I think it's highly unlikely that a world famous director and a successful script writer have agreed to be used in a "feint" like that. They are in that case saying "ok, just tell the world we were rejected by you, just so you can hide that Mendes got the job...."
If it is a feint and Boyle and Hodges aren't in on it they would simply say it isn't true, not wanting the world to think they were rejected for Bond25.
I think it's highly unlikely that a world famous director and a successful script writer have agreed to be used in a "feint" like that. They are in that case saying "ok, just tell the world we were rejected by you, just so you can hide that Mendes got the job...."
If it is a feint and Boyle and Hodges aren't in on it they would simply say it isn't true, not wanting the world to think they were rejected for Bond25.
Waltz lied about being Blofeld, again and again and again. He did that on this own volition?
I'm not saying Hodges and Boyle are in on it. Directors and writers walk away from movies all the time. They've already set it up by saying Hodges script might be rejected. I don't agree the Hodges script has been worked on for some time. There's no evidence for that.
But, yes, what is the motivation for the secrecy about who is the director and does anyone care, both very valid questions?
You could ask, if you call a film Spectre why would you care if people know Blofeld is in it, surely people would assume Blofeld is in it?
If I was Barbara and Michael and DC, I think every aspect of the film was of interest to the world, just look at the global media coverage so far and they're at the centre of that. Every single interview they do, every red carpet they walk, they get asked.
I think EON and Mendes know as soon as he gets announced everyone will know it's a Spectre sequel. I think they want to try to control the Bond25 message and will leave it as late as possible to manage expectations.
As I said. Waltz lied repeatedly about being Blofeld. Think about that.
Waltz lied because he needed to hide a plot point in a movie he was in. What could possibly motivate Boyle and Hodges to sustain the lie that their work was rejected by EON? Ther is no motivation for them support this story if it's a lie.
I think EON and Mendes know as soon as he gets announced everyone will know it's a Spectre sequel. I think they want to try to control the Bond25 message and will leave it as late as possible to manage expectations.
Again, your theory of this purposeful deception is based upon how many who post here on AJB think. AJB is a small subculture. While SPECTRE was seen as a disappointment by some or many who post on AJB and it wasn't a big hit with critics in the USA, the film was still a huge box office success.....not the success Skyfall was, but still a huge success. You appear to have this idea that EON believes they have a potential PR nightmare on their hands if Mendes is back and Bond 25 is a sequel to SPECTRE. Again, more of an issue with folks on AJB....the general public, not so much.
Now with regards to the idea of Mendes returning, IMO I don't believe it will happen but I could be wrong. Personally, I would rather Mendes not return. That being said, it is possible that if Mendes did return he could deliver another great Bond film. Skyfall, IMO, is a great Bond film and while SPECTRE is no classic, it's actually pretty good. It is possible that Mendes, who is very talented, could learn from the mistakes of SPECTRE .
the attempted equivalence of the two alleged lies in flawed, because they are examples of the two fundamentally different types of lies, one negative and one positive:
Waltz lying about playing Blofeld is a Lie of Omission: he is playing Blofeld, he is working for the Broccolis, and the "other duties as required" in his contract may include lying to the press. In fact, his record of lying in the past about playing Blofeld may prove he probably is returning for Bond25, since he tells us he isn't.
On the other hand, if Waltz told us he is returning as Blofeld, then we could safely assume he is not going to be in the next movie.
However Danny Boyle lying about directing Bond25 when he isn't, would be a Lie of Commission: he would be claiming to do something he is not going to do. What's in it for him, since he is not on the payroll? As Special Agent 24 suggests, this lie could be damaging to his own reputation, reducing chances of further work by being perceived as having been fired pre-production by the Broccolis. One would hope in that case they are paying him enough behind the scenes to compensate for future job losses.
Has Boyle said anything about directing Bond 25? Isn't it just the tabloids who are saying it? I don't think we can blame Boyle for lying or telling the truth about anything Bond-related.
