40 replies to this topic

[dodge]

They undoubtedly are interested in Campbell, but he's not so interested in returning.

Well, that was prior to the release of CR. After its immense success, and perhaps a bigger paycheck offer, he might change his mind. He doesn't appear to have anything else on his schedule (though I'm sure he's getting offers after CR).

Here's something interesting. Your comment sent me back to IMDb to check on Campbell's schedule. Last time I checked--three months ago or so--three or four projects were listed as being in development. Now there's nothing shown at all. Could this a sign that he's been clearing his schedule for Bond 22?

[Harmsway]

Here's something interesting. Your comment sent me back to IMDb to check on Campbell's schedule. Last time I checked--three months ago or so--three or four projects were listed as being in development. Now there's nothing shown at all. Could this a sign that he's been clearing his schedule for Bond 22?

Maybe... maybe. I'd be ecstatic to have him back on board.

[Qwerty]

Now there's nothing shown at all. Could this a sign that he's been clearing his schedule for Bond 22?

That would be fantastic.

[dodge]

Now there's nothing shown at all. Could this a sign that he's been clearing his schedule for Bond 22?

That would be fantastic.

I couldn't agree more. And his third Bond outing should be the charm that puts to rest the lingering doubts that many still entertain.

[Odd Jobbies]

Sounds like Eon are back to the old routine of going into production without a decent, or even finished script.
Guess now they've got Craig contracted and commited they don't have to do anything crazy like writing a good script before they prep, cast and hire!

Is it me, or does Eon sometimes seem more like Pizza Express than a the outfit with the greatest movie legacy of all time in their hands... Anything to turn a fast buck!!!

Mr Mitchell, good decision.

"Sounds like Eon are into the old routine"...? The early development work on BOND 22 was in the pipeline long before CASINO ROYALE came out. There was a thought to utilize the number 2007 as a release date (when Roger Michell was approached to direct). But Eon quickly realised that not making a rushed film was more important than four numbers on a teaser poster.

Michell, whilst a competent, very literate director, would have been a weak choice in my opinion. His films are always very solid, but he has very little track record in mainstream action cinema (CHANGING PLACES aside....and that was a sleeper hit with the critics...). Eon have also got stung before with directors they could not work with and - at the time Michell bailed - "creative differences" were cited.

I respect Roger Michell for having the courage to say he cannot do it. I am not so sure though what film he would have turned out had he done it. Having a working relationship with Daniel Craig is not enough.

By the way, you may want to re-phrase your notion that Eon will do anything for a "fast buck". Eon are the least money-led movie set up going with a generosity and loyalty that is completely rare in the industry (and that comes from personal experience). They are the filmic equivalent of a successful corner shop paving a successful path through the multi-stores. What they earn, they deserve. You don't make 21 successfully received films without some semblance of industry loyalty and financial panache.

Don't get defensive, just going by Mitchell's quote! Either he's a liar, or, as he says, Eon didn't have a script and wanted to go into production too soon. If he's not lying then its pretty cheap to do this after the great success of CR and most certainly an excersise in capiterlizing on this success to turn a fast buck. I wish it weren't so...

[JimmyBond]

It's quite possible Eon wanted to go into production as early as this month. Perhaps Michell meant the script wasnt finalized, as in the draft wasn't locked down yet, Purvis and Wade were probably still revising it. Michell probably didnt want to go into production unless the script was locked down. When Babs and Wilson couldnt give him that guarantee, he dropped out.

Least that's my take on it.

[Zorin Industries]

Sounds like Eon are back to the old routine of going into production without a decent, or even finished script.
Guess now they've got Craig contracted and commited they don't have to do anything crazy like writing a good script before they prep, cast and hire!

Is it me, or does Eon sometimes seem more like Pizza Express than a the outfit with the greatest movie legacy of all time in their hands... Anything to turn a fast buck!!!

Mr Mitchell, good decision.

"Sounds like Eon are into the old routine"...? The early development work on BOND 22 was in the pipeline long before CASINO ROYALE came out. There was a thought to utilize the number 2007 as a release date (when Roger Michell was approached to direct). But Eon quickly realised that not making a rushed film was more important than four numbers on a teaser poster.

Michell, whilst a competent, very literate director, would have been a weak choice in my opinion. His films are always very solid, but he has very little track record in mainstream action cinema (CHANGING PLACES aside....and that was a sleeper hit with the critics...). Eon have also got stung before with directors they could not work with and - at the time Michell bailed - "creative differences" were cited.

