1025 replies to this topic

[Quantumofsolace007]

Yay its delayed, it will give them lots of time to sit in a corner and think about the hash they made of QOS , and where they can improve for the next one

You wouldn't happen to write for the L.A. times do you?

[The Shark]

Yay its delayed, it will give them lots of time to sit in a corner and think about the hash they made of QOS , and where they can improve for the next one

You wouldn't happen to write for the L.A. times do you?

We all do.

[Guy Haines]

Don´t know. Somehow I have the feeling that the next Bond films will not be as serious anymore. The new trend is to have fun again.

Then its over for me. I just can't go down that route again.

Same for me. Once they go back to the laid back, Brosnan/Moore-era style of Bond filmmaking, then the franchise will basically be over for me as well. Hopefully that won't be the case, and when they relaunch the franchise at some point this decade, they keep going in the gritty direction that Craig's tenure paved the way for them to go in.

Why do people strictly associate the "fun" aspect of the franchise with the most harmless and lighthearted romps of the Brosnan and Moore era?

"Having more fun" could also equate to them going down a From Russia With Love, Thunderball, OHMSS, DAF, TMWTGG, AVTAK and TLD approach. A mix of both worlds.

I agree, and I refer to my earlier post today in support. Daniel Craig in a 70s style romp wouldn't work. But Bond 23 with an injection of the dark humour and dry wit of the 1960s might.

[JimmyBond]

Yay its delayed, it will give them lots of time to sit in a corner and think about the hash they made of QOS , and where they can improve for the next one

You wouldn't happen to write for the L.A. times do you?

We all do.

I do the obits.

[Rufus Ffolkes]

Things aren't looking good...

http://www.mi6.co.uk...d...=mi6&s=news

After nine months of tumult over the future of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the storied movie studio's fate now rests in the hands of debt holders with little experience in the entertainment business.

A cohesive plan has yet to materialize and must be accompanied by the none-too-simple task of raising money for operations and new movies.

MGM's lenders are still weighing options as they grant one waiver after another on the studio's interest payments.

MGM motion picture group Chairwoman Mary Parent, who has been running day-to-day operations for the last two years, has been left to hold together the company with no visibility on its future. Her tasks include dealing with filmmakers whose projects are in limbo.

Said producer Bradley Thomas, who has been attempting to make a film at MGM based on the Three Stooges: "I feel impotent. We can't do anything until it's resolved."

The only picture left on MGM's release slate this year is a remake of "Red Dawn." Scheduled for release in November, the film doesn't yet have a marketing plan or even a first trailer.

[JimmyBond]

Maybe it will be a really good remake

[col_007]

Things aren't looking good...

is there anything in the world that looks rosy at the moment

[Safari Suit]

^ Well at least the Red Dawn remake will teach our children what to do if a band of communist Russians parachute onto their school sports field. That's one less thing to worry about.

[Rufus Ffolkes]

I believe the invaders this time around are Chinese. And given that we seem to be on the brink of a new Korean war, this remake just became a little more plausible.

[Trident]

I believe the invaders this time around are Chinese. And given that we seem to be on the brink of a new Korean war, this remake just became a little more plausible.

The Chinese would hardly have to invade. Not with their US dollar stash...

[byline]

Things aren't looking good...

is there anything in the world that looks rosy at the moment

It does seem that the world is quite a mess right now. Not just the Bond world.

[Napoleon Solo]

My interest in Bond 23 is now delayed indefinitely.

Right now, based on the news stories this Web site has cut and pasted (from the LA Times and other sources), it appears MGM's debt holders are calling the shots at the studio for now. Their interest is trying to get their money back. Unfortunately, Bond 23 is hostage to that.

[zencat]

Well, I don't know anything about business, but I do have common sense, and just as that common sense told me MGM was a loser and a bad investment after the break up in the late 80s, it's now telling me there is no way these unfortunate debt holders will ever make back their money on this train wreck of a company. Break it up and sell it for scrap and hope to walk away with something left in your pocket. It's over. And if you think you can run it and turn it around, I got a lovely bridge in Brooklyn you might also be interested in.

[Napoleon Solo]

Well, I don't know anything about business, but I do have common sense, and just as that common sense told me MGM was a loser and a bad investment after the break up in the late 80s, it's now telling me there is no way these unfortunate debt holders will ever make back their money on this train wreck of a company. Break it up and sell it for scrap and hope to walk away with something left in your pocket. It's over. And if you think you can run it and turn it around, I got a lovely bridge in Brooklyn you might also be interested in.

You might want to work up some Brooklyn Bridge sales materials, because that's what it appears they're going to attempt.

I'm not endorsing it. I'm just saying that seems to be the strategy.

[Royal Dalton]

"Buying that bridge was no mistake. That's going to be worth a lot of money to us someday."

[Napoleon Solo]

"Buying that bridge was no mistake. That's going to be worth a lot of money to us someday."

Or:

"We bought that bridge for 25 cents on the dollar. We can do some fixing up, sell it and make a profit!"

