SlumdogMillionaire Tagged Articles at Cinematical
A Sad Update On the 'Slumdog Millionaire' Kids
Filed under: Celebrities and Controversy »
The winds of Hollywood move at a rapid pace, quickly replacing one drama with the next. The thing is, though, the drama doesn't go away. Earlier this year, the cinematic world was buzzing over the fate of the young kids from Slumdog Millionaire. There was the culture shock between Oscar fanfare and slum life, rumors about selling Rubina Ali for profit, and the demolition of their home.
Now The Associated Press reports that the kids could lose their trust fund. It's not a case of movie people jerkitude -- it seems that Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail is only going to school 37% of the time, while Rubina Ali only makes it 27% of the time. The claimed culprit: out-of-slum jetsetting. Trust administrator Noshir Dadrawala says: "They are constantly going to Paris and Cochin and Chennai. That's fine, but go over the weekend, not at the sacrifice of school." (For Ali, travel that's presumably for her many performances and memoir PR.) If their attendance doesn't improve to 70%, their monthly $120 stipend will be stopped, and they will forfeit the later lump-sum money they're set to receive. In response, Azhar's mother Shameen says these absences are due to the death of his father this September from tuberculosis: "He would cry often, so I kept him home from school for a while" -- and that she's determined to improve his attendance and get him an education.
Is Danny Boyle Going Back to Mumbai?
Filed under: Deals », Celebrities and Controversy »
Danny Boyle, who snapped up a Best Director Oscar for last year's Slumdog Millionaire, has signed on with Fox Searchlight and Pathé Pictures for three more movies. The two companies were also behind Slumdog and its overwhelming success and have also had to deal with the ensuing fallout over what has (or in some cases, hasn't) happened to its young stars. (You can read some previous Cinematical posts on the Slumdog situation here, here, and here.)According to the Los Angeles Times, "the director already has identified a possible initial production under the first-look deal, a drama about Aron Ralston, the American mountain climber who amputated part of his arm when it was pinned in a 2003 back-country hiking accident." However, Slumdog Millionaire's Oscar-winning screenwriter Simon Beaufoy told the Telegraph something a little different. The UK paper reports that Beaufoy is adapting Suketu Mehta's book Maximum City: Bombay Lost and Found.
"It was only decided a couple of weeks ago, but I will be writing the script for Danny... Maximum City is a non-fiction work, so it will be a huge challenge to find the story in it. It is a wonderful book and I used it in my initial research for Slumdog. There are some great characters in the book, but no stories, so my job will be to get the fictional out of a non-fictional story."
So, which will it be for the director? And since the controversy over the fates of Slumdog's two youngest stars has never been fully addressed by the studios or Boyle to the satisfaction of movie-goers, would it be all that wise for Boyle to return to Mumbai for the setting of his next movie?
Fan Rant: The Slumdog Situation
Filed under: Celebrities and Controversy », Newsstand »
Step by step, this whole story gets increasingly more ridiculous and heart-breaking. We've already told you about the Slumdog Millionaire aftermath, and how young stars Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail and Rubiana Ali have struggled in their slum-filled, post-Oscars life. Then rumors popped up that Ali's dad was trying to sell her. Since then, just last week, Ismail's house was torn down and this week, MSNBC reports that Ali's has been demolished as well.Rubina told The Associated Press: "I'm feeling bad. My house had been demolished. I'm thinking about where to sleep." And where are the houses they were promised back in February?
Award-winning films are great and all, as are realism, but none of us should accept entertainment over the welfare of those involved. It's bad enough when a language void and a desire for cheap labor leads to a Borat in Romania situation, but it's incredibly worse when it involves children.