Has Boyle said anything about directing Bond 25? Isn't it just the tabloids who are saying it? I don't think we can blame Boyle for lying or telling the truth about anything Bond-related.
A highly regarded industry journalist is reporting that Boyle and Hodges are close are in negotiations to do Bond25. If this is wrong the two men know it's bad for their reputation when someone else gets the job, because many (especially in the movie industry) will believe they lost the job offer. The logical thing would be to deny the rumour to protect their standing in the movie industry. They haven't, something that makes it likely that the rumour is true.
For the other commentators, I made it clear in my comment that I did not think Boyle would be lying.
So, just to repeat. I am not saying Boyle is lying.
I am suggesting that EON are happy to do things that are deceptive. Boyle is not lying, EON are happy to waste time considering the Hodges script.
And I disagree with this article's conclusion. Boyle says: “We are working on a script right now. And it all depends on that really...We’ve got an idea, John Hodge, the screenwriter, and I have got this idea, and John is writing it at the moment. And it all depends on how it turns out..."
That is no different to what has been said before, it depends on the script.
BTW none of you addressed my argument about Daniel Craig not wanting another Quantum situation. With no director and no script, why did DC announce his return?
I think that's it. Bole is a professional and would never make this up. There is a limit to what a director of Boyle's status can lie about. Waltz can say he isn't playing Blofeld to hide a plot point, Craig can deny coming back for Bond25 because he has promised to break the story to a particular journalist. But a serious director can't say he has landed a directing job if he hasn't.
Boyle and Hodges are making Bond25.
Assuming Boyle is 100 percent genuine and not indulging in an act of self-promotion, he must be Eon's first choice. If he's unavailable the second choice will be offered. I'm also assuming the chance to direct a Bond film must be high up Boyle's wish list of career ambitions so if he and his screenwriting friend, Hodges, can meet the December/January deadline for shooting he'll (Boyle) be the next director.
I think Boyle is more interesting than a third Mendes Bond film. I can't imagine Boyle will try to mirror Mendes' style. Boyle will be his own man (subject to Babs keeping a watchful eye over him).
I don't believe Boyle would come out publicly with something like this unless it were true. What we don't know is how far along the script Hodges is writing is. I would think there is enough at this point that EON can begin to scout locations, etc. After what happened with SPECTRE (Sony leaks, script being leaked) EON will continue to play things very close to the vest. All things considered, I would take this as good news. It appears we have a very good director and writer on board. I wouldn't be overly concerned about the timeframe.
Assuming Boyle is 100 percent genuine and not indulging in an act of self-promotion, he must be Eon's first choice. If he's unavailable the second choice will be offered. I'm also assuming the chance to direct a Bond film must be high up Boyle's wish list of career ambitions so if he and his screenwriting friend, Hodges, can meet the December/January deadline for shooting he'll (Boyle) be the next director.
I think Boyle is more interesting than a third Mendes Bond film. I can't imagine Boyle will try to mirror Mendes' style. Boyle will be his own man (subject to Babs keeping a watchful eye over him).
I think Denis Villeneuve was their first choice as Craig apparently contacted Denis himself around October/November. For Denis and the other directors who were rumored to helm Bond 25, were they also using Hodge's script or just a P&W one?
Assuming Boyle is 100 percent genuine and not indulging in an act of self-promotion, he must be Eon's first choice. If he's unavailable the second choice will be offered. I'm also assuming the chance to direct a Bond film must be high up Boyle's wish list of career ambitions so if he and his screenwriting friend, Hodges, can meet the December/January deadline for shooting he'll (Boyle) be the next director.
I think Boyle is more interesting than a third Mendes Bond film. I can't imagine Boyle will try to mirror Mendes' style. Boyle will be his own man (subject to Babs keeping a watchful eye over him).
I think Denis Villeneuve was their first choice as Craig apparently contacted Denis himself around October/November. For Denis and the other directors who were rumored to helm Bond 25, were they also using Hodge's script or just a P&W one?
