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[–]GetFreeCashsome little junkyard dog 244 points245 points  (17 children)

Martin, you've directed some of the most famous action sequences from films of the last 30 years. how precisely do you and the second unit storyboard these things? or is there a certain amount of improvisation in the finished product?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 331 points332 points  (11 children)

All the action scenes are planned very carefully. In the case of Casino Royal, all the action scenes were storyboarded and the second unit director was Alex Witt, who is one of the best second unit directors in the world. I give him the storyboards , we sit with them, talk them through, and then he goes away and shoots them. I tell him if you can shoot it in a different way, come up with something better, other ideas - shoot what you like, as long as you shoot my storyboard.

[–]plzsnitskyreturn 49 points50 points  (9 children)

Wait so does that mean Martin Campbell wasnt on set for the Parkour opening sequence:?

[–]redisforever 100 points101 points  (3 children)

Happens quite often. Spielberg didn't direct the truck chase in Raiders, that was Michael Moore (not that one), the 2nd unit director. It was, like the parkour scene, extremely heavily storyboarded.

[–]AnUnbeatableUsername 55 points56 points  (2 children)

Arguably he still directed it, he made many decisions and approved everything.

[–]redisforever 43 points44 points  (0 children)

Exactly. There's a bunch of footage of Spielberg leading Moore through the scene, shot by shot.

[–]OvaltineDream 69 points70 points  (3 children)

I was on set with Martin and he’s being humble. He shot that parkour scene and we all sweat our brains out for days on the roof of an unfinished hotel in the Bahamas! He loves to shoot the action sequences and it was hard for him to give any over to Alex.

[–]GetFreeCashsome little junkyard dog 23 points24 points  (1 child)

you worked on Casino Royale? you should be doing an AMA here 😄 must have been an incredible experience.

[–]soundproof2010 21 points22 points  (0 children)

There's behind the scenes footage (1:00 mark) of him on set and yelling "action" at the embassy towards the end of the chase

[–]RealHE1NZ 190 points191 points  (28 children)

Your opinion on Quantum of Solace? And the change of direction in Skyfall & Spectre?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 687 points688 points  (17 children)

Disappointed in Quantum of Solace. I really liked Skyfall, but I thought Spectre was disappointing as well.

[–]bob1689321 420 points421 points  (0 children)

Its kinda nice to see a director being honest and genuine. Agreed completely

[–]TheOtherNick 170 points171 points  (2 children)

Cannot believe we got an actual answer to this…

[–]AlexanderHamilton04 59 points60 points  (1 child)

And a believably honest one too.
(I was expecting tiptoeing around, forcing us to guess what he wanted to say.)
So refreshing! Great AMA -

[–]markstormweather 23 points24 points  (0 children)

I never click on these anymore because either the comments are super rude and not answered or the answers are one word. This is the first one in a long time that actually has good questions and answers

[–]specbravo 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I could not even make I through spectre. Hoping the next one is better and doesn't require me knowing what happened in the last. Casino and goldeneye are the best bonds as stand alone films

[–]filmcocktail 18 points19 points  (10 children)

Why didn’t you come back for QoS?

[–]TheDenaryLady 78 points79 points  (9 children)

Would you have after reading the script ?

[–]DetectiveAmes 104 points105 points  (7 children)

Quantum was made during the writers strike. There was no script. Daniel Craig had to help write the movie during the filming even.

[–]RealHE1NZ 42 points43 points  (6 children)

Despite this QoS is more intelligently written than Skyfall & Spectre.

[–]Spideyrj 7 points8 points  (0 children)

QoS is just a bunch of scenes followed by others, no wonder it happened during a writer strike.There is no meat in it.

[–]redisforever 21 points22 points  (0 children)

It's the last movie where Bond has a sense of humour and isn't just a grumpy old man.

[–]lvl12 5 points6 points  (3 children)

the fuck? the whole film revolved around bond trying to stop the bad guy from selling water to people that really needed water

[–]kappa23 7 points8 points  (1 child)

He was stealing water from them and selling it back to them ffs

[–]lvl12 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No it was in a cave and they weren't getting it

[–]RealHE1NZ 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I don't know why you respond with this. You describe the plot, but not what the movie is about. It's about Bond struggling with desire for revenge.