Slumdog' Kids
Rubina Ali, a child actress in the Oscar-winning movie "Slumdog Millionaire," stands inside her house as it is demolished by local authorities at a slum area in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, May 20, 2009. Dozens of police with bamboo batons walked around the alley where Rubina's house is located and supervised demolition crews of young men wielding sledgehammers and metal rods who tore down the shanty homes, a week after bulldozers demolished the home of Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, another child star of the same film, in a similar cleanup drive in a different part of the same slum. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
AP
Rubina Ali, a child actress in the Oscar-winning movie "Slumdog Millionaire," holds her prayers beads and pray as her house is demolished by local authorities at a slum area in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, May 20, 2009. Dozens of police with bamboo batons walked around the alley where Rubina's house is located and supervised demolition crews of young men wielding sledgehammers and metal rods who tore down the shanty homes, a week after bulldozers demolished the home of Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, another child star of the same film, in a similar cleanup drive in a different part of the same slum. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
AP
Rubina Ali, a child actress in the Oscar-winning movie "Slumdog Millionaire," stands inside her house as it is demolished by local authorities at a slum area in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, May 20, 2009. Dozens of police with bamboo batons walked around the alley where Rubina's house is located and supervised demolition crews of young men wielding sledgehammers and metal rods who tore down the shanty homes, a week after bulldozers demolished the home of Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, another child star of the same film, in a similar cleanup drive in a different part of the same slum. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
AP
Rubina Ali, a child actress in the Oscar-winning movie "Slumdog Millionaire," walks inside her house as it is demolished by local authorities at a slum area in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, May 20, 2009. Dozens of police with bamboo batons walked around the alley where Rubina's house is located and supervised demolition crews of young men wielding sledgehammers and metal rods who tore down the shanty homes, a week after bulldozers demolished the home of Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, another child star of the same film, in a similar cleanup drive in a different part of the same slum. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
AP
Rubina Ali, a child actress in the Oscar-winning movie "Slumdog Millionaire," stands inside her house as it is demolished by local authorities at a slum area in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, May 20, 2009. Dozens of police with bamboo batons walked around the alley where Rubina's house is located and supervised demolition crews of young men wielding sledgehammers and metal rods who tore down the shanty homes, a week after bulldozers demolished the home of Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, another child star of the same film, in a similar cleanup drive in a different part of the same slum. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
AP
Rubina Ali, a child actress in the Oscar-winning movie "Slumdog Millionaire," stands inside her house as it is demolished by local authorities at a slum area in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, May 20, 2009. Dozens of police with bamboo batons walked around the alley where Rubina's house is located and supervised demolition crews of young men wielding sledgehammers and metal rods who tore down the shanty homes, a week after bulldozers demolished the home of Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, another child star of the same film, in a similar cleanup drive in a different part of the same slum. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
AP
Rubina Ali (C), who acted as young Latika in the Oscar-winning movie "Slumdog Millionaire", stands with her mother Munni (L) amidst the debris after their house was demolished by local authorities at a slum area in Mumbai May 20, 2009. REUTERS/Punit Paranjpe (INDIA SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)
Reuters
Rubina Ali (C), who acted as young Latika in the Oscar-winning movie "Slumdog Millionaire", stands amid the debris after her house was demolished by local authorities at a slum area in Mumbai May 20, 2009. REUTERS/Punit Paranjpe (INDIA SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)
Reuters
Rubina Ali (C), who acted as young Latika in the Oscar-winning movie "Slumdog Millionaire", picks up a wooden plank from the debris after her house was demolished by local authorities at a slum area in Mumbai May 20, 2009. REUTERS/Punit Paranjpe (INDIA SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)
Reuters
Munni (R), mother of Rubina Ali who played the leading lady Latika as a young child in the Oscar-winning movie "Slumdog Millionaire", looks at her demolished house by local authorities at a slum area in Mumbai May 20, 2009. REUTERS/Punit Paranjpe (INDIA SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)
Reuters
Sure, the rational voice in our heads can blame their parents, or make a million and two excuses. But the fact of the matter is, everyone is responsible for the welfare of children, and if you're going to use them for your own art or own gain, you best put more than five minutes thought to think how it will affect them. Think about the impact of the film, of the Oscars, the worlds they will be introduced and then ripped from -- to go back to a situation where they have no home, living a life that we'd all find unacceptable.
Don't choose them and titilate them with riches until they have, at the very least, a home that won't be bulldozed in the blazing heat. If you can't provide even that, look elsewhere.
