Neon Demon's Nicolas Winding Refn turned down offer to direct Spectre

Rejected: Nicolas Winding Refn turned down an offer to direct Spectre
Dave Benett
Jennifer Ruby6 July 2016
The Weekender

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Nicolas Winding Refn has revealed that he turned down the opportunity to direct Spectre.

The Neon Demon director, who is known for his ultra-violent, stylised films, was asked to helm the most recent James Bond project ahead of Sam Mendes.

According to Refn, Eon Productions offered him the job but he turned it down as he doesn’t want to be involved with franchises.

Speaking to the Telegraph, he said: “I just know this way I can do whatever I want, and that outweighs any money anyone can give me.”

When asked is his own forthcoming spy thriller The Avenging Silence would be his own version of a Bond film, he said: “Yeah, yeah. Well, I don’t know yet.”

Refn is also thought to have turned down projects including remakes of Wonder Woman, Barbarella and Logan’s Run.

Oscar-winning director Mendes has recently revealed that he is stepping down from the Bond franchise, handing the baton to a new director.

Confirming the news during a talk at the Hay Festival, he said: “It was an incredible adventure, I loved every second of it.

“But I think it's time for somebody else. I'm a storyteller. And at the end of the day, I want to make stories with new characters.”

Discussing who will take over from Daniel Craig as the next 007, the filmmaker said:

“It's not a democracy... Barbara Broccoli decides who is going to be the next Bond, end of story.”

James Bond, SPECTRE: trailer breakdown

1/19

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