115 replies to this topic

[Clopin]

This is no good news at all for the fandom or those working in fan clubs as it means another six months are ahead of senseless rumors which we have to talk through and dissipate or try to explain to our members. The yellow press will keep them coming and I'm simply too old for this sh***!

On the other hand I keep constantly asking myself what's going on in the trenches on the battlefield between Sony and Eon. It seems to me - as Eon keeps silent - all these news come from the Sony camp and nowhere else. So what game is Sony playing and what's Eon's position in all this?

From the point of view of a Bond fan I'm really tired and bored with waiting for a new 007 and a new movie. You know it's fun for some time to share rumors and talk about them. For a year or two that's okay. But now we are going in endless circles and nobody knows when we are going to hear anything. It could be next week, next winter or next summer.

And in Summer 2006 that's only when they start shooting. In the worst case we might not see Bond back in theatres another 2 1/2 years if they are going to release it in November 2007. I'm sorry, but I already sat through two breaks of that kind and I'm really fed up with it.

And as nobody seems to be able to get a full scale interview with Eon or Sony on all this, not even any big American TV station or the BBC or whoever, well, see you later...or not...

[Seannery]

I just did the mainpage story and put a question mark in the headline. Although it is coming from Variety, they have been far off the mark a lot of times in the past.

Remember that they reported even after shooting for Die Another Day began, that the title of Bond 20 would be "Beyond the ice". At this point of time, Eon had denied it at least one thousand times.

Yeah a question mark at this point seems wise. I just hope it IS wrong. One would think that Eon will have to SHORTLY either deny or verify this story. This is rather big and breaking news which will get attention in the media and film world and Eon will be asked about it a lot UNTIL they say either way if it's true or false. I expect we will know for sure VERY SHORTLY.

One would think that this is how they would have to go about doing things, but EON never likes to do things the easy way.

It's like when Eon/Sony kept getting asked about Judy Dench's Pierce comment--they then felt the need to clarify things and to end all the questioning.

[kevrichardson]

I'm in shock... How long are they planing to stay in silence? They have no respect for the fans. Planning a 5 year hiatus, after the huge box-office from "Die Another Day" leaves me with no words...

Having no respect for the fan would be casting Julian McMahon or someone not right for the role. Let them take all the time they need . also like Loomis said this means that Brosnan is truly finished as James Bond .

[tdalton]

also like Loomis said this means that Brosnan is truly finished as James Bond .

Which is the silver lining in what is otherwise bad news.

[TheBritishEnd]

So what would CASINO ROYALE be going up against in the summer of 2007, I wonder? SPIDER-MAN 3, perhaps. THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM, possibly. And maybe INDIANA JONES IV.

Also, Shrek 3, Pirates of the Caribbean 3, and (as mentioned) another Harry Potter film. Plus, isn't Lucas planning on re-releasing Star Wars in 3D?

In other words, it's already looking like one of the biggest "summer of sequels" since 1989. And we all remember how Bond fared then. If they do go with a new, untested actor in the role, they could really have a hard time selling Bond- even in the year `007.

[tdalton]

So what would CASINO ROYALE be going up against in the summer of 2007, I wonder? SPIDER-MAN 3, perhaps. THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM, possibly. And maybe INDIANA JONES IV.

Also, Shrek 3, Pirates of the Caribbean 3, and (as mentioned) another Harry Potter film. Plus, isn't Lucas planning on re-releasing Star Wars in 3D?

In other words, it's already looking like one of the biggest "summer of sequels" since 1989. And we all remember how Bond fared then. If they do go with a new, untested actor in the role, they could really have a hard time selling Bond- even in the year `007.

Plus, they're probably going to be going up against Batman Begins 2, and we know how Bond fared the last time he faced off against Batman.

[SecretAgentFan]

Let

[zencat]

Wow!

Always wild to wake up to some CR news.

I'm not surprised the shooting is delayed. I think I said in some thread just a few days ago that I could see the movie being delayed another year.

I also think it's possible that it could be a Spring 2007 release. Remember CBn ran a story a while back in which we were told the powers that be were eying a Spring 2006 release. Obviously we were wrong, but it always bothered me because we had such good sources on that. But maybe the only mistake was in the year. Spring 2007? It's possible. But summer is most likely.

Nice work on the article, Tim. And thank you HellIsHere (love that screen name) and BondSan for the tip-off.

[tdalton]

I think that it would be absolutely foolish to release CR in Summer 2007. Just take a look at what's expected to be released that summer, based on what a lot of us have been talking about here:

Batman Begins 2
The next Harry Potter film
Pirates of the Carribbean 3
Indiana Jones IV
Shrek 3
Spiderman 3
and
The Bourne Ultimatum


I, for one, think that it would be extremely foolish to take a new James Bond (I mean actor, not film) up against these heavyweight films. Also, taking Bond up against Bourne would be a mistake, because if the new Bourne movie is better than CR, then Bond will start to lose both relevance and credibility as a franchise.

