Nicolas Winding Refn Says He Turned Down ‘Spectre’ Directing Gig

“Spectre” had a much bloodier future in store.

Nicolas Winding Refn says he was tapped to direct the most recent Bond film, but turned down the big-profile gig.

According to Refn, Eon Productions approached him to take the reins of the latest installment of the long-running franchise before Sam Mendes signed on to helm the film. But he refused the offer, the director told the Telegraph, saying his interests don’t lie in franchise projects.

“Well, I don’t know yet,” Refn responded when asked if his upcoming spy thriller “The Avenging Silence” will be his version of a Bond film. “I just know this way I can do whatever I want, and that outweighs any money anyone can give me.”

Refn is teaming with longtime Bond screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who penned “Spectre,” for “The Avenging Silence.”

Remakes of “Wonder Woman,” “Barbarella” and a Ryan Gosling-led “Logan’s Run” also fell into Refn’s lap, but those projects were left untouched as well.

Refn was named best director at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival following the debut of his movie “Drive,” starring Gosling. He later reunited with Gosling on the crime drama “Only God Forgives.”

His latest film, “The Neon Demon,” bowed everywhere on June 24, and has earned $1.1 million at the box office.

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