‘Skyfall’ Director Sam Mendes Says James Bond Studio Prefers Filmmakers ‘Who Are More Controllable’: ‘I Would Doubt’ I’d Return

As a fan who has followed Sam Mendes‘ career since his Academy Award-winning work on “American Beauty,” I must admit that his contributions to the James Bond franchise with “Skyfall” and “Spectre” were truly remarkable. His ability to breathe new life into an iconic character, while maintaining the series’ essence, was nothing short of impressive.

Sam Mendes, the director behind “Skyfall” (2012) and “Spectre” (2015), two James Bond films, expressed uncertainty about directing another installment of the 007 series. In an interview with Inverse for his new HBO show “The Franchise,” Mendes hinted that movie studios generally prefer directors who are younger and easier to manage, a role he no longer fits.

Mendes expressed hesitation about directing another “Bond” film, saying, “I’m not ruling it out entirely, but I would be surprised.” He explained that the first Bond movie he directed was beneficial for him at that point in his career. It helped him break free from old patterns, encouraged him to think on a larger scale, and required him to use different parts of his brain. To do it well, one needs plenty of energy.

He mentioned that they’re looking for directors who are somewhat flexible, relatively new to the field, and might consider this opportunity as a way to advance their careers. Additionally, these candidates should be easier to guide or manage by the studio.

The James Bond film “Skyfall,” directed by Mendes, is still highly regarded as one of the best Bond movies ever made. It raked in an impressive $1.1 billion at global box offices, making it the highest-grossing 007 film in history. Additionally, it received five Oscar nominations and took home the award for Best Original Song. In comparison, Mendes’ subsequent Bond movie, “Spectre,” garnered mixed reviews from critics but also won an Oscar for Best Original Song. It earned $880 million at box offices worldwide.

After Mendes left the James Bond series, only one more Bond movie, “No Time to Die” in 2021, was released, which concluded Daniel Craig’s time as Bond. Currently, there’s a hunt for a new actor to step into the role of Bond and a new director to lead the franchise. As of now, no filmmaker has been officially selected for the job.

2024-10-07 21:46

‘Skyfall’ Director Sam Mendes Says James Bond Studio Prefers Filmmakers ‘Who Are More Controllable’: ‘I Would Doubt’ I’d Return

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