Why Roger Michell turned down 'Bond 22'

Qwerty

The Times features a new interview with Roger Michell on why he turned down the chance to direct 'Bond 22'...

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/theatre/article1877785.ece

blueman

Wonder if he's being considered now, as he turned down Bond 22 when it had the earlier release date attached to it...

Great article, thanks Q.

Loeffelholz

Thanks, Qwerty! {[]

Really interesting stuff. I completely understand his trepidation about the massive size and urgency of Bond's film world---and how some filmmakers could easiiy be overwhelmed by the madness and chaos of it all

Even still...the character and perspective Michell displays in this article (particularly the part where he asserts that the director ought to be invisible) would seem to make him a solid candidate to do such a producer-driven project...

I think I'd be interested to see what he'd do when thrown into the shark-tank... :007)

John Drake

Michell comes across as being a decent guy. I'm not surprised he turned down a project as big as Bond if he's already suffered one heart attack. Mind you, I notice one of the actors he's working with in the play he is directing is none other than the wooden Toby Stephens. That can't be good for your health either.

Seriously though, it's nice to see somebody involved with the theatre, who is not dismissive of popular entertainment. Who doesn't believe that what they are doing is culturally far more important than anything else going on in the world. Those theatricals can be a ridiculous bunch. It's nice to know Michell has his feet on the ground.

Napoleon Plural

His account rings true. Remember CR was gonna have a 28 year old Bond only a month or so before Craig was cast, acc to Haggis. What was that all about?