The James Bond film franchise has been going strong for fifty-six years now, starting with 1962’s Dr. No. Since then, many different directors have been at the helm of these iconic films, all bringing a unique style with them. With news of director Danny Boyle’s exit from BOND 25, who should take over next? Here’s the top five picks:
Kathryn Bigelow
The James Bond franchise mixes action, wry humor, and drama together efficiently. That’s the same way Kathryn Bigelow directs her films. Her major hits such as Point Break, The Hurt Locker and the recent smash Detroit all prove her amazing ability as a director and establish her major credentials. All of her films have artistic style and flair that would fit perfectly among the James Bond franchise, making her an ideal candidate for BOND 25.
James Wan
James Wan has dabbled in many different genres and has successfully established three franchises – Saw, Insidious, The Conjuring – as well as directing entries in other franchises – Furious 7, Aquaman. Obviously, Wan is no stranger to taking part in a large franchise, making him a top pick for the director of BOND 25. His name is always proposed by the Hollywood studios when they need a director to join a franchise, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he joined the crew of the next James Bond film.
Susanne Bier
Most of Susanne Bier’s films are in her native Danish tongue, but they’re still critically acclaimed and show fantastic direction and storytelling. Her English-language miniseries The Night Manager was considered one of the best series of 2016 and earned her a more well-known presence in the Western hemisphere. Her style of direction fits perfectly with the Bond films of the past decade and she would be a welcome addition to the franchise.
Ryan Coogler
Ryan Coogler has proved himself to be one of the best directors currently working in Hollywood. He only has three films under his belt – Fruitvale Station in 2013, Creed in 2015, and Black Panther in 2018 – but all three have been major successes, both critically and commercially. Furthermore, he joined already established franchises and was able to direct entries into both that didn’t feel out of place at all – entries that joined the list of films most acclaimed from each franchise. That alone should make Coogler a contender for the next James Bond director, as his BOND 25 would fit in perfectly with the other 24 James Bond films.
Fernando Meirelles
Fernando Meirelles directs mostly in Spanish, but his films have been received warmly by English critics. Both his Spanish and English films mix character-driven drama with realistic world views and breathtaking visual spectaculars. All three of these qualities have been seen in the James Bond films of the 21st century. This makes Meirelles a perfect fit for BOND 25 and for the James Bond franchise.
Logan Sekulow is a renowned producer and director.