Katherine Bigelow Touted By Empire Mag For Bond 23

HowardB · August 2009

MI6 has posted a blog from Empire Magazine in which they make the case for Katherine Bigelow to direct Bond 23, making her the first female to direct a Bond film. I personally wouldn't have a problem with Bigelow directing a Bond film. Her body of work as an action director speaks for itself. "Near Dark"; "Blue Steel"; "Point Break"; and "The Hurt Locker" are all very well directed action films. "Near Dark" an unusal Horror/Action film is a real personal favorite of mine. The action scenes in "Point Break" were shot very well and IMO would translate well to a Bond film. Most importantly, while Bigelow's films are usually very violent and deal with some dark subject matter (revenge, vampires, war, obsession) they are typically "fun" albeit bumpy rides....something which works well with Bond.

Dan Same · August 2009

I love Bigelow. Although I'm not the fan of Near Dark that you are, Howard, and I haven't seen The Hurt Locker (it hasn't been released here and I haven't yet asked my father for an copy), I loved both Point Break and Strange Days. I think she would be a great director for Bond, and best of all, she's capable of directing action scenes, unlike Forster, and doesn't really do pyschoanalysis, unlike Campbell.

HowardB · August 2009

She shoots action scenes in a very straightforward, unambiguous, in your face style utilizing the wide 'scope frame very well with no fancy camera tricks or angles. I think given a good script she would have the ability to deliver a Bond film with alot more classic feel while maintaining the more realistic harder edge that DC brings to the table. Also, despite the critical acclaim "The Hurt Locker" has received it's not exactly been a box office smash and she would probably fit in with what EON is willing to pay a director along with her talent for being able to deliver a big bang on a more modest budget.

Rick Roberts · August 2009

The Hurt Locker was an AMAZING film. I would be ecstatic if Bigelow was chosen to direct Bond 23.

HowardB wrote:

Also, despite the critical acclaim "The Hurt Locker" has received it's not exactly been a box office smash.

That's because it was in limited release for a while and it didn't have much advertising, most likely the fact that all the principle actors were not big name stars.

Rick Roberts · August 2009

Dan Same wrote:

and doesn't really do pyschoanalysis, unlike Campbell.

They you are going to hate The Hurt Locker.

Infernorhythm · August 2009

I loved the Hurt Locker, and I think Bigelow could do a good job on Bond. Not too artsy, not campy, and she's really able to do suspense/tension. If she was picked, I wouldn't complain.

Dan Same · August 2009

Rick Roberts wrote:

Dan Same wrote:

and doesn't really do pyschoanalysis, unlike Campbell.

They you are going to hate The Hurt Locker.

I'll make my own judgement once I see it, thanks.

Rick Roberts · August 2009

Dan Same wrote:

Rick Roberts wrote:

Dan Same wrote:

and doesn't really do pyschoanalysis, unlike Campbell.

They you are going to hate The Hurt Locker.

I'll make my own judgement once I see it, thanks.

I am just saying is all. You seem to detest "psychoanalysis", and I am just warning you that that is the basis of The Hurt Locker. The film is about how the Iraq war is effecting the main protagonists.

Dan Same · August 2009

Rick Roberts wrote:

Dan Same wrote:

Rick Roberts wrote:

They you are going to hate The Hurt Locker.

I'll make my own judgement once I see it, thanks.

I am just saying is all. You seem to detest "psychoanalysis", and I am just warning you that that is the basis of The Hurt Locker. The film is about how the Iraq war is effecting the main protagonists.

Well, with me, it's not a blanket oppostion to it, as I think it's appropiate in many films. I think it is highly appropiate for a war film, for example, unlike a Bond film. Additonally, with Bond, it wasn't just that that it was carried out, but the method. I doubt the method would be the same for The Hurt Locker.

Rick Roberts · August 2009

Dan Same wrote:

Rick Roberts wrote:

Dan Same wrote:

I'll make my own judgement once I see it, thanks.

I am just saying is all. You seem to detest "psychoanalysis", and I am just warning you that that is the basis of The Hurt Locker. The film is about how the Iraq war is effecting the main protagonists.

Well, with me, it's not a blanket oppostion to it, as I think it's appropiate in many films. I think it is highly appropiate for a war film, for example, unlike a Bond film. Additonally, with Bond, it wasn't just that that it was carried out, but the method. I doubt the method would be the same for The Hurt Locker.

Well it's a less theatrical method since this is a more down to earth film.