Hodge’s script seems to be something that is related strictly to Boyle directing. The others were either approached relative to a P&W script, or perhaps no script at all. Whatever P&W came up with obviously isn’t lighting anyone aflame.
I think it's a safe bet that the story idea that Boyle and Hodges refer to has been pitched to EON and has met with their provisional approval. I don't think we'd be at this stage if that wasn't the case.
I think it's a safe bet that the story idea that Boyle and Hodges refer to has been pitched to EON and has met with their provisional approval. I don't think we'd be at this stage if that wasn't the case.
It’s also not hard to imagine that Craig is pushing this. So unless Hodge’s script is an absolute shambles, he’s currently writing the film that is going to be made and Boyle will direct it.
I quite like the idea of Boyle directing. Although there's not much in his past that is similar to a Bond film, I have liked many of his previous works (Shallow Grave in particular) and I am very interested to see what he would come up with. The other advantage to people like Boyle is that they have grown up watching Bond much as we have and therefore likely have a massive enthusiasm for it.
I like that Boyle is directing because I'm not really familiar with any of his films. I've seen bits and pieces of them but I don't know his trademarks like I did with Mendes. Which is a good thing because it'll be new territory for me.
Boyle is a very solid director with a very kinetic visual style. If he delivers something that still feels like a 'Bond' film while still maintaining his visual energy (without being distracting in the process), then I think we'll be in very good hands.
That's good because Bond is in desperate need of kinetic energy, and i don't mean in the form of rapid fire editing. Just have a story that has more urgency and momentum to it so it doesn't drag like Spectre did. That was the only film I actually witnessed people walk out of the theater half way through because it bored them so much.
If it is Boyle, and I'm still not convinced that it is, we will have had to have waited four years for a Bond film.
And instead of Skyfall, where Mendes was, in his own words 'consulting' for a year on on the project before he was announced, and then he had a great deal more time to work on the script with John Logan and others; we are going to have another Quantum of Solace situation; and we only had to wait two years for that.
A repeat of Quantum, where we have a director, yes a talented director (and so is Marc Forster, just watch The Kite Runner), coming in at the last minute, dumping an existing script (in this case written by the people who wrote Casino Royale - don't forget that P&W haters) and going with a script hastily written by one person; the revisions for which could be stopped by a writers strike. No, you're not hallucinating, yes, there could be another one.
And before anyone comments about it being only people on this board who obsess about which director and whatnot, the real issue at hand is about having enough time to do the job properly because I, and many of you no doubt, want the best possible Bond film, not another flawed one.
I'm a big fan of Boyle's movies, but no script eight months from principal photography for a $200 million plus film is not my idea of a recipe for success.
Boyle is a very solid director with a very kinetic visual style. If he delivers something that still feels like a 'Bond' film while still maintaining his visual energy (without being distracting in the process), then I think we'll be in very good hands.
That's good because Bond is in desperate need of kinetic energy, and i don't mean in the form of rapid fire editing. Just have a story that has more urgency and momentum to it so it doesn't drag like Spectre did. That was the only film I actually witnessed people walk out of the theater half way through because it bored them so much.
If you want to get a handle on Boyle, I'd suggest the following films:
SUNSHINE
TRAINSPOTTING
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
They're all very different but have that certain Boyle touch/energy to them that makes them work. SUNSHINE is a particularly good film, in my opinion.
I would also recommend the Inspector Morse episode "Masonic Mysteries" which can be found on Youtube.
“The scent and smoke and sweat of a casino are nauseating at three in the morning. "
-Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
If it is Boyle, and I'm still not convinced that it is, we will have had to have waited four years for a Bond film.
And instead of Skyfall, where Mendes was, in his own words 'consulting' for a year on on the project before he was announced, and then he had a great deal more time to work on the script with John Logan and others; we are going to have another Quantum of Solace situation; and we only had to wait two years for that.
