The first four Bond films -- and they were real films -- were all made about a year apart from one another. Now it takes two, three, four times as long, and the films aren't even as entertaining.
I'm okay with Campbell coming back, but I'd rather they use an unknown director than Mendes. His films have the same backwards formula -- funneling down to a "personal" showdown with a handful of characters at the end, for instance -- and his action sequences lack tension and energy. And he'd bring back Newman as conductor, and we'd have to hear that plodding dum-dumdum-dum-dum take on the Bond theme he's recycled.
Guess we won't be seeing another Bond film for a while. If they keep clowning around, Craig might even quit.
My worry is Danny Boyle was a massive coup for EON / Universal as Boyle is one of the few directors whose name the general movie going public (in the UK at least) would know and his directorial 'brand' has cache. There are few directors with that (Nolan, Spielberg, Tarantino, are a few).
Campbell, However much I like his work on Bond (a lot) doesn't have that same cache to a moving going public. Something they may need seeing as Bond has had another four year gap and they are going to want it to pull in similar money as Skyfall and Spectre. Something needs to grab audiences.
Danny Boyle has a talent and reputation for some really original stuff, my own hunch is he was ‘going too far’ .
Nail on head. And then some. There’s a point when Bond isn’t Bond anymore. It’s a blurry line, but there is a line. He isn’t a secondary character in his own film, and he isn’t a soapbox to air political and sexual opinions for the sake of virtue signalling.
Yikes. Well if that’s where it was headed, thank God EON cast him off. I’ll wait an extra year for a proper Bond film if need be. We’ll have plenty of opportunity to watch a bastardized version of Bond once Disney buys the rights. -{
Asp9mmOver the Hills and Far Away.Posts: 7,541MI6 Agent
If this was a year ago, then Someone would have been correct about many things. There was a direction for the next film and massive plans around it. Early this year, things went into free fall and everything changed. Massively. But the news today is epic. Bond dodged a bullet today, and it was Tankbuster sized.
I was very relieved to find that Yann Demage and David Mackenzie have a lot of free time this fall and next year. Ideally EON will phone one of them with an offer.
I think Craig will stay on and Hodge's script will be used.
I'd love to see a Denis Villeneuve Bond film, but he's doing Dune.That project is huge and apparently Villeneuve's big dream for years. I don't think he or Mendes will do Bond25.
If there is a delay in shooting - next year, who knows, perhaps Craig will reconsider. Seems doubtful. He's had enough time to prepare for his return. He's getting paid millions, probably over 20 million. I can't see him turning it down... but you never know.
I believe the presence of his name in the press release was meant to reassure people that he is still involved with Bond 25.
I'm thinking the creative differences were that Boyle and his script distanced from Spectre and the Blofeld connection, wheras EON wanted to return to it.
Whatever it is, it'll be such a shame if Purvis and Wade come back TBH. It was about time for a fresh writer.
Asp9mmOver the Hills and Far Away.Posts: 7,541MI6 Agent
But they knew what the script was before Boyle was given the job, so that can’t be true really can it. They don’t just give the job to a Director blindly who has a script they haven’t seen, that would be really dumb.
But they knew what the script was before Boyle was given the job, so that can’t be true really can it. They don’t just give the job to a Director blindly who has a script they haven’t seen, that would be really dumb.
Are you saying that there is another reason, or that Michael and Barbara are really dumb? I would assume the former.
Said in hindsight, it's not a huge shock that he's gone. Well it was a shock, of course, but it's less of a shock when you find out in 2013 he said
"I wouldn't be disinclined, but I'm not really the right guy to make those kind of films,"
It's a blessing in disguise. Who knows, his great idea for a Bond film may have turned out cool but if he's not up to the task then it's for the best that's he gone.
In March 2018, Danny Boyle confirmed that he would direct the film, co-writing a separate screenplay with John Hodge, that Eon will decide upon with the current script.
Eon went with that script so it may come down to contract details if Hodge's screenplay can be used without Boyle's direction. If it can't be used that's unfortunate because it means a less interesting screenplay will be used (possibly an inferior storyline?) and rewrites can suggest the project is a bit directionless. It doesn't matter if the final product turns out well but we live in a social media world where every negative element can be blown out of proportion. I suspect if Bond 25 has critical reaction - a large-ish percentage of negative reviews - people will blame it on Boyle's 'decision' (did he jump or was he pushed? ) to leave the project.
It will be interesting to see when Boyle will be questioned about all this. He may stay try to stay silent but sooner or later someone will ask him "why did you leave Bond 25?"
But they knew what the script was before Boyle was given the job, so that can’t be true really can it. They don’t just give the job to a Director blindly who has a script they haven’t seen, that would be really dumb.
Was going to say something similar but you put it much better then I was. I do think its strange that it seems like EON and Craig were initially onboard for whatever P&W wrote only to drop that in favor of Hodges and Boyle's script/idea. If both scripts were approved and were completely different ideas or stories then is there a singular vision for B25?
It doesn't have to be the script, right? Perhaps it was the choice of DoP or assistant directors, the budget, the shooting plan, castings other than Bond, the composer or title song artist?
