124 replies to this topic

[boeserzwilling]

Ah, too late!
Question has already been answered while typing.

[rafterman]

Originally posted by 'S'
The comparrison to the Star Wars forums is close - however, from what I can see TheForce.Net says very little bad about anything that Lucas does.  

oh just look around some more, there's plenty of negative.....there just happens to be a lot of material on the site, compared to CBN, heck over there it takes hours to just check out all the posts, over here you know everybody, kind of like Cheers....

[rafterman]

if MGM doesn't want sites like CBN "taking away from their business," then they should run and control sites like CBN...pics and info on websites have a negligable affect on books and other merchandise...they just really need the money over there and are scared...

[PaulZ108]

Originally posted by zencat

I think that's a good idea. Is that okay with you, PaulZ?

Yeah, sure. I should have posted this as a reply there anyway.

[Mister Asterix]

(Threads merged by popular demand.)

[zencat]

Originally posted by rafterman
if MGM doesn't want sites like CBN "taking away from their business," then they should run and control sites like CBN...pics and info on websites have a negligable affect on books and other merchandise...they just really need the money over there and are scared...

The real trouble (for them) is MGM is operating in the past. They need to learn from recent history as the rest of Hollywood has done. Remember BATMAN & ROBIN? In 1997 as the movie neared release, WB got very aggressive and sent cease and desist letters to all the fansites, even a letter to a little nobody named Harry Knowles (who promptly posted the letter on his site). The result: the movie sucked and fans killed BATMAN & ROBIN on opening day with bad word of mouth and the movie tanked.

Now WB invites Harry Knowles to their premiers and pays attention of the fans and instead of garbage like B&R we're getting Lord of the Rings and Smallville and WB is raking in major coin.

But MGM doesn't seem to be living in the same universe as the other, er, successful, studios.

They better hope DAD is good or it's Batman & Robin time, MGM.

[Max Zorin007]

i still have trouble reasoning why they did this on the 40th anniversary........it doesnt mke sense

[zencat]

Maybe we should all become Trekkies (whoops, I mean Trekkers). Can you image Paramount telling Star Trek fans they can't dress up in their homemade Kilgon costumes as it's a violation of copyright?

As long as no one is profiting, I just can't understand why they'd do this to their own fans.

Remember when MGM found themselves on the wrong side of the whole Goldmember debacle. Yes, maybe they were right for a legal point of view, but they lost the battle big time in the eyes of public and came off as old stick-in-the-mud suits. Well, they're in it again, but this time it isn't a rival studio--it's their own audience and that makes it even more ridiculous. I think MGM needs to stop listening to their lawyers.

Seems like the press would enjoy this story as well. How about something like this:

MGM TO BOND FANS: "DROP DEAD"

NEW ZEALAND: Fifteen-year-old

[Carver]

This is getting outta hand, MGm should calm down, and take a long, hard look at our wonderful site(s).

[boeserzwilling]

I still don't get it! I should do a lot of other things right now, but I'm just too upset. It still makes no sense.
Of course they are legally correct, but is this worth it all. I mean we (the fans) build the foundation of their biggest franchise's success. We spent a lot of money and precious time to keep the James Bond legacy alive. We were even there during the infamous 6-year gap. And all we get is a kick in the ***! Thanks a lot!!!
We all know about their ...."strange" (don't want to embarrass those sissies) marketing campaign for DAD: Lame teasers and an official site that updates every 300 years. Shouldn't they spend their money and time on that one. It's going to be a tough holiday season at the cinemas this year and until now they only delievered ****. And now this slap in the face:

What did it get them:
- No free advertisement
- angry fans
- hopefully a bad press

All that exitement because of 4 script pages that didn't revealed anything about the plot. Doesn't sound very clever in my ears.

[Double-Oh-Zero]

Originally posted by zencat
Maybe we should all become Trekkies (whoops, I mean Trekkers). Can you image Paramount telling Star Trek fans they can't dress up in their homemade Kilgon costumes as it's a violation of copyright?

Actually, this is true to a certain extent (at Lucasfilm). The people at Lucasfilm are very cautious when it comes to costumed fans. This is why they haven't released any official costumes with realistic elements to them because they do not want fans posing as characters at official gatherings and possibly making profit. So fans are forced to make their own costumes. But I see what you mean.

Anyway, about your letter. I can completely agree with everything you said. MGM needs to realise that the fans are the only things keeping them afloat. Once they lose fans (which is bound to happen if they keep this juvenile act up), then it's all over. They are in serious need of time off to think about things, because DAD will tank if they don't. And also keep in mind their competition in November. LOTR, HP and many others. If MGM keps this up, they'll lose control and get lost in the holiday movie rush. It would be a helluva time for a Bond film to flop, after 40 years.

[zencat]

Man, MGM has really made some enemies this past week.

