Bond 23 delayed indefinitely
#211
Posted 20 April 2010 - 09:45 AM
"I have every confidence in Barbara and Michael's decision and look forward to production resuming as quickly as possible."
#212
Posted 20 April 2010 - 09:47 AM
Yes.Has Craig's reaction been posted?
#213
Posted 20 April 2010 - 09:48 AM
Danjaq / Eon needs funding for any film. Bond needs a lot of money to travel the world, launch to the world and entertain the world. Yes, a lot of cash gets wasted daily on inept titles like TRANSFORMERS 3 and CLASH OF THE TITANS but Eon (I imagine) would not want to get "into bed" with transient financiers. That could prove worse thanWhy can't MGM just sell Bond? It's their only way out. Let's face it. James Bond is a cash cow, and could possibly be the only way to stop them from filing bankruptcy. Think how much it could go for.
Danjaq/Eon/The Broccoli Family have got their hands burnt too many times before over studios and financial ownership. This "retraction" of production is Bond management playing it safe and cautious.
Bond and its world means A HELL OF A LOT to the players at Eon. "Family" is a word bandied around and that is not strong enough to describe the tight unit, creative experience and loyalties in that one production house - the 'last corner shop on the Lot' as someone once said to me. The Broccoli family do not need the "money" (which seems crass to even suggest). They do not use Bond films to make money. Yes, they need the films to make a profit for everyone involved, but it is more important to get the creative conditions (be it a script or studio money men) right, airtight and beneficial to all involved.
Working relationships are vital in the film industry - as they no doubt are everywhere else in life. Danjaq/Eon have a long history of working relationships with people from all sectors of the film making world - financiers, insurers etc. Their reputation is no doubt important to them and this MGM "uncertainty" challenges and potentially threatens that.
#214
Posted 20 April 2010 - 09:48 AM
Might even have been issued specifically to generate the action as it is possible, while everyone was sitting round a table discussing, they were relying on work progressing in the background.
No Bond film isn't going to please those looking to raise the value and profile of the company to those looking to help out.
#215
Posted 20 April 2010 - 09:51 AM
Yes.Has Craig's reaction been posted?
Too many pages!
#216
Posted 20 April 2010 - 09:57 AM
Not quite true. Eon Productions have the options to a lot of projects and develop non-Bond work all the time - especially with an emphasis on good, original storytelling (such as the stage productions of A STEADY RAIN, CATWALK CONFIDENTIAL and CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, the latter of which there is a plan to remake one day) and an in-house scheme to nurture new screenwriters with commercially minded scripts.Even if that was possible, it would be unlikely to succeed. The company is essentially a one-trick pony as Danjaq has failed to develop or acquire properties of any great value other than the films rights to Ian Fleming's works.EON should go independant.
The rights of those properties would have been worth much more after Casino Royale than after QoS.
You won't. It is a complicated set up.But who controls Danjaq and Eon? I've not managed to find any details of the companies' structure or ownership.
They are an independent who - like all independents - needs financing to fund their films.EON should go independant.
#217
Posted 20 April 2010 - 09:59 AM
I hope this doesn't jeopardise my hope of having Craig go on to be the longest serving Bond, with 8 Bond films.
You must be jokin'...
#218
Posted 20 April 2010 - 10:06 AM
As far as I can tell, QoS' worldwide box-office - minus the distributors and cinemas' take - did not cover its production costs. Of course that depends on which budget figure you believe.
Not true.
Even more not true.If QoS' profit on return had been more acceptable then the Bond films - and MGM - would be in a much stronger position.
It's pretty strong.If anyone can find a recent statement or company record as to who owns what I would like to see it. (When due diligence takes place it may well emerge.) Only then will we know the strength of Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson's bargaining position.
#219
Posted 20 April 2010 - 10:08 AM
Yes.Has Craig's reaction been posted?
Too many pages!
Doubt that! Just one word, "F****rs"!
I really cant't believe or at least don't want to believe that this was Craig's last film. This guy has so much to give! I think we all agree on that! And apparently he's the only suitable guy for Bond right now in the film industry. Why destroy everything that has been built after CR? People started to see Bond differently with Craig. Why do they burn him like that? If this proves to be right Craig will be the most unlucky Bond actor ever!
And I think QoS was the last film we saw starting with this cat roaring! Sell the damn rights! Go away from that Bond-destruction machine!
#220
Posted 20 April 2010 - 10:12 AM
Well at least MGM cannotGo towards the light, MGM! Towards the light!
#221
Posted 20 April 2010 - 10:17 AM
#222
Posted 20 April 2010 - 10:18 AM
I hope this doesn't jeopardise my hope of having Craig go on to be the longest serving Bond, with 8 Bond films.
