Tarantino Claims Casino Royale Success

Seems like Quentin has a bad case of sour grapes.

TARANTINO CLAIMS CASINO ROYALE SUCCESS

http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/tarantino%20claims%20casino%20royale%20success_1025910

Legendary director Quentin Tarantino has claimed that producers stole his idea for the remake of Bond film Casino Royale.

Starring actor Daniel Craig, the latest 007 film proved a huge hit with fans and won acclaim for Craig, who many people first doubted had what it takes to play the suave secret agent.

Tarantino said he wanted to make a more gritty and less glamorous Bond film with previous Bond actor Pierce Brosnan but was told that it was unfilmable, the Mirror newspaper reports.

But just months later production began on Casino Royale, with the emphasis on a tougher Bond and his role as a killer.

"I resent that none of them gave me a shout-out that I'm the one got them making Casino Royale," he said.

Movie mogul Harvey Weinstein is also said to have put forward Tarntino's name to 007 bosses.

Tarantino claims: "They told him, 'We're afraid Quentin's going to make it too good and f*** the rest of the series'."

He has previously made no secret of his desire to be involved in a Bond film. "I've always wanted to do it," he admitted in 2004.

Tarantino rose to film after directing the cult films Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill and has gone on to have a prolific career in Hollywood including numerous acting, writing and producing roles.
«13

Comments

  • bluemanblueman PDXPosts: 1,667MI6 Agent
    Eh. Must be a slow news day, for them to make up this twaddle.
  • asioasio Melbourne, AustraliaPosts: 546MI6 Agent
    edited March 2007
    Legendary director? I think not.
    I can't believe this guy's ego. He has made one good film (Pulp Fiction) in his career, and since then he's believed that he owns Hollywood.
    And really, how can the 007 Producers steal their own idea? They've always wanted to own the rights to Casino Royale, and have been planning a 'Bond Begins' style film since the mid 80's. So now the opportunity arose where they could actually do both things in one film, and they did it.
    So Mr Tarantino, how is this stealing your idea?
    Drawn Out Dad.
    Independent, one-shot comic books from the outskirts of Melbourne, Australia.
    twitter.com/DrawnOutDad
  • LoeffelholzLoeffelholz The United States, With LovePosts: 8,988Quartermasters
    I always thought Tarantino wanted to make it a period piece, and do a more literal adaptation of the novel.

    I like everything Tarantino's done (Kill Bill is a blast, as is Reservoir Dogs), though he does rather wallow in being '70s Derivative...

    He's a talented director, but I can't help doubt if he could ever summon the restraint necessary to do a producer-driven work such as Bond.
    Check out my Amazon author page! Mark Loeffelholz
    "I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
    "Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
  • s96024s96024 Posts: 1,519MI6 Agent
    I would say he was pretty legendary. He is my favourite director. Although I'm not sure if I'd like to see him direct a Bond film.
  • superadosuperado Regent's Park West (CaliforniaPosts: 2,651MI6 Agent
    I always thought Tarantino wanted to make it a period piece, and do a more literal adaptation of the novel.

    I like everything Tarantino's done (Kill Bill is a blast, as is Reservoir Dogs), though he does rather wallow in being '70s Derivative...

    He's a talented director, but I can't help doubt if he could ever summon the restraint necessary to do a producer-driven work such as Bond.

    I like his stuff too. I am the proud owner of a Marvin Nash action figure, Duct-taped to a chair, sans ear. Movies about deviant behavior in urban settings continue to be guilty pleasures for me. Did you see Four Rooms?

    Back to topic, I think Tarantino could hold up his own against that magnificent genius, Martin Campbell.
    "...the purposeful slant of his striding figure looked dangerous, as if he was making quickly for something bad that was happening further down the street." -SMERSH on 007 dossier photo, Ch. 6 FRWL.....
  • LoeffelholzLoeffelholz The United States, With LovePosts: 8,988Quartermasters
    edited March 2007
    Loved Four Rooms B-) The bit with the cigarette lighter was an homage to a classic episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, if I remember correctly.
    Check out my Amazon author page! Mark Loeffelholz
    "I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
    "Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
  • Tee HeeTee Hee CBT Headquarters: Chicago, ILPosts: 917MI6 Agent
    edited March 2007
    "Take the next one (elevator) Mr. Tarantino. There isn't enough room for me and your ego." ;)

    Mr. McClory, I mean Mr. Tarantino, needs to get off his high horse. :p
    "My acting range? Left eyebrow raised, right eyebrow raised..."

