148 replies to this topic

[Mr. Blofeld]

Ding-ding-ding! Correct answer; Johnny, tell him what he's won!

[Harmsway]

Let me get this straight:

1. P&W came up with a story for BOND 22.

2. They wrote a draft screenplay.

3. Haggis came onboard, rewrote their draft and added certain story elements that were....

4. REJECTED! (will we ever know why? Maybe not ) by Broccoli/Wilson/Forster/The Powers That Be.

5. Haggis then wrote a completely new story and script, which is currently being filmed.

Is that correct?

Everything except point #5. Haggis didn't write a completely new story/script as far as we can tell, but the story was pointed in a new direction.

[Leon]

Probably because P&W wrote some crapfest of a screenplay and nothin could save it, so they had to strip it a lot more than originally planned and take it elsewhere.

[Loomis]

Let me get this straight:

1. P&W came up with a story for BOND 22.

2. They wrote a draft screenplay.

3. Haggis came onboard, rewrote their draft and added certain story elements that were....

4. REJECTED! (will we ever know why? Maybe not ) by Broccoli/Wilson/Forster/The Powers That Be.

5. Haggis then wrote a completely new story and script, which is currently being filmed.

Is that correct?

Everything except point #5. Haggis didn't write a completely new story/script as far as we can tell, but the story was pointed in a new direction.

Thanks, Harmsway.

[HildebrandRarity]

Probably because P&W wrote some crapfest of a screenplay and nothin could save it, so they had to strip it a lot more than originally planned and take it elsewhere.

...and that's why P+W have higher billing credit wise on the project than Haggis? Makes no sense.

It's more likely that they (Wilson, Brocolli, Craig, Forester) thought Haggis' first screenplay (based on a Story By Purvis And Wade) was not what they wanted, hence Haggis' second draft (Based on a Story By Purvis And Wade)...which is what's now being filmed.

[Harmsway]

...and that's why P+W have higher billing credit wise on the project than Haggis? Makes no sense.

Everybody keeps referring to this is as if we know it for sure. We don't.

[Leon]

Also Paul Haggis has got all the interviews and mention over the script, so he clearly has had a big hand in the writing of the script.

From the way he talked about it here it sounds like he wrote it almost from scratch.

[dinovelvet]

Is Haggis now basically done with this production and is no longer needed by Eon in any capacity?

Yes.

Is he exclusively working on other projects and, as a result, does not have the time to spend on this production?

He's working on HONEYMOON WITH HARRY.

That's supposedly been his next project for about two years now. I'm feeling "development hell" on that one. I'm sure he's writing something else, but he is also producing a spy movie of sorts :

http://www.joblo.com...ex.php?id=19881

[Mr. Blofeld]

From the way he talked about it here it sounds like he wrote it almost from scratch.

He's probably referring to the second draft he turned in to the producers in October, which, in lieu of Haggis' "magic touch", was given a quick polish-over by tdalton favorite Michael G. Wilson.

[Harmsway]

That's supposedly been his next project for about two years now. I'm feeling "development hell" on that one.

Ah. I wasn't aware.

I'm sure he's writing something else, but he is also producing a spy movie of sorts :

http://www.joblo.com...ex.php?id=19881

Interesting.

From the way he talked about it here it sounds like he wrote it almost from scratch.

He's probably referring to the second draft he turned in to the producers in October, which, in lieu of Haggis' "magic touch", was given a quick polish-over by tdalton favorite Michael G. Wilson.

Actually, it seems like MGW didn't even touch it, given Jeffrey Wright's comments about there being some small holes in the script for which the actors may write their own dialogue.

[Loomis]

...and that's why P+W have higher billing credit wise on the project than Haggis? Makes no sense.

Everybody keeps referring to this is as if we know it for sure. We don't.

In any case, I believe higher billing only reflects who wrote first, not who wrote most (or best). So if Haggis had turned in a draft for BOND 22 that was later on substantially rewritten by P&W, the credit would read "Screenplay by Paul Haggis and Neal Purvis & Robert Wade". I think it's a WGA rule. Perhaps zencat or someone can confirm.

[DaveBond21]

Sounds like Haggis is basically saying "Hey, it's my script and story and that's great. But if people don't like the title, then don't blame me!"

[Mr. Blofeld]

Actually, it seems like MGW didn't even touch it, given Jeffrey Wright's comments about there being some small holes in the script for which the actors may write their own dialogue.

