‘Always be original. Never duplicate what you’ve seen another actor do. Be true to the character that you’ve been given, and the rest will come easy.’
- Lee Tamahori
It was Once Were Warriors (1994) that sparked the attention of producer Barbara Broccoli. Its director Lee Tamahori created a jagged domestic drama on a national scale and was the first indie director crafting real local stories who was invited to helm Pierce Brosnan’s fourth and final Bond bullet, Die Another Day (2002). It marked the fortieth anniversary of the 007 franchise and was a wilful, camp, future minded and global caper on a scale maybe the character and series needed a year after 9/11.
Tamahori captained a totally fun Bond adventure that signed off Pierce Brosnan, nabbed some royal favours and monarchal endorsements, was furnished with the biggest pop and actor names of the day and created a somewhat immortal ice surfing scene that is nothing but happily ridiculous – like Die Another Day itself. He also directed a film that sealed the deal and momentum for the next phase of James Bond’s timeline. We would not have seen Casino Royale (2006) or arguably Daniel Craig had Tamahori’s bullet not done so well at the global box-office.
Rest in peace, Lee Tamahori.
