Welcome to #FlashbackFriday, where we look at past moments with filmmakers, actors, etc. and highlight something in cinema history that’s fascinating, amusing, perhaps something you never knew or have seen, you name it.
This week in film news can be summed up by the following name — James Bond. The charismatic superspy has been the subject of a bit of a roller coaster ride this week, with the news that ‘Bond 25’ director Danny Boyle suddenly departed from the production, sending the film into a bit of disarray. Now, everyone waits for the eventual replacement director to be announced, as they deal with the shock and sadness of knowing that a Boyle-directed ‘Bond’ film will probably never happen.
But alas, that’s not the complete truth.
For this week’s #FlashbackFriday, we want to go back to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. While many people will remember those games for their multitudes of athletic achievements, there are quite a few film fans that remember the 2012 Games as the time we saw Danny Boyle direct Daniel Craig as James Bond.
That’s right, Boyle was the man behind the camera for a little short film (intro) for the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremonies, where Craig as Bond teamed up with the Queen to board a helicopter, fly over the adoring fans in London, and skydive out of the helicopter into the stadium. It’s silly and very light on dialogue or plot, but it definitely was the first time that Boyle got the taste for the ‘Bond’ directing gig.
And shortly after that time, it was announced that Sam Mendes had stepped away from the upcoming ‘Bond’ film, which of course he would come back to, titled “Spectre.” So, in another video, we have a red carpet interview in 2013 where the person asked Boyle whether or not we would see the “Trainspotting” director take on a ‘Bond’ film. He response was awfully telling, especially given the recent circumstances of his departure.
“I’m not the guy to make ‘Bond’ movies. I love watching them,” Boyle said. “But I’m better working at a bit lower budget, kinda slightly under the radar. It gives you a lot more freedom, I think.”
He concluded, “I’m better leaving that to other people.”
It sounds like, sadly, Boyle should have listened to his own advice, given the brief affair he had with 007, where he was reportedly dismissed after disagreements over creative direction and casting with Daniel Craig.
But for those wondering what could have been, you always have the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony. Enjoy!