‘No Time to Die’ Director Cary Fukunaga Admits He Probably Wouldn’t Do Another James Bond Movie Again, Here’s Why
Director Cary Fukunaga finally released his highly anticipated James Bond movie, No Time to Die, in US theaters on October 8, 2021. But the Stephen King’s It director isn’t sure he’d circle back around to the movie franchise again, given the opportunity, because it was so difficult.
‘No Time to Die’ is Cary Fukunaga’s first Bond movie and Daniel Craig’s last
In an interview with IndieWire, the director said he felt like the past years had been a “blur.” Moreover, Fukunaga was promoting Netflix’s Maniac when he got word that he’d helm No Time to Die.
“It’s crazy that it was almost exactly two years ago and one month,” Fukunaga told IndieWire. “It feels like the last three years have been a blur. I was running straight from Maniac post-production into a really urgent writing period on No Time to Die and then basically in red alert mode all the way through post-production, then hit the pandemic and was in isolation for months, and now I’m back to work again.”
In addition, the director said the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was brutal on his process. Moreover, he’s simply not sure he’d put himself through it again.
“It was life, mixing with art, mixing with interruptions,” Fukunaga continued. “There are a whole lot of thoughts that go through my mind when I think about looking back. I guess the biggest thing I feel right now is that having done it, I don’t think I ever see myself going through that again, because it was so difficult. But at the same time, I can’t imagine what life would’ve been like without it, because it’s obviously been a game-changer.”
Gamechanger, indeed. Fukunaga’s final No Time to Die product was one of the most anticipated releases of 2021. It currently sports a solid 84% critical Rotten Tomatoes score.
Fukunaga said the James Bond character’s DNA ‘can’t change’
No Time to Die is Daniel Craig’s last movie as James Bond. So naturally, everyone is wondering how much the Bond character will change after Craig’s exit. Craig himself wasn’t initially received well — not everyone liked the idea of a blond Bond back in 2005.
“That’s such tricky territory to walk into — what Bond can be or what Bond is — but I can say this: The character’s DNA itself can’t change, you know, being this troubled, conflicted outsider railing against authority and operating autonomously,” Fukunaga said. “Those things need to remain the same.”
To sum up, James Bond as a character will always have certain familiar elements. He can evolve past his old self, but he’ll always be 007. Fukunaga says he’s grateful he can leave the franchise behind.
“I don’t know what the right decision is there,” he said. “I’m just thankful that I don’t have to make it.”
