He Can Balance Action And Emotion
The Road To Perdition mixes a man (and son) on the run plot with thudding action scenes and dramatic shoot-outs.
It’s a grown-up comic-book flick with adult themes – the guns and gangsters never overshadow the relationships at the centre of the narrative.
Which is key – Quantum Of Solace was far too concerned with upping the action, Bond 23 needs more of a balance between explosions and emotions to keep Daniel Craig happy.
If Craig’s happy, we’re happy, which is why our next reason to be cheerful is so important…
Hes Worked With Daniel Craig
When we watched Tomb Raider, we didn’t immediately think ‘that hunk opposite Angelina Jolie with his top-off should play Paul Newman’s son and the central figure in a complex family drama that riffs on elements of Greek tragedy.’
Mendes, however, did, casting Craig in The Road To Perdition.
Craig played Connor, a mobster consumed by jealousy over his father’s affection for his favourite hitman.
Mendes teased a scene-stealing performance from Craig, providing a turning point for his career in the process. We can’t wait to see them reunited.
But Bond films aren’t just on the 007 actor’s shoulders. There’s the Bond girl to think about...
He Likes Strong Female Characters
Jarhead and Perdition aside, Mendes' films are packed with strong, layered female leads, who have an inner fragility that’s slowly revealed over time.
And that’s about as good as a description of Bond girls of the last 13 years as any.
Women like working with him. So not only will Bond 23’s girl be interesting, you can bet that she’ll be played by someone stellar.
Oh, and she’ll be someone British. Because...
He Couldnt Be More British If He Tried
He’s obsessed with cricket. And he doesn’t just love it. He taught it. At Oxford. We can guarantee there’ll be a scene which sees Bond strolling past some cricketers in Bond 23.
But not only that, Mendes owns a house in the Cotswalds. He’s married to Kate Winslet. He’s a bloody Commander of the Order of the British Empire. The man is so British we bet he bleeds tea.
We’re not saying it’s absolutely essential that Bond directors are from Blighty; Blokes born in New Zealand, China and France have previously turned in amazing instalments.
But we’re still looking forward to seeing another Brit in the director’s chair. And not just any Brit, one who understands what Bond is all about...
He Understands The Key Theme
Every single one of Mendes’ films have a key theme that is essential to Daniel Craig’s Bond. We’ll let him explain.
“All my films are linked by similar concerns, if you look below the surface. They're all about one or more people who are lost and trying to find a way through.”
Daniel Craig’s Bond is the definition of a lost soul trying to find his way through an increasingly complex world. A world made more complex by its villains.
And Mendes’ villain will be something special...
His Villain Will Be Incredible
Why? Because Mendes can pretty much pick anyone he wants to work with; his casts are always amazing – thanks to his reputation as an actor’s director.
Whether he decides to call up an old friend – Kevin Spacey, Peter Sarsgaard, or Michael Shannon, for example – or work with someone new (Daniel Day Lewis, anyone?) Mendes’ villain will add a touch of gravitas to the usual scene-chewing.
We’re pretty sure the decision on who to cast will to take a long time, but not because anyone’s going to turn him down.
And we’re glad Mendes will be spoilt for choice, we’d rather his mind was on Bond villians than another project that’s competing for his attention...
It Means Preacher Will Be Delayed
We’re not sure if Preacher is the right project for Mendes. He needs a hit, sure, but Preacher smells like a cursed project to us.
It’ll literally be impossible to keep studio suits and fanboys equally happy, you can’t possibly be loyal to that comic-book without a hard-18 certificate.
And if it’s delayed long enough, maybe everyone will realise that Preacher shouldn’t be a film at all, but a long-running HBO series.
Perhaps Mendes has already made that decision. He’s good at adaptations, after all...
He Likes Adapting Books
All the best Bond flicks respect Fleming’s set-texts, when they stray from the path – invisible cars, tidal wave surfing – things start to go wrong.
But with Mendes’ mum presumably drilling the importance of words into his bonce from a young age (she’s an author), you can guarantee that Sam’s Bond will be more Casino Royale than Tomorrow Never Dies.
Two of his three literary adaptations are Oscar winners. We’ve got a feeling Bond 23 will be the best of the lot.
