Last week we enjoyed a rare burst of announcements from official channels, but not so much this week. Nature abhors a vacuum, and so does the media when it comes to James Bond rumors. So, into the white space came more talk about who could/would/should direct the 26th film. Reports of Christopher Nolan came back around - this time with the twist that he was apparently in talks to helm two movies and take control of the script duties before the writers’ strike put paid to those alleged negotiations.
Matthew Vaughn also popped up as a rumored contender, although the smart money is that he may be seen as an anti-Bond director given his past films and upcoming spy-fi outing Argyle with tabloid next-007 favorite Henry Cavill. As only one still has been seen of this production for Apple there is fun chatter that the project may be a huge rug pull. The James Bond & Friends podcast got ahead of this tabloid fodder in the most recent episode released this month - check it out below:
The focus on who will direct the film is the right news to chase, though. Every new Bond has been cast only after the director is onboard, and that director has a say in the selection, especially as they screen-test the candidates. John Glen probably screen-tested the most candidates over the years, especially as he covered Roger Moore’s will-he-or-won’t-he come back years. Famously, Martin Campbell did not favor Daniel Craig as the first choice for Casino Royale, but came around to the idea after screen tests were complete. Who EON chooses as their next director will be a big indication of the orientation of the franchise going forward.
Another big change that will be an important factor in the next cycle is the Amazon Studios acquisition of MGM. The new owners of the other half of the film rights will need to be convinced by EON as to their pick for the new leading man and sign off on a three-film (with an option for a fourth) contract. It’s a big commitment and one that may take some time to finalize. Now that MGM will be financially stable for the first time in many, many years, there is a reasonable prospect that the studio heads on the studio side of the franchise will remain stable through the next Bond’s tenure. Daniel Craig’s era benefited from the consistent oversight of Amy Pascal at Sony before she did a May Day and self-detonated her career in the email leak debacle.
Director rumors are far less exciting to the general population than casting, but for us fans, it’s the most defining decision on how the next film, or in this case, the next era of Bond will shape up. Of the most frequently tipped names, which would be your choice to direct Bond 26?
News
Ian Fleming's favourite pub has closed with short notice. The James Bond creator was especially fond of The Duck Inn located in the hamlet of Pett Bottom in Kent. The Michelin Guide restaurant and pub has closed for business “with immediate effect”. The owners told local press that the pressures of rising costs have made the business unsustainable.
A statement read: “We are very sorry to say that due to the impact of rising costs, we have reluctantly taken the decision to close The Duck with immediate effect. Thank you for all of your support over the last five and a half years.”
The historic building dates back to 1623 and sold its first beer in 1849. Ian Fleming penned 'You Only Live Twice' in his final years whilst frequenting the pub, and included it in the novel.
When M sends James Bond's obituary to The Times newspaper, it reads: "When [Bond] was 11 years of age, both his parents were killed in a climbing accident in the Aiguilles Rouges above Chamonix, and the youth came under the guardianship of an aunt, since deceased, Miss Charmian Bond, and went to live with her at the quaintly-named hamlet of Pett Bottom near Canterbury in Kent. There, in a small cottage hard by the attractive Duck Inn, his aunt, who must have been a most erudite and accomplished lady, completed his education for an English public school, and, at the age of twelve or thereabouts, he passed satisfactorily into Eton, for which College he had been entered at his birth by his father."
A blue plaque memorializing Ian Fleming's association with the pub was installed several years ago.
When real life imitates art: this week a man was arrested in Paris for jumping off the Eiffel Tower with a parachute.
The stunt was first performed for the 1985 James Bond film 'A View To A Kill', but not without incident either.
It was planned that two stunt parachutists, B.J. Worth and Don Caldvedt, would undertake two jumps from a platform that extended from the top edge of the Eiffel Tower. However, sufficient footage was obtained from Worth's jump, so Caldvedt was told he would not be performing his own descent. Caldvedt, unhappy at not being able to perform the jump, parachuted off the tower without authorisation from the City of Paris. He was subsequently sacked by the production team for jeopardising the continuation of filming in the city.
Fast forward to 2023, and the tower’s management company said the man was detected in “less than a minute” by security after entering the site but attempts to intervene were unsuccessful. He went ahead with his jump and landed on the roof of a nearby sports center before being arrested by police.
Season 2 of ‘00'7’s Road To A Million’ has been greenlit by Amazon Studios before the first season has even aired (we understand that will happen in November). Fancy your chances as being a contestant? Sadly, you don’t need to be much of a Bond fan. The casting agency is really looking for couples who have high fitness and some general knowledge to get through the globe-trotting challenges.
Watch
The trailer for a new documentary on the James Bond film series ‘Icons Unearthed’ features a bunch of MI6 friends including Ajay Chowdhury, Matthew Field, and Lee Pfiefer. The docu premieres on Wednesday, October 4th on VICE TV.
Exit Through The Gift Shop
Issue #69 of MI6 Confidential magazine is now shipping - celebrating the 50th anniversary of ‘Live And Let Die.’ Click here to order online, or subscribe for the whole year!
More Bond
In need of some daily 007? Check out our other outlets: