Who’s made the short list of potential directors for “Bond 26“? Puck has the rundown there, and the new Bond producers, David Heyman and Amy Pascal, have some big names in mind, along with some estimable UK talents.
According to Puck, Heyman, and Pascal are conducting pitch meetings with directors now, and Edward Berger has already done his. Up next? “Dune” director Denis Villeneuve, who’s said in the past he’d “deeply love” to helm a Bond film. But DV’s busy schedule may keep that dream from coming true. He’s set to shoot “Dune Messiah” later this year and has several other projects in active development, like “Nuclear War” and “Cleopatra.” Never say never, though. If Villeneuve’s ideas click with Heyman and Pascal, he could slot “Bond 26” as his next film after his next “Dune” sequel.
But who else is in the running for the Bond directing gig? Puck also names Edgar Wright, Jonathan Nolan, and Paul King, who will meet with Heyman and Pascal this summer. On some level, those names make sense as all three are UK talents, but none of their styles really match up to the action pedigree a Bond director needs. Wright is closest there, but he’s entrenched in genre filmmaking in ways that the 007 franchise isn’t. Nolan’s an inspired choice, but his directing gigs are in TV only. And King has the formal chops, but lacks any adult-minded movies in his filmography; he does have a longstanding working relationship with Heyman, though, so that could come into play. Puck also notes that, despite prior interest, Alfonso Cuarón removed himself from the Bond chase, so he’s no longer in the running.
Still, the final five names in the hunt are very good indeed, and Heyman, Pascal, and Amazon execs Mike Hopkins and Courtenay Valenti want to make their choice before summer concludes. After that, someone needs to pen the script, and then Amazon MGM will pick their new Bond. As for any new frontrunners there, it’s pointless speculation at this point. Each director will have their own idea of their ideal 007 actor, and it’s clear that choice will be the last one Amazon MGM makes in the development process.
So, out of the five directors above, who’s the best fit to helm “Bond 26”? Villeneuve has the experience shooting rugged big-budget productions, but this writer likes Berger and King as dark horse picks. But let’s wait and see who Heyman and Pascal select in the coming weeks.
