Next James Bond Film Could Break Franchise’s Decades-old Trend By Following Venom: The Last Dance’s Formula and One Director is the Key to It
It has been more than 60 years since the first James Bond movie was released, and the franchise is still going strong with its unique combination of action, mystery, and style. The last James Bond movie, No Time to Die, was released in 2021, and fans are waiting for the next film after Daniel Craig’s departure.
Speculation about the next potential director has already begun, as the producers, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, are looking for a new director before casting the next 007. One name that has been coming up is Kelly Marcel, the writer-turned-director behind the upcoming Venom: The Last Dance.
James Bond Might Break Its Years-Long Tradition
Many directors have been associated with the James Bond franchise. There were Guy Hamilton and Terence Young in the early days, followed by recent directors like Sam Mendes. However, one aspect that has not changed is that all of these directors have been men. Now, it seems the franchise might be ready to break this decades-old trend.
Kelly Marcel is among the most likely names to direct the next Bond movie, according to Word of Reel. The other contenders are Edward Berger and David Michôd. The achievement would be quite significant if she were selected since she would be the first woman to take the post.
Marcel’s potential selection isn’t just noteworthy because of her gender. Her diverse background as a writer on films like Saving Mr. Banks and Fifty Shades of Grey, along with her upcoming directorial debut with Venom: The Last Dance, make her an intriguing choice for the Bond franchise.
Even Christopher Nolan was reported to be one of the potential directors. In his appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, he said,
The influence of those movies in my filmography is embarrassingly apparent. It would be an amazing privilege to do one.
However, he denied the rumors while talking to the Associated Press. The possibility of a less established director like Marcel taking up the role could be a bold move for the franchise. Still, her experience in working for big-budget production franchises, especially through the Venom films, could make her a good candidate.
Kelly Marcel Was a Reluctant Actor Before Becoming a Director
Kelly Marcel started her career as an actor and appeared in British TV shows like The Bill and Holby City, but she absolutely hated it. Marcel gave up acting in her mid-20s, realizing it wasn’t her cup of tea. She told The Guardian,
I completely hated acting and always had..(…)..And I got up afterwards and thought, ‘Well, that was horrendous.’ And I realized just how awful I found it. I couldn’t ever be in front of a camera again.
Later, Marcel, who was a retired actor with no qualifications, decided to become a screenwriter. She started writing TV pilots and movie scripts, working part-time at a video rental shop to make ends meet.
It was Tom Hardy who gave her the big break after which her career got a boost. Hardy offered her an opportunity to do some uncredited re-writes for his film Bronson. As reported by Deadline, her script for Saving Mr. Banks landed on the 2011 Black List, which was later bought by Disney.
Marcel has an impressive filmography. She wrote Fifty Shades of Grey and has been the driving force behind the Venom franchise, writing all three films and now directing the third one, which is pretty good for someone who used to hate the thought of being in front of the camera.
Venom: The Last Dance will be released in theaters on October 25, 2024.
