Chris Corbould – ‘I Have Now Hung up my Special Effects Gloves’

September 2021. On an overcast day down Battersea Power Station, Aston Martin together with James Bond Archivist Meg Simmonds, Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman and Special Effects Supervisor on 15 Bond films Chris Corbould, unveiled a DB5 continuation car housed in a giant sized Corgi Box. Chris Corbould and I discussed elements of his relationship with Bond, Aston Martin and his plans for the future.

ME

When did you finish wrapping No Time to Die? How long we’ve been waiting?

Chris

You know, that’s a really difficult question. It’s a couple of years ago now. And I can’t remember. Because I’ve done two other films since then. So I can’t remember it’s two years ago, something like that.

ME

You’re credited with working on 15 James Bond films. How proud are you of this one in comparison to the others?

Chris

I’m immensely proud of this one. This film has, to me a unique story and plot. Character/characterisation. Massive story points. I think it’s gonna surprise a lot of people on many emotional levels.

ME

And so behind me (Battersea Power Station) we have the DB five continuation car. One of 25 that is being sold to private sellers. Can I ask, did you have any hand in this putting the gadgets inside these guys?

Chris

Martin very kindly asked me to get involved with developing some of the more film gadgets and they have brilliant engineers, and were absolutely totally right people for the bulletproof shield and the revolver number flight. A few items like the smoke screen oil slick, and the guns coming out the front where we need to make that transition from the film world to a vehicle that’s going to be driven around on a daily basis. So that was where they kindly asked me to get involved. And I’m thrilled whenever I’m working with Aston Martin. They’re such brilliant engineers. And he’s brilliant. I love working with them.

ME

Did you help Aston Martin at all in the designing of the DB5 replicas for Matera in No Time to Die?

Chris

I didn’t have anything to do with design that was all Aston Martin. They designed it from the wheels upwards, they put into place all the stunt requirements, you know, we work with them closely to put in in, you know, a couple of the cars or all the gadgets and certain other requirements that they need to slide. You know, I’ve done quite a few films with Aston Martin now and it’s a wonderful collaboration. We instantly gel. We have the like mind how we do things. So it’s always a pleasure to work with.

ME

What it’s like working in a city that’s UNESCO protected. How much preparation goes into protecting these World Heritage Site?

Chris

We there was months and months and months of planning to go to a UNESCO site. EON Productions has a huge respect for anywhere we go, whether it be Rome and Spectre, and again in Matera. We were a guest in this city. We need to show the utmost respect to achieve a spectacular sequence. They put into place huge resources to make sure that no damage is done and that when we leave everything is put back into its original state. They pride themselves on that fact.

ME

What is next for Chris Corbould? Do you kind of then go away and do anything with like Christopher Nolan or any other people? Does your diary get booked up in years in advance?

Chris

I did. After No Time to Die I did the sequel to Doctor Strange. I have now hung up my special effects gloves and I’m now concentrating on second unit directing. I’ll still be creatively involved in special effects. But directing is where I want to go. Yes, I’d love to work with Christopher. I’ve done four wonderful films with him.

I have a total amount respect. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have a second unit. I’m not gonna get that gig with him. But I know that that’s where I’m at. And I have a passion for it. I’ve done special effects for 47 years now. I think I’ve done my apprenticeship. So I’m looking to expand my brain a little bit.

ME

Maybe a book?

Chris

No, I don’t think writing a book … at this moment in time, it’s not on my agenda. I still have a lot to offer other roles in the film industry before writing a book.

ME

Do you have any other films outside of the Bond world that you’ve worked on that you look upon fondly?

Chris

I have massive pride in every single film I’ve worked on. And I did a film last year with Barbara [Broccoli] called The Rhythm Section, which I was immensely proud of. It has one of the best car chases I think, I’ve ever done the filming […] . It wasn’t over spectacular, but had a real grittiness to it. And I just loved it. I went out to Solden and they got the James Bond exhibition out there.

When I walk through this whole place, it was like a whole step back in time for my whole career. There’s a little place where you press a button and that box lights up, something in it and I press one button and there was a ski stick from The Spy Who Loved Me that I made when I was 17 or 18. But going throughout the whole exhibition, it was a step back in time and seeing my whole career laid out in front of me.

ME

When you go on holiday do you often think of there must be a Bond location around here?

Chris

I don’t even think about things. It’s the last thing […] I want to spend time the wife and the children the grandchildren, and no I totally switch off.

Further Reading & Credits

Our Man in Matera | No Time to Die James Bond locations

James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 Hardcover – by Simon Hugo & Will Lawrence

Thanks to Aston Martin for having me, Ajay for the photo, Chris for the opportunity and Bond Lifestyle for the invitation.