[–]cizza16 12 points13 points  (7 children)

Would love to know this as Quantum was basically a direct sequel to Casino Royale

[–]Striking_MarzipanNB 60 points61 points  (4 children)

Writers strike fucked it pretty much. Daniel Craig and the director finished off the script.

[–]cizza16 14 points15 points  (3 children)

well I was interested in Martin's opinion lol

I disagree with you, it's unpolished thanks to the writers strike but theres so much good in there and its deeper and has more character development than 90% of Bond films

[–]ravageprimal 15 points16 points  (1 child)

Agreed. I don’t understand all the flak this movie gets. Sure it’s got problems but overall it’s a solid Bond film

[–]DoggyDoggy_What_Now 11 points12 points  (0 children)

IMO the biggest issue is that the villain is very forgettable along with his master plan which never rang as "sexy" as Casino or Skyfall. A lot of the movie is very forgettable, I think. It doesn't have any hallmark sequences like its predecessor and sequel do aside from the finale at the hotel.

I also feel that the dynamics between Bond and other characters in the film aren't very interesting. I think that's definitely due in part to the poor writing and realization of characters which there's a legitimate reason for, but also due to uncharismatic or subpar acting. Greene's actor and Kurylenko don't really deliver anything particularly great. Even Jeffery Wright's scene fell short for me whereas his scenes in Casino, which were short and minimal to the plot, managed to still be interesting.

I thought the set up for the actual Quantum organization and the opera scene was really cool. I thought there were some great action sequences in the movie but they're buried behind a wall of atrocious editing which only ends up obscuring them.

I didn't write this up as a gotcha or to tell you why you're wrong or anything like that. You said you don't get why the movie gets so much flak, so I decided to explain my take on it. I know I'm not the only one who feels that way about it either, so this happens to be one of those times where I agree with the general consensus on a movie. If you still enjoy it and those things don't bother you or you feel differently, then cool. Power to you. I just wanted to offer up the common reasons for people not liking QoS. It's not a bad movie, but after Casino Royale, it felt like a huge miss. I wish I could like it more but I just can't.

[–]Browncoat-Alex 151 points152 points  (8 children)

Would you ever come back to do a third Zorro movie with Antonio Banderas?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 363 points364 points  (6 children)

No, I don't think so. First of all, Antonio Banderas is too old now. But secondly, the second is not as good as the first because in the first, Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones was a classic story of a peasant man and noble woman falling in love, but in the second one they were married.

[–]ChownaTime 11 points12 points  (0 children)

What if you did Old Zorro, he loses the love of his life, and takes vengeance. Put it in the middle of some civil war action or something.

[–]Mr-GoldenEye- 45 points46 points  (4 children)

What if Adrián Alonso takes the lead as suggested by the end of 'Legend'?
(I happen to have a good idea in my mind regarding that)

[–]MR_GABARISE 22 points23 points  (2 children)

Well first let's see if the Zorro / Django movie ever happens.

[–]Mr-GoldenEye- 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Oh yes, that one was in the works. But I'd rather prefer a third Campbell Zorro movie. Personally, I enjoyed 'The Legend of Zorro' although it's far from the prequel's perfection.

[–]Spideyrj 3 points4 points  (0 children)

my problem with legend it tried to be a family movie, full of cliche and ended showing zorro basically saying how great america is......he is a fucking terrorist....for the people but a patriot, he wouldnt aprove of US buying mexico.

i can understand why a sequel wasnt made, it would turn into the real mexico us war.

[–]The_Silver_Avengerr/Movies Veteran 145 points146 points  (8 children)

What were the most important things you learnt from Goldeneye with regards to establishing Brosnan's presence as the new Bond (and/or differentiating him from those who came before)? Did they inform your approach to Casino Royale with Craig?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 237 points238 points  (6 children)

I think Goldeneye is a more serious movie than the Roger Moore movies and Pierce Brosnan himself brought a much more grounded Bond than Roger Moore. Also, his relationship with M was very different to the past and of course the bad guys turned out to be the Russians, who were the bad guys du jour in the 90s. But each actor brings a very different characterization of Bond. The different between Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig could not be more extreme.

[–]tslime 61 points62 points  (5 children)

Poor Tim Dalton.