Dan Same · August 2009

Rick Roberts wrote:

Dan Same wrote:

Rick Roberts wrote:

I am just saying is all. You seem to detest "psychoanalysis", and I am just warning you that that is the basis of The Hurt Locker. The film is about how the Iraq war is effecting the main protagonists.

Well, with me, it's not a blanket oppostion to it, as I think it's appropiate in many films. I think it is highly appropiate for a war film, for example, unlike a Bond film. Additonally, with Bond, it wasn't just that that it was carried out, but the method. I doubt the method would be the same for The Hurt Locker.

Well it's a less theatrical method since this is a more down to earth film.

Yes, well, that is a major reason why I wouldn't have a problem with the psychoanalysis in this film but which I do in GE/CR/QOS.

Rick Roberts · August 2009

Any so called physcoanalysis in GE was half assed at best. Anyway, enjoy The Hurt Locker.

Dan Same · August 2009

Rick Roberts wrote:

Any so called physcoanalysis in GE was half assed at best. Anyway, enjoy The Hurt Locker.

Thanks, I will. I just need to ask my father for a copy, although I probably shouldn't speak about that on this website. :v

Rick Roberts · August 2009

Dan Same wrote:

Rick Roberts wrote:

Any so called physcoanalysis in GE was half assed at best. Anyway, enjoy The Hurt Locker.

Thanks, I will. I just need to ask my father for a copy, although I probably shouldn't speak about that on this website. :v

You mean he has to get it...um... *wink*, *wink*, *nudge*, *nudge* ?

)

Dan Same · August 2009

Rick Roberts wrote:

You mean he has to get it...um... *wink*, *wink*, *nudge*, *nudge* ? )

Yes, exactly.

)

frostbitten · August 2009

If this turns out to be true, I would be a very happy Bond fan. Like HowardB, I'm a fan of the horror movie Near Dark, and I also think that Point Break is an exciting, somewhat underrated action film.

Waltherppk007 · August 2009

After watching The Hurt Locker she would be a much needed lift for Bond after the QOS mini-debacle. If you have not yet seen this movie beg, borrow, or steal until you do.

John Drake · September 2009

I just saw a film called A Perfect Getaway with Milla Jovovich and Timothy Olyphant. Great fun. A really entertaining thriller well directed by David Twohy. He would make a fine Bond director. He also directed Pitch Black and seems like a very capable genre director.

Rick Roberts · September 2009

John Drake wrote:

I just saw a film called A Perfect Getaway with Milla Jovovich and Timothy Olyphant. Great fun. A really entertaining thriller well directed by David Twohy. He would make a fine Bond director. He also directed Pitch Black and seems like a very capable genre director.

Twohy is very hit or miss, mostly miss. I would much prefer Bigelow.

Dan Same · September 2009

John Drake wrote:

I just saw a film called A Perfect Getaway with Milla Jovovich and Timothy Olyphant. Great fun. A really entertaining thriller well directed by David Twohy. He would make a fine Bond director. He also directed Pitch Black and seems like a very capable genre director.

I loved Pitch Black, however it's the only Twohy-directed films I've seen. On that basis, I'm not sure. I do note however, that he co-wrote The Fugitive, which is great, although he also co-wrote Waterworld, which is less good.

The director, whom I would love to direct a Bond film, is the great John McTiernan. He directed Die Hard and Predator, and he also directed The Thomas Crown Affair. I think he would be wonderful.

PPK 7.65mm · September 2009

John McTiernan is a good choice, but since he is currently in jail due to being mixed up in a wire tapping case, were he hired a private detective to wire tap the telephones of Hollywood producer Charles Roven. Also I understand he had a big falling out with MGM during the making of Rollerball, back in 2001/02. Thought I have not seen any of Bigelow's work I would be okay with Eon letting her direct Bond 23. Not only would be the first woman to helm a Bond film, she would also be the first American director hired.

PoorMansJB · November 2009

Bigelow tends to be either VERY hit (Point Break) or VERY miss (Strange Days) but the studios appear prepared to offer her ever bigger budgets and stars. That said, unless she's prepared to take a cut in pay, I don't see EON hiring her; their biggest sticking point with directors--even talented ones they're beholdin' to, like Campbell--always seems to be salary.

DaltonFan1 · November 2009

Dan Same wrote:

John Drake wrote:

I just saw a film called A Perfect Getaway with Milla Jovovich and Timothy Olyphant. Great fun. A really entertaining thriller well directed by David Twohy. He would make a fine Bond director. He also directed Pitch Black and seems like a very capable genre director.

I loved Pitch Black, however it's the only Twohy-directed films I've seen. On that basis, I'm not sure. I do note however, that he co-wrote The Fugitive, which is great, although he also co-wrote Waterworld, which is less good.

