Christopher Nolan James Bond Film: Why He Won't Direct It

Culture

James Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have begun informal talks with Inception and Batman director Christopher Nolan to direct the 24th film in the franchise, which is slated for release in 2016. The source that reported on this initially denies the likelihood of this aesthetically ideal partnership.

Because of the imminent pre-production of Nolan’s upcoming film Insterstellar, Bond 24 would likely have to be pushed back or crammed. Sam Mendez, the director of the most current Bond, 2012’s Skyfall, turned down the offer to helm the sequel for similar scheduling conflicts.

At the very least, the imagination of cinephiles everywhere will gallop at thought this potential collaborative effort. Nolan’s take on Bruce Wayne was certainly more Bond-esque than previous interpretations, which is bit surprising considering the similarities between the two rich, super-powerless orphans who use gadgets to fight crime.

Nolan’s presumed refusal hinges on more than scheduling. Metaphorically speaking however, it is evident in a comedic moment in The Dark Knight. When Albert asks Bruce Wayne if he wants to valet the Batmobile “in the middle of the day?”, Bruce Wayne responds, “Not very subtle.”

“The Lamborghini then … much more subtle,” Albert quips back.

No doubt, Bond would more likely take turns at the wheel of an Aston Martin and a tank than a Batmobile and a Lamborghini, Albert’s sarcasm is a big eye roll at the extravagance and materialism that takes up an comparatively large part of the Bond series. Moreover, the cars, the Bond girl, the original theme music, the gadgets, and all the other tropes are more than just superficial consumerism and a rehash of an ancillary element of Nolan’s last franchise, they are limitations for the to the more open, deep cerebral content that Nolan favors.

Without cinematographer Wally Pfister, who recently ended his collaborative streak with Nolan to transition to directing his own films, the stately look of a Carbaggio painting and formal wear that marks the visual overlap between the Bonds and Nolan’s films will be decidedly wanting.

In short, I think Nolan is probably past the fancy franchise stage in his career, or at least I hope. I am naïve, and am easily upset when a filmmaker with a known style and a previous franchise under his/her belt takes on another perennial film series. Isn’t there something breaching about the fact that both Star Wars and Star Trek are now made by the same person?