Who should direct James Bond 23 and 24?

So who will direct the next James Bond movie? Whist no official announcement has been made the frontrunner appears to be Sam Mendes. There have been stories in various publications including the Telegraph and The Guardian (both 6th Jan this year) that state that he is in negotiations. So what are the American Beauty directors credentials for directing Bond? Better that you would think, whilst American Beauty (1999) and Revolutionary Road (2008) or even last years Away We Go spring to mind we should also remember that he directed Road to Perdition (2002) and Jarhead (2005). Although both films were far from the action films Bond is turning into they both had elements that will work in his favour. Whilst essentially a drama/thriller Road to Perdition had elements of Adventure and Jarhead great moments of tension and comedy. A tense gripping action adventure with a little comedy sounds perfect for Bond.

So who would you like to see in the James Bond Directors chair?

1. Kathryn Bigelow: So much more than an action director she is one of the most underrated and underappreciated directors working today. Anyone unsure if she would be suitable should take a look at her best three (none vampire) movies Point Break (1991), Strange Days (1995) and The Hurt Locker (2008).
2. Quentin Tarantino: Producers are probably scared at what he would do to this most valuable and profitable franchises, cast Samuel Jackson or Uma Thurman as Bond for example. Strangely I actually think as a fan Tarantino would be faithful to the original books and early movies.
3. Paul Greengrass: The Bourne Supremacy (2004), United 93 (2006) and The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) need I say more? My only concern, is he too associated with Bourne for Bond to work for him? Probably not.
4. Doug Liman: Let’s not forget Liman directed the first Bourne movie The Bourne Identity (2002), a hugely underrated and forgotten movie in the wake of the sequels. Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005) was great fun, Jumper (2008) was a misstep but hopefully he will be back on track with Fair Game (2010) due out later this year.
5. Guy Ritchie: The leftfield choice, I would never of suggested him before now, the reason I changed my mind, Sherlock Holmes (2009). With the new Holmes movie he has proved what he can do as a director for hire and to be honest it is far better than most of his own work.

With suggestions that Bond 23 will be the last in a trilogy that finishes the story started in Casino Royale Bond 24 is time for a new start and one of these directors could do that.

 

 

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