IndieWire says ‘Liverpool’ director may helm Bond 25

Barbara Broccoli

File this one under Caveat Emptor.

The IndieWire entertainment news website, citing rumors, is making the case that the director of a Barbara Broccoli “indie” style production may direct Bond 25.

That would be Paul McGuigan, director of  Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool. The movie, scheduled to be released later this year, concerns actress a love affair involving actress Gloria Grahame (Annette Bening).

The story says “rumors are swirling” that Eon Productions boss Broccoli “is leaning indie” with Bond 25 director choices.

Here’s an except from the IndieWire story:

Word is, the producers are so pleased with ”Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool,” directed by Scotsman Paul McGuigan (“Sherlock,” “Lucky Number Slevin,” “Victor Frankenstein”), that he too is under consideration.
(snip)

Broccoli has long preferred to hire directors with arthouse cred over mainstream action specialists, from Oscar-winning “American Beauty” director Sam Mendes (“Spectre” and “Skyfall”) to “Monster’s Ball” director Marc Forster (“Quantum of Solace”). Based on his tenure with the BBC One “Sherlock” series, and his handling of Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman as Holmes and Watson, McGuigan would be a prime choice for a quirkier yet still compelling spin on Bond.

Previous reports about the early-in-development Bond 25, even those from tabloids, say the information comes from “insiders” (or similar language) who supposedly have some information.

The IndieWire story doesn’t even do that. It just says there are rumors and repeats one. Caveat Emptor.