Nicolas Winding Refn is also in the mix to direct the next James Bond movie

If it wasn’t enough for the Christopher Nolan haters out there to deal with the rumors that the director was in contention to helm the next James Bond movie, now we have another polarizing filmmaker for fans to get pissed about. It is now being reported that DRIVE and ONLY GOD FORGIVES director Nicolas Winding Refn is also being considered to helm the follow-up to SKYFALL.

The Wrap’s Jeff Sneider confirmed that while Refn is not a lock, he is “in the mix” to take over the reins from Sam Mendes. SKYFALL was a massive success and many hoped Mendes would return, but in his absence a new level of film-making will be needed to match that movie both in terms of cinematic quality and scope. Refn’s films have maintained a smaller quality to them despite traversing the globe. But, if you look at the complex crime stories from the PUSHER films to the violent action of VALHALLA RISING, Refn would be more than up to the task with a Bond movie.

If I had a choice between Nolan and Refn for Bond, I would probably go Nolan. But, Refn does definitely have a unique visual style that would shake up the Bond universe. Knowing that SKYFALL and all of the movies in the Daniel Craig era are pushing the boundaries of what a traditional Bond movie looks and feels like, I would not be disappointed in having Refn take job.

Either way, BOND 24 is being prepped for a 2014 release and Refn just recently pulled out of making THE EQUALIZER at Sony. He said there was a reason he left that film. Could being the next Bond director be that reason?