Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer hits theaters today on the back of staggeringly good reviews. Everyone here with time to spend at the movie theater is probably going to see it, so expect plenty of news and views in the coming days. As always, Nolan has been asked a lot about what’s might do next. He already said a firm “no” to any more superhero movies and said “Pass” to the idea of ever getting involved in Star Wars.
He has confirmed that there is one mega-franchise that does interest him. Back when No Time To Die was in very early stages of development, it was well known that Nolan was talking to the producers of the James Bond movies about a potential directorial gig. He ended up on a very elite shortlist that included Denis Villeneauve and Danny Boyle. The gig eventually went to Danny Boyle who would, in turn, drop out over “creative differences”.
Nolan has been asked again if he would ever direct a Bond movie, and he was very careful to not rule it out, speaking of being a massive Bond fan:
“The influence of those movies in my filmography is embarrassingly apparent. It would be an amazing privilege to do one. At the same time, when you take on a character like that, you’re working with a particular set of constraints.
It has to be the right moment in your creative life where you can express what you want to express and really burrow into something within the appropriate constraints because you would never want to take on something like that and do it wrong.”
The chance to be the director who launches a new 007 into the world. A gap in his schedule post-Oppenheimer, and the Bond producers searching for a new director and, potentially, a new direction. Could the stars be about to align for Nolan and for Bond?
Movies are too expensive these days and Bond movies are no exception. Nolan has a track record of doing things in reality via practical effects, and in-camera where possible, the very bread and butter of Bond movies done right. He manages to do this within very reasonable budgets. A 3-hour historical epic, complete with all the costumes and set dressings required, and shot in IMAX was brought in at $100 million with Oppenheimer. That is a veritable bargain in Hollywood terms.
Opportunities like this don’t come along too often. We hope the Brocolli clan is listening and want to talk.
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