1025 replies to this topic

[K1Bond007]

I gotta say, I wonder sometimes why they still do it. Michael has other passions and I don't think Babs has ever loved Bond. She's always talked about making other films, and she proved herself with CR. It could be they still do it because the have to do it to keep the golden goose in the family. Hard for me to believe the Flemings (or their smart lawyers) gave them film rights which they could elect to never use. But maybe.

Personally, always thought Wilson actually enjoyed it which is why he's always been so heavily involved in the series. He also appears to be getting burned out. Barbara on the other hand, I feel she does it out of duty.

Kind of a useless discussion though since even if Wilson is actually burned out and Barabara isn't passionate about the series like Wilson or her father was, they're not going to stop anytime soon. The span of years between films may just get longer. The only interesting question about the entire situation is where Bond will be after Wilson finally calls it quits. It's not like there's an heir being groomed here. I thought Wilson's kids were going to start getting more involved, but they were all absent from QoS.

[Napoleon Solo]

Yes, but who are their heirs if they don't intend to sell? Is there an MGW Jr. or a Barbara Broccoli Jr. waiting somewhere in the wings? We always knew who Cubby's heirs were going to be. I don't see that with Michael and Barbara. They don't appear to have children who are prominently working on each film.

There's at least one heir -- Gregg Wilson (I think he's MGW's son and MGW's middle name is Gregg), listed in Quantum of Solace's credits as assistant producer. Gregg's "byline" also appeared in Die Another Day in the magazine article that Brosnan/Bond is reading on the plane back to London.

I thought Wilson's kids were going to start getting more involved, but they were all absent from QoS.

Take a look at the 1:37 mark of this, last credit on the bottom:

[Mike00spy]

Surprisingly, I've stayed away from the exact details of this whole thing. So, forgive the question if it is indeed stupid.

What happens if MGM is officially no more?

[K1Bond007]

I thought Wilson's kids were going to start getting more involved, but they were all absent from QoS.

Take a look at the 1:37 mark of this, last credit on the bottom:

Touche. Must have been the other one I was thinking of when I wrote that. Maybe they're taking turns.

[doublenoughtspy]

Surprisingly, I've stayed away from the exact details of this whole thing. So, forgive the question if it is indeed stupid.

What happens if MGM is officially no more?

Most likely the assets would be sold to the highest bidder. And I'm guessing the Bond rights would be among the most prized assets - both revenue from the old films and the rights to make new ones.

[Mike00spy]

Surprisingly, I've stayed away from the exact details of this whole thing. So, forgive the question if it is indeed stupid.

What happens if MGM is officially no more?

Most likely the assets would be sold to the highest bidder. And I'm guessing the Bond rights would be among the most prized assets - both revenue from the old films and the rights to make new ones.

How long would such a process take?




PS: Too bad EON couldn't go the McClory route and film another remake of Thunderball to get around MGM's mess.

I'm kidding... I think.

[Captain Tightpants]

Because MGM own half the rights to the Bond frachise. Back when McClory made NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN, he was able to do it because he owned the rights to SPECTRE. That's why it's essentially a re-telling of THUNDERBALL. But in the wake of the McClory case, I think you'll find EON tied everything up neatly to prevent just such a situation - a rival Bond franchise starting up - from happening again. With MGM owning half the rights to the franchise, their hands are tied. If EON made BOND 23 but changed all the names and said "It's really a Bond film" so that audiences knew it, there would be some obligation to MGM. In fact, MGM would have grounds to sue EON, and could well wrest away the portion of the rights EON control.

The fastest way for BOND 23 to go into production would be for MGM to either be bought out or sell the rights to Bond off, and they're probably not going to do either any time soon.

[jaguar007]

Because MGM own half the rights to the Bond frachise. Back when McClory made NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN, he was able to do it because he owned the rights to SPECTRE.

It was more than just the rights to SPECTRE, he had the full rights to Thunderball. MGM only has 1/2 the rights to EON's Bond rights. Until the late 90s, MGM (or EON) did not have the film rights to Thunderball or Casino Royale.

[Captain Tightpants]

Because MGM own half the rights to the Bond frachise. Back when McClory made NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN, he was able to do it because he owned the rights to SPECTRE.

It was more than just the rights to SPECTRE, he had the full rights to Thunderball. MGM only has 1/2 the rights to EON's Bond rights. Until the late 90s, MGM (or EON) did not have the film rights to Thunderball or Casino Royale.

But either way you cut it, EON couldn't simply make a James Bond film and call everyone by another name as Germanlady suggested.

[TQB]

can't EON just try to buy the rights? Though i'm sure MGM wouldn't want to sell it at this point since it's probably the only reason they're still getting money, that and the hobbit.