You must be jokin'...
Yes... and no.
#223
Posted 20 April 2010 - 10:19 AM
Craig appears committed to Bond even with this delay - I think the only thing going against him now is his age against the massive physical demands of the role now.
What "massive physical demands of the role now"? Last I checked, all the dangerous stuff was done by stuntmen and CGI.
It's not as though Craig genuinely needs to have the awesome fighting fit conditioning of an SAS man. It's all make-believe, you know!
Let's be pessimistic and say that BOND 23 won't come out till, say, 2015. Well, Craig would still be only 47. Compare and contrast with:
Pierce Brosnan - 49 years old in DIE ANOTHER DAY
Harrison Ford - 66 years old in INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL
Arnold Schwarzenegger - 56 years old in TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES
Sylvester Stallone - 60 years old in ROCKY BALBOA, 62 years old in RAMBO and 64 years old in THE EXPENDABLES
Bruce Willis - 52 years old in LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD/DIE HARD 4.0
Unless BOND 23 requires Craig to get his kit off and pose on a beach again, I don't see any physical challenges that would get in the way of his playing 007. And even if the script called for some topless Bond scenes, you can bet that he'd still look damn good.
If Sharon Stone could do BASIC INSTINCT 2 at 48, I fail to understand why Craig would be unable to brush up those pecs and biceps again at a similar age.
#224
Posted 20 April 2010 - 10:20 AM
#225
Posted 20 April 2010 - 10:24 AM
#226
Posted 20 April 2010 - 10:25 AM
I have no doubt that Craig will stay on, and indeed that his comeback as Bond will be the most eagerly-awaited comeback as Bond since Connery's.
This enforced hiatus will result in BOND 23 being another GOLDENEYE or CASINO ROYALE - a rapturously-received commercial and criticial smash that rejuvenates the series. It won't be "just another Bond film", as I'm sure QUANTUM OF SOLACE was in the eyes of many people.
Happy days!
#227
Posted 20 April 2010 - 10:27 AM
And the 50th anniversary in 2012 has not gone unnoticed.
Ok, I agree on this, but they could have started production at least, damn it!
#228
Posted 20 April 2010 - 10:28 AM
What can we expact in the future?
#229
Posted 20 April 2010 - 10:28 AM
I have no doubt that Craig will stay on, and indeed that his comeback as Bond will be the most eagerly-awaited comeback as Bond since Connery's.
I just hope we won't have a DAF comeback!
#230
Posted 20 April 2010 - 10:38 AM
#231
Posted 20 April 2010 - 10:38 AM
Plus, Daniel Craig backs producers’ decision to halt development
#232
Posted 20 April 2010 - 10:41 AM
Look at what's happening though... everyone on CBN is talking to each other.... and some old names are returning .... how can that be a bad thing...?
This can't get on and on forever though! Remember this is a Bond 23 forum. Can you imagine things after a week?
#233
Posted 20 April 2010 - 10:43 AM
We, together with Danjaq LLC, are the sole owners of all of the James Bond motion pictures. Twenty James Bond motion pictures in our library were produced and are distributed pursuant to a series of agreements with Danjaq. The James Bond motion pictures are produced by Danjaq, and we have the right to approve all key elements of the pictures, such as the selection of the director and the leading actors. The copyright in each of the motion pictures is owned jointly by MGM and Danjaq. Historically, we have the right to distribute each of the pictures in all media worldwide in perpetuity or for a term of 15 years. Where our distribution rights are not perpetual, the rights revert to joint control by MGM and Danjaq after expiration of the distribution term. On January 21, 2004, we entered into an extension agreement with Danjaq. Under that agreement, our distribution term for each of the non-perpetual James Bond motion pictures was extended by 15 years from the previously scheduled expiration date, and the initial distribution term for new James Bond pictures, beginning with Die Another Day, was extended from 15 years to 20 years. Danjaq controls certain merchandising rights with respect to the pictures, and we are entitled to receive a portion of the revenues from Danjaq’s merchandising licenses. Additionally, we control all the marketing rights and the music from The Living Daylights (1987) and all subsequent pictures. All other rights relating to the pictures are controlled jointly by MGM and Danjaq. The agreements contain certain restrictions on the sale or licensing by MGM of any of our rights in the pictures.
In 1998, we acquired the rights to Never Say Never Again, produced by Warner Bros. and Taliafilms and, in 1999, we acquired the distribution rights to Casino Royale, produced by Columbia and Famous Artists Productions (a subsidiary of MGM). Accordingly, our library now contains every James Bond motion picture ever made, and we are the only studio to hold such rights.
