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Roger Michell Discusses Why He Turned Down 'Bond 22'

'The film was due to start shooting in January...'

There was an interview with Roger Michell in the Metro newspaper in the UK yesterday discussing the movie VENUS which he is directing. He also discussed why he didn't end up being the director of BOND 22. Here are the relevant quotes:

"I got into a bit of a panic at the prospect. At that time, the film was due to start shooting in January, and I just felt this terrible pressure of scrambling to get a script together with the clock ticking. To go into a film like James Bond when you don't really know what's happening would be a recipe for hell."

Could this be a dropped hint for the title of Bond 22?!!



This post has been edited by Judo chop: 24 January 2007 - 19:48

Oh! So there really WAS a plan to release Bond 22 in 2007?

Sounds like Eon are back to the old routine of going into production without a decent, or even finished script.
Guess now they've got Craig contracted and commited they don't have to do anything crazy like writing a good script before they prep, cast and hire!

Is it me, or does Eon sometimes seem more like Pizza Express than a the outfit with the greatest movie legacy of all time in their hands... Anything to turn a fast buck!!!

Mr Mitchell, good decision.

It seems to me like the Pizza Express analogy is all too appropriate, as I was remarking in the discussion on Non-recurring actors.

Yeah. He said the same thing in another interview earlier, but he elaborated more. It's probably around here somewhere.

Now on the CBn main page...

Roger Michell Discusses Why He Turned Down 'Bond 22'

'The film was due to start shooting in January...'

I think what Roger means is a finalized script ... I don't think Bond films ever have a completed script (written in stone) before going into production. Unless, there is a few years break between the films (over two years).

I am sure Purvis and Wade already have a story outline. I hope they get somebody as good as Tom Stoppard (if Haggis is unavailable) to give the script a good polish!

This post has been edited by mario007: 24 January 2007 - 22:08

Y'know, I wonder whether Eon may be courting Stephen Frears to direct BOND 22. Currently in the Oscar limelight with THE QUEEN, he has all the prestige Broccoli and Wilson could possibly wish for in a director to follow the presitigious CASINO ROYALE, and let's not forget that he was also lined up to direct the scrapped Jinx spinoff.

No insider knowledge, but just a thought.

He does seem like EON's kind of man - prolific British director who has dipped his toes into Hollywood waters (Dangerous Liaisons, Hero, High Fidelity). No particular style of his own, but his name brings some prestige to the table, and of course he recently worked with Judi Dench in Mrs. Henderson Presents, and obviously with the Jinx thing (anyone know exactly how far along that got?) he's definitely on their radar.

Well, no sources to cite off the top of my head, but a search of the CBn archives for "Frears" should throw some details up, and I believe JINX (as I imagine it would have been titled) did get pretty far down the pre-production road. It was definitely a lot more than just a (wicked) gleam in someone's eye. I gather that Frears had been formally hired by Broccoli and Wilson, and that he spent a few weeks with Purvis and Wade talking about their completed script (a screenplay that must surely be one of the holy grails of Bond fandom).

So, they hired him once, and heaven knows he's a prestigious name right now....

Yeah it would certainly be interesting to see that script. Although, I wonder if some of the plot and/or action from it will eventually make its way into a Bond film? Who knows, maybe some of it was used for Casino Royale?

Stephen Frears is certainly looking like a feasible and respectable candidate for BOND 22.

Based on his past films, I'm relieved Roger Michell won't be directing Bond 22 as he reminds me of Michael Apted. We all know how that one turned out.

On the other hand, Stephen Frears would be perfect. The man has range and would be the highest profile director they've used.

If true, EON will be due some credit for getting some serious talent by involving people like Frears and Haggis on the production side.