    -Roger Moore
  • HardyboyHardyboy Posts: 5,882Chief of Staff
    "Tarantino claims: 'They told him, "We're afraid Quentin's going to make it too good and f*** the rest of the series".'"

    It was probably more like, "We're afraid Quentin's going to load it up with cameos from has-been '70s actors, dialogue laden with pop culture references and racist language, and action scenes derived from Hong Kong and f*** the rest of the series."
    Vox clamantis in deserto
  • bluemanblueman PDXPosts: 1,667MI6 Agent
    This bit--

    He has previously made no secret of his desire to be involved in a Bond film. "I've always wanted to do it," he admitted in 2004.

    --is true, as I recall (and the general background stuff, natch). The rest just screams, we made this up to sell papers. Twaddle.
  • superadosuperado Regent's Park West (CaliforniaPosts: 2,651MI6 Agent
    Loved Four Rooms B-) The bit with the cigarette lighter was an homage to a classic episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, if I remember correctly.

    That's my favorite scene, from Tim Roth's over-extended trepidations...to the first flick :)) Yep, it was either from Hitchcock or "Tales from the Dark Side" or something like that.
    "...the purposeful slant of his striding figure looked dangerous, as if he was making quickly for something bad that was happening further down the street." -SMERSH on 007 dossier photo, Ch. 6 FRWL.....
  • Gassy ManGassy Man USAPosts: 2,972MI6 Agent
    M'eh -- Tarantino's not the great auteur so many want him to be, and he conspicously rips off whole scenes and plots from other people. So, if the comments are true, he has little to talk about.

    Heck, Steven Spielberg and James Cameron wanted a crack at Bond, too. Tarantno needs to get in line if he's got any complaints.
  • John DrakeJohn Drake On assignmentPosts: 2,564MI6 Agent
    edited March 2007
    I remember reading about Tarantino wanting to get involved with Bond shortly after DAD came out. Brosnan seemed keen. But as for claiming that it was his idea to make a tougher, gritty Bond. That all comes from the novel. Mind you, QT probably only reads books if they've got pictures in them. The only film he's directed that i really like is 'Jackie Brown.' There was a hint of maturity in that. Pity he never followed through on it. Mind you I am looking forward to 'Grindhouse,' although more for Robert Rodriguez's contribution than Tarantino's. I'd far rather see Rodriguez direct a Bond than his pal QT.
  • highhopeshighhopes Posts: 1,358MI6 Agent
    Hardyboy wrote:
    "Tarantino claims: 'They told him, "We're afraid Quentin's going to make it too good and f*** the rest of the series".'"

    It was probably more like, "We're afraid Quentin's going to load it up with cameos from has-been '70s actors, dialogue laden with pop culture references and racist language, and action scenes derived from Hong Kong and f*** the rest of the series."

    You got that right, Hardy. I like Tarantino, up to a point. Pulp Fiction was terrific. And his other movies are very watchable, they just don't add up to much for me. He's kind of a Johnny-one-note. I get tired of the endless homages to other movies and genres. Other directors do that, too, of course. But while Martin Scorsese might steal a shot from John Ford now and then just to show us he's seen -- and memorized -- every movie ever made, he also makes films that have discernable themes. They're "about" something. Tarantino hasn't. Startling images, yes -- but that's not enough for me. I understand his next one will be his bloodiest yet. Not exactly a stretch though, is it?
  • Dan SameDan Same Victoria, AustraliaPosts: 6,054MI6 Agent
    I love Tarantino. I really liked Reservoir Dogs, I consider Pulp Fiction to be among the greatest films ever made, I absoilutely adored the Kill Bill films and I'm really looking forward to Grindhouse. I also think that Tarantino is a vastly superior director to Bond directors like Campbell. But, much to my annoyance, I think he has a massive ego which I don't think is justified. I mean, I think he's an amazingly talented director and I think he has the ability to be a cinematic great, but he has an ego that is bigger than the ego of people like Scorsese and Eastwood, whom IMO are alot better than Tarantino but who also would never make a comment like that, even if in their case it might be justified. As much as I love his films, Tarantino completely annoys me. The idea that he came up with the idea for CR is not only ridiculous but also shows what an egomaniac he is.