The last time that Bond was put up against this many blockbuster films, it didn't do very well (LTK). Why risk this again, especially since we assume that CR will be a very serious Bond film, like LTK was?

[Bondian]

There could be several reasons why there could be a delay, and it may not be down just to trying to find a new actor.

So, if this rumour is true, what has Martin Campbell signed for?.

[tdalton]

So, if this rumour is true, what has Martin Campbell signed for?.

Great point. Does this mean that we could be seeing a change in director for the film? Unlikely, but it could be a possibility of Campbell doesn't want to wait around for this thing to finally get off the ground.

I want Campbell to do CR, but if he decides to leave, they should bring back John Glen.

[Seannery]

Wow!

Always wild to wake up to some CR news.

I'm not surprised the shooting is delayed. I think I said in some thread just a few days ago that I could see the movie being delayed another year.

I also think it's possible that it could be a Spring 2007 release. Remember CBn ran a story a while back in which we were told the powers that be were eying a Spring 2006 release. Obviously we were wrong, but it always bothered me because we had such good sources on that. But maybe the only mistake was in the year. Spring 2007? It's possible. But summer is most likely.

Nice work, Tim. 

So are you sure Zencat that this delay is a dead solid fact? I think there is some room for doubt yet. The reporting can be faulty or mistaken. I say lets see a little more verification as this shakes out.

[Loomis]

also like Loomis said this means that Brosnan is truly finished as James Bond .

Which is the silver lining in what is otherwise bad news.

In a way, I hope this is true and that the release of CASINO ROYALE will end up being delayed until the winter of 2007. Not only would that reduce the likelihood of a Brosnan comeback, but it would also probably rule out the return of Judi Dench (who IMO is already far too old to be believable as the head of the British secret service), which in turn would mean we've probably seen the last of Samantha Bond's Moneypenny and whatsisname's Robinson, two other characters I find useless and annoying.

Hey, maybe Campbell will also leave the project and they'll somehow stumble into hiring an exciting director.

[Bondian]

So, if this rumour is true, what has Martin Campbell signed for?.

Great point. Does this mean that we could be seeing a change in director for the film? Unlikely, but it could be a possibility of Campbell doesn't want to wait around for this thing to finally get off the ground.

Thank you my friend.

If this rumour is true, and ever since EON announced Casino Royale as the next film, I've had an awful gutt feeling something's wrong.

I want Campbell to do CR, but if he decides to leave, they should bring back John Glen.

I agree. IF Casino Royale going to be close to the book they'll need a mature director to bring it to the screen.

[zencat]

So are you sure Zencat that this delay is a dead solid fact?  I think there is some room for doubt yet.  The reporting can be faulty or mistaken.  I say lets see a little more verification as this shakes out.

I trust Variety so, at the moment, I'm assuming this to be true.

[tdalton]

I want Campbell to do CR, but if he decides to leave, they should bring back John Glen.

I agree. IF Casino Royale going to be close to the book they'll need a mature director to bring it to the screen.

I'm starting to get that feeling that CR is headed towards a big crisis moment, maybe towards the end of this year or the beginning of the next, when a whole bunch of people who are involved with it decide they don't want to wait anymore and leave. Just a thought, but it's growing increasingly possible.

People can say what they want about John Glen's Bond movies, but with the exception of AVTAK, his other films are generally very well regarded by the Bond fan community, and he has a few that are in my top 10 (TLD, LTK, FYEO, Octopussy). If Campbell does leave the project, Glen is the only other choice for director of CR, because I KNOW that he will get it right if he is put behind the camera for a Fleming story, as he has already proven that he is capable.

[kevrichardson]

So, if this rumour is true, what has Martin Campbell signed for?.

Great point. Does this mean that we could be seeing a change in director for the film? Unlikely, but it could be a possibility of Campbell doesn't want to wait around for this thing to finally get off the ground.

I want Campbell to do CR, but if he decides to leave, they should bring back John Glen.

John Glen is a bit to Elderly to direct a Bond . And even if Campbell was to leave , which i doubt . There are still other who would step in .

[Turn]

Hey, maybe Campbell will also leave the project and they'll somehow stumble into hiring an exciting director.

Wishful thinking there, Loomis. We all know exciting directors and EON do not mix well.

[Seannery]

[quote name='zencat' date='17 May 2005 - 18:03'][quote name='Seannery' date='17 May 2005 - 09:53']So are you sure Zencat that this delay is a dead solid fact?

[tdalton]

John Glen is a bit to Elderly to direct a Bond .  And even if Campbell was to leave , which i doubt .  There are still other who would step in .