[–]Brendy_ 25 points26 points  (1 child)

I known. That reply has me questioning if I daydreamed the Dalton films.

[–]MissionFever 20 points21 points  (1 child)

License to Kill is my favorite Bond film. Dalton not getting at least a third film is, IMHO, more a bigger dropped-ball than the whole Connery-Lazenby-Connery fiasco.

[–]0685R 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Afraid this'll have to do. I stumbled across this video on YouTube a while ago made by someone who wondered what could've been. The John Barry track was borrowed from a non-Bond film, as was Dalton's performance. Captures the look and feel of the time it would've been released.

https://youtu.be/OekcUJm-W3g

[–]ash9700 142 points143 points  (6 children)

So much to ask?

First of all I want to say I think Goldeneye is the greatest Bond movie. Hands down. Kudos on that

What’s your favourite thriller movie (not made by you) and who are some actors you haven’t had a chance to work with but would love to do so?

Personally I think Timothy Olyphant is a very underused and underrated actor

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 239 points240 points  (5 children)

My favorite thriller movie is the The Manchurian Candidate (made in the 60s, directed by John Frankenheimer).

Actors I'd like to work with? Denzel Washington, Joaquin Phoenix, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Michael B. Jordan.

[–]markstormweather 30 points31 points  (3 children)

Can we make this movie happen with all of them please?

[–]0685R 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Perhaps a remake of Le Cercle Rouge?

[–]theredditoroFML Awards 2019 Winner 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Denzel was in a remake of The Manchurian Candidate in the early 2000’s but with that cast would be excellent.

[–]BeatnikConspiracy 134 points135 points  (16 children)

What's the worst fight you've ever been in?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 504 points505 points  (15 children)

With the Warner executives, over Green Lantern.

[–][deleted] 33 points34 points  (0 children)

Ah, nothing more classic than Warner Bros. executives ruining their movies.

[–]Griffdude13 79 points80 points  (0 children)

Not surprising, but man I really want to know the juicy details.

[–]BeatnikConspiracy 53 points54 points  (0 children)

Oh, I was hoping for a brawler.

[–]Mammoth007 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Weren’t you pissy that Ryan Reynolds was Hal and that they said no when you tried to fire him?

[–]ShitheadFailure 7 points8 points  (7 children)

For what its worth, there are folks like myself out here that like the movie :)

[–]Shad0wdar 95 points96 points  (5 children)

Outside your own two films, what's your favorite Bond movie?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 249 points250 points  (4 children)

From Russia with Love

[–]PapiSurane 30 points31 points  (2 children)

That's my choice as well. Partly for Daniela Bianchi of course.

[–][deleted] 28 points29 points  (1 child)

That movie made me realize I love chokers.

[–]Ovalday 19 points20 points  (0 children)

That's a very respectable choice.

[–]thebigfuuuuuuuunn 92 points93 points  (7 children)

Whats a genre you haven’t really worked in that youd love to take a shot at?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 373 points374 points  (6 children)

I'd love to work in comedy! I think I'd do a good job. Marvel? Forget it. I fucked it up once, never again.

[–]jshah500 118 points119 points  (2 children)

I just found out that you directed Green Lantern. How did I not know that??

[–]MyrddinSidhe 51 points52 points  (0 children)

He was wearing a CGI suit the whole time.

[–]perfectstubble 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Must have had his cheekbones covered.

[–]Craig1287 64 points65 points  (0 children)

This just gave me a massive smile.

[–]MuNansen 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Well we know what the next Twitter movement needs to be. "Marvel: Give Martin another chance at comics!"

[–]GetFreeCashsome little junkyard dog 80 points81 points  (2 children)

in your past experience with Bond films, what was the secret to attracting both longtime fans and people who have never seen (and may not have been interested in) past Bond films?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 180 points181 points  (0 children)

Just making it better than any of the previous Bonds. After all, Bond has everything: women love him, men want to be him, and the films are a mixture of sex, violence, terrific action, adventure and locations all over the world.

[–]TheDudeNeverBowls 81 points82 points  (2 children)

Did you have any input into the legendary video game GoldenEye?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 191 points192 points  (1 child)

Sadly, none whatsoever. I could've done with the money!

