Martin Campbell

Life and career

Born in Hastings, New Zealand, Campbell moved to London in 1966, to pursue his career as a cinematographer. He began his career as a director with 1973's The Sex Thief. He went on to direct two James Bond films, 1995's GoldenEye, starring Pierce Brosnan, and 2006's Casino Royale, starring Daniel Craig. At 62 years old, Campbell was the oldest director in the series' history, beating the previous record set by Lewis Gilbert. Campbell stated that he was offered the opportunity to direct further James Bond films after GoldenEye; however, he found the plots to be limiting and only considered directing further films if working with a new Bond actor – as he subsequently did with Daniel Craig on Casino Royale.

He directed two Zorro films: The Mask of Zorro (1998) and The Legend of Zorro (2005), both starring Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Campbell also directed the 2011 film adaptation of the DC Comics superhero Green Lantern, as well as The Foreigner (2017), starring Jackie Chan.

On television, Campbell directed the film Cast a Deadly Spell and oversaw some of the more action-oriented episodes from the TV series The Professionals (1977–1983). However, his best-known work is the 1985 BBC Television drama serial Edge of Darkness, for which he won the British Academy Television Award for Best Director in 1986. Campbell also directed a 2010 movie remake of Edge of Darkness, starring Mel Gibson and Ray Winstone. Campbell directed the first episode of the American TV series Last Resort and his upcoming film Cleaner is set to be released in 2025.

Unrealized projects

He almost remade El Cid (1961) under Arthur Sarkissian's deal with MGM in the 2000s.

In June 2007, Campbell was in negotiations to replace Robert Schwentke as director of the film, now titled Unstoppable. Campbell was involved until March 2009, when Tony Scott came on board as director.

In October 2007, Variety reported that Naomi Watts would star in Universal's remake of Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds, to be directed by Campbell. The production was to have additionally starred George Clooney, and been a joint venture between Platinum Dunes and Mandalay Pictures. On June 16, 2009, Brad Fuller of Dimension Films stated that no further developments had taken place, commenting, "We keep trying, but I don't know." Campbell was eventually replaced as director by Platinum Dunes host Dennis Iliades in December 2009.

In July 2010, the Los Angeles Times reported that a film based on the 1980s series The Fall Guy was in development. DreamWorks Pictures had teamed up with producers Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald on the project, and Campbell was in talks to direct the film. In September 2020, Universal Pictures announced that The Fall Guy would star Ryan Gosling and be directed by David Leitch.

Campbell was initially chosen to direct Hunter Killer, but, on 2 March 2016 it was announced that Donovan Marsh would direct the film.

In 2017, it was announced that Campbell was set to direct a new adventure film, Treasure of Ali Baba & The 40 Thieves, adapted from the 1,001 Arabian Nights Tales. That year, Campbell was also attached to direct Across the River and Into the Trees, the Ernest Hemingway novel adaptation set for spring production shoot with Pierce Brosnan starring.

Personal life

Martin Campbell has been married to his wife, Sol E. Romero, since 2006. Previously in 2002 he had married Valarie Trapp but they divorced in 2006.

Filmography

Films

Television

References

References

1. "Saville productions | martin campbell".
2. (3 October 2017). "What Would Bring Goldeneye And Casino Royale's Director Back To James Bond". Cinema Blend.
3. (22 June 2012). "Birds Remake Director Martin Campbell Flies the Coop". DreadCentral.
4. J. O'Connor, John. (10 September 1991). "Review/Television; A Detective and Sci-Fi in Los Angeles Magic". The New York Times.
5. Kroll, Justin. (11 October 2023). "'One Piece' Breakout Taz Skylar Joins Daisy Ridley In 'Cleaner'". [[Deadline (website).
6. Claude Brodesser. (February 17, 2004). "Smith to pen 'Cid' redo". Variety.
7. Marc Graser, Tatiana Siegel. (October 18, 2007). "Naomi Watts set for 'Birds' remake". Variety.
8. "George Clooney in Talks to Topline 'The Birds'". [[Bloody Disgusting]].
9. Jack Giroux. (April 27, 2012). "Until Birds Start Killing People in Cool Ways, 'The Birds' Remake Won't Happen". Film School Rejects.
10. (2009-12-03). "'The Birds' Remake Gets A New Director?". [[ScreenRant]].
11. (4 December 2009). "Rumor Control: 'The Birds' Remake Begins at the 'Last House on the Left'?". [[Bloody Disgusting]].
12. Zeitchik, Steven. (1 July 2010). "Hollywood falls for 'The Fall Guy': Lee Majors series is latest reboot candidate".
13. Mike Fleming Jr. (September 6, 2017). "Martin Campbell To Direct 'Treasure Of Ali Baba & The 40 Thieves'". Deadline.
14. (19 June 2011). "Martin Campbell says director Forster messed up 'Quantum of Solace'". [[International Business Times]].