He just turned 73 on Sunday. He's getting old, but I don't think that he's too old to direct a Bond film.

I agree, though, that there are a lot of other directors who are capable of directing a Bond film. I just would like to see Glen get the chance to make CR if Campbell was to step down from the job (which, to make my point clear, i don't want him to do).

[Loomis]

I'm starting to get that feeling that CR is headed towards a big crisis moment, maybe towards the end of this year or the beginning of the next, when a whole bunch of people who are involved with it decide they don't want to wait anymore and leave.  Just a thought, but it's growing increasingly possible.

Yeah. But, hey, maybe yet another delay will be good for the film and the series in the long run. And you gotta admit: Bond in 2007 does sound good.

As for Glen, well, I'd be turning cartwheels if I thought they'd ever again hire a director so professional and unpretentious, rather than yet another up-himself "We're going to explore the demons within James Bond, we'll be having 'Bond women', not 'Bond girls'...." merchant. But having checked Glen's age, it would seem that he turned 73 two days ago (I guess we dropped the ball on a "Happy birthday John Glen" thread). Way too old. I don't say he couldn't do it, mind, but I reckon there might be insurance problems, etc.

[Loomis]

Eon should have gone with Daniel Craig and Matthew Vaughn (the former looks set to co-star in an upcoming Spielberg film, while the latter will reportedly be directing X-MEN 3, so I guess that means that some people think they're pretty darn talented). They had a terrific actor/director combo right there, hot off LAYER CAKE. From what I gather, both of them were up for CASINO ROYALE, and Sony wanted them. Grrr....

[Martin Mystery]

Not exactly a surprise. But, if true, a pretty clear indication that they're having major problems in getting a new Bond (and therefore want more time for their search), and also that there won't be a Brosnan comeback.

...But Loomis, you were so sure...

MM

[tdalton]

As for Glen, well, I'd be turning cartwheels if I thought they'd ever again hire a director so professional and unpretentious, rather than yet another up-himself "We're going to explore the demons within James Bond, we'll be having 'Bond women', not 'Bond girls'...." merchant. But having checked Glen's age, it would seem that he turned 73 two days ago (I guess we dropped the ball on a "Happy birthday John Glen" thread). Way too old. I don't say he couldn't do it, mind, but I reckon there might be insurance problems, etc.

If CR is going to be close to the book (which is what I think the consensus was between myself and Bondian as to whether Glen could be associated with the film), there would be little in the way of over the top action that would prohibit someone who is older from being able to actively direct.

I could, however, see Glen being brought in as a quick replacement for Campbell if he were to step down. He has a long standing relationship with the Brocollis and EON, he is experienced at directing Bond films (many of which were among the best that we've seen), plus he's probably available and willing to helm another film and doesn't have scheduling conflicts, something that the Bond producers are bound to be encountered with in the search for a new director if Campbell were to step down from the job. They wouldn't lose too much in the way of time by hiring Glen to replace him because, as far as I know, he doesn't have any projects in the works that would conflict with Bond.

[Seannery]

I don't remember--Did TND start filming in the Summer of 1997 for a November 1997 release? That has been mentioned.

[Loomis]

Maybe, tdalton. Certainly, I'd be overjoyed if Glen returned to the series, but I really don't think it's on the cards. Strikes me as about as likely as Dalton returning to the role of Bond.

[luciusgore]

Brosnan was right when he said that paralysis had set in. Instead of making Casino Royale now, they should have just made another standard Brosnan film. Call it, "The World Never Dies Enough" or something stupid like the last previous three titles. Then introduced the new 007 with "Casino Royale" a couple years later. Now we have to wait forever for the next one. I'm sure that, given the long delay between films, it will have a new star.

Perhaps they had to move the date to match Hugh Jackman or Clive Owen's schedule?

[zencat]

[quote name='Seannery' date='17 May 2005 - 10:17']I don't remember--Did TND start filming in the Summer of 1997 for a November 1997 release?

[tdalton]

Maybe, tdalton. Certainly, I'd be overjoyed if Glen returned to the series, but I really don't think it's on the cards. Strikes me as about as likely as Dalton returning to the role of Bond.

It was just a suggestion. I doubt that Campbell would walk away from the project, but since it was mentioned as a possibility by someone else, I just threw out my ideal candidate to take over the job. There are certainly other people out there who could do a capable job. Paul Greengrass (The Bourne Supremacy would be a good choice. If they could ever get Sydney Pollack to do a Bond film, then that would be absolutely amazing).

[Seannery]

[quote name='zencat' date='17 May 2005 - 18:26'][quote name='Seannery' date='17 May 2005 - 10:17']I don't remember--Did TND start filming in the Summer of 1997 for a November 1997 release?