Two things we can do:

1.) Elimate CBN

[zencat]

Originally posted by Blue Eyes
You're not the only one Zencat! But I do belive you're  Merchandise is a valid suggestion. It's a bugger of an area to keep up with anyway. Maybe I'll convert it to only include those companies nice enough to keep contact with CBn.

Good idea. How about we just provide links to the upcoming (fiction) books. Let's continue to give an assist to Glidrose. Maybe Sideshow as well as they seem to be very fan freindly.

[boeserzwilling]

Originally posted by zencat
2.) Let's all BOO the MGM logo at the start of DAD (but then quickly cheer the Bond gunbarrel so the audience doesn't misunderstand).[/B]

I thought of rotten tomatoes, but that would ruin the rest of the movie.

Unfortunately, I think we can't do a lot against a (soon-to-be former) studio giant. I hope there'll be a break-up between EON and MGM. James Bond in the hands of absolute beginners? This must have an end!
At least we know who the rumoured traitor in DAD is. It's the studio! MGM is a pretty dangerous enemy, since they come up with new secret weapons every week to bring down our hero.

Got to get some sleep now. I hope this was all a bad dream.

[Max Zorin007]

Did MGM make triple x ??

[rafterman]

no, Sony made xXx....their response since they lost the fight to make McClory's movies....

[freemo]

Bond tagline:
No fears, No limits, No substitutes

MGM tagline:
No brains, No talent, No concept of business in the modern world

Talk about biting the hand that feeds you, taking food from your own mouth, having shoes full of holes on account of shooting youself in the foot so many times. Previously I thought the initials stood for Money Grubby Monkeys, but one has to wonder if they even want to make a profit at all. What, do they think two crappy posters (face facts) and an offical website that's only there to flog DVDs is going to be sufficent promotion ? tsk, tsk. Bond's the only decent thing MGM has left, I guess it only makes sense that they would try and run it into the ground, signs have been there for a while.

[Simon]

Good morning all, it 9.00am here in the UK and I'm ready to continue this fantastic thread.

All very good points above. I'm trying to fathom out why MGM did this and there are offers that it was leaked script related. I'm not sure, the four pages only came out recently, there is still doubt as to their authenticity. To be honest, this is too concerted and co-ordinated an attack to be spur of the moment. Will we see further attacks further down the line?

I am seriously hoping that others are left alone and later on, further down the line, once MGM are removed from the picture, fan sites can continue from where they left off.

[Predator_007]

As a refugee from ajb's forum, I have first to say hello to everyone ... it's a pretty big forum here, so be kind to me!

I just think this whole debarcle is so typical of MGM ... they treat (and have treated) Bond fans callously over the last 5 to 10 years, so this doesn't come as a surprise. The evidence? Their marketing policy regarding video and DVD releases of the films. Again and again they release a new design for the whole series then blow me down if they don't delete the lot after 18 months, wait until the theatre release of a new Bond film then brind back the videos in new packaging and with new features to prise the money from the Bond fans' pockets.

Call me cynical, but they really don't give a flying ******* for the fan ... maybe this'll make Eon see the light, but somehow I don't think so ... Bond is MGM's biggest asset. They are never going to risk losing it ... perhaps it is Eon that is behind this ...?

[level007]

Hi all

I thinks it s an important problem we are actually facing.

You certainly heard the financial problems MGM is facing. WHich means there last chance to survive this years is james bond (one more time !).
Imagine DAD is not a success (which i don't think will happen), what will they do ?
For me EON have to go away from MGM. ANd if they don't find a good solution, to STOP THE JAMES BOND SERIES. Yes, you read right. What i want to say is that i prefer to stop a good series until it sucks totaly. I don't want sony to make new james bond movies with completely different situations, characters or girls. It s better to finish something with a positive feel.

One more thing i want to say, it s seems now sure that this is MGM USA that is responsible for what happen with CBN, MI6 and AJB. Here in france, the french club james bond which have a lot of poster, pictures from the bond movies is still there and doesn't seems to had problem. Also the club are in a very good relationship with EON. EON will never do that. SO for us in Europe it's still good (but we never know what can happen with MGM).

we need to make a petition on a site like www.petition-online.com . This is the only way MGM will heard us. We need to put pressure on them !!!

level007
who is angry to learn that the traitor is again an insider

[Jim]

It's all looking a bit pathetic, isn't it?

MGM may be in the right in re: the intellectual property angle. However, isn't the real power in never using the power you have?

It's a pretty desperate act and whatever other signals it sends out, suggests really significant cash-strappage if they have to resort to this. I'd doubt very much if the stuff they've put a stop on was haemorrhaging (let's say you spell it that way) cash - are they really scrabbling around for pence/cents?

No wonder the new film (name, anyone?) has had relatively minscule publicity. Perhaps they cannae afford it.

The worst possible situation is that DAD is only (!) as successful as the previous Brosnans and less so than xXx (or only just outperforms it) and MGM implodes as a result. Then who will pick up the Bond series? A certain logic will dictate that it was the series that killed a studio and wasn't as successful as a supposed equivalent. Yeah, we saw that with Licence to Kill as well, but my concern is that even if the new film makes $400m, it still won't be enough.