Watch This: Nicole Kidman and Rubina Ali for Schweppes
Filed under: Celebrities and Controversy », Nicole Kidman », Trailers and Clips »
Maybe it's a strange question, but: Whatever happened to Nicole Kidman? Now I'm only partly kidding when I say that, because if you look at the woman who appears in this fancy new commercial for Schweppes, she bears no resemblance to the plucky redhead who wowed us in flicks like Flirting and Dead Calm. The 'Gossips' like to blame the current state of the Aussie actress on Botox or sometimes it's the 'curse of Tom Cruise', but really, I'd love to know when did Ms. Kidman turn into the porcelain faced robot we now see before us? Now before you get all offended, keep in my mind that I actually quite like Kidman as an actress, and despite Australia's failings as a film, at least Kidman was showing some signs of life; signs that have long disappeared in this glamorous soda ad.
The commercial was directed by Elizabeth's Shekar Kapur and produced by Ridley Scott, and Kidman has been transported to an Indian palace alongside Slumdog Millionaire's Rubina Ali and Bollywood star Argun Rampal. As for the commercial, well, I'll give Kapur some credit if he was taking a gentle shot at Kidman's 2004 Chanel ad (Kidman famously pocketed $12 million to star in that commercial), since the two are almost identical. But if he's not, then what you end up with is a bit of a mess with beautiful set design -- and I'm not even getting into the implications of the 'colonial exoticism' of Indian culture that drips from every frame.
Oscar, Shmoscar: 'Twilight' Leads the MTV Movie Award Nominees
Filed under: Awards », Fandom »
MTV has announced the nominees for the 18th annual MTV Movie Awards, to the delight of whoever it is that watches MTV or is interested in the opinions of those who do. Predictably, the film with the most nominations is Synecdoche, New York, Charlie Kaufman's dizzyingly surreal examination of mankind's fear of mortality. No, I'm kidding, it's Twilight. The creepy-but-not-the-way-they-intended vampire romance leads the pack with seven nominations, including best movie, best female performance (Kristen Stewart), breakthrough male performance (Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner), best fight, best kiss, and best song (apparently Twilight had a song).
The other best movie nominees are, in ascending order of WTF-ness, Slumdog Millionaire, The Dark Knight, Iron Man, and High School Musical 3: Senior Year. Speaking of which, they've added two new categories: the best song group (which also includes Bruce Springsteen's Oscar-snubbed theme from The Wrestler), and best WTF? moment (nominees include Amy Poehler peeing in the sink in Baby Mama).
Heath Ledger is posthumously nominated in the best villain category, where his competition includes Dwayne Johnson in Get Smart (I guess that's a spoiler, since we don't find out he's a bad guy until the end) and Johnathon Schaech from Prom Night. Do you suppose Ledger's family will fly in from Australia to accept the award like they did at the Oscars? Will the experience be diminished by having the golden popcorn trophy handed to them by Lady Gaga?
Andy Samberg will host the show, airing live on MTV on Sunday, May 31. Eminem is among the scheduled performers. MTV viewers selected the nominees, and anyone can vote for them at MTV's site. This is democracy in action, people. Take your responsibility seriously.
WTF: Dad Tries to Sell 'Slumdog' Actress?
Filed under: Celebrities and Controversy », Newsstand »
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While I've been busy trying to manage my incredibly busy (and ultra exciting) offline life, a few nuggets of WTF have managed to sneak through the "you're too busy for this sh*t" wall and lodge themselves in my brain. And when something movie-related finds its way into my brain, the only way to get rid of it is to stick my finger down my ear and vomit all over Cinematical.
With that pleasant image out of the way, have you folks been following the absolute ridiculousness surrounding these poor Slumdog Millionaire kids? Driving home last night I hear on the radio that the father of actress Rubina Ali (who played little Latika in the film) was trying to sell the child for a few hundred grand. Yup, dude was actually attempting to sell his kid in order to make one last profit off her before, ya know, Slumdog Millionaire hit the $9.99 bin at Target. According to News of the World (not the most kosher source for accurate news), Papa Wannabee Millionaire tried to sell the girl to one of their undercover reporters. Meanwhile, The Sun now reports that Rubina's father has since been arrested, and police are trying to gather more evidence, including video of the alleged kid sale. The father, however, denies all of it and claims reporters are making it up.
Now I'm far from an expert when it comes to messy families and what's right for the children, but it definitely seems like these Slumdog kids aren't in the safest situation -- especially when parents are looking to sell their kids in order to pay the bills. But what can be done? With the family provider now in jail, I'm sure things won't be getting better for Rubina -- but she's one of hundreds, thousands. How do you help these kids?