Boyle takes the music in his movies very seriously.
The music? Hmm, doubtful. More likely to be major issue over a key element of the screenplay - Boyle wanting to keep it, Eon saying no. Something like that. If the screenplay has massive changes and Boyle is one of those guys that believes in artistic integrity, not compromising his vision - that's a good enough reason for him to quit.
The other likely reason is Boyle having major doubts he could deliver a Bond film. His 2013 comment suggests he wasn't comfortable with the pressure of a big action franchise like Bond. Whatever the reason, I doubt it's over casting issues or locations or crew issues.
The screenplay is the core of the production - if the screenplay has big issues and the producers and director can't sort it out or compromise, "goodbye, Danny!"
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,912Chief of Staff
Danny Boyle has a talent and reputation for some really original stuff, my own hunch is he was ‘going too far’ .
Nail on head. And then some. There’s a point when Bond isn’t Bond anymore. It’s a blurry line, but there is a line. He isn’t a secondary character in his own film, and he isn’t a soapbox to air political and sexual opinions for the sake of virtue signalling.
Which does all sound very odd as, I’m assuming, Eon signed off on the script...which then makes this doubly odd ...and then you wonder what made Eon ditch their plans from a year ago... ?:)
I too doubt it was an issue like music alone, but it could be a number of such issues not linked to the script, but rather creative control. I'm not convinced major script issues would not be settled it this point, especially since the script was key when Boyle got the job. I can't picture EON demanding that Madeleine Swann gets killed in the PTS or Blofeld escaping from prison now?
Of course I speak with the authority of someone who's never seen a movie set in my life....
The Eon producers have long kept their directors on a short leash. . .they're not allowed to create personal, stylized films that broadcast who the director is. Chances are Boyle wanted to do a lot of things that Mickey and Babs were uncomfortable with, and hence a departure was made. No doubt a new, more pliable director will be announced soon.
This is the oposite policy to the Mission Impossible movies, where they conciously have chosen different directors who can make their mark with their own style. For instance, the second movie is very much as John Woo movie.
The Eon producers have long kept their directors on a short leash. . .they're not allowed to create personal, stylized films that broadcast who the director is. Chances are Boyle wanted to do a lot of things that Mickey and Babs were uncomfortable with, and hence a departure was made. No doubt a new, more pliable director will be announced soon.
Seems a plausible scenario.
It's possible Eon and Boyle came to a mutual agreement regarding which bits Boyle has final say over, and which bits Eon has final say over and then in the last few months the agreement became blurred or disputed. Who knows, Boyle may have thought "do I really need this? It's too much hassle!" so he walks away. On the other hand, perhaps Broccoli and Wilson thought "do we really need this guy telling us what works and what doesn't. We're the producers, we know Bond best, not Boyle!"
If Boyle was not prepared to compromise his vision and B and MG were not prepared to do the same - something has to give! Boyle isn't known for big budget action films. He does smaller, character driven stuff like Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire. Is he a natural fit for James Bond? I'd say no so perhaps it's not such a shock he left the film.
Danny Boyle leaving : disappointing but I can deal with it.
Release date delayed: Severely disappointing but again I could deal.
Craig leaving: devastating after being promised a 5th film.
However I think this did not just happen today. This would have happened in the last couple of weeks and they were waiting to announce. They will have been searching for a replacement and will hopefully announce soon.
If this affects a 5th Craig Bond I will be very upset!
Danny Boyle has a talent and reputation for some really original stuff, my own hunch is he was ‘going too far’ .
Nail on head. And then some. There’s a point when Bond isn’t Bond anymore. It’s a blurry line, but there is a line. He isn’t a secondary character in his own film, and he isn’t a soapbox to air political and sexual opinions for the sake of virtue signalling.
Which does all sound very odd as, I’m assuming, Eon signed off on the script...which then makes this doubly odd ...and then you wonder what made Eon ditch their plans from a year ago... ?:)
This is a replay of Spectre, where the producers suddenly decided eight months before shooting is supposed to start that they didn't like the script. At least Boyle did the honorable thing and ankled.
I think this means you can kiss Universal goodbye as the distributor. Universal and Boyle have the same kind of relationship as Warner Brothers and Nolan.
Hey, Nolan doesn't seem to have anything lined up . . .
This is a replay of Spectre, where the producers suddenly decided eight months before shooting is supposed to start that they didn't like the script. At least Boyle did the honorable thing and ankled.
I think this means you can kiss Universal goodbye as the distributor. Universal and Boyle have the same kind of relationship as Warner Brothers and Nolan.
Hey, Nolan doesn't seem to have anything lined up . . .
We really have no idea whether it has anything to do with the script at all. For all we know, Boyle may have gotten cold feet and looked for a way out. I doubt the Universal deal was contingent on Danny Boyle. The distribution deal has to do with wanting to get a piece of the the most successful film franchise of all time...Craig's return probably had much more effect on negotiations than Boyle being involved. I think it would ease all our minds if EON announced a new director in the next week or so. With Boyle's departure, it would certainly help PR wise and help minimize any negative buzz if the new director is a well revered name. I know Nolan is the sexy name out there and I think he would do a great job, especially taking over for a trilogy with a new Bond. But as far as I'm concerned, Yann Demange, David Mackenzie or Sean Ellis would be outstanding choices and I would consider Bond 25 to be in good hands.
