70 replies to this topic

[Tarl_Cabot]

Let's face it, MGM is at the bottom of the Hollywood food chain. Ya know those promos we see before a Bond video, "MGM means great movies"? The montage of MGM's catalog of classics features the likes of "Roadhouse" and John Claude Van Damme's 'Death Warrant' as a badge of cinematic pride! Ok, at least they dumped "Jinx" but seriously, the studio is frickin' garbage!

Bond needs a new home. A place with deep pockets that will hire superior talent (Tarantino) to write and direct this potentially great series. A place that will deliver a high quality film that does not depend on marketing to meet profit quota.Think how Paramount is able to get huge grosses out of those awful Mission Impossible films? Is it really Tom Cruise? Or is it that they open on Memorial Day weekend and con audiences into thinking it's a big event film? Why can't a Bond film open on a Memorial day weekend? These were the biggest films in the 60's. If they make a very good Bond film and open it on Memorial day weekend(2007) it will make big time money. It's a family friendly film with action and adventure...

All the major franchises are about to run thier courses: Matrix, LOTR, Star Wars and probably superhero films besides Spiderman...Bond should do better than he has been doing lately.MGM is a dog with fleas. They wisely dumped Jinx because they have nothing to cushion themselves if the film tanked. That's the only reason. My theory is they are taking 3 years to do the next one so they can broker deals for product placements and write a script that will allow these items to be featured so they can get more money, and of course get the video game ready on time. No, I don't think a studio would delay production to please a former TV star's request for longer break time.If that were the case I think they would either fire him or tell Pierce to "take the job or leave. You are 50"....:eek:

[killkenny kid]

Yes, they should move on. But where do they go? All of "Hollywood" lacks vision and courage. btw "take the job or leave it." Tarl, are you Clive's agent?

[Triton]

According to the 007Forever.com web site, "Matrix" and "Lethal Weapon" producer Joel Silver considered purchasing DanJaq SA in 1990 when Cubby put it up for sale, "but found the exclusive distribution deal with MGM/UA too hard to swallow. No one wanted to be committed to a project that was tethered to a sinking studio."

So there must be an exclusive distribution agreement that Broccoli/Saltzman and United Artists worked out all these years ago. Perhaps it was a way for Broccoli/Saltzman to get financing for Dr. No.

So it may not be possible for Eon Productions to develop a James Bond film with another studio because of contracts Broccoli/Saltzman signed with United Artists.

Also MGM/UA would sue Eon Productions if it were to attempt to create a Bond picture for a rival studio and could probably demonstrate that its investments into marketing and promoting the James Bond property were a big contributor to its success and market value. MGM/UA could probably successfully sue for damages for each future Bond film that was produced by a rival studio.

[Tarl_Cabot]

Tarl, are you Clive's agent?"

No but I'm available.

[killkenny kid]

lol

[Tarl_Cabot]

RE:"Tarl, are you Clive's agent?"

He's my 4th choice for the future 007, btw: 1.) Unkown 2.)Hugh Jackman 3.) Gerard Butler 4.) Clive Owen

[ChandlerBing]

Owen? Really? Are you serious? Hmm, never thought of him for Bond. But seriously, if Owen Wilson were involved, would there be a role for Jackie Chan?

[DLibrasnow]

How does EON go with a different studio when MGM/UA owns Harry Saltzman's 50-percent share in the franchise???!!

[ChandlerBing]

THAT is exactly how MGM has the upper hand on Cubby and everyone else at Eon. THEY have the other 50%. They have their opinions and they are not bashful about sharing them. Read Bond: The Legacy to hear how they were very vocal even when Roger was Bond.

[DLibrasnow]

The only way 007 can go with another studio is if MGM is bought by another studio.

[ChandlerBing]

Who the hell wants to buy that piece of ****?

[DLibrasnow]

Fox and Viacom have both expressed an interest.....

The biggest asset that MGM has is its enormous movie library that I believe Fox would like to fill in slots on its FX television channel.

[ChandlerBing]

Ah, to hear the 20th Century Fox lingo before a Bond movie....now THAT would be different! To hear that and no A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...

[killkenny kid]

I think Ted Turner owns the MGM movie library. But I may be worry.

[DLibrasnow]

Turner owns part of the movie library.....I think all the MGM stuff up until 1970 which is the reason that "Where Eagles Dare" was released on DVD under the Warner banner.

[killkenny kid]

Thanks, for the update.

[DLibrasnow]

I'm unclear if that deal that MGM made with Turner also included the United Artists stuff too....does anyone know the details on this?

[Tarl_Cabot]

50% ....well I guess the only way is for MGM to be bought out...


Ted Turner owns 'Roadhouse' huh? he can keep it!

[Tarl_Cabot]

Owen? Really? Are you serious? Hmm, never thought of him for Bond. But seriously, if Owen Wilson were involved, would there be a role for Jackie Chan?"

Owen Wilson=Zoolander,Shangia noon,Meet the parents

Clive Owen=Croupier, beyond borders, BMW commercials, Bourne Identity(2002)

[ChandlerBing]

I thought you'd like Roadhouse. It's got Dalton in it. Michael Kamen did the score. It was released in the summer of 89. Made almost as much money as the other Dalton film did.

[killkenny kid]

Hey Tarl, you know ChanlderBing is the Joker of CBN.

[ChandlerBing]

I'm here to keep things light. It's not world peace. It's Bond. It's supposed to be fun.

[killkenny kid]

You do a great job, Chanlder.

[ChandlerBing]

Check out the Owen Still In The Running As Bond Thread. It's sick, it's terrible, it's in bad taste, but deep down, it's kinda funny.

[DLibrasnow]

Originally posted by Tarl_Cabot
50% ....well I guess the only way is for MGM to be bought out...

Yep...one wonders if MGM is willing to sell that?!

[Triton]

I don't believe that Eon Productions will ever leave MGM/UA. Like I said before, they are conjoined. Could you imagine the legal battle over something as simple as the 007 logo? The trademark is owned by Eon Productions, but it was created in the marketing department at United Artists.

United Artists, and then MGM/UA, have also helped to bankroll defense from Kevin McClory's legal attacks over the years and also bankrolled the litigation against Sony Corporation when they announced that they would produce a rival James Bond series with producer Kevin McClory.

[ray t]

actually a lot of misleading information on this thread

these forums have already confirmed:

the 007 logo is a wholly owned property of Danjaq LLC

the cinematic james bond is 100 percent owned by the broccoli clan

MGM have only US Domestic distribution rights for the james bond movies. these rights have 15 year life-spans with MGM having right of first refusal upon expiration.

p.s.

tarantino is a self-indulgent cheat of a film-maker who is massively over-rated by the artsies and eon will, thankfully, never ever consider tainting their creation by letting someone like him near it:)

[doublenoughtspy]

While I am not pleased at the heavy hand of MGM, I honestly don't think another studio would give much more free reign.

The real nightmare a studio change would bring about would be just how impossible retrospectives and merchandising would be. You couldn't do box sets, poster books, histories of the series, etc without entering into a legal quagmire.

A good example is the 1966 Batman TV series. One studio did it, 20th Century Fox, but another studio, Warner Brothers, owns the rights to the character. And while the 1966 film has been released - the TV series has not because neither studio will agree with the other.

I would not want Bond to be in that position.

[Turn]

If I'm not mistaken, Ted Turner sold his MGM/UA rights to Warner Bros. two or three year ago.

[DLibrasnow]

Originally posted by Turn
If I'm not mistaken, Ted Turner sold his MGM/UA rights to Warner Bros. two or three year ago.

Don't be silly Turn....Ted Turner owns Warner Bros.