    BTW, I'm considering suing Steven Spielberg. It was my idea to have Liam Neeson play Abraham Lincoln (in their upcoming film) and I am yet to receive either a thankyou or a cheque. X-(
    "He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,238MI6 Agent
    Well Tarantino isn't claiming he wrote CR. As we all know, it was in limbo for decades, as EON didn't own the rights. In 1996 Wilson was asked at a fan conference at the ICA why they hadn't done more to acquire the rights, and produce a truly great version of CR (ie unlike the 1967 version). Wilson replied that in fact he didn't see that the novel had much appeal, and he had a point. It's all about gambling, not a theme underused in the films, and Le Chiffre is no Dr No or Blofeld. The downbeat ending was not of the kind that fitted into the series back then.

    Then Tarantino emerged to say he was hopeing to acquire the rights and do a Bond movie. A bit cheeky, and it came to nothing, but he showed a lot more keenness than Wilson did to do it. He had a fanboy's enthusiasm.

    Later after some disappointing Brosnan flicks and the limbo after DAD, it emerged that Brosnan was in talks with Tarantino about doing CR, only set after OHMSS. It all seemed a bit odd, as the novice notion of Bond would be gone. It drew a blank from EON, though I was annoyed that they would pick hacks like Tamorahi and give QT the cold shoulder. I love his stuff in Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill, though I reckon his CR would have been more like Kill Bill Vol 2, a bit atmospheric and talky. And timeless, mind.

    Brozzer got blown out, then it was news that they were pressing ahead with CR without him or QT. I doubt the eventual film owes much to QT's version. Maybe his enthusiasm woke Wilson up to the novel's virtues, and how he could combine it with the coming-of-age flick he always wanted to do.

    I prefer QT to Campbell, but why QT has a crush on Bond I don't know, he's above all that. Pulp Fiction is a classic, no recent Bond stuff is imo.
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • HardyboyHardyboy Posts: 5,882Chief of Staff
    To say something of startling originality and unfathomable depth, success has a thousand fathers, failure has only one. (My motto: "Hardyboy--Cliches Are My Business.") I'm sure if CR had been a flop Tarantino would either have said nothing or sneered at EON for ignoring his sage advice.
    Vox clamantis in deserto
  • emtiememtiem SurreyPosts: 5,686MI6 Agent
    It drew a blank from EON, though I was annoyed that they would pick hacks like Tamorahi and give QT the cold shoulder. I love his stuff in Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill, though I reckon his CR would have been more like Kill Bill Vol 2, a bit atmospheric and talky. And timeless, mind.

    That's a good point- it probably would have. I rather like the idea of a stylised, timeless Bond- a sort of retro story set today. But I also like what we got, so it's tricky. I suppose a film which does both rather nicely is Ocean's 11: it's set today and doesn't ignore today's issues, but still looks and feels rather 50s/60's.
    Brozzer got blown out, then it was news that they were pressing ahead with CR without him or QT. I doubt the eventual film owes much to QT's version. Maybe his enthusiasm woke Wilson up to the novel's virtues, and how he could combine it with the coming-of-age flick he always wanted to do.

    That's a possibility, yes. He certainly was enthusiastic. It's hard to say, of course- Eon could just have changed their mind on their own, plus it was the last novel left and they'd only just got the rights. Plus QT wasn't the first to show an interest- I'm sure Dalton has been on record as being keen to do it, and there was the attempted stageplay version they canned.
  • emtiememtiem SurreyPosts: 5,686MI6 Agent
    Dan Same wrote:
    I love Tarantino. I really liked Reservoir Dogs, I consider Pulp Fiction to be among the greatest films ever made, I absoilutely adored the Kill Bill films and I'm really looking forward to Grindhouse. I also think that Tarantino is a vastly superior director to Bond directors like Campbell. But, much to my annoyance, I think he has a massive ego which I don't think is justified. I mean, I think he's an amazingly talented director and I think he has the ability to be a cinematic great, but he has an ego that is bigger than the ego of people like Scorsese and Eastwood, whom IMO are alot better than Tarantino but who also would never make a comment like that, even if in their case it might be justified. As much as I love his films, Tarantino completely annoys me. The idea that he came up with the idea for CR is not only ridiculous but also shows what an egomaniac he is.

