Why Steven Soderbergh Turned Down a James Bond Movie: “It Was Fun to Think About”
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
The James Bond franchise is a coveted playground for top-tier directors eager to inject fresh energy into one of cinema’s longest-running sagas. From Alfonso Cuarón’s potential reimagining of Harry Potter to Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s acclaimed script contributions on No Time to Die, the Bond series continually seeks creative reinvention. Yet, not every high-profile filmmaker manages to join the ranks.
Steven Soderbergh, a pioneering director known for blending commercial appeal with boundary-pushing storytelling, revealed that he almost took the reins of a Bond film — but in the end, the partnership fell apart. With credits like Ocean’s Eleven, Logan Lucky, and the landmark Sex, Lies, and Videotape, Soderbergh’s natural flair for high-stakes narratives and character-driven thrillers made him seem an ideal candidate to helm a Bond movie.
Despite this, creative differences ultimately derailed the collaboration. Soderbergh explained, “Yeah. I love that world. I think we were at odds about some things that were important. We had some great conversations, and it was fun to think about. But we just couldn’t…the last ten yards were, we just couldn’t do it. We just couldn’t figure it out.”
What exactly caused the divide remains unclear, but the Bond franchise has faced its share of questionable creative choices over the years—from the script controversies around Spectre to the often criticized portrayal of female characters. It’s easy to wonder how a Soderbergh-directed Bond might have brought a more grounded, suspenseful, and character-rich approach to the spy thriller, given his knack for intricate storytelling paired with gripping action.
For now, Soderbergh’s vision for Bond remains an intriguing “what if,” as Amazon Studios—now overseeing the franchise’s future—seems poised to select a director with a more traditional blockbuster pedigree, such as Christopher Nolan or Ridley Scott.
While fans can only speculate on what might have been, Soderbergh’s candid reflection underscores the challenges even the most talented directors face when stepping into the iconic, and often complex, world of James Bond.