Whoa! Impressive; most impressive.

[dodge]

No one has taken the slightest exception to what you have just said here, yet a while back it was generally agreed that Forster would not rewrite the script. Because that's what an auteur would do--and MF was not an auteur.

Most "auteur" directors don't write their own scripts.

Do you mean it's his film in the same sense that Bond film has been the reigning director's?

Well, largely yes. DIE ANOTHER DAY was undeniably Tamahori's film, just as CASINO ROYALE was undeniably Campbell's film. All Bond directors are supervised by EON, but EON aren't dictators. They might put their foot down occasionally, but if you actually look at the production of the post-Cubby films, they usually pick their director and take an encouraging role, rather than a dominating one.

I imagine with Forster's artistic clout, that control has increased a little bit more. He's definitely had a large part in shaping QUANTUM OF SOLACE into what it is. This is not to the exclusion of MGW/BB's role, but in the end it's Forster directing the camera, not EON. It's going to be Forster's film in close to the same way that HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN was Alfonso Cuaron's film.

If so, imo, there can be no trashing of Haggis if the film tanks in November.

There's no way in hell QUANTUM OF SOLACE is going to utterly tank in November.But it does seem Haggis has a "get out of responsibility" bit on QUANTUM OF SOLACE, since the story didn't unfold in the direction he suggested.

May I quote you on that in November if..and I say IF...?

That aside--and we can't know one way or the other--your legendary powers are in fine fettle here.

[HildebrandRarity]

Sounds like Haggis is basically saying "Hey, it's my script and story and that's great. But if people don't like the title, then don't blame me!"

If he's saying that (and I don't think his ego is big enough to say it) then it seems very odd that he'd have nothing to do with the project between Nov 4, 2007 and the theatrical release day of (generally) Nov 7, 2008.

A whole year of zero involvement with "his" script and "his" story makes no sense whatsoever, imo. Does it make sense to you or anyone here? That he's done with a project that's supposedly "his/mine" with a year to go? It seems unbelievable that that would be the case...unless, of course, others consider it to be "their" project moreso than "his" project. Don't Wilson, Broccoli, Craig, Purvis + Wade and Forester count? Or is Haggis 50 percent, or 60 or 70 or 80 percent of this project?

I mean, does Haggis effectively walk away from any involvement in a project for which the story/screenplay is "his", historically speaking, once he's officially and contractually finished writing? Is this how he normally operates?

...

btw, I originally did not want to cast a "vote" here ... but if anyone cares where I sit, I voted the middle ground given the context.

[craigbegins]

I can't believe 4 people have voted for "Haggis isn't qualified to write a grocery list". Although I'm equally shocked that anyone would vote that he's more important than Fleming.

[Leon]

Sounds like Haggis is basically saying "Hey, it's my script and story and that's great. But if people don't like the title, then don't blame me!"

If he's saying that (and I don't think his ego is big enough to say it) then it seems very odd that he'd have nothing to do with the project between Nov 4, 2007 and the theatrical release day of (generally) Nov 7, 2008.

A whole year of zero involvement with "his" script and "his" story makes no sense whatsoever, imo. Does it make sense to you or anyone here? That he's done with a project that's supposedly "his/mine" with a year to go? It seems unbelievable that that would be the case...unless, of course, others consider it to be "their" project moreso than "his" project. Don't Wilson, Broccoli, Craig, Purvis + Wade and Forester count? Or is Haggis 50 percent, or 60 or 70 or 80 percent of this project?

I mean, does Haggis effectively walk away from any involvement in a project for which the story/screenplay is "his", historically speaking, once he's officially and contractually finished writing? Is this how he normally operates?

...

btw, I originally did not want to cast a "vote" here ... but if anyone cares where I sit, I voted the middle ground given the context.

I'm at a loss as to the big confusion here.

Haggis was hired to write a new draft of a script by P&W, no doubt as it did not have the quality the producers wanted. He clearly wrote a fair amount and had big part in the final screenplay, but that was it, that was his job. He went on strike and the rest is down to the people who have to translate the screenplay to the camera.

He's a writer, so he writes. He also went on strike, therefore even more reason for him not to be involved in the film any more. Why would he be hanging around the Bond production now his contracted job is done? He gets a lot of work from all over, Bond isn't the center of his universe believe it or not.

