902 replies to this topic

[MattofSteel]

I think you're right. I've never seen a quote directly confirming it. It's sort of a 'worst kept secret' at the moment, it seems.

[blueman]

Yep, he spoke to a WSJ reporter about it, and his publicist confirmed it as well.

I don't think so. To the WSJ he said it was just speculation and there are no direct quotes from his publicist. If I'm wrong that's fine but please give a source.

Just going on the news stories linked in the CBn archive, easy to click on.

[Quantumofsolace007]

Yep, he spoke to a WSJ reporter about it, and his publicist confirmed it as well.

I don't think so. To the WSJ he said it was just speculation and there are no direct quotes from his publicist. If I'm wrong that's fine but please give a source.

Just going on the news stories linked in the CBn archive, easy to click on.

Sigh I hate this "is it real or is it not" stuff

I believe it's real for 2 reasons.

1 the early Marc Forester Rumors were even more vague then Mendes early reports.


2 Despite Spynovelfan's beliefs If My publicist just said yes after badgering from reporters I'd fire her straight off the bat Publicists are there to look out for my ibnterests in the public eye Not to just say yes after badgering.

I am glad Mendes is trying To stick it out and I hope he does i'm acheing to see what he does with our beloved spy I quite liked Road to Perdition.

[Rufus Ffolkes]

Sorry, I still don't buy it. For one thing, there has never been a direct quote from Sam Mendes saying that he is involved with, or interested in, the project. For another, his publicist neither confirmed nor denied his involvement. The direct quote is:

I can confirm that he has had a meeting, but Sam always has lots of projects on the table that he might direct next. Sam’s method is to have a number of projects as possible next films and at some point to confirm which film he’s going to do.

The only thing confirmed by the publicist is that Mendes met with EON, but I'm sure dozens of writers and directors meet with EON all the time - it doesn't necessarily mean they'll end up making the next film.

And logically, it doesn't make sense. Even if Mendes is keen on directing the next one, and EON wants him to do it, why would a director of his stature put his career on hold indefinitely, given that Bond is stuck in MGM purgatory for the foreseeable future? Guillermo Del Toro spent the past two years of his life developing The Hobbit, but recently quit the project, which suggests that any resolution to the MGM situation is a long way off.

P.S. Not confirmed, but it seems as though there's a good chance that Daniel Craig will be joining the cast of David Fincher's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo remake:

http://www.movieline...ts-tattooed.php

[Sebastian Tombs]

I just read this morning that Mendes may be moving on to an adaptation of the novel "On Chesil Beach" which, from the sound of it, is right up his alley. And he's still one of the directors being considered for the Oz prequel, according to all the buzz. Like Ffolkes above, I can't believe he'd put his career on hold for the sake of Bond, especially given talk that his career is troubled and that he needs a commercial hit.

[blueman]

???

Mendes isn't putting his career on hold any more than Craig is. Both have projects lined through at least the end of the year, makes sense for them but doesn't preclude them doing 23 whenever it gets rolling.

Mendes has never denied his consultanship on 23, and he's had opportunity to do so when asked directly. Kinda doubt he's lying by omission or some such. I don't have a wish one way or the other about it, just seems it is what it is and it was something they had to be careful about re kicker payment if a director became attached: how does one hire a director without hiring him? Call him a consultant.

[Quantumofsolace007]

I just read this morning that Mendes may be moving on to an adaptation of the novel "On Chesil Beach" which, from the sound of it, is right up his alley. And he's still one of the directors being considered for the Oz prequel, according to all the buzz. Like Ffolkes above, I can't believe he'd put his career on hold for the sake of Bond, especially given talk that his career is troubled and that he needs a commercial hit.

Which Bond would give.


Look Both sides are admitdly grasping at straws. Untill we get an announcement nothing is confirmed all could be lies and the future is not set in stone but is more mallable then water.


However with that said I want Mendes to direct so of course I'm gonna believe it. I saw Road to perdition and it just oozed with atmosphere. I'd love to see that in bond 23 (not to say Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace were without atmosphere)


I mean WB could suprise everyone and buy MGM tomorrow. Of course I doubt they will but the truth is they could. Mendes could give us a direct quote (much more likely) expressing either his interest or his love of even the bond franchise let alons bond 23.


As the wise Zorin once said (and I think Bryce also said this) "Live life enjoy Bond will come maybe next year maybe 2012 maybe 2013 but have no fear Bond will return."


to add to that "Life can be hard unfair cruel and mean. you will suffer problems of your own making and of others making but you will also find hope joy and happyness. Nothing stays bad forever cheer up life will move on and Bond will be back"

[Trident]

Perhaps one should not ask if that particular Mendes-EON connection is true, but in whose interests the continued brewing of it is? When Mendes' name turned up and the rumour was immediately multiplied on the net, we assumed it was placed by EON to increase the bidding for MGM.

But on reflection one will find EON would have been neither interested in a continued relationship with MGM, nor in particularly blown-up reports about the supposed state of the BOND 23 pre-production.

