Jesus, the news is flying fast in the new year. Speaking of Bond, delays on ‘Bond 23’ you say?
Well, first of all, a MGM contact has emailed FusedInFilm and denied all kinds of delay reports despite the fact that the Bond producers themselves have said the timetable for shooting is now “up in the air.”
Further casting doubt on any potential problems, the film has apparently found its director in Academy Award-winning director Sam Mendes (“Revolutionary Road,” “American Beauty”) according to HeatVision (or at least he’s in negotiations). But it makes sense.
Smart move on Mendes’ part in this weak film climate. Jump onto a tentpole with a brain — hopefully anyhow, Peter Morgan is the writer — try and make it something respectable and sharp ala “Casino Royale” and basically finish-up when the storm is (hopefully) over (though god, if the Oscars are going to nominate “Avatar,” “Star Trek” & “District 9” for Best Pictures, the film industry as we know it might be totally fucked).
A June production start date is being eyed (so much for those delays) and a 2011 release date is being sought. Though we should note, like every Bond film, two pre-existing Bond hacks — Neal Purvis and Robert Wade — are always writing alongside whichever new person comes on board (they keep it dumb and tentpole-y, the new person hopefully adds some oxygen and intelligence levels).
Mendes has never done action before (“Jarhead” doesn’t count, it’s a drama), but at the end of the day, that shouldn’t matter. It’s what stunt coordinators and trained DPs are for. The ‘Bourne’ movies are beloved and a global hit because they were above-average action films (i.e., they were not only action-y and thrilling, they had a brain).
I can't decide if I hate this more or less than those Danny Boyle rumours that were circulating a while ago.
Regarding the last paragraph (Mendes' lack of experience with action), as long as they bring back Dan Bradley as the second unit director/stunt coordinator, it'll have phenomenal action sequences. Guaranteed! Don't know Dan Bradley? IMDB him. He's the most accomplished director you've never heard of.
@spiceboy.
Exactly. That pretty much applies for all action. Just bring on smart directors to give these things a soul, a brain and a pulse. Second-unit/Stunt guys will figure out the rest.
Just what I wanted from a Bond film–a microcosmic examination of ostensible American ideals.
Or least I'll hopefully get that from a recut YouTube parody trailer.
The final shootout between Tom Hanks and Paul Newman's gang still ranks among my favorite scenes of this past decade. It's completely embedded in my mind. I hope Mendes maintains that sort of style when he approaches the action sequences. Marc Forster just went way overboard into the comically generic.
Overall though I'd have to say I'm excited for this.
Will this continue the streak of using the few unused Ian Fleming titles? There's about 3 left which takes the guesswork out of it.
Not exactly true about the action. Look at how great Casino Royale's action was (since it was directed by the Martin Campbell who did The Mask of Zorro), but then how choppy Quantum of Solace's was, I can only assume because Marc Forster doesn't have the eye or experience for it. Another example is how Chris Nolan seemingly couldn't direct action with Batman Begins but got much better with The Dark Knight (still not great though). As far as Sam Mendes doing the next Bond? I think it'd be a mistake. I like all of Mendes' films (Jarhead especially) but like I said above, I just don't think he is viseral enough…now Guillermo Del Toro I'd like to see.