etc etc. Solace was a disappointment and uneccessary, didn't make any use of Gemma Arterton (a huge shame!!) and quite possibly the worst Bond villain ever. The only reason it made $560m was because of Casino Royale. What I would like to see is a lot more humour (something akin to the exchange between Bond and his Italian friend in Solace - still think its a crap film). Beyond humour (why on earth did you waste Gemma?) it would be great to see the likes of Mel Gibson in a really nasty Paybackesque type sadistic role, building to a crescendo when the two meet in a no-holds barred bare knuckle brawl. Don't go back to the frickin' invisible cars for f--cks sake. Kathryn Bigelow is an OK director - Point Break was OK but very gay. I fear a female director may not get the fact that guys want to be Bond because he gets to s--g any woman he wants. I would like to see Bond getting his end away without the baggage of falling in love and that. Charachter is really important as is getting someone who can act. Mads as LeChiffre was great - very menacing. |
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| 68 |
BenTramer
Posted on Thursday September 3, 2009, 09:54
Kathryn Bigelow would be an interesting choice, from "Point Break" alone we know she can direct dazzling action scenes (let's not mention "Blue Steel", shall we?).
The main problem with "Quantum of Bollocks" was the script, it was awful. Bond's life was never in any real danger, he easily killed every villain he was up against. Just compare that with "Casino Royale" where Bond actually dies and Is only saved by Vesper at the last minute - nerve-wracking stuff, more of that, please.
Someone mentioned John McTiernan, isn't he doing time? Stuart Baird would be a good choice for director. He edited "Casino Royale" and has directed movies like "Executive Decision" and the sequel to "The Fugitive" - "U.S. Marshals."
P.S. Get Brit Nigel Phelps (Transformers 2, Troy, Pearl Harbor) as Production Designer. |
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| 69 |
HBCat
Posted on Friday September 4, 2009, 11:39
Get anyone, even Tarantino or Spielberg. At least they have a sense of humour and a bit of style. QoS Bond has neither. |
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| 70 |
la26478
Posted on Sunday October 4, 2009, 16:23
Only Bond could stir up a debate about whether or not to have a female director - if it had been any other franchise and a women was reported to being taken over the helm, then no-one would bat and eyelid. This shows how iconic Bond is. I for one can't see a reason why there shouldn't be a female director. Quantum of Solace was a good movie and a respectable addition to the series but at times it was overly serious and, while I don't want to see the series going back to the frivilous quips of the Moore years, I do think an injection of humour is needed for the next movie. And you never know a woman might be able to get the equally as serious Mr Craig to lighten up a little? |
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