    I think he's very good (looking forward to Grindhouse too!) but it's hard to be seen as one of the all-time greats when all of your work feeds off other directors and past works so directly. He's nearly always doing homages rather than totally original works.
  • highhopeshighhopes Posts: 1,358MI6 Agent
    Dan Same wrote:
    I love Tarantino. I really liked Reservoir Dogs, I consider Pulp Fiction to be among the greatest films ever made, I absoilutely adored the Kill Bill films and I'm really looking forward to Grindhouse. I also think that Tarantino is a vastly superior director to Bond directors like Campbell. But, much to my annoyance, I think he has a massive ego which I don't think is justified. I mean, I think he's an amazingly talented director and I think he has the ability to be a cinematic great, but he has an ego that is bigger than the ego of people like Scorsese and Eastwood, whom IMO are alot better than Tarantino but who also would never make a comment like that, even if in their case it might be justified. As much as I love his films, Tarantino completely annoys me. The idea that he came up with the idea for CR is not only ridiculous but also shows what an egomaniac he is.

    BTW, I'm considering suing Steven Spielberg. It was my idea to have Liam Neeson play Abraham Lincoln (in their upcoming film) and I am yet to receive either a thankyou or a cheque. X-(

    If Liam Neeson as Lincoln was your idea, congratulations -- I think it's brilliant casting and Spielberg does indeed owe you a check. But he owes me the movie. I've read the Doris Kearn Goodwin book it's supposed to be partially based on, and now I want to see it onscreen. Sam Waterston was brilliant in a TV adaptation of Gore Vidal's Lincoln, but he was just plain too short to play a guy who was famously tall. Neeson won't have that problem. Although Michael Gambon played LBJ brilliantly in Path to War, and he's considerably shorter than Johnson.
  • John DrakeJohn Drake On assignmentPosts: 2,564MI6 Agent
    I think Tarantino is capable of doing something special at some point. I don’t feel that ‘Pulp Fiction’ is it. There’s a lot of fancy dialogue, but not much heart. ‘Jackie Brown’ had a bit more soul. What I do respect him for is his love of movies. He’s supported a lot of foreign films and got them seen. ‘Hero,’ was all set to be re-cut by its US distributors before QT stepped in and persuaded Harvey Weinstein to release it in its original form. I wish he’d managed to put together the production of ‘Modesty Blaise,’ he tried to get off the ground in the mid 90’s. QT was going to produce and Luc Besson was going to direct with Uma Thurman starring. Still, ‘Grindhouse’ is worth a look. Here’s the trailer.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5L4vvNpvYw
  • highhopeshighhopes Posts: 1,358MI6 Agent
    John Drake wrote:
    I think Tarantino is capable of doing something special at some point. I don’t feel that ‘Pulp Fiction’ is it. There’s a lot of fancy dialogue, but not much heart. ‘Jackie Brown’ had a bit more soul. What I do respect him for is his love of movies. He’s supported a lot of foreign films and got them seen. ‘Hero,’ was all set to be re-cut by its US distributors before QT stepped in and persuaded Harvey Weinstein to release it in its original form. I wish he’d managed to put together the production of ‘Modesty Blaise,’ he tried to get off the ground in the mid 90’s. QT was going to produce and Luc Besson was going to direct with Uma Thurman starring. Still, ‘Grindhouse’ is worth a look. Here’s the trailer.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5L4vvNpvYw

    Again, another "homage" to the bottom of the bill at a triple feature. Quentin apparently went to the drive-in to watch the movies :D.

    I have to say that the gal with the assault rifle, or whatever it is, for a leg made me chuckle. But, as you suggest, JD, there doesn't seem much to be much "heart" in Tarantino's films, and Grindstone doesn't seem to be an exception. Not content to mimic B films' content, he now apes their form as well.
  • Dan SameDan Same Victoria, AustraliaPosts: 6,054MI6 Agent
    highhopes wrote:
    If Liam Neeson as Lincoln was your idea, congratulations -- I think it's brilliant casting and Spielberg does indeed owe you a check. But he owes me the movie. I've read the Doris Kearn Goodwin book it's supposed to be partially based on, and now I want to see it onscreen. Sam Waterston was brilliant in a TV adaptation of Gore Vidal's Lincoln, but he was just plain too short to play a guy who was famously tall. Neeson won't have that problem. Although Michael Gambon played LBJ brilliantly in Path to War, and he's considerably shorter than Johnson.
    Well, it wasn't really my idea (even though I would love to take credit for it ;)) but saying that it's my idea is as ridiculous as QT saying that CR was his idea. :#

    BTW, I am a huge fan of Doris Kearn Goodwin. I used to love watching her on Meet The Press and Today, until she was found to have plagiarized a book.
    "He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
  • emtiememtiem SurreyPosts: 5,686MI6 Agent
    highhopes wrote:
    I have to say that the gal with the assault rifle, or whatever it is, for a leg made me chuckle. But, as you suggest, JD, there doesn't seem much to be much "heart" in Tarantino's films, and Grindstone doesn't seem to be an exception. Not content to mimic B films' content, he now apes their form as well.