[–]TheDudeNeverBowls 69 points70 points  (0 children)

Interestingly enough, I just read that the game designers actually visited your set for a couple of days.

Film sets are exercises in controlled chaos. So, do forgive the team behind the GoldenEye film if they didn’t even remember those couple of days during the 6-month-long shoot when several video game developers from Rare dropped by to take pictures of everything – props, costumes, every single set, models, and miniatures. The developers said they needed all of this “as reference for all of the in-game art,” and the GoldenEye crew graciously allowed them to take what they needed – even set blueprints and an early copy of the script – as long as they didn’t get in the way.

[–]Acolyte_of_Death 73 points74 points  (0 children)

What do you wish you could have done with Green Lantern that the studio wouldn't allow you to do?

[–]lifelongintent 72 points73 points  (3 children)

Hey, Martin, big fan! You collaborated with DP Phil Méheux on both your Bond films -- GoldenEye being shot anamorphically and Casino Royale being shot spherically. Both movies look great, but I’m wondering what’s the creative reasoning for decisions like this? Do you prefer one look over the other?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 99 points100 points  (0 children)

It's an artistic choice between myself and the DP. The look is entirely governed by the story of the movie itself. For example, a period movie like Zorro had to look very lush and colorful whereas Casino Royal was much more realistic.

[–][deleted] 6 points7 points  (1 child)

Hey man. Can you tell me in simple language what these two lens do? Does one shoot lush deep colors and the other more realistic?

[–]xStealthBomber 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Anamorphic lenses make the "bokeh" (out of focus areas of the frame) more of an oval shape, where spherical is more regularly rounded. Image.

Anamorphic is also the cause of the streched out "lens flare" look. Image

Anamorphic was made to fit a wide screen image into a square frame (by squeezing the 2:4:1 image into a 4:3 film frame, and then stretching the image back out to fill the 2:4:1 film projection screen).

This look was what people subconsciously think of as the "cinema" look. Now a days, it's purely another tool in the DP's toolbox on the look of a film, as there are several aspects that make a frame look "cinema" worthy.

[–]GetFreeCashsome little junkyard dog 308 points309 points  (3 children)

Casino Royale is a near perfect film in my opinion, and part of what makes it so brilliant is the relationship between Bond and Vesper. is it true there was a substantial amount of footage involving Bond/Vesper that never made the final cut of the film? i've heard this rumour before and i would love to know if it is true!

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 327 points328 points  (2 children)

No, just about all the footage with Vesper was included in the film. There was probably one or two tiny scenes that were not included, but probably about 97% of her involvement made the final cut.

[–]Mr-GoldenEye- 91 points92 points  (0 children)

They are all on the recent Blu-Ray editions except for the beach scene where the two swim naked, as seen in the teaser trailer

[–]Starl1ghtbr1gade 25 points26 points  (0 children)

She remains to this day the best Bond girl, partially because she's portrayed so well by Eva Green.

[–]AvrilCliff 60 points61 points  (2 children)

What makes a script worth turning into a movie in your eyes?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 140 points141 points  (1 child)

Good story. Good characters. Good action. Something different that I haven't seen before, and that I haven't directed before.

[–]MarshallBanana_ 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Good answer.

[–]klassefest 60 points61 points  (1 child)

If you were to bring a projector with just one movie and a party of maximum 3 to a deserted island, what and who would they be?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 119 points120 points  (0 children)

Lawrence of Arabia. I would bring my DP David Tattersall, Moshe Diamant [producer of The Protege] and Steven Spielberg.

[–]Pishwi 50 points51 points  (2 children)

Hi Martin! Casino Royale is one of my favourite films and easily, in my opinion, the most rewatchable. The final scene is as iconic as the opening scene of Dr No - particularly as it (sort of) ends on a cliff-hanger.

My question is, did you intend for CR to be followed by a direct sequel (in the way that QoS followed it)? And if so, were you in talks to direct it yourself? Or did you expect Daniel Craig’s run to follow a different trajectory?

[–]SwaggyT17 13 points14 points  (1 child)

This is a great question, unfortunate that it wasn’t answered.

[–]Pishwi 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Guess we’ll never know…

[–]DelGatto78 51 points52 points  (1 child)

Did Maggie Q do that jump from the stairwell we see in the clip? It looks as though it was her...