[SecretAgentFan]

I gotta say, I wonder sometimes why they still do it. Michael has other passions and I don't think Babs has ever loved Bond. She's always talked about making other films, and she proved herself with CR. It could be they still do it because the have to do it to keep the golden goose in the family. Hard for me to believe the Flemings (or their smart lawyers) gave them film rights which they could elect to never use. But maybe.

(I also believe they are Lucas-level rich.)

I guess it´s only natural that producers who are only identified with one thing do want to branch out. That doesn´t mean Babs never loved Bond, IMO.

[Captain Tightpants]

can't EON just try to buy the rights? Though i'm sure MGM wouldn't want to sell it at this point since it's probably the only reason they're still getting money, that and the hobbit.

MGM won't want to sell them off. Their priority is sorting out their financial situation, and unless selling the rights to EON will remedy that, they won't pay it much heed.

[Germanlady]

I was looking at the aicn article (http://www.aintitcool.com/node/45670) for this new situation and found this interesting post:

I'm A Lifelong Bond Fanatic And, through my work, I have some connections to the people who make the films - and I have to put forth a theory here that I don't think anyone seems to be picking up on.

etc etc no need to repeat the whole post.

I agree, the arguments in this post are more then lame. The shooting start was all set for end of the year, with a draft being written etc. All signs were going versus - START! Calling them lazy and just fed up with making Bond films, because they stopped production now, is far from reality IMO. They had been on Bond probably starting in early 05 (or earlier) and without much rest all the way to 08. Younger people then Michael would have needed a break to build up new enthusiasm.
I don´t know about Barbaras involvement in the other films, but its save to say, that she will do everything she can to make another DC Bond film at the earliest possible time. She has build a very personal relation with him and wouldn´t want to let this chance slip away any time soon. But obviously even her powers aren´t enough at the time being.

Edited by Germanlady, 04 July 2010 - 07:18 AM.

[tdalton]

can't EON just try to buy the rights? Though i'm sure MGM wouldn't want to sell it at this point since it's probably the only reason they're still getting money, that and the hobbit.

MGM won't want to sell them off. Their priority is sorting out their financial situation, and unless selling the rights to EON will remedy that, they won't pay it much heed.

I don't really think that MGM can even afford to sell off the Bond rights if they wanted to. The current bids for the studio are deemed to low by the people in charge at MGM, and that's with the Bond franchise currently residing at the studio. If MGM were to just give the rights back to EON, which is more or less what they'd be doing in that situation since whatever price EON would cough up for it would just be a small dent in MGM's total debt, then the bids are only going to go even further down from that point. At this point, all MGM has that other people really want is Bond and partial rights to The Hobitt, and selling Bond back to EON will ensure that the studio isn't sold.

[byline]

Everyone becomes apathetic towards the series at one point or another. I felt the way he does back during the Brosnan years. Particularly following TND but before TWINE.

My husband has a been a fan for far longer than I, and that's exactly how he felt. He especially enjoyed the Dalton years, but then was greatly disappointed by the Brosnan films. That's why "Casino Royale" was such a revelation for him. It was like . . . "Finally!"

[Zorin Industries]

I was looking at the aicn article (http://www.aintitcool.com/node/45670) for this new situation and found this interesting post:

I'm A Lifelong Bond Fanatic And, through my work, I have some connections to the people who make the films - and I have to put forth a theory here that I don't think anyone seems to be picking up on. The Broccolis, that is Barbara and her stepbrother Michael Wilson, are in complete control of Bond and seem to be using MGM's status as an excuse to stop making the films. Why would they do that? Because they're greedy and lazy and they're tired. This is a family business they inherited and thus they never had the same passion (or, IMHO, the creative understanding) for that their father did. They have swung like a pendulum trying to guess what the public wants, but they don't seem to truly "get" what makes their hero/franchise so special. But on every film they have made these unbelievable "Producer Fees" above and beyond their ownership of the franchise and they are filthy ****ing rich. Ever wonder why Bond doesn't seem to end up in a major city anymore, like Bourne does? Because instead of putting the money "back on the screen" the way Cubby did, they put it all in their pockets. They don't really care that much, but they are also confused by the mixed responses they get their flailing. (QOS was a good film that could have been great, IMO, with just a better edit) It's not unlike what happened after Licence To Kill. Cubby stopped making the films not because he was in the middle of a lawsuit - that is the PR myth that Bond fans have been repeating for years - no, he was tired. Dalton's second film was the closest thing the series had to an outright box office bomb. His stepson was in charge and running this great series into the ground. Wilson wrote a script all by himself...Cubby read it and rejected it...and a six year "hiatus" was born. At that point, Cubby was old and didn't want the grief, wanted a break after 25 years of making Bond movies. I think the same thing is happening now. I think these two just want to do nothing and enjoy life. It could be the development of the new script wasn't going very well, or it just presented choices they were tired of making. But they have the right to take Bond anywhere they want. This MGM situation just gives them an excuse to go on holiday. I'm not demonizing them. They're just very very rich and this business is not something that's really in their veins - it could be a chain of hardware stores for all they really care. I say this not just as a fan, but as somebody who has known people working on the films. So... While I'm very disappointed, I'm wondering if maybe this isn't the beginning of the Broccolis selling off Bond altogether and getting out of the 007 business. I hope so. I think the series would benefit from the stewardship of someone new and fresh and who really loves it. That's my two cents. Sorry for the long post, guys.