A repeat of Quantum, where we have a director, yes a talented director (and so is Marc Forster, just watch The Kite Runner), coming in at the last minute, dumping an existing script (in this case written by the people who wrote Casino Royale - don't forget that P&W haters) and going with a script hastily written by one person; the revisions for which could be stopped by a writers strike. No, you're not hallucinating, yes, there could be another one.
And before anyone comments about it being only people on this board who obsess about which director and whatnot, the real issue at hand is about having enough time to do the job properly because I, and many of you no doubt, want the best possible Bond film, not another flawed one.
I'm a big fan of Boyle's movies, but no script eight months from principal photography for a $200 million plus film is not my idea of a recipe for success.
Toys, pram, out of.
Ok...I surrender. Given these circumstances Bond 25 will most likely be a poor film. But wait, should we not still hold out hope that this latest flurry of "reports" that Boyle will direct Bond 25 is the next shoe to drop in this grand conspiracy to throw us off the scent of the impending return of Sam Mendes? The plot thickens. No offense meant here, just poking a little fun. In all seriousness, I think I will wait to see Bond 25 before jumping to any conclusions. We really don't know how far along Hodges is with the script. The real "feint" could be that there is no completed script when there is one. Who knows?
Just a meaningless observation: Does Danny Boyle not have an incredibly large head?
I'm still optimistic. Reduced time may mean no more Helicopters or Planes etc as preproduction time is curtailed. I'd be all for that. Also having to use existing locations/buildings so no more profligate explosions that are just a bit 'meh' Boyle will not want his Bond to be a stinker, and neither will Daniel. Less could very well be more. Here's to hope.
Of that of which we cannot speak we must pass over in silence- Ludwig Wittgenstein.
Comments
If it is a feint and Boyle and Hodges aren't in on it they would simply say it isn't true, not wanting the world to think they were rejected for Bond25.
Waltz lied about being Blofeld, again and again and again. He did that on this own volition?
I'm not saying Hodges and Boyle are in on it. Directors and writers walk away from movies all the time. They've already set it up by saying Hodges script might be rejected. I don't agree the Hodges script has been worked on for some time. There's no evidence for that.
But, yes, what is the motivation for the secrecy about who is the director and does anyone care, both very valid questions?
You could ask, if you call a film Spectre why would you care if people know Blofeld is in it, surely people would assume Blofeld is in it?
If I was Barbara and Michael and DC, I think every aspect of the film was of interest to the world, just look at the global media coverage so far and they're at the centre of that. Every single interview they do, every red carpet they walk, they get asked.
I think EON and Mendes know as soon as he gets announced everyone will know it's a Spectre sequel. I think they want to try to control the Bond25 message and will leave it as late as possible to manage expectations.
As I said. Waltz lied repeatedly about being Blofeld. Think about that.
Again, your theory of this purposeful deception is based upon how many who post here on AJB think. AJB is a small subculture. While SPECTRE was seen as a disappointment by some or many who post on AJB and it wasn't a big hit with critics in the USA, the film was still a huge box office success.....not the success Skyfall was, but still a huge success. You appear to have this idea that EON believes they have a potential PR nightmare on their hands if Mendes is back and Bond 25 is a sequel to SPECTRE. Again, more of an issue with folks on AJB....the general public, not so much.
Now with regards to the idea of Mendes returning, IMO I don't believe it will happen but I could be wrong. Personally, I would rather Mendes not return. That being said, it is possible that if Mendes did return he could deliver another great Bond film. Skyfall, IMO, is a great Bond film and while SPECTRE is no classic, it's actually pretty good. It is possible that Mendes, who is very talented, could learn from the mistakes of SPECTRE .
Waltz lying about playing Blofeld is a Lie of Omission: he is playing Blofeld, he is working for the Broccolis, and the "other duties as required" in his contract may include lying to the press. In fact, his record of lying in the past about playing Blofeld may prove he probably is returning for Bond25, since he tells us he isn't.
On the other hand, if Waltz told us he is returning as Blofeld, then we could safely assume he is not going to be in the next movie.