[Slight Inferiority Complex]

Good afternoon everyone. Please be gentle with me as this is my first post.

I tend to shy away from reading about the financial machinations of the film industry as it takes away some of the 'magic' and because I get enough of that at work anyway. But in the circumstances in has become imperative that I get to know what's going on and so I'd like to check my understanding if I may:

MGM are essentially bankrupt, owing more than they can realistically ever hope to repay at their current and projected income levels. Their assets are, basically, their back catalogue, the rights to the Lord of the Rings franchise and half of the rights to Bond. Eon, who make Bond under licence for MGM, are not proceeding with Bond 23 (and Peter Jackson isn't with The Hobbit) in a bid to push MGM into selling off the assets and closing down. The next deadline for payments is July 14. At this point either MGM try to prolong their existence, with no prospect of Bond 23 being made, or sell the franchise off (either separately as part of their assets).

Once the rights to Bond are sold, progress can begin on Bond 23 with Craig, Mendes, Dench et al as the first choice team. If this happens quickly after the July 14 deadline, then Bond 23 could appear in summer 2012 for the 50th anniversary of Dr No. If not, then the prospects of Dench (who is already in her 70s) and Craig (who will be approaching his mid-40s) reappearing diminishes with every passing year.

Have I got it about right?

[zencat]

Sounds right to me. Welcome to CBn.

[Rufus Ffolkes]

That's pretty much right except for the Lord of the Rings part - MGM only owns 50% of The Hobbit, which is why that film (or rather films, as they've decided to spread the story over two movies) finds itself in the same limbo/purgatory as the Bond series.

[SecretAgentFan]

Welcome to CBn, Slight Inferiority Compley. And may I add: fantastic name!

[byline]

Have I got it about right?

Man, I wish my first post had been that good. Welcome to CBn, SIC!

[Slight Inferiority Complex]

Thanks for all of your kind replies. As there's nothing new going to happen till July I'll try and put it to the back of my mind and rewatch the other 22 to cheer myself up.

Who knows I may even try one of the non-Fleming books!

[MicroGlobeOne]

Thanks for all of your kind replies. As there's nothing new going to happen till July I'll try and put it to the back of my mind and rewatch the other 22 to cheer myself up.

Indeed, it's a depressing state of affairs, especially when it's described so bluntly. Most of all, I desperately hope this financial struggle doesn't significantly limit the number of James Bond films that Daniel Craig is able to appear in.

[Mr Teddy Bear]

If the MGM situation is resolved by July/August I think it is within the realm of possibilities that Bond 23 could go ahead for a late 2011 release as seemed to be the original schedule. Realistically though I don't see MGM issues going away by then and we may be in for a lengthy delay.

Edited by Mr Teddy Bear, 29 May 2010 - 01:45 AM.

[Harry Potter]

If the MGM situation is resolved by July/August I think it is within the realm of possibilities that Bond 23 could go ahead for a late 2011 release as seemed to be the original schedule. Realistically though I don't see MGM issues going away by then and we may be in for a lengthy delay.

hats a good timeline to follow, DC is working on C&A all this summer

[Quantumofsolace007]

Thanks for all of your kind replies. As there's nothing new going to happen till July I'll try and put it to the back of my mind and rewatch the other 22 to cheer myself up.

Who knows I may even try one of the non-Fleming books!

Welcome to CBN. Might I recommend the Benson Novels they are fun quick reads and my favorite of the post Fleming novel (unless Jeff knocks one out of the park)


As for bond 23 we'll all see what happens i guess.

Until July I'm still going to have a Quantum of Hope for Bond 23 being released in 2011.

[Napoleon Solo]

Bloomberg had a story about MGM last week that said Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli had urged Time Warner to stay in the bidding. This was attributed to unnamed people familiar with the situation and there was no comment from Eon. As best as I can tell, Bloomberg didn't put it on its Web site.

[Quantumofsolace007]

Bloomberg had a story about MGM last week that said Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli had urged Time Warner to stay in the bidding. This was attributed to unnamed people familiar with the situation and there was no comment from Eon. As best as I can tell, Bloomberg didn't put it on its Web site.

well interestingly enough i think (zorin please correct me if i'm mistaken/wrong cause i honestly believe you either are associated with EON or know someone who is I wouldn't be surprised if u have read bond 23 and know who Eon is looking at in terms of cast but anyways) Wilson and Brocci are in the same boat as the fans everyone wants bond 23 to happen but MGM is like a kid who refuses to let others play with their precious toy. I wish someone would put MGM in a time out and force them to share 007.

[JimmyBond]

I vote that post as the most nonsensical post I've ever read from you OoS. Bravo.

[RivenWinner]

word is spreading across the internet that Guillermo del Toro has dropped out of The Hobbit films, much to my disappointment. I was really looking forward to his vision of Middle-Earth. He's spent some two years (including moving to New Zealand, I believe) working on pre-production for this project, but due to the MGM situation and delay, as well as some other commitments, he's dropped out.


Just sharing.