On the other hand, MGM would have been very much interested in keeping their talons in their pound of flesh of the Bond franchise and in keeping the appearence of a ready-to-roll production regardless of their precarious situation.

If you look at it from that angle it's perhaps a little clearer why EON and Mendes neither gave an outright confirmation, nor a denial. And why the thing turned up in the particular way it did and continues to do so.

[Quantumofsolace007]

I wouldn't be suprised In fact I think the Weisz rumor Proceeded a debt extension if i'm not mistaken.


Which if that is the case perhaps that and some of the other rumors (one of the bond girls would be a double crossing UN worker) weren't exaclty lies and weren't exactly honest but a deperate attempt for MGM to leak what little info they had to make them appear better then what they were.


With that said Itwo things

1. I still say Mendes was considered approached and is interested.

2. I know I'm gonna get yelled at for this but the double crossing UN worker sounds cool IF it's handled well. I would be happy if this rumor was real.

[Zorin Industries]

Let's not open another can of worms that actually doesn't contain anything....

[Quantumofsolace007]

Let's not open another can of worms that actually doesn't contain anything....

I hoep that isn't directed at me I'm mearly Agreeing with trident.


And is it wrong I think your better informed the most on this board in the shadowy world of 007 Eon prodcutions and MGM?

Oh and Zorin Come on A double crossing UN worker Screams of Purvis and Wade tell me i'm wrong and Many of the people who hate those 2 writers will back me up and say "yeah it sounds like something they would do"

[JimmyBond]

I believe it's real for 2 reasons.

1 the early Marc Forester Rumors were even more vague then Mendes early reports.

Didn't someone once tell you not to use the timetable of an earlier Bond film to gauge how things are going on the current one? In any event, completely different situations as they weren't dealing with the MGM mess when they were putting together QoS.

[Sebastian Tombs]

I just read this morning that Mendes may be moving on to an adaptation of the novel "On Chesil Beach" which, from the sound of it, is right up his alley. And he's still one of the directors being considered for the Oz prequel, according to all the buzz. Like Ffolkes above, I can't believe he'd put his career on hold for the sake of Bond, especially given talk that his career is troubled and that he needs a commercial hit.

Which Bond would give.

Sure, but given Bond's current status, and who on earth knows when it'll get started up, Mendes would be better off seeking commercially viable projects elsewhere, like the Oz film or Chesil Beach (a highly-praised novel that has all those twisted relationship issues that Mendes deals with well, when he's at his best). IF what's been said is true, then Mendes can't afford to just sit around and wait for Bond to get moving again. And even if it wasn't true, I still wouldn't expect him to keep waiting, because we know he's got a lot of possibilities to explore out there. And who knows? Despite what's been said, by the time Bond 23 emerges from limbo, Mendes may be too busy or (gasp!) may have lost interest. Anything is possible.

And actually, "On Chesil Beach" could end up being a big deal if the rumors are true and they get Carey Mulligan, who's currently the next big thing after making a splash last year in "An Education."

[Quantumofsolace007]

I believe it's real for 2 reasons.

1 the early Marc Forester Rumors were even more vague then Mendes early reports.

Didn't someone once tell you not to use the timetable of an earlier Bond film to gauge how things are going on the current one? In any event, completely different situations as they weren't dealing with the MGM mess when they were putting together QoS.

mearly pointing out vague rumors can turn out true no comparing of time lines here. Next time if you'd like I'll use a rumor for a different film franchise as proof.

[JimmyBond]

Fair point, except youre ignoring the second half of my thread. The fact that the future of Bond 23 is in doubt right now. Unlike QoS which was on the fast track to being made, Bond 23 is on hold, there is no way to tell that when the film finally gets green lit (whether that's next year, or three years from now) Mendes will still be attached...or at that point even interested.

[quantumofsolace]

Yep, he spoke to a WSJ reporter about it, and his publicist confirmed it as well.

I don't think so. To the WSJ he said it was just speculation and there are no direct quotes from his publicist. If I'm wrong that's fine but please give a source.

Just going on the news stories linked in the CBn archive, easy to click on.

They are easy to click on and if you do this you will see that I am correct and you are not.

Edited by quantumofsolace, 05 June 2010 - 03:53 AM.

[blueman]

From the last 6 months of stories regarding this, and the published comments from Mendes and his publicist, I can only conclude Mendes has been doing some sort of consultant work with EON on 23 (his non-denial in the WSJ interview pretty much nails it for me). But to each their own.

[Quantumofsolace007]

Mendes is still commited to directing bond 23 so i'd say this is true.

[Captain Tightpants]

Mendes is still commited to directing bond 23 so i'd say this is true.

*headdesk* *headdesk* *headdesk*

Mendes was never confirmed as director. He was only locked in as a 'consultant' to the film given the uncertain status over MGM's future, which means he is likely to be the director, but does not entail an actual commitment. And if MGM take their time sorting things out, Mendes may look elsewhere, because his role as consultant is not confirmed.