'Slumdog Millionaire' DVD Arrives with Major Problems
Filed under: Celebrities and Controversy », Fandom », Home Entertainment »
We've been receiving a ton of emails here at Cinematical from folks who bought bad copies of the Slumdog Millionaire DVD. What happened was that some DVDs entered the marketplace without any of the special features on them; one Cinematical reader wrote in to say that all he got was the movie and a few trailers. Over on Amazon, their review wall is packed with folks complaining about receiving a botched DVD, and good news is the retailer has finally issued an alert for those of you who got screwed. See below:
DVD Alert: We are aware that special features were missing from a number of Slumdog Millionaire DVDs. Fox has set up a hotline telephone number (1-888-223-4FOX) for those consumers who may have purchased a version that does not contain special features. Upon calling the hotline, these consumers will be able to have their disc replaced for one containing special features. Fox regrets any inconvenience this has caused.
So there you go. What do you folks think of Slumdog Millionaire now that you've watched it again surrounded by the comforts of your own home? Do you think it deserved the Oscar for Best Picture?
New DVD Recommendations
'Slumdog Millionaire'
Release Date: March 31
What It's About:The nuggets of wisdom an uneducated teen (Dev Patel) learns growing up in the cruel slums of Mumbai (and beyond) correspond perfectly with the questions he faces on India's version of 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?'
It's Kind of Like: 'Quiz Show' meets 'City of God'
What We Say: For having a plot as gimmicky as detailed above, the fact that 'Slumdog' works so well is almost shocking. It's a fantasy steeped in a harsh reality that combines elements of drama, comedy, romance, action and adventure in conjuring up pure movie magic. Now I wish every movie ended with a Bollywood dance number.
Rent the DVD | Buy the DVD
Fox Searchlight
'Quantum of Solace'
Release Date: March 24
What It's About: After losing the love of his life, a vengeful James Bond (Daniel Craig) is out to take kick ass, take names and -- of course -- entertain on a couple new bed buddies in this direct sequel to 'Casino Royale.'
What We Say: Whereas 'Royale' spent plenty of energy acclimating us to the new (blond!) 007 with wit, charm, romance and action, 'Solace' is all about the turbo-charged action. This didn't play well with some critics, but we'll take stylish Bond carnage over your average actioner ('Transporter' anyone?) any day.
Special Features? Unless you're only in it for the Jack White-Alicia Keys music video for 'Another Way to Die' (the sole bonus feature on the single-disc edition), opt for the two-disc, which features several making-of docs, and most importantly, more Olga Kurylenko.
Rent the DVD | Buy the DVD
Craig-Forster Unscripted
Sony
'Bolt'
Release Date: March 24
What It's About: Bolt (voiced by John Travolta) is not a super-dog, he just plays one on TV. Of course Bolt doesn't know that. When he unwittingly lands in NYC, the lost dog recruits a cranky cat and hilarious hamster (aren't they all?) for a cross-country jaunt back to his loyal owner/co-star (Miley Cyrus) in Hollywood.
It's Kind of Like: 'Underdog' meets 'Homeward Bound'
Critical Consensus: There's no stopping talking dog movies -- but there are no singing Chihuahua armies in this animated adventure, which is probably why it fared well with critics, scoring an impressive 86 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Rent the DVD | Buy the DVD
50 Best Movies of 2008
Disney
'Elegy'
Release Date: March 17
What It's About: Believing it's to good to be true and thus doomed to fail, a celebrated college professor (Ben Kingsley) does everything in his power to screw up his relationship with a sexy student (Penelope Cruz).
It's Kind of Like: 'The Visitor' with sex appeal
What We Say: This underseen romantic drama about dealing with self-doubt in relationships is elegant, sophisticated and yes, even sexy (never thought we'd say that about a Ben Kingsley movie this decade). And it also reinforces the immortal words of Aaliyah: Age ain't nuthin' but a number, Sir Ben.
Rent the DVD | Buy the DVD
Watch the trailer
Sony Classics
'Milk'
Release Date: March 10
What It's About: Sean Penn is Harvey Milk, the iconic San Francisco politician who became the first openly gay man elected to office in the U.S. in 1977. Josh Brolin is the jerk who assassinates him.