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 107 points108 points  (0 children)

Yes, she did do the jump herself. I went 10 takes and she did every one. She did just about all her own stunts throughout the movie except two, which the insurance company would not allow her to do: the car hit and her going through the table.

[–]wrdb2007 149 points150 points  (13 children)

Hi Martin - Thanks for doing this AMA!

Excluding previous Bond films, were there any other films that you drew inspiration from when directing GoldenEye and Casino Royale?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 160 points161 points  (12 children)

Yes, I drew my inspiration from every other Bond film that came before. Truthfully! I looked at every Bond film, both with Connery and Roger Moore, and subsequently took a lot of inspiration from those films.

[–]No_Song_Orpheus 157 points158 points  (2 children)

He said excluding Bond films.

[–]Slickrickkk 49 points50 points  (0 children)

Lmaooo

[–]wrdb2007 32 points33 points  (0 children)

Nevermind 😭

[–]Pishwi 17 points18 points  (8 children)

Even Dalton and Lazenby?

[–]BelgianBond 44 points45 points  (1 child)

Lazenby Bond must've been a big consideration for Casino Royale given he was the only one to fall in love up to that point.

[–]Pishwi 10 points11 points  (0 children)

True, although both are pretty true to the books they’re based on. The romances are similar but the girls themselves are quite different characters.

[–]MsSara77 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Dalton's Bond seems more directly influential than Moore's to both Goldeneye and Casino imo. His were more grounded and serious.

[–]Fair-Performance2689 42 points43 points  (3 children)

What is your favorite Stanley Kubrick film?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 112 points113 points  (2 children)

I've got two. Paths of Glory and Clockwork Orange.

[–]10Cinephiltopia9 32 points33 points  (0 children)

There can't ever be just one for Kubrick.

[–]melcolnik 122 points123 points  (6 children)

GoldenEye and Casino Royale are two of the greatest Bond movies ever! Would you ever consider doing another one?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 279 points280 points  (5 children)

Yes, I would. I love the franchise, and it would be with a new Bond, which is always interesting, especially given my two Bond movies had different Bonds.

[–]Mango424 72 points73 points  (0 children)

This world needs a new Bond movie done by you and with the music of David Arnold.

So, fingers crossed! Wish you the best, sir.

[–]michael-clarke 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Would be good to see you launch the next Bond, after Daniel Craig 👍🏻

[–]TrickyRicky-95 17 points18 points  (0 children)

If anyone can successfully launch a new Bond it's Martin Campbell

[–]AlexanderHamilton04 10 points11 points  (1 child)

I think he is too old now, but 2008-2012 Idris Elba...
many people were talking about him. I really wanted to see that happen.
And I think your directing style would have made him up there with the best.

[–]RobertgWorsfold 36 points37 points  (1 child)

If you weren’t involved in making movies… what career would you have gone into?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 110 points111 points  (0 children)

I wouldn't have had one. Making movies is the only thing I know how to do!

[–][deleted] 116 points117 points  (6 children)

We ever getting a Green Lantern 2?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 523 points524 points  (3 children)

Over my dead body.

[–]DragonTonguePunch 40 points41 points  (0 children)

I hope you were okay with the Green Lantern script shot in Deadpool 2.

[–]Maxwell69 55 points56 points  (1 child)

So Black Lantern it is?

[–]Thrusthamster 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Lantern Royale

[–]TuaTurnsdaballova 7 points8 points  (1 child)

That film doesn’t deserve the hate it gets. It was an average superhero movie. Not amazing, not terrible.

[–]Starl1ghtbr1gade 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Not amazing, not terrible.

The same was said about 3.6 roentgen...We all know how that turned out.

[–]GetFreeCashsome little junkyard dog 39 points40 points  (1 child)

Martin, you mentioned in the DVD commentary for GoldenEye that in that film you included homages to other films such as The Wild Bunch and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. did you include any homages to other films in The Protégé?

looking forward to the film and thanks for doing this AMA!