    The girl with the gun leg is from Rodriguez's film, but otherwise I agree; when you're a mimic you can't really be an all-time great.
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,238MI6 Agent
    I don't know if you need a lot of heart to make a great film. What's great anyway? GF doesn't have much heart does it. Nor does Pulp Fiction, though you could argue it has a moral core, as Jules takes up the word of God at the end. Ironically, with so much suspicion today over Born Agains and Gibson's movie, that scene would have a different resonance today.

    Anyhow, PF is an adrenalin blast. What's wrong with that?
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • Dan SameDan Same Victoria, AustraliaPosts: 6,054MI6 Agent
    edited March 2007
    emtiem wrote:
    I think he's very good (looking forward to Grindhouse too!) but it's hard to be seen as one of the all-time greats when all of your work feeds off other directors and past works so directly. He's nearly always doing homages rather than totally original works.
    I don't really agree. Yes, QT's ideas might not have been completely original, but I wouldn't describe him as a mimic. Rather, I would suggest that he takes different concepts, puts them into a blender and comes up with an entirely new product. That is to say, I think the measurement of his brilliance is his style (including dialogue) which I would argue is unique. So really, when I talk about how he has the ability to become an all-time great, I'm referring to the way he brings together different elements. Furthermore, I don't think that he just rips-off other films. Anyway, I'm happy that you also like him are are also looking forward to seeing Grindhouse.
    "He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
  • Dan SameDan Same Victoria, AustraliaPosts: 6,054MI6 Agent
    I don't know if you need a lot of heart to make a great film. What's great anyway? GF doesn't have much heart does it. Nor does Pulp Fiction, though you could argue it has a moral core, as Jules takes up the word of God at the end. Ironically, with so much suspicion today over Born Agains and Gibson's movie, that scene would have a different resonance today.

    Anyhow, PF is an adrenalin blast. What's wrong with that?
    I completely agree. In fact, i will go one step further. I don't think that a film, in order to be great, even needs to have a moral core. I think it should be judged on its merits and what it sets out to achieve. Perhaps the lack of a moral core or lack of heart might count against it, but I don't think that they of themselves are that important. Pulp Fiction might not have much of a heart, but I think it's irrelevant as IMO Pulp Fiction was among the greatest films ever made.
    "He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
  • emtiememtiem SurreyPosts: 5,686MI6 Agent
    Dan Same wrote:
    emtiem wrote:
    I think he's very good (looking forward to Grindhouse too!) but it's hard to be seen as one of the all-time greats when all of your work feeds off other directors and past works so directly. He's nearly always doing homages rather than totally original works.
    I don't really agree. Yes, QT's ideas might not have been completely original, but I wouldn't describe him as a mimic.

    Yeah; that's a fair point; you're right. He's not a mimic, but I'd say his work is dependant on others to such a large degree that it's hard to call him totally original. I think the spin he gives it is original and recognisable, yes.
  • John DrakeJohn Drake On assignmentPosts: 2,564MI6 Agent
    I don't know if you need a lot of heart to make a great film.


    Fair point. {[] Maybe heart is the wrong word. I meant life. With the exception of 'Jackie Brown,' which I think is far superior to anything else he's done, his movies leave me cold.

    I prefer Robert Rodriguez. I find a lot more wit and invention in 'El Mariachi,' 'Road Racers,' 'Sin City,' and 'Once Upon a Time in Mexico,' than anything Tarantino has put together.

    That said I do like Tarantino. And I'll always watch anything with his name attached to it. I even sat through that cheapo 'Modesty Blaise' update that Miramax made to keep the rights to the character. They gave it the 'Quentin Tarantino presents' treatment, in much the same way that 'Wes Craven presents,' means this filmmaker had nothing to do with this, but we're putting his name on it so you'll watch it sucker. And I fall for it evertime. :))
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,238MI6 Agent
    In any case, happy birthday Quentin! {[]
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • jboyjboy Posts: 42MI6 Agent
    blueman wrote:
    The rest just screams, we made this up to sell papers. Twaddle.

    I'd consider this before hammering Tarantino. Interesting how a story like this suddenly came up now that he's about to promote his new movie....
Sign In or Register to comment.