Looks like LatinoReview hit this one on the head as Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, producers of the James Bond films, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios confirms today that Finding Neverland helmer Marc Forster will indeed direct James Bond 22.
Forster will commence work shortly with screenwriter Paul Haggis on a draft of the screenplay by Neil Purvis and Robert Wade.
Daniel Craig will reprise the role of James Bond in the as-yet-untitled Bond 22 production, which follows Casino Royale, the highest-grossing film so far in the most successful franchise in motion picture history.
Wilson and Broccoli said, “We are delighted that Marc Forster, with his exceptional talent and unique vision, has agreed to direct our next James Bond film.”
Forster said, “I have always been drawn to different kinds of stories and I have also always been a Bond fan, so it is very exciting to take on this challenge. The new direction that the Bond character has taken offers a director a host of new possibilities and I look forward to working with Daniel Craig, Barbara Broccoli, and Michael Wilson, as well as the team at Sony and MGM on this new film.”
LatinoReview first reported word that Forster was the front-runner for the job back on May 21 also saying that in contention were such names as Tony Scott, Alex Proyas and Jonathan Mostow.
Along with Finding Neverland Forster has also helmed the Oscar-winning feature Monster’s Ball, Stay, Stranger than Fiction and the yet-to-be-released feature The Kite Runner which hits theaters this November.
James Bond 22 will definitely be the largest film Forster has taken on to date. The film is already set for a November 7, 2008 release.
