Escaping the shackles of bankruptcy, the Bond franchise has managed to see the light of day with a film green-lit for 2012, provisionally titled Bond 23. After a critically disappointing sequel (Quantum of Solace), Sam Mendes (American Beauty) has been officially announced to direct new life into Bond’s world of espionage. This will not be the first time Bond actor Daniel Craig will work with Mendes – they previously collaborated on 2002’s Road to Perdition. As a huge fan of Sam Mendes, I am very excited to see where the theatrical director will take the limping franchise. From his previous experience with the Bond lead to his direction of a beautiful graphic-novel adapted film, it looks as though this will be a promising fit.
With talks like this of an auteur-ish filmmaker mending (pun intended) failing franchises, it looks as though 2012 is shaping up to be the year of “artsy sequels.” Along with Bond 23, 2012 also has prospects of Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan) directing The Wolverine after the disappointment of 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
Some might say it’s a sellout, but is it really necessary exposure for them to make more original films of their choosing? Are these directors reducing the quality of their projects, or raising the bar for Hollywood blockbusters? Either way, it’ll be interesting to see what’s in store. Expect Bond 23 to be out around November 9, 2012.
Christopher Clemente