214 replies to this topic

[Surrie]

News dried up again...

[Dustin]

Silly season, summer time, perhaps not really a lot of substance to report on to begin with..?

What we've got so far was one official announcement - and then a lot of speculation that, in spite of coming across as sound, could still be subject to change.

The good thing about it: there seem to be wheels turning backstage. That in turn would imply there should be some reportable, quantifiable progress soon.

[glidrose]

Ah yes.  Finlay Light.  Takes me back as well.
 
Perhaps the last time I actually believed anything in the press about Bond.  Actually, I do myself a disservice.  I didn't believe that either.
 
Google Images had an array of images - for any number of famous people, but none that I could discern as being the chap in question.

Really? I found several.

Here are several from the 1980's

http://www.gettyimag...ight"&sort=best

And one that appears to be much more recent

http://1.bp.blogspot.../_DSC1373bw.jpg

John Glen's book "For My Eyes Only" apparently states that he did indeed direct a screen test with Finley Light for "The Living Daylights". So it would seem that FL was considered for the part.

I've also heard - don't know if it's true - that this was also part of a ruse to force Timothy Dalton to do a proper screen test.

 
 

With respect, that link showed up a bunch of images of an otherwise non-Caucasian chap and many of some kid or other.
 
Which, was pretty much what turned up on a google image search...
 
As for the tests, of course they were performed to encourage someone procrastinating to maybe, do the right thing and sign.  The Moore years were filled with such 'tests'.

Ah, I see what the problem is. The link keeps removing the all-important mandatory quotation marks.

Once you're on the getty image page you'll have to manually add the quotation marks: "finley light"

That should do it.

Here's the link again

http://www.gettyimag...ight"&sort=best

[Toxteth_OGrady]

News dried up again...

Here's some more (probably) made up tabloid nonsense for you

http://www.express.c...Spectre-Bond-25

[Odd Jobbies]

 

News dried up again...

Here's some more (probably) made up tabloid nonsense for you

http://www.express.c...Spectre-Bond-25

 

Interesting! I've not heard the Craig Vs Mendes angle before.

 

Could well be codswallop, but then again, Craig looked hugely uncomfortable delivering the cringeworthy gags in SF that were not present in CR and QoS. If Mendes was equally uncomfortable with them, then surely they'd have been cut. So could there have been some tension on this count - i'd guess so.

[Dustin]

I think most of those involved with SPECTRE would have had their doubts about it - that would have been by no means uncommon. People probably told themselves it was the same with SKYFALL; that turned out fine so they kept on hoping.

As the director it was Mendes' job to steer the boat, any scratches on the hull - and particularly that huge one going right through the last act and sinking the stern - would have been his responsibility. However, people tend to forget easily how supportive they were during the production, so there...

Anyway, it's a piece of speculation we will likely not get a confirmation for. It sounds as if it could be true. But then again it ignores the wider picture: Craig and Mendes returning would mean the budget for BOND 25 got a huge dent already. So it's either or.

[Toxteth_OGrady]

This again...

 

https://hmssweblog.w...more-007-films/

[sharpshooter]

Highly unlikely. I'm sure it's going to be one more film and that's it.

[Dustin]

Likely an echo of the rumours Surrie reported.

[Surrie]

These rumours do seem to keep popping up as of recently, via different sources. Although, this doesn't hold any weight for me. I find it highly unlikely that DC will return for 2 more instalments, especially considering how secretive he and EON have been throughout his tenue. 

[Dustin]

The thing is: if Craig really returns - all other considerations aside - then BOND 25 will have to keep a big part of its budget in reserve just for him. He won't come cheaper than he did for SPECTRE. And he wouldn't do BOND 26 for less.

It would seem credible that Eon want him back and that Craig is willing to - what people and reports call now a done deal. But...

Eon doesn't finance BOND 25, nor does MGM. So the most likely scenario is that studio X is willing in general to come aboard, but not without regard to budget, sharing of profits and so on. Maybe it's even two studios having different ideas about how to proceed, who knows?

And this is probably what keeps the news scarce and the rumours recycling.

But 25 & 26 with Craig...hardly.

[Napoleon Solo]

With the last two movies, MGM and Sony co-financed but MGM got a bigger cut of the profits. Specific details came out via the Sony hacks of 2014. 