What We Say: Gus Van Sant's biopic of the slain leader is much more conventional than you might expect, but not any less affecting or inspiring. Penn's performance is a triumph. And given the recent passage of Prop 8 in California, the film is as topical as they come.
Awards & Nominations: Penn prevailed in the closest major race at the Oscars, edging out Comeback King Mickey Rourke ('The Wrestler') for Best Actor. The film also won Best Original Screenplay (Dustin Lance Black), but lost pretty much anywhere it was up against 'Slumdog.'
Rent the DVD | Buy the DVD
Oscars Movies Made Easy
Universal
'Role Models'
Release Date: March 10
What It's About: Sentenced to community service after an energy drink-fueled rampage, "big brothers" Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott teach their "littles" how to stare at breasts without getting caught, plus more valuable life lessons.
It's Kind of Like: 'Old School' meets 'Cop and a Half'
What We Say: 'Tropic Thunder,' 'Pineapple Express' and 'Sarah Marshall' may have gotten more play, but 'Role Models' was the funniest comedy of 2008. Both brilliantly sophomoric and sneakily witty (thanks to Rudd's handprints on the script), it's a must-see, and even better on repeat.
Rent the DVD | Buy the DVD
Watch trailer & clips
Universal
'Rachel Getting Married'
Release Date: March 10
What It's About: Released from rehab for a weekend to attend her sister's wedding, Anne Hathaway's bundle of nerves Kym tries her hardest not to ruin the bohemian-flavored celebration for all.
What We Say: Moviegoers were generally divided over this indie drama from Jonathan Demme. Fans praised its intimacy and realism. Count me in the camp that appreciated it, but found it comparable to watching someone's home video of the best.wedding.ever.
Awards & Nominations: If there's one reason to see 'Rachel,' it's Hathaway's stunning Academy Award-nominated performance (she was even an early favorite to win). It should be enough to make you forgive her for 'Bride Wars.'
Rent the DVD | Buy the DVD
Oscar Movies Made Easy
Sony Classics
'Let the Right One In'
Release Date: March 10
What It's About: In a small and wintry Swedish town, a young boy becomes BFFs with the new girl next door, who, it turns out, is a vampire starving for blood.
What We Say: It's 'Twilight' for the arthouse crowd. Subtle but thoroughly chilling, this acclaimed import is one of the most sympathetic portraits of vampires you'll see. Eli (Lina Leandersson) may be deadly, but she's pretty damn adorable (and tortured), too.
Where It Ranks: 'Let the Right One In' placed #29 on our list of 2008's 50 best movies.
Rent the DVD | Buy the DVD
Magnet Releasing
'I've Loved You So Long'
Release Date: March 3
What It's About: When the long-missing and mysterious Juliette (Kristin Scott Thomas) says at a dinner party she's been in prison the last 15 years for murder, people may laugh, but she ain't kidding. Her sister helps welcome her back into society.
It's Kind of Like: 'Rachel Getting Married' in French
Critical Consensus: Reviewers loved it so long, with the film scoring a 90 percent approval rating on RottenTomatoes.
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress – Drama, the excellent-in-any-language Thomas was a longshot contender for a second Oscar nom (after 'The English Patient'), but was likely edged out by Melissa Leo.
Rent the DVD | Buy the DVD
Sony Classics
'Dear Zachary'
Release Date: Feb. 24
What It's About: After his close friend Andrew is murdered, documentarian Kurt Kuenne sets out to make a film about Andrew's life for his son Zachary. But a shocking turn of events transforms the intended tribute into something far different.
What We Say: This is a tiny, highly personal doc in the same vein as 'Capturing the Friedmans' that got next-to-no attention during its ultra-limited theatrical release, despite a nearly unanimous chorus of critics labeling it a must-see. We can only hope it finds an audience on DVD: It's one of the most devastatingly powerful and affecting documentaries ever made.
Where It Ranks: 'Zachary' placed #30 on our list 2008's 50 best movies (can someone say Oscar snub?).