Through no fault of the people making it (not something we could say of LTK), I am beginning to think that this might be the last James Bond film.

[Predator_007]

Originally posted by Jim
I am beginning to think that this might be the last James Bond film.

Certainly, if MGM continue to exhibit such strange behaviour. Can James Bond compete with the really big boys? On recent history that's got to be no. Empire magazine a month or so ago did a new release preview, estimating box office for DAD to be ITRO $285M and xXx around, I think, $220M - for an established series against a brand new one in a similar vein, that wouldn't be good for MGM or Eon. Yes, sure that easily pays for the making of the film, but with MGM in the state they're in, they'd be far better off selling the rights to the franchise to someone else - trouble is with Vivendi Universal in the state it's in, who would be willing to pay the multimillion contract for a franchise that has a box-office turnover of only $100/year?

This sounds really depressing and I must admit to being the devil's advocate here, but does the Brocolli family really want the extra millions rom Bonds 21 onwards, or are they going to want to take (at least) a sabbatical? Are they going to want to risk their life's work with a insecure film studio?

However, I do think that MGM are being swayed by their lawyers ... litigation and the fear of it are now rife on both sides of the Atlantic, none more so that in 'new' media ... and after you've paid your corporate lawyers the huge retainer, you kinda want them to do stuff for the money ... I just wish they'd thought a little more about their consumers.

[Roebuck]

Didn't MGM go bust once before?
Making '2001' and 'Doctor Zhivago' at the same time stretched their resources too far and they went belly up.
The way I recall it Ted Turner stepped in with a rescue package that gave him access to all the back catalogue for his cable network.

[phones_4_marina]

MGM obviously can't see how many hours the sites like these have had put into them. All the many hours spent - in promoting the films DAD, and then MGM just kill these by stopping them using property.

Let's hope they look at the forums as they do the rest of the sites and see the fans response to this all - and hopefull reconsider their stanse.

COME ON - LET'S GET TO SUPPORTEING CBN AND THE OTHER GREAT BOND SITES!! POST YOUR OPINIONS HERE FOR MGM TO SEE HOW THE FANS FEEL!! THEY SHOULD LISTEN TO US!

[zencat]

Originally posted by level007
One more thing i want to say, it s seems now sure that this is MGM USA that is responsible for what happen with CBN, MI6 and AJB. Here in france, the french club james bond which have a lot of poster, pictures from the bond movies is still there and doesn't seems to had problem. Also the club are in a very good relationship with EON. EON will never do that. SO for us in Europe it's still good (but we never know what can happen with MGM).

I believe MGM did this, but with Eon's blessings. I don't think EON is innocent in all this. Eon has not always been that friendly to fans and fan clubs. Just ask anyone who has worked with the JBIFC or the old American club. Way back in the day Cubby blackballed the club because an interview with George Lazenby appeared in their fanzine. Eon can get nasty when they want to. But it is nice to hear that they get on with the French Club. That gives me hope that this was just a stupid move by MGM. Wouldn't be their first.

And speaking of MGM. I'm wondering how long there's going to be an MGM. I'm heard a rumor that MGM is moving out of their Santa Monica office park and into office space in Century City. Can you believe it? The once great studio will now be housed in some common office space in some anonymous office building. Sad.

[Predator_007]

Originally posted by zencat

And speaking of MGM. I'm wondering how long there's going to be an MGM. I'm heard a rumor that MGM is moving out of their Santa Monica office park and into office space in Century City. Can you believe it? The once great studio will now be housed in some common office space in some anonymous office building. Sad.

How very true - given the numbers of companies posting Chapter 11s, especially media companies, when will MGM 'take the plunge'.

Let's hope not ... but it would certainly be nice if they could improve their customer relations in the mean time!

[zencat]

Originally posted by Predator_007
How very true - given the numbers of companies posting Chapter 11s, especially media companies, when will MGM 'take the plunge'.

Or at least fire the President of Production, Michael Nathanson. I mean, this guy has been making MGM's "creative" business decisions since, what? 1995 or so? These years have been catastrophic! How he has survived so long I'll never understand.

[zencat]

Originally posted by Predator_007
However, I do think that MGM are being swayed by their lawyers ... litigation and the fear of it are now rife on both sides of the Atlantic, none more so that in 'new' media ... and after you've paid your corporate lawyers the huge retainer, you kinda want them to do stuff for the money  

I think you've nailed the problem exactly, Predator.

[14 20 02]

Is this all because of the 4 page script CBn, ajb and MI6 recieved?

Good on you Zencat for the letter. Why have they now decided to do this?

[zencat]

Originally posted by 14 20 02
Is this all because of the 4 page script CBn, ajb and MI6 recieved?

That's just speculation. No one really knows why they did this.