[Dustin]

Yes, there are plenty nifty schemes now floating for film finance. In truth MGM can now subcontract the right to lend them the cash. That sort of deal even works with lesser productions since some investors can use a loss almost just as well as they can a profit. No shortage of takers - as long as the entire production doesn't tank.

[Dustin]

And the Guardian even swallowed the two-more-films story...

https://www.theguard...nd-sean-connery

[Odd Jobbies]

Why on earth would they swap the order of YOLT (Shatterhand rumour) and OHMSS?

 

I think they've mistaken Bond 25 using 2 books as source material for Craig doing 2 more movies.

 

Imo opinion it's far more likely the end of OHMSS will be the pre-titles of Bond 25, thereafter following Flemings YOLT.

 

It'd hardly be a remake, since hardly any of the book is in the Connery movie and by calling it Shatterhand the average punter won't glean any connection to Connery's YOLT.

[DaveBond21]

Why on earth would they swap the order of YOLT (Shatterhand rumour) and OHMSS?

 

I think they've mistaken Bond 25 using 2 books as source material for Craig doing 2 more movies.

 

Imo opinion it's far more likely the end of OHMSS will be the pre-titles of Bond 25, thereafter following Flemings YOLT.

 

It'd hardly be a remake, since hardly any of the book is in the Connery movie and by calling it Shatterhand the average punter won't glean any connection to Connery's YOLT.

 

This makes sense, Odd Jobbies.

 

I initially wondered why people on here were so keen to see remakes of movies or books, when I have always been a fan of fresh, new stories. However, having seen the original plans for SPECTRE with Irma Bunt, etc, it seems that this could be a likely scenario.

[antovolk]

Showtime CEO indirectly confirms Craig is back for B25

“He’s doing Bond first,” Nevins said. “I can’t say anything about what I know or don’t know about Bond. That’s not my area.”

 

http://www.slashfilm...25/#more-433498

[Tiin007]

It's like he's contradicting himself. "I know Craig is doing Bond, but I can't say anything about Bond"?

 

But very good news indeed. Thanks for sharing. 

[Dustin]

He even seems to be surer Craig will do BOND 25 than about his commitment to Purity...

This is a bit odd since one would reasonably expect Purity to be at least partially responsible for the considerable delay in BOND 25. Now it seems as if that gig will only start after the Bond film is wrapped.

So...what exactly is keeping BOND 25 from taking off sooner?

[Odd Jobbies]

So...what exactly is keeping BOND 25 from taking off sooner?

It's always the script.

 

They've spoken to everyone; nailed down their directorial wish list and no doubt spoken to other talent behind and in front of the camera. But none of these major players are gonna say yes until they've read a script.

 

I hope that Eon will pass P&W's script under a (far) more talented writer's pen of before the hackneyed dialogue and simultaneously convoluted, yet over simplistic plotting scares off the talent.

 

Why on earth would they swap the order of YOLT (Shatterhand rumour) and OHMSS?

 

I think they've mistaken Bond 25 using 2 books as source material for Craig doing 2 more movies.

 

Imo opinion it's far more likely the end of OHMSS will be the pre-titles of Bond 25, thereafter following Flemings YOLT.

 

It'd hardly be a remake, since hardly any of the book is in the Connery movie and by calling it Shatterhand the average punter won't glean any connection to Connery's YOLT.

 

This makes sense, Odd Jobbies.

 

I initially wondered why people on here were so keen to see remakes of movies or books, when I have always been a fan of fresh, new stories. However, having seen the original plans for SPECTRE with Irma Bunt, etc, it seems that this could be a likely scenario.

 

Hmm... Would you mind PM'ing me with a tip on where to find these plans? I'd love to have a butchers!  

[Tiin007]

I think it's partially the script and partially the desire to take their time in general. 

 

After the hectic and frenzied nature of the last film's production, EON likely want some wiggle room in case they need to adjust. Script is obviously a big part of this, but having some breathing space can counter any unexpected obstacles. 

[Shrublands]

 

Why on earth would they swap the order of YOLT (Shatterhand rumour) and OHMSS?

 

I think they've mistaken Bond 25 using 2 books as source material for Craig doing 2 more movies.

 

Imo opinion it's far more likely the end of OHMSS will be the pre-titles of Bond 25, thereafter following Flemings YOLT.