[blueman]

Mendes is still commited to directing bond 23 so i'd say this is true.

*headdesk* *headdesk* *headdesk*

Mendes was never confirmed as director. He was only locked in as a 'consultant' to the film given the uncertain status over MGM's future, which means he is likely to be the director, but does not entail an actual commitment. And if MGM take their time sorting things out, Mendes may look elsewhere, because his role as consultant is not confirmed.

Mendes doesn't have anything on his plate past this summer, same goes for Craig. I think all parties are expecting the MGM situation to sort out and 23 (as well as The Hobbit) to get a green light soon.

[Zorin Industries]

Mendes does have stuff on his "plate" past the summer - quite a large helping, I gather.

[Dekard77]

Mendes does have stuff on his "plate" past the summer - quite a large helping, I gather.

Well he should clear the plate for Bond and get on with it. Can't take this anymore!!!!!!!!

[Captain Tightpants]

Mendes doesn't have anything on his plate past this summer, same goes for Craig. I think all parties are expecting the MGM situation to sort out and 23 (as well as The Hobbit) to get a green light soon.

Mendes' lack of work in the immediate past is hardly proof of his commitment to a project in the near future.

[Col. Sun]

From Mike Fleming over at Deadline Hollywood Daily:

http://www.deadline....mes-assignment/

Relevant information: "EXCLUSIVE: Gary Ross is in early talks to direct The Hunger Games, the first installment of the novel trilogy by Suzanne Collins.....Let the negotiating games begin. Mendes, for instance, bowed out of contention last Friday, and I’m told it was because the MGM picture is clearing up and it looks like production on 007 could begin by late summer or early fall, 2011 with Mendes at the helm and Daniel Craig back in the Aston Martin."

At first I found that encouraging because I read the comment as meaning that production was about to start up again with a view towards a 2011 release date. But upon a second and third review, it appears that Fleming is suggesting filming could begin late next summer or early fall. In other words, actual filming beginning in late summer or early fall of 2011, putting the next film out in 2012. I guess it's good news, but it means we're looking at about a 4 year wait between films.

I think many of us here have believed for a while that the earliest pre-production could really begin now is summer 2011 for a Fall 2012 release. It's certainly getting late in the year now for things to really crank up on Bond 23 - and the MGM/Spyglass deal still has a little way to go yet. Bond pre-production time is normally about 5-6 months followed by a 5 month or more shoot - basically a year of work. Plus, they need to get back to the script writing, which may take 3-4 more months work as well before official pre-production can begin. But the signs are good for a 50th anniversary film!

[Quantumofsolace007]

From Mike Fleming over at Deadline Hollywood Daily:

http://www.deadline....mes-assignment/

Relevant information: "EXCLUSIVE: Gary Ross is in early talks to direct The Hunger Games, the first installment of the novel trilogy by Suzanne Collins.....Let the negotiating games begin. Mendes, for instance, bowed out of contention last Friday, and I’m told it was because the MGM picture is clearing up and it looks like production on 007 could begin by late summer or early fall, 2011 with Mendes at the helm and Daniel Craig back in the Aston Martin."

At first I found that encouraging because I read the comment as meaning that production was about to start up again with a view towards a 2011 release date. But upon a second and third review, it appears that Fleming is suggesting filming could begin late next summer or early fall. In other words, actual filming beginning in late summer or early fall of 2011, putting the next film out in 2012. I guess it's good news, but it means we're looking at about a 4 year wait between films.

I think many of us here have believed for a while that the earliest pre-production could really begin now is summer 2011 for a Fall 2012 release. It's certainly getting late in the year now for things to really crank up on Bond 23 - and the MGM/Spyglass deal still has a little way to go yet. Bond pre-production time is normally about 5-6 months followed by a 5 month or more shoot - basically a year of work. Plus, they need to get back to the script writing, which may take 3-4 more months work as well before official pre-production can begin. But the signs are good for a 50th anniversary film!

I'm happy about this news

[Pierce - Daniel]

A summer Bond 23 suits me
But Bond would need to avoid The Avengers, Batman and Spidey as well as a host of CGI films including a Pixar movie. Not to mention the final Potter showdown.
I dont think Star Trek is much of a threat.
havinf said that Fall is also killer you have The Hobbit, Superman, Twilight, Monsters Inc 2.

[jaguar007]

Not to mention that Craig's schedule is full until late spring 2011. Summer 2012 is the earliest we will get Bond 23.

[MattofSteel]

As long as we get it, and he's in it, I don't care!

[Quantumofsolace007]

I'm just happy that the delay doesn't seem to have impacted the people behind the camera. If anything i think this delay will result in a stronger script for Bond 23. I just can't wait till we start getting confirmations in terms of locations and actors and Plot and title...

[DaveBond21]

It's at least comforting to read that Bond 23 will still happen, even if we have to wait another 2 years to see it.

Let's hope this schedule of events turns out to be true.