Martin Campbell Talks 'The Protégé,' Reinventing James Bond, and the Importance of Character-Driven Action [The Fourth Wall #39]

It should be a point of pride for any filmmaker who can be credited for “saving” a cinematic franchise. However, Martin Campbell sits in the singular position of having achieved this twice: when the James Bond franchise awoke from a six-year hiatus where there was no longer a Cold War to fight, and the interest in the character was uncertain, Campbell introduced the world to Pierce Brosnan in 1995’s “GoldenEye,” which went on to be a smash hit at the box office, and remains frequently cited as a fan favorite Bond film. The exact same can be said of 2006’s “Casino Royale,” which rebooted the series, solidified that a Bond film can be many different things, made Daniel Craig a cinematic icon, and was as much of a hit at the box office and among fans as any of the best Bond films.

Campbell, a New Zealand native, came up in London as a television director in the ‘70s, including credits on five episodes of the crime-action drama “The Professionals.” His best-known work, however, came in 1985 with the massively acclaimed miniseries “Edge of Darkness,” starring Bob Peck and Joanne Whalley. Still to this day regarded as one of the greatest pieces of British television ever aired, “Edge of Darkness” earned Campbell the BAFTA TV Award for Best Director. Campbell also helmed one of the great episodes of American television with the first season “Homicide: Life on the Street” episode “Three Men and Adena.” Since “GoldenEye,” Campbell has maintained a steady resume of work in film, from “The Mask of Zorro,” to “Vertical Limit,” to a 2010 American adaptation of “Edge of Darkness.” Campbell’s latest film, “The Protégé,” stars Maggie Q as Anna, an assassin raised by another killer, Moody (Samuel L. Jackson). After her mentor and surrogate father is killed, Anna tracks down Rembrandt (Michael Keaton) to avenge his death, in the process confronting her own history as a killer.

Campbell discussed his latest action thriller, which is in cinemas now, as well as what keeps the director going after more than 40 years directing action sequences that always feel like they’re something new. Given that he is also the de facto master of introducing a new Bond to audiences, and with Daniel Craig’s swan song, “No Time to Die,” on the horizon, we had to get Campbell’s thoughts on what the next Bond could look like, and what type of scenarios he might be placed in today.

During our interview with Martin Campbell, we dive deep into the propulsive fight sequences that “The Protégé” revels in, how the director utilized Bulgaria as a facsimile for the streets of Vietnam, and more!

“The Protégé” is in theaters now.

Additional reporting by Brody Serravalli