1025 replies to this topic

[blueman]

Interesting choice of words (if anyone still cares about that sort of thing): "production resuming," makes it sound like there was work happening on it, eh?

[MattofSteel]

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.

Yes, a 'power move' seems logical. If you look at the way the press release is worded, there's a slight dig being made at the parties involved: "....the failure to close a sale of the studio" is clearly being aimed at someone, though I can't say for certain who they are blaming.

Look, Warner Brothers never issued a press release saying 'all work on THE MAN OF STEEL is being indefinitely suspended'. They just didn't bring Bryan Singer or Brandon Routh back to work, and now Warner Brothers has moved on with Christopher Nolan "advising" on the next picture.

Issuing a press release to say you're going to continue not doing what you've already been not doing (you know, not making a Bond film and stuff) is like handing out purity rings at a Spring Break party in Cancun: pointless.

So I stand by my original thought that the press release is mostly symbolic; it's a power move designed to underscore EON's dissatisfaction with the foot-dragging going on at MGM, and is probably a shot across the bow at the creditors and potential investors. I think it's possible, even likely, that the effect of the release is to so weaken MGM's precarious position that anyone even thinking of doing business with EON in a post-MGM world better consider whether the cost of continuously propping up MGM is worth losing the cooperation of EON. EON *can* sit the situation out. They don't have to release films even after the financial situation is settled. Barbara and Michael could go into semi-retirement for 10 years and not be compelled to make a movie.

In fact, it's basically like Falco telling M: "Get your house in order...or we're gonna do it for you."

This studio doesn't need a cash infusion; it needs to be taken off life-support and allowed to die with dignity. The banks are trying to hold on to a corpse that this world no longer wants.

Go towards the light, MGM! Towards the light!

All true, Gravity. Was thinking much the same myself re: the wording of the press release.

As unnecessary as it would be to announce "we're stopping for now," it is perhaps MORE telling that EON makes specific reference to the MGM situation in the release. I'm not suggesting it isn't the obvious "elephant in the room," but the release essentially says:

"We're stopping, uncharacteristically, because THAT is messed up."

Just absolutely going out of their way to make a point. Love it (if true), hope that's the intention (if true), and hope it has the desired effect.

As if the voices of the people mean anything at all to the real cronies in charge.

[The Richmond Spy]

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

Never! There will always be another Bond film in some shape or form. It is a franchise built on sequels/multiple actors as well as having a tendency to "reboot" from time to time (albeit none quite like what we saw with Craig).

We'll be in a much different world when Bond ends. Maybe films as we know it will be on their way out or a crippling stigma will be attached to Bond that makes him irrelevant to us all. Bottom line: As long as we care, there will always be Bond.

If this news is true, then it is no more than a bump in the road. They will find a way eventually!

Mharkin, sorry for being dramatic.

[DaveBond21]

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

Agreed. Good to hear from Daniel.

[007th Heaven]

Tim Dalton made two Bond films. The second film was not as well received as his first outing as Bond. Sounds familiar. Similarly, Dalton was waiting to do a third film when the studio was having problems and production was placed on hold indefinitely. Lets hope we are looking at months and not years this time around. If not, Craig may get frustrated and decide to walk away just as Dalton did in the 1990's.

[WhatMeWorry?]

Well if there is not going to be a new film out anytime soon, bring on some new novels.

[Donovan Mayne-Nicholls]

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.

Basically, Sony would have to buy the UA brand from MGM. I've noticed that in other UA films such as the Panthers and Rockies, the renewed copyright is MGM not UA whereas they haven't been able to change that in Bond's case since it's a joint copyright between Danjaq and UA from before UA was sold to MGM. Now, the only reason MGM bought UA was to milk the Bond cashcow. Were MGM to sell UA, they'd really have nothing to bargain with.
The problem with Sony is that they're a bunch of cheap bastards who also want to milk Bond dry but without owing it (Sony got the lion's share of CR and QOS's profits). The MGM situation could be solved by now if Sony just bought MGM, period. The problem's they don't want to but they also don't realise the property is legally tied to MGM (this thanks to Saltzman who couldn't be happy making millions from Bond but wanted to go swimming with sharks and to Krim who rebuilt UA from its ashes only to sell it to Transamerica).

[Hockey Mask]

MGM is a sucky, sucky studio. I have seen rummage sales run better.

[Donovan Mayne-Nicholls]

Well if there is not going to be a new film out anytime soon, bring on some new novels.

Hear, hear! More period Bonds set in the late sixties early seventies!

[DLibrasnow]

Tim Dalton made two Bond films. The second film was not as well received as his first outing as Bond. Sounds familiar. Similarly, Dalton was waiting to do a third film when the studio was having problems and production was placed on hold indefinitely. Lets hope we are looking at months and not years this time around. If not, Craig may get frustrated and decide to walk away just as Dalton did in the 1990's.

Tim Dalton was pushed despite what the public story of an amicable split might lead you to believe.
The delay in the 1990s was because Broccoli took MGM to court to prevent MGM from selling off the rights to the early Bond movies to Ted Turner.
Eventually, MGM demanded that Tim Dalton be removed as James Bond and Pierce Brosnan be hired. Another condition was that Michael G. Wilson not be allowed to pen another Bond screenplay.
Craig is far more successful than Dalton ever was.

[blueman]

Another condition was that Michael G. Wilson not be allowed to pen another Bond screenplay.

That true? Too funny!

[zencat]

Well if there is not going to be a new film out anytime soon, bring on some new novels.