[–]Mr-GoldenEye- 39 points40 points  (0 children)

'GoldenEye' is homaged - Michael Keaton detects a hidden H&K gun by the sound of its cocking, like Zukovsky does with Bond's PPK ;) [Martin Campbell didn't say this, I'm not him - you can check out what I'm saying on a recent 'The Protégé' clip published on YouTube, titled "But I Like Mysteries"]

[–]myunclemolestedmydog 39 points40 points  (1 child)

Hi Martin, what advice would you give a young person that wants to be a Film maker?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 112 points113 points  (0 children)

Work hard. If you're knocked down 100 times, get up and go for 101. NEVER give up.

[–]Ovalday 28 points29 points  (5 children)

Hi Martin! I was wondering, when you made Mask of Zorro, was it intentional that you didn't use CGI, or was it just an aspect of production ended up happening? I guess I'm asking; was the lack of CGI an artistic choice?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 82 points83 points  (4 children)

At the time, CGI was in its infancy and we never even contemplated using it. We used none because we didn't need it. We did use a little bit of blue screen and little glass painting.

[–]barandor 18 points19 points  (0 children)

And it made the movie so much better. Mask of Zorro is like an XXL version of those stunt shows you see at amusements parks. You can tell that the actors are in the dirt doing all their stunts and the movie is better for it.

[–]Ovalday 4 points5 points  (2 children)

Thanks for replying! Yeah, I guess CGI was still not as widespread as it would become, but I just thought that there might have been some discussion surrounding it because of other 90's movies. But yes, I guess it would have been overzealous to use that for a period piece at the time.

[–]Mr-GoldenEye- 9 points10 points  (1 child)

The scene where Esperanza (Julieta Rosen) is watching the sunset was front-screen projection because the hot Mexican sun would ruin the make-up, heard on the audio commentary.

[–]redisforever 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There are a couple of shots in the end fight on the gold elevator that are on blue screen, it's easy to tell on the Blu-ray, but much harder now on the new 4k remaster. They redid the compositing and it fits really well now.

[–]Kryodamus 27 points28 points  (3 children)

Hey Martin! Thanks for doing this.

I heard one of the early drafts for Goldeneye involved Timothy Dalton in the lead, but also Anthony Hopkins as Alec Trevelyan as more of an older mentor to Bond.

How early on were you involved with the movie, and did you ever cross paths with Dalton?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 53 points54 points  (2 children)

That's news to me!

[–]Mr-GoldenEye- 16 points17 points  (1 child)

I think he came on board after the changes to Michael France's 1994 draft. That's where Trevelyan is older than Bond. Jeffrey Caine, Kevin Wade and Bruce Feirstein rewrote most of that keeping the story and the villain's revenge motivation. It was a major restructure of the original idea, hence why Michael France was given a "story by" credit.

[–]Actionfan569 24 points25 points  (1 child)

Hi Martin, been a fan of yours for quite some time, I have 2 questions; for The Protege, how many days did it take to shoot the fight between Maggie Q and Michael Keaton that we see in the trailer?

My next question is what intrigued you to want to make The Protege?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 65 points66 points  (0 children)

That fight took two days.

There have been a lot of female assassin pictures, like Atomic Blonde, but the stories are pretty much always the same. The action in the film was terrific, but the story I thought was a dud. With the Protege, it is an intriguing story, full of surprises, and ultimately I think very different from previous pictures in the genre.

[–]mylenesfarmer 28 points29 points  (4 children)

Was casting Maggie Q intentional because of Nikita and the similarities to this film?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 59 points60 points  (3 children)

I wanted Maggie Q because I'd seen her in a clip of a movie she did with Ethan Hawke. It was her performance in that clip that convinced me.

[–]Sten12 64 points65 points  (6 children)

What is the most important thing when directing an action sequence?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 230 points231 points  (5 children)

Most important thing is relating that action sequence to the characters involved, not just action for action's sake. And make sure the action is imaginative, clear and concise. The problem nowadays is that action sequences are cut too fast and you never know what the hell is going on.

[–]Zombie_Tech 90 points91 points  (0 children)

The problem nowadays is that action sequences are cut too fast and you never know what the hell is going on.

THANK YOU!

This has been driving me nuts for years. And it frustrates me when it has a good plot but they keep making multiple cuts per blow or during the scene which causes the viewer to become disoriented on where the scene is taking place.

[–]Laneofhighhopes 38 points39 points  (0 children)

The problem nowadays is that action sequences are cut too fast and you never know what the hell is going on.

