Nicolas Winding Refn, Ang Lee, Shane Black and more eyed for next James Bond film

It's always a big deal when names start getting tossed around to direct the next James Bond film, but after the $1B+ returns on Skyfall, it's become more of an issue than ever. With Sam Mendes dropping out, the Internet was set abuzz when Christopher Nolan supposedly entered informal talks with producers, although nobody knows for sure just what entails. It could have just been a chat over breakfast. However those negotiations are, other directors are definitely being considered.

A report at Variety tosses Nicolas Winding Refn, Ang Lee, David Yates, Shane Black, and Tom Hooper into the mix to helm Bond 24, although they note that we could be waiting awhile for a final decision. The shortlist isn't at all surprising, as each contender is either a proven box office or awards season success, and are definitely of a similar stature as Mendes.

Refn is perhaps the most intriguing choice, even if he's also the one least likely to take something like this on. After what sounds like an awful experience during the brief time he was attached to helm The Equalizer, Refn came out recently and compared making blockbuster flicks like banging a cheap whore....

Refn: “Hollywood is like going into a hotel room and seeing the most gorgeous escort girl. She will say to you 'You are the greatest filmmaker in the world, I will do whatever you want’ and you’re so tempted, but you’re also like ‘Am I gonna catch something?’”

FirstShowing actually caught up with Refn recently and asked him directly about taking on the next Bond film. He doesn't confirm anything, but the site takes his smirk and demeanor as a confirmation he's been approached. They may be reaching a bit on that mark. Check it out in the video below....


Whoever gets the job will have to work with the script being put together by John Logan, which is expected to be bigger and extend into the follow-up film. So it's not as if the director is going to get much of a chance to put his own stamp on the franchise, which is perhaps the main reason why directors like Nolan and Refn seems like long shots.