Will Christopher Nolan make a James Bond film? 'Oppenheimer' director says it would be an 'amazing privilege to do one'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Christopher Nolan has long been considered as one of the filmmakers who can take up the responsibility of directing the future movies of Ian Fleming's classic 'James Bond' franchise. In a new interview amid the release of his highly-anticipated movie, 'Oppenheimer', Nolan said it would be an "amazing privilege" to make a 007 film in the future.
However, the acclaimed director also mentioned that if he ever got the opportunity to direct a 'James Bond' film he would want to have a final say on the actor who was cast to play the iconic titular character. He also mentioned that he would only make a 'Bond' film when it was creatively the "right moment" for him to lead the project. The most recent film of the franchise, 'No Time To Die', was directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga and released in 2021. The film also marked Daniel Craig's final appearance as the British secret agent.
'I love those movies'
Nolan recently appeared on the 'Happy Sad Confused' podcast and spoke to host Josh Horowitz about the possibility of making a 'James Bond' film in the future. "It would be an amazing privilege to do one. It has to be the right moment in your creative life where you can express what you want to express," the director said. "I love those movies. The influence of those movies on my filmography is embarrassingly apparent," he added while praising the 007 films.
When Horowitz asked, "I would imagine you'd want to be involved in casting your Bond?" Nolan replied, "You wouldn't want to take on a film not fully committed to what you could bring to the table creatively. So as a writer, casting director, everything - it's the full package." According to the Daily Mail, Nolan had been in talks with 'James Bond' producers to direct a movie in the past.
Reports suggested that in 2013, Nolan was approached to make the next 'James Bond' film after the success of 'Skyfall.' However, the 2015 action-thriller 'Spectre' was ultimately directed by Sam Mendes. In 2017, Nolan once again revealed that he was in touch with producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson and could "maybe" get involved in a 007 movie "one day." So far, there is no confirmed date for the release of the next Bond movie but Broccoli reportedly told Variety in September 2022 that it was likely to be a "couple of years off."
'Would be epic'
Social media users were quick to react to Nolan's comments about directing a 'James Bond' film and took to Facebook to share their opinion. "A bond film directed by Christopher Nolan would be epic! Christopher Nolan is known for doing films in a more realistic manner and he is known to do more 'traditional stunts' instead of using CGI effects," one wrote. "He would just make tom hardy bond if he did a 007 film which i wouldnt be opposed to," another remarked.
"Woild be the best 007 ever," one said. "He’d do a great job," a fourth comment. "Basically a non-starter then as Nolan won't be given even the smallest opportunity to decide who plays Bond," another argued. One suggested, "Tom Hardy should play james Bond and Nolan direct. That's the winning formula," while another opined, "Henry Cavill should be next Bond, Ken Branagh as M. Matt Damon as Felix. Cillian Murphy as a villian/006, Idris Elba as the big villian. Emily Blunt as the Bond girl. Directed by Chris Nolan."