An appalling 'article' that couldn't be further from the truth on a whole heap of levels. This person doesn't have any "connections" to the "people that make the films". If they did, they would not need to mention that at all and they would know that most of the musings here are fictional bull[censored] bordering on slander and libel.

The only interesting question about the entire situation is where Bond will be after Wilson finally calls it quits. It's not like there's an heir being groomed here. I thought Wilson's kids were going to start getting more involved, but they were all absent from QoS.

Nope.

[zencat]

I gotta say, I wonder sometimes why they still do it. Michael has other passions and I don't think Babs has ever loved Bond. She's always talked about making other films, and she proved herself with CR.

Not sure about your thoughts on Barbara B there Zencat.

Yeah, well, I certainly don't profess to know the mind of Barbara Broccoli. One thing is for certain and that she IS committed to the family business of film. I just sensed during the Brozzo era that she was restless. She does love film, but I think she wanted to make a film with her stamp and sensibilities, and that was not going to happen with Bond (at least not when her parents where alive). I think the Jinx movie was part of her trying to do her own thing her way. But I think she pulled it all together with CR. Her Bond done her way, and you can't question the success of that movie on every level. So, yeah, she loves Bond. You can't make a CR if you don't love Bond. Shouldn't have said she didn't.

[MattofSteel]

Resorting to an attack on the Broccoli/Wilson passion for Bond is evidently the latest act by a restless, desperate fanbase trying to rationalize a quagmire of a dilemma.

And that's all it is. A quagmire. It's 100% about money, and the moment someone tips their hand (*cough* MGM *cough*), the Bond engine will get rolling again.

I just hope it's within a reasonable enough timeframe that Craig can continue. Plus, since becoming a fan I've only had to endure one 4-year hiatus. I'm not sure how I'd handle 5+ !!

[Harmsway]

Well, MGW and Babs did openly admit they were bored during the Brosnan era in interviews prior to CASINO ROYALE's release.

At any rate, though, the series' present troubles has nothing to do with Broccoli/Wilson's passion for Bond. BOND 23 would be full steam ahead if it were up to them. It has everything to do with MGM's massive debt.

[K1Bond007]

It has everything to do with MGM's massive debt.

Their unwillingness to accept any offer under 2 billion. What they think the company is worth with an added 4 billion dollars of debt versus what anyone is willing to pay just do not line up.

They should have taken the 1.5 offer from Warner Bros and cut their losses. It probably won't happen, I can't picture it happening because it would devalue MGM even further, but selling off The Hobbit to Warner and their stake in Bond may not be such a bad idea. I'm sure Warner would buy both actually. I'm sure Sony would love to bid on that too.

[Matt_13]

Well my concern for this has passed, it is what it is. I look forward to Bond's next outing and will continue to follow developments, but there are far more interesting and happy things taking place within the medium that I can be excited for, and, like all else, life goes on.

[tdalton]

Well my concern for this has passed, it is what it is. I look forward to Bond's next outing and will continue to follow developments, but there are far more interesting and happy things taking place within the medium that I can be excited for, and, like all else, life goes on.

Same here.

I had begun bracing myself for the possibility that Craig would do no more than 1 or 2 films in the role quite a while ago, so I don't feel as disappointed as I otherwise would be now that it looks like we'll be, unfortunately, seeing a new actor in the role when BOND 23 begins production. I think that perhaps now might be the time for the Bond films to stop for at least a while, if not totally, so that the series could go out on top. Given that there's only been 2 good Bond films in the last 20 years, it would seem likely that the quality of the films is headed back down at some point in the near future anyway.

[jamie00007]

My biggest problem with Craig not returning (apart from the best Bond since Connery not getting a "traditional" Bond film with the trimmings, gunbarrel, Moneypenny etc and getting to see him have some fun in the role) is the adverse affect it will have on CR and QoS. Since so much of those movies are about relaunching the series and about setting up the character of Bond they will forever feel incomplete without the payoff. And with a long delay I cant see them using any continuity from those films, so no Quantum, making them feel even more pointless.