I respect Roger Michell for having the courage to say he cannot do it. I am not so sure though what film he would have turned out had he done it. Having a working relationship with Daniel Craig is not enough.

By the way, you may want to re-phrase your notion that Eon will do anything for a "fast buck". Eon are the least money-led movie set up going with a generosity and loyalty that is completely rare in the industry (and that comes from personal experience). They are the filmic equivalent of a successful corner shop paving a successful path through the multi-stores. What they earn, they deserve. You don't make 21 successfully received films without some semblance of industry loyalty and financial panache.

Don't get defensive, just going by Mitchell's quote! Either he's a liar, or, as he says, Eon didn't have a script and wanted to go into production too soon. If he's not lying then its pretty cheap to do this after the great success of CR and most certainly an excersise in capiterlizing on this success to turn a fast buck. I wish it weren't so...

I will get defensive when Eon are chastised like that (though I'm sure you don't mean it personally...). "Capitalizing" is not their game. And either way you look at it, there would no series without their dedication to the franchise - whatever you think their motives are.

Edited by Zorin Industries, 26 January 2007 - 09:25 AM.

[Odd Jobbies]

I will get defensive when Eon are chastised like that (though I'm sure you don't mean it personally...). "Capitalizing" is not their game. And either way you look at it, there would no series without their dedication to the franchise - whatever you think their motives are.

Like I said, I’m simply interpreting Mitchell's quote. That may ultimately be a misinterpretation, but not based on the upon Mitchell's unfussy, straightforward reason for turning the project down - they wanted to go before they were ready in order to meet a release date. Eon certainly aren't the first producers to try this, and if Mitchell had accepted they definitely wouldn't be the first studio to release a second rate film because they rushed it. CR took a while to get going and it was worth the wait.

Edited by Odd Jobbies, 27 January 2007 - 10:41 AM.

[HildebrandRarity]

Is it me, or does Eon sometimes seem more like Pizza Express than a the outfit with the greatest movie legacy of all time in their hands... Anything to turn a fast buck!!!

It seems to me like the Pizza Express analogy is all too appropriate, as I was remarking in the discussion on Non-recurring actors.

It WAS perhaps like that in the Cubby/Harry era when they pumped out 9 movies in the first dozen years...but 2 movies this decade is hardly Pizza Express.

I wouldnt bother with that analogy and leave it to the likes of Harry Potter and Pirates / Spiderman.

I'd go as far as saying the current Eon generation are creating their own legacy which certainly is a better one than in the 1980's when it was under only Cubby himself.

Edited by HildebrandRarity, 27 January 2007 - 02:47 PM.

[Zorin Industries]

Is it me, or does Eon sometimes seem more like Pizza Express than a the outfit with the greatest movie legacy of all time in their hands... Anything to turn a fast buck!!!

It seems to me like the Pizza Express analogy is all too appropriate, as I was remarking in the discussion on Non-recurring actors.

It WAS perhaps like that in the Cubby/Harry era when they pumped out 9 movies in the first dozen years...but 2 movies this decade is hardly Pizza Express.

I wouldnt bother with that analogy and leave it to the likes of Harry Potter and Pirates / Spiderman.

I'd go as far as saying the current Eon generation are creating their own legacy which certainly is a better one than in the 1980's when it was under only Cubby himself.

It was rarely Cubby's own responsibility. In fact, from THE SPY WHO LOVED ME onwards Cubby had great help from Michael Wilson.

I would like to add (but not to Hildebrand) that Eon Productions may make a hell of a lot of money through Bond. But what is more important for their consistently solid reputation and the longevity of the films they produce is that they also spend a hell of a lot of money through Bond.

Edited by Zorin Industries, 27 January 2007 - 08:20 PM.

[shadytreewejustdoredyouract]

Based on his past films, I'm relieved Roger Michell won't be directing Bond 22 as he reminds me of Michael Apted. We all know how that one turned out.

On the other hand, Stephen Frears would be perfect. The man has range and would be the highest profile director they've used.

If true, EON will be due some credit for getting some serious talent by involving people like Frears and Haggis on the production side.

I really don't get this constant sniping at TWINE. But as far as Roger Michell is concerned - Venus and Changing Lanes prove he can neither do action nor character based comedy so thank God he's passed on it. In terms of action he's even worse than Joel Schumacher. Bond 22 could have turned into the Batman & Robin of Bonds!