Comments
I'm okay with Campbell coming back, but I'd rather they use an unknown director than Mendes. His films have the same backwards formula -- funneling down to a "personal" showdown with a handful of characters at the end, for instance -- and his action sequences lack tension and energy. And he'd bring back Newman as conductor, and we'd have to hear that plodding dum-dumdum-dum-dum take on the Bond theme he's recycled.
Guess we won't be seeing another Bond film for a while. If they keep clowning around, Craig might even quit.
Campbell, However much I like his work on Bond (a lot) doesn't have that same cache to a moving going public. Something they may need seeing as Bond has had another four year gap and they are going to want it to pull in similar money as Skyfall and Spectre. Something needs to grab audiences.
Yikes. Well if that’s where it was headed, thank God EON cast him off. I’ll wait an extra year for a proper Bond film if need be. We’ll have plenty of opportunity to watch a bastardized version of Bond once Disney buys the rights. -{
I think Craig will stay on and Hodge's script will be used.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0898288/
Bond: “I must be dreaming.”
Whatever it is, it'll be such a shame if Purvis and Wade come back TBH. It was about time for a fresh writer.
Are you saying that there is another reason, or that Michael and Barbara are really dumb? I would assume the former.
It's a blessing in disguise. Who knows, his great idea for a Bond film may have turned out cool but if he's not up to the task then it's for the best that's he gone.
Eon went with that script so it may come down to contract details if Hodge's screenplay can be used without Boyle's direction. If it can't be used that's unfortunate because it means a less interesting screenplay will be used (possibly an inferior storyline?) and rewrites can suggest the project is a bit directionless. It doesn't matter if the final product turns out well but we live in a social media world where every negative element can be blown out of proportion. I suspect if Bond 25 has critical reaction - a large-ish percentage of negative reviews - people will blame it on Boyle's 'decision' (did he jump or was he pushed?
It will be interesting to see when Boyle will be questioned about all this. He may stay try to stay silent but sooner or later someone will ask him "why did you leave Bond 25?"
Boyle takes the music in his movies very seriously.
The other likely reason is Boyle having major doubts he could deliver a Bond film. His 2013 comment suggests he wasn't comfortable with the pressure of a big action franchise like Bond. Whatever the reason, I doubt it's over casting issues or locations or crew issues.
The screenplay is the core of the production - if the screenplay has big issues and the producers and director can't sort it out or compromise, "goodbye, Danny!"
Which does all sound very odd as, I’m assuming, Eon signed off on the script...which then makes this doubly odd
Of course I speak with the authority of someone who's never seen a movie set in my life....
Seems a plausible scenario.
It's possible Eon and Boyle came to a mutual agreement regarding which bits Boyle has final say over, and which bits Eon has final say over and then in the last few months the agreement became blurred or disputed. Who knows, Boyle may have thought "do I really need this? It's too much hassle!" so he walks away. On the other hand, perhaps Broccoli and Wilson thought "do we really need this guy telling us what works and what doesn't. We're the producers, we know Bond best, not Boyle!"
If Boyle was not prepared to compromise his vision and B and MG were not prepared to do the same - something has to give! Boyle isn't known for big budget action films. He does smaller, character driven stuff like Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire. Is he a natural fit for James Bond? I'd say no so perhaps it's not such a shock he left the film.
Release date delayed: Severely disappointing but again I could deal.
Craig leaving: devastating after being promised a 5th film.
However I think this did not just happen today. This would have happened in the last couple of weeks and they were waiting to announce. They will have been searching for a replacement and will hopefully announce soon.
If this affects a 5th Craig Bond I will be very upset!
Twitter: @mybudgetbond1
The statement today came from Babs, Michael, and DANIEL CRAIG. He would not be a signatory if he was leaving.
This is a replay of Spectre, where the producers suddenly decided eight months before shooting is supposed to start that they didn't like the script. At least Boyle did the honorable thing and ankled.
I think this means you can kiss Universal goodbye as the distributor. Universal and Boyle have the same kind of relationship as Warner Brothers and Nolan.
Hey, Nolan doesn't seem to have anything lined up . . .
at least we got Incredibles 2 this year, there was a nice satisfying Bond vibe in that one.
We really have no idea whether it has anything to do with the script at all. For all we know, Boyle may have gotten cold feet and looked for a way out. I doubt the Universal deal was contingent on Danny Boyle. The distribution deal has to do with wanting to get a piece of the the most successful film franchise of all time...Craig's return probably had much more effect on negotiations than Boyle being involved. I think it would ease all our minds if EON announced a new director in the next week or so. With Boyle's departure, it would certainly help PR wise and help minimize any negative buzz if the new director is a well revered name. I know Nolan is the sexy name out there and I think he would do a great job, especially taking over for a trilogy with a new Bond. But as far as I'm concerned, Yann Demange, David Mackenzie or Sean Ellis would be outstanding choices and I would consider Bond 25 to be in good hands.