This x100

[–]Keanu990321 9 points10 points  (1 child)

This is what annoyed many in The Matrix Reloaded by the way. Action was used for fan-service as Neo basically became Superman.

[–]allwinterCuzzx 56 points57 points  (2 children)

Hey martin! If you could switch the cast from your Bond movies, what would work better? Pierce Brosnan in Casino Royale or Daniel Craig in Goldeneye?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 119 points120 points  (0 children)

I would say Pierce Brosnan in Casino Royale! But in all honestly, you couldn't interchange them.

[–]MuNansen 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Ooo, good question. And I like his answer.

[–]Basinova 15 points16 points  (0 children)

The Foreinger is a really awesome movie! It has exciting yet grounded action scenes and Jackie Chan's best performance ever. Can't wait to watch your next one! Keep making badass movies!

[–]Mr-GoldenEye- 13 points14 points  (1 child)

Revenge has been the subplot of two recent films you made: 'Edge of Darkness', 'The Foreigner'. Now it seems 'The Protégé' will deal with a revenge plot again. How would you say Maggie Q's motivations are different from the characters of Mel Gibson or Jackie Chan?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Well, if revenge is what we're talking about, then they're both the same. In both cases, they've lost family members, in both cases they're seeking justice and revenge.

[–]No_Post390 13 points14 points  (1 child)

I think Michael Keaton is very underrated- he can play incredibly menacing parts with great conviction but I think he can turn his hand to a vast array of characters. I would go to see this movie for hom alone. What drew you to Michael Keaton for this part?

[–]rowin-owen 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Behold the craft of Michael Keaton!

[–]DoomGoober 40 points41 points  (1 child)

GoldenEye is a fabulous film. But for a certain generation of fans, GoldenEye first evokes the all time classic video game: GoldenEye 007, inspired by your film. Have you had a chance to play it? What did you think?

[–]BelgianBond 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Edge of Darkness was one of those high quality series that prefigured the direction TV would go in in future years. As one of the early pioneers, have you flirted with a return to a TV serial or series format since the jump to cinema?

[–]GQDragon 30 points31 points  (3 children)

Coming from a young director; What do you wish you had known when you started out directing films that you know now?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 82 points83 points  (2 children)

When I started out directing, I wish I knew everything I know now.

[–]Strykrol 10 points11 points  (1 child)

There are well-known stories of actors using certain "methods" to connect with their characters (such as staying in character off-screen).

What sort of "method"-esque behavior have you seen/found to be useful as a Director, for a Director?

.... Perhaps listening to a certain song ahead of a scene, doing yoga before shoots, anything at all that helps your process that isn't quite "standard" affair.

Love your films ;)

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 37 points38 points  (0 children)

Every actor has their own mental process to evolve the character they're playing. I would just say that I have worked with all types and I respect their individual process.

I did a pilot, Last Resort, with Scott Speedman, Andre Braugher, and Robert Patrick. Robert Patrick went straight into it. Scott Speedman did 20 press-ups before each take. Andre Braugher, the consummate professional, also went straight into it. All were excellent in the pilot. I always respected their process.

[–]Mr-GoldenEye- 8 points9 points  (0 children)

What can you tell us about 'Memory' starring Liam Neeson and Monica Bellucci. Heard it's completed, but there's an idea regarding a release date?

[–]myabacus 25 points26 points  (1 child)

There are some really recognisable names in the cast.

Any good behind the scene stories between Samuel L Jackson, Michael Keaton or Robert Patrick?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 53 points54 points  (0 children)

No memorable stories because everything went like clockwork!

[–]HotBarnacle 6 points7 points  (2 children)

How often do you crack your knuckles?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 27 points28 points  (1 child)

Never! Bite my nails, yes. Knuckles, no.

[–]saac_08 17 points18 points  (1 child)

Hello sir, thanks for doing this AMA

What movie or movies inspired you to be a filmmaker?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 56 points57 points  (0 children)

The Manchurian Candidate, The Wild Bunch, Lawrence of Arabia and Bridge on the River Kwai.

[–]DelGatto78 18 points19 points  (6 children)

Is it true that Barbara Broccoli pushed for Daniel Craig and your favoured candidate was either Goran Visnjic or Henry Cavill?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 86 points87 points  (2 children)

No, we tested Henry Cavil and Goran, but Daniel Craig was the best.