The director, whom I would love to direct a Bond film, is the great John McTiernan. He directed Die Hard and Predator, and he also directed The Thomas Crown Affair. I think he would be wonderful.

I hadn't realised John McTiernan directed the Thomas Crown Affair, but on that basis it seems very likely that he would do a great job as a Bond director.

Dan Same · November 2009

DaltonFan1 wrote:

I hadn't realised John McTiernan directed the Thomas Crown Affair, but on that basis it seems very likely that he would do a great job as a Bond director.

{[] Yeh, I think he could do an amazing job as well.

Loeffelholz · November 2009

McTiernan would be perfect...but here again he seems just the sort of director who would either be too expensive or not pliable enough to have the producers overseeing every aspect of the production. I've been rooting for McTiernan to direct Bond ever since Die Hard and Hunt for Red October.

shaken66 · December 2009

Maybe a lighter and more sophisticated hand is needed after all of the action in QoS, but I was thoroughly impressed with Taken when I saw it at a theater. It's now showing often in the U.S. on HBO and the action sequences have terrific impact. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have Liam Neeson bringing his usual gravitas to a role. The director was Pierre Morel, of whom I have no clue, but much like CR and QoS, I could (and do) watch this film and Liam repeatedly.

NF2 · January 2010

Would I be correct in saying that the success of CS and QoS is due in part to the character and film taking on a role closer to realism than fantasy ? I saw The Hurt locker and with a long experience of Iraq and Afghanistan, both as a serviceman and outside the Forces I thought it was completely dire, probably the worst modern war film I have ever seen. With that thought in mind, I would not want Bigelow to take Bond off on a 'Die another Day' tangent, making it it as absurd and as chaotic as THL. Bond's re-birth, as you may or may not wish to admit, is due in no small part to one of his 'children' Jason Bourne. It seems that gritty psuedo-realism (although only fiction) has more of a place than wild fantasy and the miriad rubbish ideas of THL. I'm sure Sam Mendes will do a fine job.

The Domino Effect · January 2010

Wow, NF2, that's a pretty damning critique of "The Hurt Locker." I haven't seen it yet but was looking forward to doing so as I had heard great things about it. However, I value realism and accuracy very highly and although this film might be good dramatically (based on critics' reviews), I am very disappointed to hear from someone who has been there that it is rather dire. I will still rent it, but my expectations are already tempered.

I also agree that one of the reasons for the success of CS and QoS is their realism. Bond films will always be laced with fantasy whether Bond's wardrobe, his cars, women or just his ability to slay any and all comers and escape death against all odds...but I don't think the world needs Bond to return to the fantasy days of Moore. Don't get me wrong, I loved the Moore films then, and still thoroughly enjoy them now, but the world has moved on and I think a general theme of reality laced with hints of 'belief-suspension' is definitely the route to take.

NF2 · January 2010

Agreed with you Domino, I love the old Bond films, of course, we all do, but I can remember sat in the cinema watching Die Another Day thinking "****, this has killed it........." I can't even watch it now. On the Hurt Locker, I love a good war film and they don't HAVE to be totally realistic, they can't be, but when a film claims in it's message and its publicity to be a true insight and then pours out that sporadic garbage storyline, then, to me anyway, it sucks. Black Hawk Down it will never be. So my point was that would Bigelow take our hero down a storyline that, even when we know its fiction, its Bond, its not real, would she make it into a farce ? I too love the fantasy of the cars, the gadgets, the women, the impossibilty of such a perfect adventure. THL certainly didn't have any of that of course, but I got the feeling having watched THL that with that kind of directorship it might turn into the DAD nobody wants to see again. Maybe not but the story always seems better the nearer it verges to the truth of the serious times we live in. Watch the Hurt Locker my friend and enjoy it. I just couldn't bear it and I was not alone. Lets hope the people behind the success of CR and QoS choose well, I personally loved both films.

The Domino Effect · January 2010

NF2 wrote:

...but when a film claims in it's message and its publicity to be a true insight and then pours out that sporadic garbage storyline, then, to me anyway, it sucks.

That is one of my biggest complaints in movies: those that claim to be true stories and are actually 99% fiction and 1% fact. I thoroughly enjoy 100% fiction and I have no problem with films that are 'based on fact' but then include a fair bit of literary licence. And, I would probably argue that 100% fact would be dull in most cases. But any film that purports to be true and accurate and is actually far from it, always annoys me....and there is a verrrrrry very long list of those!

Katherine Bigelow Touted By Empire Mag For Bond 23

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