1025 replies to this topic

[Royal Dalton]

Where's the evidence for that?

Well, I was told it by a respected and reliable source, who asked to remain nameless (and no, it wasn't danslittlefinger).

And what possible value would Saltzman's share be if separated from the film rights?

Because they wanted full control of the company, I should think.

I think their 50% ownership of the film rights was confirmed when MGM was up for sale last time round.

It's come to something when the ownership of Bond is far more intriguing than the films themselves.

True.

[Sebastian Tombs]

Well, if the wait is long, I doubt anyone who was really attached to this film would be willing to just sit around kicking their heels and waiting for things to get moving...

[Guy Haines]

Do you mind if I offer an opinion? We are shocked and disappointed about this, but surprised? Everything we've been posting about for weeks has all been wishful thinking, from the title of 23, to the cast, the story, the finale, even the theme tune and whether someone else ought to compose the soundtrack.

All dependent on MGM getting its act together which, lo and behold, it hasn't.

To coin a phrase - "Keep Calm And Carry On". Indefinitely could mean for years to come, or as soon as this MGM mess is sorted out. Which might be sooner than we think.

[zencat]

Do you mind if I offer an opinion? We are shocked and disappointed about this, but surprised?

I'm always surprised when Eon speaks.

[DaveBond21]

If the delay is lengthy then Eon is going to need a new angle to sell the film.

That may mean a new Bond.

Surely "Bond is Back. Daniel Craig is Back" would be enough, if we have to wait until 2012/2013?

Still, it's a big shame. I really hope things get resolved sooner rather than later.

[tdalton]

If the delay is lengthy then Eon is going to need a new angle to sell the film.

That may mean a new Bond.

Surely "Bond is Back. Daniel Craig is Back" would be enough, if we have to wait until 2012/2013?

Still, it's a big shame. I really hope things get resolved sooner rather than later.

I would hope that would be enough as well. Now, more than ever really, I want to see the promos for the next Bond film prominently feature the phrase "Daniel Craig IS James Bond".

[MattofSteel]

I'm always surprised when Eon speaks.

That's perhaps the biggest indicator, to me, of some legitimacy to this 'power move' theory.

Much as they might care for their fans, or feel a loyalty to keep us 'in the loop' (wishful thinking), EON has no real reason to publicly announce something like this. Has to be an alternate motivation behind it.

[zencat]

I'm always surprised when Eon speaks.

That's perhaps the biggest indicator, to me, of some legitimacy to this 'power move' theory.

Much as they might care for their fans, or feel a loyalty to keep us 'in the loop' (wishful thinking), EON has no real reason to publicly announce something like this. Has to be an alternate motivation behind it.

Absolutely.

[blueman]

This is all shaping up a lot like 1989 isn't it?

Nah. Craig's films have made a ton more $$$ than Dalton's, there's quite an incentive for 23 to be made, very different from post-LTK.

"What is most interesting about the delay is what director Sam Mendes is going to do. He was originally attached to direct Preacher, but then he moved over to Bond. I wonder if he’ll go back to that project or venture onto something completely new…"

Yeah, what unfolds with Mendes now is worth watching IMO.

[Guy Haines]

Not the kind of news I wanted to come home to after enduring a Monday. But, this does feel like an EON power move - the next Bond film is worth too much to whichever studio is interested in being associated with the most successful franchise in movie history.

This is the chance for a mid-size player with a war chest to jump to the big league. Let's see if the pot was stirred enough today!

I agree - I wonder if EON is forcing MGM's hand? Few film series can more or less guarantee a return on investment, but the Bond series can. I would be surprised if some other studio isn't waiting in the wings.

[Bryce (003)]

This does not bode well.

In my gut, I had kind of wished Eon had offered themselves on the market as it were when the decided to reboot with CR. Everything was stable then though and they did offer up a cash cow.

Hindsight, speculation of the time, etc.

I just hate the notion of Eon being tied down via a failing studio.

This "official" announcement makes it all a bit too firm.

MGW and BB could go private/independent I suppose. They bloody well can afford to, but they want, and to a point, need a major studio behind them.

Perhaps, in the business sense with this bit, they are "beating the bush" to startle the snakes. Why not just sever ties with MGM and offer themselves and the series up for grabs...and the right price?

They'd have more control than ever.

Now, if Bond 23 were to be pushed back to 2012 for release/production to work with the 50th cinematic anniversary of 007, I can live with that and it does give the creative parts a chance to catch their breaths.

Very puzzled myself right now.

First round at the pub is on me. I'll be having a large brandy and ginger ale over this.

Not really crushed per-se, but, well, again...Puzzled.

[Syndicate]

hm, well. That's that. I don't really think any of us should be surprised to be honest.


Many of you are claiming that MGM should just sell Bond to rake in some cash, but think about this for a second. The interesting thing about Bond and MGM is that it's a relationship that is somewhat love-or-hate. MGM could sell Bond off, sure, but being their crown jewel, what major franchises do they have left? Rocky's been wrapped up. Relaunching The Pink Panther has failed. Stargate is starting to run its course...MGM knows that if it is to survive as a studio (and buy survive I mean the next decade or so, until the next crisis, lol) then it has to keep Bond so that it continue making new Bond films.

You are right, just like what Walt Disney said about his studio in the 50s. I don't remember word for word, but it something like this, "We should never forget one thing that was all started by a mouse."

James Bond did not start the MGM studio, but it is what helped them stay alive to keep going. If UA was never part of MGM, there would be no James Bond for them. You can use this Q line and that about MGM, "If it hadn't been for Q brench you
been dead long ago." Changing to "If it hadn't been for James Bond you been dead long ago." That sums up some what of it on MGM. So they just can't sell it like it nothing where it means easy come easy go.

