http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001F0VHEM/almosthuman
TORONTO - After a string of critically acclaimed films including "The Kite Runner," "Monster's Ball" and "Finding Neverland," director Marc Forster wasn't exactly clamouring to helm a James Bond movie.
When he was approached to do "Quantum of Solace" - which hits theatres Friday - he was wary.
"I thought I was the wrong director," Forster said during a recent interview.
"It's not my genre; I'm not an action director. But I thought it was an interesting proposal (and) I was honoured. I (just) felt like, I'm sure there are other people who are better-suited to the job."
He was well aware of the massive success of 2006's "Casino Royale," which scored box office gold with Daniel Craig's raw portrayal of the superspy.
"I said to myself: 'What's really the upside for me, making this movie?' 'Casino Royale' was such a big hit, was such a commercial success," said Forster.
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"If, let's say, 'Quantum of Solace' is as much big of a success ... the only thing it does for me is I can make other big Hollywood blockbusters. But that's not really my goal. And if it isn't a success, it could really hurt my career with the movies I like doing, the smaller ... more difficult movies."
Still, the Swiss director liked the early Bond films and was intrigued by the idea of drawing the kind of massive audience 007 usually commands. Ultimately, he couldn't resist the challenge.
The next step was putting his own stamp on "Quantum of Solace."
Bond, after all, has been a time-honoured cinematic franchise and Forster girded himself for creative battles with co-producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.
They never materialized.
"They were hands off," said Forster. "I thought it would be much more a journey of conflict and drama, but it wasn't. It was actually a lot of fun creatively for me."
Indeed, the director seems to delight in trying new things in the action-packed "Quantum of Solace," which includes a doozy of a chase at the famed Palio horse race in Siena, Italy, as well as a suspenseful scene at a performance of the opera "Tosca" in Bregenz, Austria.
Some Bond fans may be surprised to learn, however, that the 007 catchphrases "Bond, James Bond" and "Shaken, not stirred" are not uttered in the new film.
"It didn't work in the cut. I showed it to Michael and Barbara and they agreed and they were fine," said Forster.
"I must say they've been really cool. They let me just do what I wanted to do and were never precious about anything."
Craig said he's proud of the film Forster has made, and concurred that Bond's trademark phrases didn't work this time around.
Still, he admitted, they'll likely re-emerge down the line.
"I'm not averse to them," Craig said.
"Don't get me wrong, if we do the next movie ... they'll get back in."
http://chitika.com/publishers.php?refid=almosthuman99
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