Martin Campbell

Martin Campbell is one of the most revered action directors in the world with credits that include two critically acclaimed James Bond films. Born in New Zealand, Martin moved to England in 1966 to pursue his career as a cinematographer. He graduated from cameraman to producer for a film called “Scum”, and then “Black Joy”, which was selected for competition at the Cannes Film Festival. Martin made his directorial debut on the British police series “The Professionals,” and continued with the popular BBC series “Shoestring” and Thames TV’s “Minder.” Considered one of the Britain’s top directors by the mid 1980s, he directed the highly praised British television film, “Reilly: Ace Of Spies.” For his work on “Edge Of Darkness,” a five-hour BBC miniseries about nuclear contamination in England that depicted murder and high-ranking corruption, he won six BAFTA awards. Martin’s first Hollywood movie was “Criminal Law” followed by “Defenseless” and “No Escape.” In 1995, Martin directed Pierce Brosnan in his first outing as the famed British spy James Bond in “Golden Eye.” Martin was credited with rejuvenating the franchise and the movie, which went on to gross more than $350 million worldwide. Martin next helmed “The Mask Of Zorro,” the movie earned Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations and launched the international careers of Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. In 2000, Martin directed the mountaineering action adventure “Vertical Limits.” The film was well received by the critics and earned over $200 million in worldwide box office sales. In late 2006 Martin’s second Bond movie, “Casino Royale,” was released. This critical tour de force was not only a box office smash, but is already considered one of the best Bond films ever made. Martin brilliantly introduced Daniel Craig into the role of Bond and delivered a film that was fresh and exciting. Other credits include the epic romance “Beyond Borders” starring Angelina Jolie and Clive Owen and the movie remake of “Edge of Darkness,” starring Mel Gibson and Ray Winstone. Most recently Martin directed “The Foreigner”, a gritty action thriller starring Pierce Brosnan and acclaimed action superstar Jackie Chan.