Edited by Syndicate, 20 April 2010 - 02:38 AM.

[Guy Haines]

If the delay is lengthy then Eon is going to need a new angle to sell the film.

That may mean a new Bond.

Surely "Bond is Back. Daniel Craig is Back" would be enough, if we have to wait until 2012/2013?

Still, it's a big shame. I really hope things get resolved sooner rather than later.

I would hope that would be enough as well. Now, more than ever really, I want to see the promos for the next Bond film prominently feature the phrase "Daniel Craig IS James Bond".

Consider the gaps between the three Indiana Jones films in the 1980s - five years between films two and three - and yet Harrison Ford drew in the audiences. There's no reason why Daniel Craig couldn't do the same, if he wants to, is fit enough and if the incentive is enough. And after two films which qualify for the word "blockbuster" in financial terms at least, the producers would be crazy to let Craig go.

[blueman]

Aren't the creditors in charge of MGM's fate? Seems, a decent enough deal would do it. Hopefully the low-ball bidders have left the building now.

[Gobi-1]

It's all Harry Saltzman's fault!

Seriously though, back in the mid 70s when Harry sold off his interest in Bond why didn't Cubby Broccoli buy him out instead of MGM?

[blueman]

It's all Harry Saltzman's fault!

Seriously though, back in the mid 70s when Harry sold off his interest in Bond why didn't Cubby Broccoli buy him out instead of MGM?

MGM likely offered more for it. Low-ball bids coming home to roost!

[MattofSteel]

So...

Bond is MGM's "crown jewel," the one guaranteed money-making asset. However, they have no cash with which to INCITE the "Bond engine" for next film.

So logically, yes, they could sell their rights to Bond to another studio anytime, to get it made - losing their crown jewel but receiving a massively helpful cash injection. Of course, selling Bond separately nullifies - probably - the most valuable asset the studio as a 'package' has to offer in a sale of the whole thing.

Then....

MGM obviously wants to sell the entire thing for the right price, with Bond included, because 007 keeps the "right price" fairly high.

If they sell Bond separately/first, it would entirely devalue MGM as it remains - perhaps preventing any meaningful return. Even a cash injection the size of which would be seen with a sale of Bond would do little to help stave off $4 billion in debt.

Which means...

The stupidest thing the ruins of MGM could do would be to move Bond before someone either buys the whole studio (for as much as possible) or they're forced to completely liquidate.

So even if a rival studio were willing to jump in and take over Bond...from a pure business point of view, it makes no sense for MGM to allow it. And I can't see it happening.

Am I reading the situation correctly?

I think I've depressed myself.

[Bryce (003)]

It's all Harry Saltzman's fault!

Seriously though, back in the mid 70s when Harry sold off his interest in Bond why didn't Cubby Broccoli buy him out instead of MGM?

That's a whole other story. In the here and now, it's down to what Eon wants to do and what they can do. More importantly, it's how they should do it.

Dicey at best. Not so much for MGM, but for Eon.

[Lachesis]

The internet hype machine and 'news from nothing' media will ensure the memory of Bond, Daniel Criag and otherwise will be prominent for some considerable time yet....Bond fans and Daniel Craig fans are atm simply facing a delay, lets not overreact here...it must have been on everyones mind.

More than any time since the 60's there is money in bond and I am confident it won't be allowed to rest in limbo for long.

[Bryce (003)]

More than any time since the 60's there is money in bond and I am confident it won't be allowed to rest in limbo for long.

As am I. The studio politics are considerably different than back in those days though. I guess we'll just see how badly someone or studio wants the gem that is Eon.

[DamnCoffee]

Imagine what we will be all like when Bond is stopped completely.

[blueman]

Daniel Craig, who was set to play 007 for the third time, said: "I have every confidence in Barbara and Michael's decision and look forward to production resuming as quickly as possible."

The actor is on location in Toronto, Canada, filming Dream House, which co-stars Rachel Weisz.

From somewhere on Google.

[Icephoenix]

Gutted. What horrible news to wake up to! I could only hope Sony sweeps in to rescue.

[Righty007]

Look at the bright side: Now when a troll posts a story about Rachel Weisz being cast as the villain, we automatically know that he/she/it is lying.

[DamnCoffee]

Look at the bright side: Now when a troll posts a story about Rachel Weisz being cast as the villain, we automatically know that he/she/it is lying.

I wish people would let this drop now. It's getting tedious.

[tdalton]

I guess we'll just see how badly someone or studio wants the gem that is Eon.

My hope would be that Sony steps up to the plate and makes MGM an offer for EON that they couldn't refuse. EON and Sony have already shown that they can produce great movies together, and MGM could certainly use some cash flow right now. Perhaps a swap of film franchises kind of like what happened when Sony gave up any and all supposed rights they had to McClory's Bond material for MGM giving up their stakes in Spider-Man. Just a thought, although probably unlikely.

[blueman]

Go towards the light, MGM! Towards the light!

Something like a Bat-signal with a $ should do it.

[Royal Dalton]

http://www.mirror.co...15875-22198000/

Daniel Craig, who was set to play 007 for the third time, said: "I have every confidence in Barbara and Michael's decision and look forward to production resuming as quickly as possible."

[Professor Dent]

Some disappointing news to come home to. Hopefully, The EON press release will ignite a fire that gets things moving.

[DamnCoffee]

Nice words of encouragement by Craig. You know, I feel more happier now we've had his views on the subject matter.