However Danny Boyle lying about directing Bond25 when he isn't, would be a Lie of Commission: he would be claiming to do something he is not going to do. What's in it for him, since he is not on the payroll? As Special Agent 24 suggests, this lie could be damaging to his own reputation, reducing chances of further work by being perceived as having been fired pre-production by the Broccolis. One would hope in that case they are paying him enough behind the scenes to compensate for future job losses.
A highly regarded industry journalist is reporting that Boyle and Hodges are close are in negotiations to do Bond25. If this is wrong the two men know it's bad for their reputation when someone else gets the job, because many (especially in the movie industry) will believe they lost the job offer. The logical thing would be to deny the rumour to protect their standing in the movie industry. They haven't, something that makes it likely that the rumour is true.
https://www.metro.us/entertainment/movies/danny-boyle-confirms-that-he-is-directing-james-bond-25
For the other commentators, I made it clear in my comment that I did not think Boyle would be lying.
So, just to repeat. I am not saying Boyle is lying.
I am suggesting that EON are happy to do things that are deceptive. Boyle is not lying, EON are happy to waste time considering the Hodges script.
And I disagree with this article's conclusion. Boyle says: “We are working on a script right now. And it all depends on that really...We’ve got an idea, John Hodge, the screenwriter, and I have got this idea, and John is writing it at the moment. And it all depends on how it turns out..."
That is no different to what has been said before, it depends on the script.
Boyle and Hodges are making Bond25.
I wonder how far work on the script has come?
I think Boyle is more interesting than a third Mendes Bond film. I can't imagine Boyle will try to mirror Mendes' style. Boyle will be his own man (subject to Babs keeping a watchful eye over him).
Hodge’s script seems to be something that is related strictly to Boyle directing. The others were either approached relative to a P&W script, or perhaps no script at all. Whatever P&W came up with obviously isn’t lighting anyone aflame.
It’s also not hard to imagine that Craig is pushing this. So unless Hodge’s script is an absolute shambles, he’s currently writing the film that is going to be made and Boyle will direct it.
Some title suggestions:
Bondspotting
56 years later
Snifferdog Millionaire
Another article on Boyle as director.
I'm looking forward to a Bollywood musical number over the end credits.
Cheeky.
And instead of Skyfall, where Mendes was, in his own words 'consulting' for a year on on the project before he was announced, and then he had a great deal more time to work on the script with John Logan and others; we are going to have another Quantum of Solace situation; and we only had to wait two years for that.
A repeat of Quantum, where we have a director, yes a talented director (and so is Marc Forster, just watch The Kite Runner), coming in at the last minute, dumping an existing script (in this case written by the people who wrote Casino Royale - don't forget that P&W haters) and going with a script hastily written by one person; the revisions for which could be stopped by a writers strike. No, you're not hallucinating, yes, there could be another one.
https://www.axios.com/hollywoods-writers-might-go-on-strike-over-health-care-1513301798-523daed5-dd16-4de7-bc06-428d71476c2f.html
http://hollywoodnewschannel.com/what-does-the-hollywood-writers-strike-mean-for-you-the-know-entertainment-news/
How can anyone cheer any of that?
And before anyone comments about it being only people on this board who obsess about which director and whatnot, the real issue at hand is about having enough time to do the job properly because I, and many of you no doubt, want the best possible Bond film, not another flawed one.
I'm a big fan of Boyle's movies, but no script eight months from principal photography for a $200 million plus film is not my idea of a recipe for success.
Toys, pram, out of.
I would also recommend the Inspector Morse episode "Masonic Mysteries" which can be found on Youtube.
-Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
Ok...I surrender. Given these circumstances Bond 25 will most likely be a poor film. But wait, should we not still hold out hope that this latest flurry of "reports" that Boyle will direct Bond 25 is the next shoe to drop in this grand conspiracy to throw us off the scent of the impending return of Sam Mendes? The plot thickens.
Just a meaningless observation: Does Danny Boyle not have an incredibly large head?