Rent the DVD | Buy the DVD
Watch the trailer
Oscilloscope
Spin-ematical: New on DVD for 3/31
Filed under: New Releases », DVD Reviews », New on DVD », Home Entertainment »
Slumdog Millionaire
It was a complete Academy Awards smash, winning almost all of its nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. Kim Voynar's review stated: "Boyle, stepping outside the UK to focus his lens on India, seems to have freed himself here to bring his brilliance as a director to its fullest fruition." Really, the praise and awards speak volumes, making the film a definite Buy it. Also, the film absolutely sparkles and shines on Blu-ray, with the vibrant colors of India popping and sizzling like you've never seen before. Seriously, put this one on your must-see list, like, yesterday. (For more, read our interview with Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle.)
Add to Netflix queue | Buy at Amazon
Marley & Me
A heart-warming Christmas feel-good flick -- Marley & Me tells the story of a couple who get a rambunctious dog who might be a handful, but who also becomes a beloved member of the family. It's full of puppy love and all the things you'd expect when following the life of a lovable canine. For the tear-jerker film fiends, this film will be a must, but for the rest, you might want to just Rent it. Also on Blu-ray.
Add to Netflix queue | Buy at Amazon
Seven Pounds
It was beginning to seem like Will Smith was untouchable -- the Hollywood actor whose name would always mean successful blockbuster. At the very least, one would've thought Seven Pounds would be successful, but instead it came and went with little fanfare, and some disappointment. Nick Shager said the film was "misguided mush from the moment go, a deliberately muddled bit of inspirational pap that masks its inherent silliness with structural obliqueness and, worse still, affords Smith scant opportunities to infuse his character with authentic humanity." Skip it. Also on Blu-ray.
Add to Netflix queue | Buy at Amazon
Also out: Ogre, Timecrimes, The Real Ghostbusters, Vol. 1
This week, there's also a bunch of AfterDark Horrorfest releases for you blood and gore fans out there: Autopsy, The Broken, The Butterfly Effect 3, Dying Breed, From Within, AfterDark Horrorfest Vol. 3, Perkins 14, Slaughter, Voices
Post-Oscars, The 'Slumdog' Kids Head Back to the Slums
Filed under: Awards », Celebrities and Controversy »
When we think of child actors, it's easy to think of rich, overly indulgent scenarios like the one Don McKellar outlined in Childstar. But that's not always the case -- especially for the tykes of Slumdog Millionaire. It only lost two of its ten Oscar nominations, but for the young Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail and Rubina Ali, post-Slumdog life isn't coming up roses.
On the heel of news that the kids were getting trust funds and school funding, The Telegraph reports that they are reeling after their whirlwind taste of luxury life at the Oscars. Azhar has been suffering from a 103 temperature and vomiting since returning home, a condition which isn't helped by the fact that he doesn't have a physical home to rest in (although neighbors are trying to build a metal structure for the kid to rest in out of the sun). Meanwhile, Rubina still wears the now-stained gown she wore to the Oscars, wishing to live in America and sleep in "a proper bed and live where the air does not smell of poo."
The piece, which includes a lot of heart-breaking words from the children, points out how challenging it is for these kids to see and experience the absolute opposite of their lives, only to return to it and feel forgotten. So far, there have been no flats for the families to move to, and reports say that Azhar has even been beaten for wanting to sleep rather than talk to a journalist offering his family money.
Danny Boyle + James Bond = ???
Filed under: Action », RumorMonger », James Bond », Remakes and Sequels »
England's irreverent newspaper The Sun is notorious for printing stories that have not been 100% fact-checked and that may well be entirely false. (The Sun was like the blogosphere before the blogosphere existed.) Nonetheless, they get it right now and then, and they ran a particularly tantalizing rumor today: Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle has been asked to make the next James Bond movie. Remember, this is shaky. The best The Sun can do is cite an anonymous source -- and all this alleged source says is that Boyle has been offered the film, not that he's accepted, or is even seriously considering it. It seems reasonable that the offer would be made, though. Obviously he's in high demand after winning the Oscar last week, and at various times all sorts of directors, from Tarantino to Spielberg, have been rumored to be interested in making a Bond film. Furthermore, Boyle is British, which used to be a prerequisite for a Bond director but has not been enforced lately.
The question is, would he be a good fit? One of the things I like about Boyle is that he's proven adept at an astonishing variety of genres, from horror to whimsy to sci-fi to whatever Slumdog was. I have no doubt he could make a full-bore espionage caper if he wanted to, and he could probably dig the franchise out of the Jason Bourne-copying rut it got stuck in with Quantum of Solace.
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