The key point to take from this is the symbiotic relationship between the two - EON can't make Bond films without MGM (it's not a matter of just picking another distributor).
Equally interesting is this statement:
The agreements contain certain restrictions on the sale or licensing by MGM of any of our rights in the pictures.
This means that MGM cannot simply sell the rights, without EON's agreement.
I think this would significantly reduce the value MGM can derive from a sale of the rights as any buyer would have to agree terms with EON as well. I think it makes the franchise much more valuable to MGM than any amounts that it could get through a sale of the rights.
I also suspect this may be part of the reason why the creditors are reluctant to force MGM into administration - it's entirely possible that this would somehow dissolve MGM's rights (that's just speculation though).
#234
Posted 20 April 2010 - 10:46 AM
#235
Posted 20 April 2010 - 10:57 AM
#236
Posted 20 April 2010 - 10:58 AM
As many others have mentioned already - my question is; have we seen Craig as Bond for the last time? Sadly, I think so.
I wouldn't be surprised
#237
Posted 20 April 2010 - 11:03 AM
As many others have mentioned already - my question is; have we seen Craig as Bond for the last time? Sadly, I think so.
I don't even want to think of this!
#238
Posted 20 April 2010 - 11:06 AM
Looking on the bright side, I reckon a gap of a few years will only heighten anticipation for BOND 23.
I have no doubt that Craig will stay on, and indeed that his comeback as Bond will be the most eagerly-awaited comeback as Bond since Connery's.
This enforced hiatus will result in BOND 23 being another GOLDENEYE or CASINO ROYALE - a rapturously-received commercial and criticial smash that rejuvenates the series. It won't be "just another Bond film", as I'm sure QUANTUM OF SOLACE was in the eyes of many people.
Happy days!
I think you're right: it's not like the situation after LTK where there was a general feeling of apathy towards Dalton: goodwill from Casino Royale remains (and Quantum wasn't disappointing enough to kill that) and I think a lot of people will be excited when the event of the return of Craig happens. Because, as you say; his return will be an event now.
For the sake of some clarification, this is from MGM's 2005 10k (financial statement filings):
We, together with Danjaq LLC, are the sole owners of all of the James Bond motion pictures. Twenty James Bond motion pictures in our library were produced and are distributed pursuant to a series of agreements with Danjaq. The James Bond motion pictures are produced by Danjaq, and we have the right to approve all key elements of the pictures, such as the selection of the director and the leading actors. The copyright in each of the motion pictures is owned jointly by MGM and Danjaq. Historically, we have the right to distribute each of the pictures in all media worldwide in perpetuity or for a term of 15 years. Where our distribution rights are not perpetual, the rights revert to joint control by MGM and Danjaq after expiration of the distribution term. On January 21, 2004, we entered into an extension agreement with Danjaq. Under that agreement, our distribution term for each of the non-perpetual James Bond motion pictures was extended by 15 years from the previously scheduled expiration date, and the initial distribution term for new James Bond pictures, beginning with Die Another Day, was extended from 15 years to 20 years. Danjaq controls certain merchandising rights with respect to the pictures, and we are entitled to receive a portion of the revenues from Danjaq’s merchandising licenses. Additionally, we control all the marketing rights and the music from The Living Daylights (1987) and all subsequent pictures. All other rights relating to the pictures are controlled jointly by MGM and Danjaq. The agreements contain certain restrictions on the sale or licensing by MGM of any of our rights in the pictures.
In 1998, we acquired the rights to Never Say Never Again, produced by Warner Bros. and Taliafilms and, in 1999, we acquired the distribution rights to Casino Royale, produced by Columbia and Famous Artists Productions (a subsidiary of MGM). Accordingly, our library now contains every James Bond motion picture ever made, and we are the only studio to hold such rights.
The key point to take from this is the symbiotic relationship between the two - EON can't make Bond films without MGM (it's not a matter of just picking another distributor).
Equally interesting is this statement:
The agreements contain certain restrictions on the sale or licensing by MGM of any of our rights in the pictures.
This means that MGM cannot simply sell the rights, without EON's agreement.
I think this would significantly reduce the value MGM can derive from a sale of the rights as any buyer would have to agree terms with EON as well. I think it makes the franchise much more valuable to MGM than any amounts that it could get through a sale of the rights.
I also suspect this may be part of the reason why the creditors are reluctant to force MGM into administration - it's entirely possible that this would somehow dissolve MGM's rights (that's just speculation though).
Ooh: good bit of digging there; well done.
You're right: selling Bond would be like selling the golden goose.
#239
Posted 20 April 2010 - 11:14 AM
either: "So, what? We will continue to sort out our mess in our own time."
or: "
#240
Posted 20 April 2010 - 11:25 AM

