Headed in the Right Direction: Sam Mendes to Direct Bond 23

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Sam Mendes (Away We Go, American Beauty) has been chosen to direct the 23rd installment of the James Bond franchise with Daniel Craig returning as 007. Production is being fast-tracked and could begin as early as June for a 2011 release. Bond 23 will be written by Peter Morgan (Frost/Nixon, The Queen) and the duo of Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who have worked on previous Bond films.

I have to respectfully disagree with Patrick Goldstein of the LA Times that Mendes is wrong for Bond 23. Goldstein points out the critical and commercial success of Mendes' films have spiraled downward since his directorial debut in 1999's American Beauty, which won five Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director. Since American Beauty made $130 million domestically in 1999 here's how Mendes' follow-ups have fared: Road to Perdition ($104 million), Jarhead ($62 million), Revolutionary Road ($22 million), and Away We Go (only $9.4 million). Goldstein does have a point. However, none of these have had a fraction of the commercial appeal of the James Bond franchise. Mendes just needs to worry about doing the job he was hired to do and make a good film.

Goldstein also doesn't feel there is a way for a director to put his 'personal stamp' on a Bond film. Maybe, but what do GoldenEye and Casino Royale (my favorites and arguably the best of the newer-era Bond flicks) have in common? They were both directed by Martin Campbell. "Even if Mendes does a solid, professional job, the resulting film will do little to change anyone's perception of his commercial touch (or lack of it)," says Goldstein. Again, maybe, but I'm sure there are worse movies Mendes could take on at this point in his career.

Just because Mendes might not be the best fit for this movie doesn't mean Bond 23 is doomed. I remember thinking Sam Raimi was an odd choice to do Spider-Man, but you won't hear me, or many other webheads, complaining. Call me optimistic, but I'm ready to see Mendes rebound with this one. Hollywood loves a comeback.