Exclusive: Sam Mendes, director of the new James Bond movie “Skyfall,” says he’s “considering” directing the next two Bond movies. John Logan is writing a two parter for Bonds 24 and 25. No director has been announced yet but since Mendes and Logan made such a good team it would seem like the director would repeat as well. At last night’s Britannia Awards in Hollywood, our LEAH SYDNEY spoke to Mendes. He told her when she asked about 24 and 25: “I’m considering it. I still need to rest, but I am considering it.” Mendes also said he was “thrilled” that everyone loves “Skyfall” so much, but reiterated: “I loved doing it, but it took two years really. I need a rest now.”
So someone get this man a couch quickly, and some slippers!
The British Academy Of Film And Television Arts ‘Britannia Awards,’ took place at the Beverly Hilton. Hosted by the game and witty Alan Cumming, the awards will be broadcast on BBC America on November 11th.
Winners included Daniel Craig, Daniel Day Lewis, and Trey Parker and Matt Stone of “South Park” and “Book of Mormon” fame.
Power tables abounded. At one table, Harvey Weinstein was sitting in between Quentin Tarantino and Kerry Washington. Amy Pascal coming over to say hit to both. Next table over was Daniel Day Lewis, sitting with his wife Rebecca Miller and Sally Field and Steven Spielberg.
At the table next to them, Daniel Craig with Rachel Weisz, Sam Mendes. Right before the show, Daniel Craig made a beeline to bear hug Daniel Day Lewis, to which Steven then joined. Steven whispered something in Daniel Craig’s ear that cracked up the usually stern faced 007. (Maybe it was: “You can play Andrew Jackson in my next film.”)
When Daniel Craig came back from bathroom he kind of leaped down the stairs, he looked just like James Bond in his natty tux.
Josh Gad presented Trey Parker and Matt Stone with the Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award for Excellence in Comedy. Before the show Josh told us that he really was ordained as a rabbi for Anne Hathaway’s recent wedding to Adam Schulman. “I had to be to marry Anne and Adam.”
On stage the star of “1600 Penn” on TV and formerly the “Book of Mormom” said that, “Matt and Trey are afraid of nothing and capable of anything. Many love them, some hate them, but no one can deny they are a force of nature and a voice of their generation.”
Trey Parker said, “Coming from the Brits is especially cool because without Monty Python we wouldn’t be here. When we were 8 we thought you guys faked that accent to be funny. It wasn’t till we were 24 and went to London that we realized it was a country. We wouldn’t be here if you were French.”
Roger Corman then gave Quentin his John Schlesinger Britannia Award for Excellence in Directing. Roger said of Quentin, “He is unbelievably imaginative, relentless and innovative. I remember being blown away by Reservoir Dogs. I’d like to think of Quentin as my rebel in arms. He has guts, he understands cinema and no on loves motion pictures as much as Quentin.”
Quentin Tarantino said- “Getting this award handed to me by Roger Corman, well it’s iconic to say the least.” Tarantino went on to explain his love for the Brits. “This is my 20th year officially in the business. The Brits consider me one of their own since Reservoir Dogs was a big hit over there first. I thank Sally Menke who is no longer with us, and of course Harvey.”
Harrison Ford presented Daniel Craig with the Britannia Award for British Artist of the Year.
Ford: “Daniel Craig is redefining Bond for the 21st century. He’s a complete professional, he brings his good taste and he is a viscerally emotional actor. It’s a rare set of skills to take on an icon like Bond, he makes it his own. “
Judi Dench appeared in a video as Bond’s boss M. She said: “007, I send you my very best wishes with an enormous kiss on the mouth. And tongue.”
Daniel then went up, looked at Harrison and said, “You won’t remember this, you were very drunk, but years ago I told you the reason I wanted to be an actor was to be in a movie with you. ”
Steven Spielberg then introduced Daniel Day Lewis to present him with the Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for Excellence in Film. Spielberg said: “He is included in our pantheon of great actors. He is part our time. Every performance is a command one. Every one of his characters results in incredulous introspection, which is still a mystery to me. He made our 16th President so real to me, that when the experience was over, I felt a terrible loss.”
