NEWS > ENTERTAINMENT > SPIKE LEE IN TALKS TO DIRECT NEXT BOND FILM

SPIKE LEE IN TALKS TO DIRECT NEXT BOND FILM

August 15 2009

Hollywood, CA – For almost fifty years the James Bond series has been entertaining movie-goers. The mix of gadgetry, almost ridiculous action, fast cars and even faster women has been a bastion of testosterone and box office success. Now in his sixth
official iteration, James Bond is as popular as ever with the last release, ‘Quantum of Solace’ raking in almost $600 million worldwide. Because of that continued success as well as the increased level of realism now surrounding the franchise many high profile directors are starting to circle the franchise.

Chief amongst those directors is one director very few would have associated with the Bond persona previously. Word has started to circulate that Spike Lee has entered into discussions with EON Productions to take over the helm of the next Bond adventure which is due to be released in 2011. Though details of the plot are scarce at the moment, it is not believed that the storyline will continue along the lines of Lee’s traditional fare which has included movies such as ‘School Daze’, ‘Do the Right Thing’, and ‘Malcolm X’.

“From what I have heard Lee is very much into the idea of doing a Bond movie. He certainly does have a reputation for doing a particular kind of movie, specifically a kind of black activism, and Bond certainly doesn’t fit into that genre but nonetheless he is very enthusiastic about doing this project apparently,” said an insider who preferred to remain anonymous. “In recent years Lee has moved away from advocacy-type films and made things like ‘Inside Man’ and ‘Miracle at St. Anna’. While it’s true that those pictures still revolved around black characters they are still movies. I think he’s started to realize that the kind of advocacy that he pursued in the early 90’s just wouldn’t fly today. Or it could also be that he just really likes gadgets and fast cars after all.”

Regardless of the director it’s expected that Daniel Craig will return as Bond. Craig is not black and it is seen as unlikely that he will darken his skin for the role. His presence as the lead is seen as the major stumbling block between producers and the director.

“I’m sure he would bring in his regulars as supporting cast. John Turturro and Denzel Washington are almost definitely going to be in the movie if he takes over as director. I wouldn’t be surprised if Lee himself appears in the movie, perhaps as the newest version of Q. The real difficult part is in how he is going to make a commentary on the state of black America in a Bond film,” said Scrape TV Entertainment analyst Tracey Temple. “As popular and successful as the Bond films have been they have never been particularly deep. That really is part of the affection many people have for them and is the reason they keep coming back for more and even though the new version of the series has gone towards more realism, that kind of depth may actually be a little too much.”

Lee is scheduled to next direct a sequel to ‘Inside Man’. The first in that series is seen as his first major departure from his success of the late 80’s and early 90’s and stands as his greatest box office triumph.

“Bond fans aren’t used to thinking about too much so him coming in as director may complicate things a little bit. Of course people haven’t really thought much about Lee’s films in recent years so those two things might match up perfectly,” continued Temple. “I’m sure the Bond girl will be black, I mean that’s a given but it will remain to be seen what other kinds of commentary Lee is able to sneak in there.”

Oliver Stone and Wim Wenders have reportedly also shown interest in the new film.

Samantha Dryden, Entertainment Correspondent

NEWS > ENTERTAINMENT > SPIKE LEE IN TALKS TO DIRECT NEXT BOND FILM