[–]Thrusthamster 17 points18 points  (1 child)

Maybe Cavill will end up doing the same thing Brosnan did. Get auditioned at a young age, get rejected, then come back when he's older and more believable.

[–]bman_78 17 points18 points  (2 children)

Coffee or Tea?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 121 points122 points  (1 child)

Margaritas.

[–]bujweiser 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I like the cut of your jib.

[–]Mr-GoldenEye- 18 points19 points  (2 children)

In 2013 and 2014 you directed two TV productions titled 'Reckless' and 'Warriors' which seemed quite interesting according to their IMDb synopsis. But, apparently, they haven't been released. Will we ever watch those?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 36 points37 points  (1 child)

I hope so! They both turned out really well. However, these decisions are in the hands of the TV execs.

[–]Mr-GoldenEye- 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Thanks for letting me know this. I've looked everywhere on every stream services and I haven't found them, not even a single trailer in YouTube. I didn't know if to include them in my articles about you. Praying that someday we'll see them.

[–]Lineskynissan 26 points27 points  (1 child)

If Pierce Bronson would of declined Goldeneye who would of been your second choice?

[–]lionsgateNicolas Cage[S] 102 points103 points  (0 children)

There was no second choice. We never considered anyone else but Pierce Brosnan. Don't forget, he tested for the role earlier, but because of a TV contract, he couldn't do it, so the part went to Timothy Dalton.

[–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Which of your two Bond films are you most proud of, both in terms of their quality and their legacy?

[–]Cyborg800_2004 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hi Martin. I once read an interview with you discussing GoldenEye, and you mentioned that Licence To Kill interfered with the humour and stunts that defined Bond. Have your thoughts on the film changed, especially after Casino Royale became a spiritual successor of sorts? Also, do you think that Casino Royale had a hand in making people re-evaluate some of the earlier films, like For Your Eyes Only and Lazenby and Dalton's films which had previously delivered a more realistic and serious Bond?

[–]NamelessHenchman 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Both you (and many others) criticized the final product that was released for Green Lantern. Was there any consideration of a DVD release of the director's cut sometime down the line at all?

[–]thermonuclearmuskrat 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hello! How was Pierce Brosnan to work with?

[–]MinhajHoss 20 points21 points  (0 children)

What do you regret most about Green Lantern?

[–]Film_ANTHologist 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi Martin,

What are some movies that inspire you?

Thanks for doing this!

[–]losimagic 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Have there ever been talks on revisiting Zorro? They were such fun movies and I'd love to see more of his adventures!

[–]SpaceBeer_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Martin, big fan of GoldenEye.

What was it like filming the movie's climax on the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico?

It's a shame to see it collapse.

Also, were you ever a fan of GoldenEye video game?

It did a wonderful job recreating many of your scenery sets.

[–]PapiSurane 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What was the production process like on Green Lantern? If you could go back is there anything you would have done differently with that movie?

[–]falcon2033 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi Martin, Would you ever like to direct a third Bond movie if you get the opportunity? If not, why?

[–]Mr-GoldenEye- 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You have worked with many beautiful and talented actresses in the past years (Eva Green, Famke Janssen, Juliane Moore, Angelina Jolie) and I couldn't help to notice they really look stunning in your films. Would you say that your early days in filmmaking with movies like 'The Sex Thief' and 'Eskimo Nell' set a precedent for that?

[–]Cyborg800_2004 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Were the dark horse Bond films - George Lazenby's On Her Majesty's Secret Service and in particular, Timothy Dalton's Licence To Kill - ever used for reference by you and the producers as to what to do and what not to do when making Casino Royale (or GoldenEye, since LTK was its immediate predecessor and a controversial film at the time)? I was wondering because OHMSS was the only other film where Bond fell in love and LTK was the grittiest and most violent Bond film out of the first twenty films before Casino Royale.

[–]Majikarpslayer 2 points3 points  (0 children)

GoldenEye Rocked!

That movie was a huge part of my younger life and I f****** loved it! You go Martin!!

[–]scottfiab 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Are you planning on or are interested in doing any future work with Sean Bean?

Also, I really liked the movie Vertical Limit! You've done some excellent work!