Martin Campbell

Martin Campbell (born 24 October 1943) is a New Zealand film and television director and producer, long based in the United Kingdom. He is best known for his works in the action and thriller film genres, including the James Bond films GoldenEye and Casino Royale (2006), The Mask of Zorro (1998) and its sequel The Legend of Zorro (2005), Vertical Limit (2000), and The Foreigner (2017).

Earlier in his career, he directed the critically acclaimed BBC drama serial Edge of Darkness (1985), which earned him a British Academy Television Award for Best Drama Series. He later directed the 2010 theatrical film adaptation of the serial.

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 Unstoppable (2010). 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 Year Title Notes 1973 The Sex Thief 1975 Eskimo Nell Three for All 1976 Intimate Games Uncredited 1988 Criminal Law 1991 Defenseless 1994 No Escape 1995 GoldenEye 1998 The Mask of Zorro 2000 Vertical Limit Also producer 2003 Beyond Borders 2005 The Legend of Zorro 2006 Casino Royale Nominated—BAFTA Award for Outstanding British Film 2010 Edge of Darkness 2011 Green Lantern 2017 The Foreigner 2021 The Protégé 2022 Memory 2024 Dirty Angels Also writer 2025 Cleaner 2026 Just Play Dead

Television Years Title Notes 1978–80 The Professionals 5 episodes 1980 Minder 2 episodes Shoestring Episode "The Teddy Bears' Nightmare" 1981 Bergerac Episode "Nice People Die in Bed" 1983 Reilly, Ace of Spies 6 episodes 1984 Charlie 4-part miniseries 1985 Edge of Darkness 6-part miniseriesBAFTA TV Award for Best Drama Series/Serial 1986 Screen Two Episode "Frankie and Johnnie" 1991 Cast a Deadly Spell TV movie 1993 Homicide: Life on the Street Episode "Three Men and Adena" 2003 10-8: Officers on Duty 2 episodes 2012 Last Resort Episode "Captain" 2013 Reckless Unaired pilot 2014 Warriors