Bond is such a disappointing subject to be a fan of. Four years ago I had never been so excited to be a Bond fan. With the movie I'd always wanted, the reboot I thought was a long time coming and an actor who I thought to be the first real successor to Sean Connery, I was gearing up for a new Bond golden age and couldnt wait to see what was to come. Now I'm starting to think that if they dont get things sorted out soon I'd rather they just finished up with the series. Let CR be the last truly great Bond film people remember.

[tdalton]

Bond is such a disappointing subject to be a fan of.

Very much agreed.

For me at least, every time the franchise starts heading back in the right direction (OHMSS, Dalton, Craig), something happens to pull the rug right out from under it. Even if Craig does return to the role, it'll be so far removed timewise from CR and QoS that it will render the Quantum organization virtually useless anyway. It's amazing that we're in the middle of a long-needed reboot that creatively revitalized the franchise in a way that it never has been before, and now we're looking at the possibility of all of that going to waste as there won't be a new Bond film for several years and there may or may not be a new actor donning the tux the next time we see 007.

[DamnCoffee]

Oh dear...

McKellen could walk away from 'Hobbit'
Sir Ian McKellen has revealed that he may not reprise his role as wizard Gandalf in The Hobbit, reports Bleeding Cool.

The British actor, who is currently touring New Zealand with a stage production of Waiting For Godot, told Good Morning that he isn't "sitting waiting" for the fantasy movie to get made.

He said: "Well I'm not under contract and my time is running out and I'm enjoying working in the theatre and frankly, I would like to race after doing Waiting For Godot, get on with doing another play but we'll have to see. I don't give the producers the impression that I'm sitting waiting."

McKellen also insisted that an announcement about the troubled J.R.R. Tolkien adaptation is imminent, saying: "What it will be, I genuinely don't know - it'll either be that we're going ahead or that we're not."

The Hobbit has been plagued by production problems, with the departure of director Guillermo del Toro and co-financier MGM's solvency issues delaying the movie. It has recently been reported that Lord Of The Rings helmer Peter Jackson is negotiating to return to the director's chair.

Hurry up MGM, because this is getting worse.

[Quantumofsolace007]

Oh dear...

McKellen could walk away from 'Hobbit'
Sir Ian McKellen has revealed that he may not reprise his role as wizard Gandalf in The Hobbit, reports Bleeding Cool.

The British actor, who is currently touring New Zealand with a stage production of Waiting For Godot, told Good Morning that he isn't "sitting waiting" for the fantasy movie to get made.

He said: "Well I'm not under contract and my time is running out and I'm enjoying working in the theatre and frankly, I would like to race after doing Waiting For Godot, get on with doing another play but we'll have to see. I don't give the producers the impression that I'm sitting waiting."

McKellen also insisted that an announcement about the troubled J.R.R. Tolkien adaptation is imminent, saying: "What it will be, I genuinely don't know - it'll either be that we're going ahead or that we're not."

The Hobbit has been plagued by production problems, with the departure of director Guillermo del Toro and co-financier MGM's solvency issues delaying the movie. It has recently been reported that Lord Of The Rings helmer Peter Jackson is negotiating to return to the director's chair.

Hurry up MGM, because this is getting worse.

Agreed. At what point will MGM realize they are dead and should just sell everything (including Bond) If Bond got sold tomorrow there might be a chance of this Quantum story continuing and a film coming out either 2011 or 2012.

[Royal Dalton]

McKellen's not going to leave The Hobbit while Jackson's involved. They'll work something out there. And Craig's got over two years left on his Bond contract before it expires.

Don't panic.

[Messervy]

Don't panic.

[Aris007]

McKellen's not going to leave The Hobbit while Jackson's involved. They'll work something out there. And Craig's got over two years left on his Bond contract before it expires.

Don't panic.

Well said. There's nothing to worry about. McKellen isn't gonna leave and so does Craig. There's a two year gap and things are not that worse. If there was a bad atmosphere between EON and Craig then we'd might have a problem. Now I don't think they'll let him walk away that easily.

[Mike00spy]

Is it really that likely that MGM will drag this out for years? Years of being in debt and not even producing a movie? I don't see how that makes them look more attractive to buyers.

I don't think its a stretch to think that this will get resolved sometime before the year is out and we can get another Bond with Craig in 2012- 50th anniversary. It can film next year with a SUMMER release.

Edited by Mike00spy, 05 July 2010 - 04:46 PM.