Hear, hear! More period Bonds set in the late sixties early seventies!

Hey, I'd be fine with just books and my dvds of the old films. I sometimes wonder if all this is worth it. Guess it is for some, but my interest in the movie Bond is waning, and this kind of thing just tests it.

[Righty007]

Tim Dalton made two Bond films. The second film was not as well received as his first outing as Bond. Sounds familiar. Similarly, Dalton was waiting to do a third film when the studio was having problems and production was placed on hold indefinitely. Lets hope we are looking at months and not years this time around. If not, Craig may get frustrated and decide to walk away just as Dalton did in the 1990's.

Another condition was that Michael G. Wilson not be allowed to pen another Bond screenplay.

Where did this tidbit come from?

[Quantumofsolace007]

will we ever get a happy press release from EON?

[Mr. Blofeld]

Oh, cripes.

It's times like these, I wonder what Bondian'd say; presumably, something to this effect:

[Conlazmoodalbrocra]

Damn it. Pissed off doesn't quite explain how I'm feeling.

[The Shark]

will we ever get a happy press release from EON?

When discounts are offered at the local alcohol store.

Only a couple of days from now!

[Dr. Metz]

While i haven't been a fan of the Craig era of bond movies(Or the Brosnan era for that matter), i do feel bad for the fans of Daniel that probably won't see a new bond movie starring him for a while. I also don't think he will leave the series before making a new movie.

[jaguar007]

Another condition was that Michael G. Wilson not be allowed to pen another Bond screenplay.

It is fairly common knowledge about Calley insisting that Dalton be removed, but I had not heard about MGW not being allowed to write.

[sharpshooter]

Just woke up to the news. This absolutely sucks. That’s all I can say at the moment.

[Matt_13]

If you guys think we're annoyed, the MGM execs must be in tears. A smart play by EON, but an unfortunate one nonetheless. We very rarely hear from Barbara and Michael, so this is definitely a shocking maneuver, however it also feels like the right move to make. This should kill MGM for good, so hopefully things will be looking up in a couple years. And guys don't forget, Daniel really isn't that old, and he's most certainly popular. He'll be back.

[JackUnion]

Awesome, James Bond 2015! just a little bit of history repeating. I think its time for a whole new production team. Eon did wonderfully for about 9 years...in the 60's lets roll on. Blasphemy?

[Napoleon Solo]

007 questions about Bond 23's indefinite delay

http://hmssweblog.wo...definite-delay/

[Quantumofsolace007]

If you guys think we're annoyed, the MGM execs must be in tears. A smart play by EON, but an unfortunate one nonetheless. We very rarely hear from Barbara and Michael, so this is definitely a shocking maneuver, however it also feels like the right move to make. This should kill MGM for good, so hopefully things will be looking up in a couple years. And guys don't forget, Daniel really isn't that old, and he's most certainly popular. He'll be back.

Hmm maybe we'll get a statement from MGM by friday

"look eon here is the money now hire a director and get cracking on bond 23"

[blueman]

After months of MGM talks stalling out, if EON hadn't barked about it I'd be worried.

EON wants to make a Bond, with Craig and Dench and (likely) Mendes. MGM is holding things up, but no Bond means no $$$ for anyone. The likelihood is that this helps moves things along. It's a good thing.

[sharpshooter]

And guys don't forget, Daniel really isn't that old, and he's most certainly popular. He'll be back.

I think Craig will return, but I fear it will be for one last time.

[Matt_13]

After months of MGM talks stalling out, if EON hadn't barked about it I'd be worried.

EON wants to make a Bond, with Craig and Dench and (likely) Mendes. MGM is holding things up, but no Bond means no $$$ for anyone. The likelihood is that this helps moves things along. It's a good thing.

My thoughts as well.

[MattofSteel]

Assuming the script has been thoroughly developed to this point, there's no reason to think that if the whole scenario isn't resolved by sometime in the summer, they couldn't prep for January 2011 shooting start and a late 2011 release. They'd still have months for location scouting, preproduction, casting, and script polishes.

Or am I being far too ambitious out of pure denial?

[jaguar007]

At this point I think the best thing for the investors to do is to "part out" MGM.

[blueman]

Assuming the script has been thoroughly developed to this point, there's no reason to think that if the whole scenario isn't resolved by sometime in the summer, they couldn't prep for January 2011 shooting start and a late 2011 release. They'd still have months for location scouting, preproduction, casting, and script polishes.

Or am I being far too ambitious out of pure denial?

Well QOS was pushed through pretty quickly, I'd bet 23 has the same footprint once they get a Go.

Nikki Finke has been updating the story. Not a whole lot to go on, but she's been adding bits and pieces:

http://www.deadline....tely/#more-3370

Nikki Finke wrote:

So today's announcement comes via the PR newswire, untypical for EON Productions which operates always with the maximum amount of secrecy. Some showbiz news outlets are mistakenly claiming the next Bond movie, #23, is cancelled. Nope. You can see it's only been postponed. This is the same pic on which Sam Mendes has been wconsulting and ultimately as expected to direct:

• Interesting that she picks up on the same idea many of us have had, namely that it is a move out of left-field for EON. In other words, it's NOT JUST a press release letting everyone know how the progress is going on the next Bond film.
  
• Apparently, even when a source is legitimate, some other media outlets have problems keeping up with current events, and have been spreading news that the next Bond film has been cancelled.

That's so amazing, never ever heard of that happening. Just, gosh.