[Harmsway]

That he's done with a project that's supposedly "his/mine" with a year to go? It seems unbelievable that that would be the case...unless, of course, others consider it to be "their" project moreso than "his" project.

I don't think Haggis even views it as "his" project. I think he views it (rightly) as a project he worked on for a time and contributed to in some big ways. As I've said before, I think the responsibility for QoS, if we're going to give it to someone other than BB/MGW, lies with Forster. He's the guiding artistic force on this installment.

I mean, does Haggis effectively walk away from any involvement in a project for which the story/screenplay is "his", historically speaking, once he's officially and contractually finished writing? Is this how he normally operates?

I don't think that it's a matter of Haggis walking away. EON clearly hasn't requested him to come back. They're satisfied with how things are, and the work he turned in back on November.

[tdalton]

That's supposedly been his next project for about two years now. I'm feeling "development hell" on that one.

Ah. I wasn't aware.

I'm sure he's writing something else, but he is also producing a spy movie of sorts :

http://www.joblo.com...ex.php?id=19881

Interesting.

From the way he talked about it here it sounds like he wrote it almost from scratch.

He's probably referring to the second draft he turned in to the producers in October, which, in lieu of Haggis' "magic touch", was given a quick polish-over by tdalton favorite Michael G. Wilson.

Actually, it seems like MGW didn't even touch it, given Jeffrey Wright's comments about there being some small holes in the script for which the actors may write their own dialogue.

I think that you're probably right about Wilson not doing any rewriting on the script, but I certainly hope that he did. Four of the films that he wrote (FYEO, OP, TLD, LTK) are all in my top 10, so any involvement by Wilson in the writing of the script can only be a good thing, IMO.

[Zorin Industries]

Writers don't write. They re-write. Rewriting is not some sign of weakness nor is the need for it. Let's leave the film making to those that know what a writers involvement is throughout a film. Reading constant internet rumours is not tantamount to working in the film industry.

[Jim]

Rumour, speculation, complete inaccuracy, wild allegations, opinion as fact, assertion as scripture: the internet - where would we be without it?

Less irritated, perhaps.

[Mr. Blofeld]

From the way he talked about it here it sounds like he wrote it almost from scratch.

He's probably referring to the second draft he turned in to the producers in October, which, in lieu of Haggis' "magic touch", was given a quick polish-over by tdalton favorite Michael G. Wilson.

Actually, it seems like MGW didn't even touch it, given Jeffrey Wright's comments about there being some small holes in the script for which the actors may write their own dialogue.

I think that you're probably right about Wilson not doing any rewriting on the script, but I certainly hope that he did. Four of the films that he wrote (FYEO, OP, TLD, LTK) are all in my top 10, so any involvement by Wilson in the writing of the script can only be a good thing, IMO.

Yea, verily.

[DaveBond21]

Just because you can write great movie scripts doesn't mean you can necessarily write a good grocery list.

[SecretAgent007]

I thought that, in general, the writer was usually present on the set if something needed re-written such as dialog? Is this not the case? If so, it is odd that Haggis or P&W would not be on set.

[Harmsway]

I thought that, in general, the writer was usually present on the set if something needed re-written such as dialog?

Sometimes it works that way. Not always.

[Napoleon Solo]

It appears that while he was on and off the picket line (from, what, late October to February 13?) he could not have been bothered to keep some sort of meaningful tabs on a project on which he CLEARLY has 3rd writing credit. (It seems as if he handed the draft and that was it. Finis! Kaput! That was it!)

As I understand it, under WGA rules, that had to be it. Once the union went on strike, he wasn't supposed to do any more screenwriting.

[SecretAgent007]

Sometimes it works that way. Not always.

So who would do re-writes on the set? MGW? Just wondering.

[Vauxhall]

Sometimes it works that way. Not always.

So who would do re-writes on the set? MGW? Just wondering.

I imagine that it wouldn't be purely a single person. I guess it would be more of a collaborative effort between the director, the actors and the producers about what dialogue sounds best when delivered by the actors. Jeffrey Wright, for instance, commented on the fact that the actors tend to tweak and improvise some dialogue as they go along.

[mcdonbb]

so who re-wrote the grocery list? you know just like a screenwriter sometimes I want my wife in the store with me in case we have to rewrite the list on the spot.

gotta go with the flow....