 

It'd hardly be a remake, since hardly any of the book is in the Connery movie and by calling it Shatterhand the average punter won't glean any connection to Connery's YOLT.

 

This makes sense, Odd Jobbies.

 

I initially wondered why people on here were so keen to see remakes of movies or books, when I have always been a fan of fresh, new stories. However, having seen the original plans for SPECTRE with Irma Bunt, etc, it seems that this could be a likely scenario.

 

 

Yes, and then there was that originally planned last line of SPECTRE. 

[sharpshooter]

 

Showtime CEO indirectly confirms Craig is back for B25

“He’s doing Bond first,” Nevins said. “I can’t say anything about what I know or don’t know about Bond. That’s not my area.”

 

http://www.slashfilm...25/#more-433498

 

Excellent. 

[PeteNeon]

I hope the script is worth the wait this time.

 

Craig's films except Casino Royale have been pretty scrappy in some way or another, if they're still going to be like that, I'd rather they churned them out like in the old days.

 

I miss the days of Bond being this juggernaut franchise, now we have years of hype in between films with little else going on.

[Orion]

So anyone want to make guesses on a studio? I like what Sony did with the martketing on Craig's 4 so far, but i imagine a company like WB would be more heavy handed. Not that Bond films need heavier marketing - I mean look at the amount of "news" generated with EON only announcing a release date, tabloids, click bait news sites and forums are more than willing to make up their own Bond related headlines without any work from people actually involved.

[antovolk]

So anyone want to make guesses on a studio? I like what Sony did with the martketing on Craig's 4 so far, but i imagine a company like WB would be more heavy handed. Not that Bond films need heavier marketing - I mean look at the amount of "news" generated with EON only announcing a release date, tabloids, click bait news sites and forums are more than willing to make up their own Bond related headlines without any work from people actually involved.

Variety think it's Warners and it is most likely them.

Also something to bear in mind - the marketing on the past 4 was MUCH more driven by EON/MGM than Sony. They are the only campaigns Sony haven't screwed up....

[Orion]

Was not aware that EON did it themselves - If that's the case I don't mind where the money comes from as long as EON still control all of the output for Bond movies. 

[Dustin]

Oh the buzz is fine, nobody can complain about a lack of noise. Sadly, this type of thing can go anywhere without a proper means to steer it. Most of it is doubtless guesswork - in other words what fans are doing on message boards anyway, now just pulled from fan sites to the entertainment columns.

[antovolk]

Was not aware that EON did it themselves - If that's the case I don't mind where the money comes from as long as EON still control all of the output for Bond movies.

Not all of it by themselves anyway - in terms of the creatives like trailers and posters? Mostly driven by EON. Which is rare as it's usually the studio who drives this with only some input from the filmmakers. That's why the Bond marketing materials feel a tad different from everything else.

Warners have an incredible marketing (and creative marketing) department - and they're the sort of people who try respect the filmmakers with the creative materials and amplify/boost what they try do (case in point; Nolan's films). Might mean that we might not get Greg Williams/Rankin/Empire doing the poster art or the Chinagraph guys (who did all the Craig film trailers even when at different agencies) doing the trailers, and the 'British' flavour may be lost slightly as most people who work with WB are naturally LA based, but they'll do probably an even more powerful job. Ideal scenario is obviously it becomes a collaboration on both sides of the pond

Edited by antovolk, 09 August 2017 - 04:47 PM.

[Vanya86]

So anyone want to make guesses on a studio? I like what Sony did with the martketing on Craig's 4 so far, but i imagine a company like WB would be more heavy handed. Not that Bond films need heavier marketing - I mean look at the amount of "news" generated with EON only announcing a release date, tabloids, click bait news sites and forums are more than willing to make up their own Bond related headlines without any work from people actually involved.

When the possibilities were first announced my instinct was Annapurna Pictures. At first they seemed like the outsiders and I think that's what drew me too them. Making Bond films is the family business for Michael and Barbara and I think they may prefer a smaller more independently minded outfit to one of the major studios. And from Annapurna's perspective they need Bond more than the others do. All of the others want to add Bond to their existing slate of blockbuster franchises but Annapurna doesn't have any such a series in their catalogue yet and thus would be more motivated to acquire it.