Boyle ‘too Left-wing’ for Bond movie
DANNY BOYLE was not trusted with the lucrative 007 franchise because of fears he would turn James Bond into a socialist, a former Bond villain has claimed.
Just days after Boyle quit as director of the next Bond movie, actor Jonathan Pryce said the director wanted a Left-wing 007.
Rumours have been swirling since Boyle, 61, left, with “creative differences” cited by both sides.
Pryce, who played baddie Elliot Carver in Tomorrow Never Dies, said: “They obviously couldn’t take a socialist Bond.” He added: “You see, there are the Dannys of this world and then there are people who do the blockbusters.”
Speaking at the Raindance Film Festival Auteur Award at The Dorchester, London, Pryce said politics should be kept out of films.
The actor, who has worked with the director, warned: “You do bring some kind of personal sensibility to your work, but it shouldn’t be too obvious, unless it’s a film which is overtly political.”
Left-winger Boyle was to start production in four months. He had been working on the movie’s script when he left. The Manchester-born director is famous for the films Trainspotting, Shallow Grave and Slumdog Millionaire and the London Olympics opening ceremony, which he said celebrated Britain as a “modern progressive” country.
Denounced
But it was denounced by some, including then Tory MP Aidan Burley, who described it as Leftie rubbish. Other critics branded it Marxist propaganda.
Oscar winner Boyle is said to have wanted to make the Bond film more topical and include a Russian baddie. He was also said to want to “help the franchise evolve in the #MeToo and #TimesUp era” of political correctness.
His departure has put the future of the movie in doubt, its US release date already put back. There are also claims Daniel Craig, set to play Bond for a final time, is unhappy.
Filmmakers touted to replace Boyle include Dallas Buyers Club’s Jean-Marc Vallee, Baby Driver’s Edgar Wright and Hell Or High Water’s David Mackenzie.
DOUBLE oh no… So Danny Boyle might have considered making James Bond more PC. Please can we keep Bond out of politics? He is an assassin with an eye for the ladies, not an ambassador for #MeToo. Some things are sacred and one is James.