Park Chan-Wook Thinks It “Would Be Fun” To Direct A James Bond Film As He Talks His Love Of The Franchise

Park Chan-wook is one of the most acclaimed filmmakers of the past 20 years. He’s also one of the rare South Korean filmmakers who has broken through the foreign-language barrier to become a recognizable name throughout the world. And apparently, we have James Bond to thank for all of this.

According to an interview with Deadline, Park Chan-wook talked about the films that “lit my fuse.” The filmmaker took that prompt to explain his love of James Bond, particularly his childhood fascination with Roger Moore-era 007. Park explained that, even though fans of his films might not be able to recognize the influence right away, it’s the truth.

READ MORE: ‘Decision To Leave’ Director Park Chan-Wook On His Romantic Detective Noir & “Opening Your Eyes Within The Mist” [NYFF]

“Those of you who’ve seen my latest film might find this hard to believe, but I think it all started with a Bond movie,” said the filmmaker. “I was in elementary school at the time. I think it was maybe ‘Moonraker,’ but it was certainly a Roger Moore [one]. I got really into the film, and I had fun imagining different stories from it in my head when I was home by myself.”

He added, “At that time, Korea was a military totalitarian society, so they didn’t allow everyone, or they only allowed particular people, to be able to travel outside the country. Which is, I think, why I particularly enjoyed imagining myself in an exotic place, interacting with different races of people and going on fun adventures. So those crazy traps and weapons made with special technology and effects and the ingenious ways in order to escape from them, I had very detailed, imaginative stories in my head of how that would happen. It went into so much detail that I also imagined the placement of the camera or the movement of the camera filming those situations. And I think that was my first storyboard in my head, even though I didn’t draw them out.”

So, would the filmmaker enjoy the opportunity to take the reins of a Bond film himself? Sure, but he’s not so sure other people would be so excited.

READ MORE: James Bond Producers Want The Next 007 Actor To Commit To At Least A Decade Of Movies

“Yes, that would be fun,” said Park about making a 007 film. “But I’m not sure if the people watching it would have as much fun as I would making the film.”

As mentioned, Park Chan-wook is one of the most recognizable international filmmakers working today. His previous works, such as “Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance,” “Old Boy,” “Thirst,” and “The Handmaiden,” all show the filmmaker’s ability to switch genres with relative ease. So, you would have to assume that he would be able to craft a pretty great James Bond film.

Obviously, the ability to craft a film and the opportunity to make it a reality are two very different things. Historically, we’ve seen the producers of the Bond franchise stick with British filmmakers for the series. It wasn’t until “No Time to Die” and the inclusion of Cary Fukunaga that we saw an American filmmaker given the chance to make a 007 film. So, maybe we can see a world where Park Chan-wook is given the chance. However, it really doesn’t sound like a real possibility, which is a shame.

Park Chan-wook’s newest film, “Decision to Leave,” is now in select theaters.