James Bond films are all well and good, but what they really lack are big finales where Bond, having finally overcome his crippling shyness, has to rush to an airport in the snow to profess his undying love for the token American actress.
And, by cripes, that problem looks set to be addressed with the sequel to the forthcoming James Bond film Casino Royale, since the leading name to emerge in the race to direct it is Roger Michell, who helmed Notting Hill. Reports that the new James Bond film would introduce the new Bond Girl as a dirty Welshman in his pants are entirely made up by us just now.
After years of all sorts of cack-handed managing, the James Bond franchise looks like it's finally getting some sort of momentum going. It hit some snags on the way along – like not knowing who to cast as the new Bond and not casting the movie until after it started filming, but now things are back in order. Casino Royale is out in four months, Goldfrapp aren't doing the theme tune, the consensus is that Daniel Craig is quite a good James Bond and a sequel is already being put together. Everything's great!
What? The favourite to direct the 22nd James Bond film is the man who directed the awful syrupy Ronan Keating-soundtracked rom-com Notting Hill? Oh bugger. The Hollywood Reporter reported that Roger Michell – for Notting Hill was his fault – is in negotiations to direct the next James Bond movie, which isn't even written yet but is thought to be based on a story dreamt up by producer Michael Wilson.
Now, normally producers are crap at thinking up stories, but Wilson's idea couldn't possibly be as ridiculous as a story about, say, a man with a face transplant who can't sleep inventing a space laser designed to blow up an invisible car. No, wait, that was the last Bond film, wasn't it?
On the plus side, Roger Mitchell is something of a Daniel Craig veteran – he's previously directed Craig in Enduring Love and The Mother – so if anyone can stop Daniel Craig getting his teeth punched out by midgets, it's him.
Read more:
Notting Hill Director may Helm Next Bond – Zap2It
[story by Stuart Heritage]